adelphi honors college essay examples

Congratulations on being selected to interview for a place in the Honors College at Adelphi University!  The Honors College is a vibrant community of students who are interested in engaging with one another to discuss texts and ideas. This year, all interviews will be conducted virtually. Please select a date and time to interview from one of the available slots on the calendar. All times are in Eastern Standard Time (New York's Time Zone). Weekend appointments are 60 minutes long and will include a short information session, a conversation with some current students, and interviewing with an Honors College faculty member.  If you select a weekday interview slot, your appointment will be 30 minutes long and include a short discussion about the Honors College with an Honors College faculty member and the interview.  If you have any questions, please email  [email protected]!  

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We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Adelphi University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Joint degree program essay.

The Joint Degree Committee reviews all applicants holistically and values student motivation. Please provide a brief statement, no longer than one page, of your interest in Adelphi University‘s joint degree program and your selected profession.

3-Year Business Track Essay

The Committee reviews all applicants holistically and values student motivation. Please provide a statement (approximately 250 words) on why you want to be in the accelerated three year business program and why you are prepared to succeed in the program.

Education Essay

What would people say are your greatest strengths that you will use as a teacher?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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Honors College Essay: Tips, Prompt Examples and How to Write

Writing honors college essay

An honors college essay is an academic paper that students typically complete to establish entrance into an honors college, program, or division. An honors paper seeks to test students’ research skills and focus their analytical abilities on a subject of academic interest. 

Due to the specialized focus of the paper, students benefit from serious attention to the college essay topics, which are vital in developing the essay.

An Honors College essay is unique in terms of its requirements, structure, and background. The purpose of this article is to provide advice on writing and structuring an Honors College essay.

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Which Universities do Ask for Honors College Essay

1. uci (university of california irvine) .

The UCI has two programs, the Academic Honors Program and the Honors Program. Both are popular with many members. They are not mutually exclusive, but they have different requirements and different goals.

The Academic Honors Program is for students who want to get recognized by their professors for academic achievement. It does not require an essay but several letters of recommendation from faculty members.

You should not apply to either program if you are only interested in one or the other because there is no guarantee that either program will accept your application or that you will gain acceptance into either program.

2. VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University)

The applicants must complete the 500-word Essay on Honors. The essay should address the following topics:

• Your interests and goals, especially as they pertain to your intended major(s) and career path(s). How do you feel about being a lifelong learner?
• Your ideas about leadership, including h
• How you would define leadership, what your leadership style is, how you would use your abilities as a leader to positively impact your community in and out of college, and how you would lead if given the opportunity.

3. NJT (New Jersey Institute of Technology)

NJT requires you to write an essay and submit it along with your application.

These honors college essays usually focus on your intellectual interests and experiences, using specific examples to illustrate your points. It’s essential to select an area you are interested in and know about. 

You should also pick something that you can write about easily; it will be evident if you are writing a research paper or other academic work instead of an honors college essay, so don’t try to fake it!

4. Purdue University

Purdue University’s Honors College focuses on scholarship, leadership, research, and engagement by integrating residential and co-curricular learning opportunities with academic classroom experiences.

Your college application essay needs to breathe life into your application. It should capture your genuine personality, explaining who you are beyond a series of grades, test scores, and after-school activities. 

Take a minute and think about the college or university admission officers who will be reading your essay.

5. Stony Brook University

The Stony Brook Honors College provides an exceptional opportunity for students who want to pursue a challenging course of study in the company of talented peers. Your essay should be no longer than three double-spaced pages and should address certain questions.

It is an opportunity to explain an event that took place on any day in history; what would that event be? Discuss why you chose this particular day. Also, as this question, what do you hope to learn/experience by being present?

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How to Write a Good Honors College Essay

Honors college essays follow a formal style with a clear structure. To get your honors college essay, follow these tips:

• Think about the prompt and what you want to say.
• Brainstorm.
• Organize your thoughts into a logical outline.
• Write your introduction.
• End with a conclusion that sums up the main points of your argument and connects those points back to the prompt.

Technically, the honors college essay can be a five-paragraph essay, but it should be more than that.

It should be closer to a 10-paragraph essay, with an introduction and conclusion paragraph that are each about four or five sentences long.

The introduction and conclusion paragraphs should be about the same size. The middle of the essay should be about three paragraphs long, and each of them should be about four to five sentences long.

1. Introduction 

The introduction should have a hook which is a catchy sentence or two that gets the reader interested in reading your essay. Furthermore, it should have an explanation of why you want to go to Honors College: This is usually possible in one sentence. 

Also, there should be a thesis statement. This is usually evident in one sentence at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement tells the reader what you plan to write about in your essay. For example: “I want to attend honors college because of their strong pre-med program.”

Write the body of your paper using transition words to connect your ideas and explain the connections between them.

The middle paragraphs should include an explanation of why you have chosen your career path and why you are interested. 

3. Conclusion

End with a strong conclusion that ties together everything you discussed within your paper, providing important takeaways for readers as well as leaving them feeling satisfied with what they just read.

Takeaways 

• You are writing an essay, not a text message. In other words, please use complete sentences and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If proper English is not your strong suit, enlist someone proficient at it to help edit your essay.
• Be specific about what you want to study and why. Do not just say that you want an education; tell the reader what kind of education you want and why. This is particularly important if you plan to study something that you did not find at your high school. 
• The readers do not expect you to know everything about the field you plan to enter. They expect that you give serious consideration to it and explain why you want to pursue it beyond the fact that “it sounds interesting” or “it pays well.”
• Proofread your essays before sending them in. Errors will distract from whatever else is in those essays and may give us a negative impression of your abilities.

Things to Remember about Honor Essays

The honors essay is one of your best chances to stand out in a meaningful way from other applicants, so be sure to invest time in crafting a great response.

The admission office is looking for the following:

• The office wants to know that you understand what makes the honors program special. We have a diverse group of students and faculty who are passionate about learning and interacting across disciplines.
• What do you think this will mean for you? How will you take advantage of being in an environment that values interdisciplinary thinking?
• Your accomplishments. Let the audience know your talents. Have you excelled academically? What leadership roles have you taken on, or awards have you won? They want to discover what drives your passion for learning, leadership, and service.
• Your plans for the future. The honors program will prepare you for success beyond your skills, whether that’s graduate school or medical school, or a career in a completely different field. 

People Also Read: NJHS Essay: How to Write a Winning Piece from Ideas to end

Examples of Honors College Essay Topics

• Considering your lifetime goals, explain how your present and future academic activities will assist you in achieving your goals. 
• Settle for an issue of importance to you, whether it is political, personal, local, or international related. Then, craft an essay to explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your community, and your generation. 

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Office of University Admissions p – 516.877.3050

General admission is granted twice each year for fall and spring. Although the University operates on a rolling admissions system, freshmen applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by March 1 for the fall semester and November 30 for the spring semester; transfer applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by May 1 for the fall semester and by November 30 for the spring semester. (Please note that attendance at a summer session does not assure a student of admission to any of the schools or colleges of the University.)

Late applicants will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis for admissions and financial assistance.

Applicants requesting consideration for on-campus housing must submit their tuition deposit, housing deposit and Housing Agreement Form prior to May 1 for the fall semester (these items must be received no later than May 1).

Students interested in obtaining admissions information should contact:

Office of University Admissions One South Avenue P.O. Box 701 Garden City, NY 11530-0701 p – 516.877.3050 1.800.ADELPHI (out-of-state) e – [email protected] w – admissions.adelphi.edu w – adelphi.edu

Visiting the Campus

A personal interview is recommended as part of the admissions process. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the campus to interview with an admissions counselor, take a student-guided tour and sit in on a class. To arrange for an interview and campus visit, call the Office of Admissions or email [email protected] . Interviews and tours of the campus are available, by appointment, Monday through Friday and selected Saturdays.

General Conditions of Admission

Applicants must be graduates of a recognized four-year high school or academy, or must offer acceptable evidence of official equivalent preparation. Adelphi prefers freshmen who have successfully completed a minimum of 16 academic units. Each applicant is considered, however, on the basis of his or her individual academic record, plus co-curricular activities. It is recommended that academic units include:

• English (4 units)
• Science (3 units)
• Mathematics (3 units)
• Foreign language (2–3 units)
• Additional units to be chosen from history, social studies and the above fields (4 units)

Deficiencies in some of these areas may be offset by superior qualifications in others. A “unit” represents the study of a college preparatory/Regents level subject for one year.

Admission Credentials for Freshman Admission

Admissions credentials that are required for a completed application include:

• Completed undergraduate application for admission (Adelphi Online Application or the Common Application)
• A non-refundable application fee of $40.
• A personal statement or essay. You may submit a report or paper you have written during this school year or, in 500 words or less, submit a response to one of the provided questions or a topic of your choice.
• Official high school transcripts.
• Official copies of your score on the SAT or the ACT with writing (SAT and ACT score reports will not be acceptable without a writing score). If these scores do not appear on the official high school transcript, you must arrange for us to receive them directly from the appropriate educational testing service. For students intending to enroll in the General Studies Learning Community and LearningResource Program, SAT scores are highly recommended and expected to be provided upon request.
• One or more letters of recommendation from a guidance/college counselor, teacher or school based administrator. Letters from other sources, such as a volunteer coordinator, may also be considered.

Students who have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or who have been out of high school for one year or more will not be required to take the SAT or ACT (unless specifically requested to do so).

An admissions interview, strongly recommended for all students, is required for applicants to the Honors College, and may be arranged by the applicant or requested by the Office of University Admissions. Interviews may be waived due to distance or extenuating circumstances. All records of each applicant are given careful consideration. A final evaluation is based on the abilities, purposes and interests of the candidate. The University may also require additional information, or may exempt students from certain credentials.

Entrance Examinations

To assist the Admissions Committee in making a decision, the University requires candidates to take the ACT or SAT. Students who have lived in the United States less than three years and are from a non-English-speaking country may be required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, unless the student’s SAT critical reading and writing scores are higher than 450. International students from a non-English-speaking country are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as well. This policy also applies to transfer students. The language requirement may also be fulfilled by successfully completing an approved English Language preparation program.

For students intending to enroll in the General Studies Learning Community, ACT or SAT scores are highly recommended. Students who seek admission at least one year after graduating from high school are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores.

Admission to Off-Campus Centers The Office of Admissions in Garden City, using the same criteria and procedures governing applicants to the main campus, handles admission to off-campus programs centrally.

Admission of Veterans

Adelphi welcomes the opportunity to assist qualified veterans in their academic plans and preparation for the future. The University considers, on an individual basis, the needs, interests and purposes of veterans who desire higher education. Please visit  admissions.adelphi.edu/military/ for further details.

Admission of Transfer Students

Applicants must submit official college transcripts of all work, whether completed or in progress, from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants for admission must provide evidence of having achieved work of high quality in the institutions from which they transfer. Transfer students who have completed less than 30 college credits must submit an official high school transcript.

Interviews may be required for transfer students interested in social work. All requests for advanced standing credit must be made at the time of the student’s admission and before registering for courses at Adelphi, and must be supported by official transcripts. Admitted students will have their transcripts evaluated on a course-by-course basis and sent to the Office of the University Registrar, where it is recorded on the permanent Adelphi University record.

Adelphi requires that the last 30 hours of college work be completed in residence. Some majors require that students complete a greater percentage of their work at Adelphi. The maximum number of credits a student may receive from Advanced Placement tests offered by the College Board is 30 credits. Transfer students entering the University with 60 credits or more are required to declare a major at the time of matriculation. Students must consult with an academic adviser in the appropriate academic unit to determine if their transfer credits will be applicable to their major.

Credit may be granted for appropriate courses taken under the direction of the United States Armed Forces Institute, but only if such courses were given under the supervision of a regionally accredited or NYS Board of Regents accredited, two- or four-year, degree-granting college or university. For veterans enrolled in University College, credit may be granted for courses completed in service schools if the content of such courses is applicable to the degree requirements of the University and if the individual’s record of accomplishment in such courses has been properly authenticated. In general, the recommendations of the American Council on Education, as published in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services , are followed where appropriate in the evaluation of service training for students in University College’s baccalaureate program.

General Transfer Credit Policy

The Office of Admissions, in consultation with the appropriate academic departments, is responsible for awarding transfer credit. During your transfer to Adelphi, your transcript will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a transfer admissions counselor to determine course equivalencies, as well as exemptions from the general education requirements. Adelphi will consider courses from regionally accredited or NYS Board of Regents accredited institutions. We will accept:

• Up to 64 college credits from a regionally accredited or NYS Board of Regents accredited community or junior college, including online courses. Credits completed at a recognized community or junior college (or equivalent) outside of the United States will be evaluated on an individual basis.
• A maximum of 90 credits from a regionally accredited or NYS Board of Regents accredited senior college or university (including online courses), with the exception of those senior college credits previously applied toward a two-year program or an associate degree. Credits completed at a recognized senior college (or equivalent) outside of the United States will be evaluated on an individual basis..
• A grade of C- or above for any course transferred toward a bachelor’s degree
• A maximum of 90 credits toward a second degree for students who have earned one bachelor’s degree and who are interested in pursuing a second degree at Adelphi
• All appropriate and comparable courses, including online courses, undertaken by transfer students in the past 10 years at an accredited junior or senior college and for which grades of A, B or C were earned—college credit earned more than 10 years ago will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please note: Grade points for courses are not transferred to the permanent Adelphi University record, nor are they included in the cumulative Adelphi GPA.
• Classes taken at the time of application or acceptance—forward an updated transcript to the Office of Transfer Admissions once your grades are posted for additional credit evaluation.
• We will not accept remedial or vocational courses.

Admission of International Students*

Adelphi encourages applications from students of diverse backgrounds who add to the international dimension of the University. It is recommended that applications for admission from international students be received by the Office of Admissions by May 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case and space-available basis. For students interested in living on campus it is recommended that you submit your application by March 1. Admission of international students is based on evidence of superior academic achievement and demonstrated proficiency in English.

The cost of attending Adelphi University is the full responsibility of international students and their families or sponsors.

Further instructions on the admissions process and application requirements may be obtained at admissions.adelphi.edu/international . Interested students can also contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or submit an inquiry form at admissions.adelphi.edu/contact-us/request-info  to request the International Student Handbook.

* The Office of Admissions has the right to waive a requirement or request additional material.

Early Admission

Adelphi University offers two early admission plans to qualified students who want to enter college prior to graduating from high school. Students in either of these categories will attend as non-degree students and will not be eligible for financial aid.

Plan I: Full-Time Study at Adelphi

Plan I permits currently enrolled high school students who do not yet have high school diplomas to enroll directly as full-time undergraduate students at Adelphi University in order to complete their high school graduation requirements.

Plan II: Concurrent Students

Plan II permits students to attend Adelphi University concurrently with high school enrollment. Generally, students under this plan will be limited to afternoon and evening courses, and will attend high school courses in the morning.

To be considered for either of the Early Admission programs detailed above, a student must submit a letter of recommendation/support from their high school, along with their official high school transcript and a non-degree application. For further information concerning these early admission plans, contact the Office of Admissions.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement with credit is awarded to entering students if required scores are achieved in an Advanced Placement Examination of the College Board. For more information regarding acceptable scores please visit admissions.adelphi.edu/freshman/how-to-apply/advanced-placement .

Upon taking the examination, the student should direct the College Board to send the test score report to Adelphi University, Office of Admissions. The maximum number of credits a student may receive from Advanced Placement tests and/or college level work completed prior to high school graduation is 30.

Students may also receive advanced placement with credit by earning an acceptable grade on selected tests including the:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examinations
• Cambridge “A” Level Examinations.

If a student successfully completes a course for which advanced placement credit has been awarded, only the Adelphi course will apply toward satisfying graduation requirements and the University reserves the right to remove advanced placement credit from the student’s record.

Freshman Decision Policy

Adelphi University subscribes to a rolling admissions policy. The Office of Admissions makes every effort to notify candidates of their admission decision approximately three weeks after receiving a completed application. Adelphi also subscribes to an Early Action admissions program, whereby the Office of Admissions prioritizes the review of Early Action candidates who have completed applications, including all supporting material, submitted by December 1. The Office of Admissions makes every effort to notify Early Action candidates of their admissions decision by December 31. In some cases, the Admissions Committee may defer making a final decision until it has received a report of the candidate’s midterm grades, additional scores or until a personal interview takes place.

Candidates’ Reply Date

Adelphi University subscribes to the May 1 Candidates’ Reply Date for freshmen. This procedure has been established to provide ample time for students to reach a decision on their college choices. On this date, admitted students should notify the University of their intent with regard to enrollment. Commitments received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis for enrollment and housing.

Non-Degree Applications

Nondegree Candidates: In order to register for classes as a nondegree candidate, applicants are required to complete a nondegree application and submit an application fee with the appropriate materials. Nondegree candidates will be considered on an individual basis.

Visiting Student: (taking courses at Adelphi with the intention of having them transferred back to the degree-granting institution) A letter from the college from which the student will receive a degree must be submitted each semester recommending which courses can be taken at Adelphi. This letter must also state that the credits earned from these courses will be accepted in transfer by the degree-granting institution.

Graduate Student: (taking undergraduate prerequisite courses) Applicants must submit proof of baccalaureate degree by official transcript or copy of diploma. (Students intending to pursue a master’s degree at Adelphi University after completing undergraduate prerequisite courses at Adelphi should contact the Office of University Admissions for the appropriate application.)

Special Student: Proof of high school graduation must be submitted. Applicants must have graduated at least one year before applying as a nondegree candidate. Permission to attend will be considered on an individual basis.

Non-degree applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Upon review, the Office of Admissions reserves the right to waive requirement or request additional information.

Application for University Housing

Residence hall housing is available through the Office of Residential Life and Housing ( housing.adelphi.edu ). Admitted students are encouraged to apply for housing in one of Adelphi’s seven residence halls. Those interested in University housing should indicate their interest on the application for admission and must submit their tuition and housing deposits and “Housing Agreement Form” by the established deadlines.

Housing in the community is also available. For additional information, please contact the Office of Commuter Student Affairs at (516) 877-6667. Enrolled students can go to the message board on eCampus ( ecampus.adelphi.edu ) and review the classifieds section for the thread “available housing.”

Graduation and Retention Rates

Under the Student Right-to-Know Act, the Campus Security Act and other education laws, colleges and universities must make available retention and graduation rates for full-time undergraduate students admitted to degree programs beginning July 1, 1991. Retention and graduation rates for student athletes receiving aid must also be made available. This information may be obtained at adelphi.edu/disclosure  or from the Office of the Provost.

Program-Specific Admissions Policies

In addition to the University’s general requirements, schools and special programs may have specific requirements for admission.

Joint Degree/Early Assurance Programs

Please refer to the Pre-Professional Preparation section of the Bulletin.

Learning Resource Program

Admission requirements.

Applicants for admission to the program and the University must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

• Completed admission application, together with a nonrefundable fee of $40. (Check the box on the application marked Learning Resource Program. Checking this box will not affect the admission decision.)
• An official high school transcript.
• Official transcripts from any colleges attended.
• An essay. (See application instructions.)
• SAT scores are highly recommended, but not required.
• Freshman applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation. (See application instructions.)

Admission Criteria

The Learning Resource Program conducts a highly individualized assessment of each candidate’s application and documentation. Criteria for admission include:

• Primary diagnosis of specific learning disability or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Other diagnoses will not be considered.
• Average to superior intelligence as measured by the WAIS-IV.
• Candidates will be socially mature and have demonstrated motivation to participate in the Program and to meet the intellectual challenges and responsibilities of university life. These qualities are assessed in interviews with the professional staff and through recommendations.
• Applicants will have succeeded in college preparatory courses and shown progress in their academic careers.
• Two letters of recommendation by professionals in the field (learning specialists, tutors, teachers, educational psychologists).

Required Documentation

Students are required to submit the following to the office of the Learning Resource Program:

• A recent psycho-educational evaluation that provides clear evidence of a specific learning disability and/or AD/HD. Suggested reasonable accommodations must be included.
• The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), including index scores. The WASI (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) is not acceptable.  We also accept the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJ-IV). 
• Achievement: The Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ-IV) or the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). Either must be accompanied by a thorough interpretive report.
• The applicant’s most recent Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
• A completed application to the Learning Resource Program (in addition to the separate Admissions Application to the University).
• Two letters of recommendation by professionals in the field of learning disabilities.
• Transfer students must submit a high school transcript.
• Appropriate candidates will require a personal interview.

The Learning Resource Program will conduct a comprehensive and individualized evaluation of each candidate’s application and interview. Judgment of the professional staff will determine eligibility for the Program. Admission to the Learning Disabilities Program is limited. For priority consideration, applications must be received by March 1. For information about admission to the Learning Disabilities Program call (516) 877-4710, or visit learning-resource.adelphi.edu .

School-Specific Admissions Policies

College of arts and sciences.

Applicants to the Art, Dance, Music and Theatre majors are required to complete an audition or portfolio review before their application will be considered for admission. Please visit the individual department’s website for further information on the audition/portfolio requirements and procedures.

Please see general University admission requirements for all other majors.

Robert B. Willumstad School of Business

Special requirements for transfer students.

Transfer students are required to meet the same standards and criteria established for other students entering the upper division of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. If a student has not transferred the courses in the specified sequence as outlined for entering freshmen, the student will be required to complete those courses to establish eligibility to enroll in the upper division. The student must maintain a GPA of 2.3 or better at Adelphi. Students transferring to Adelphi University from a regionally accredited institution should examine the business and liberal arts requirements of the degree programs offered to undergraduates. Some of the credits accepted by the Office of Admissions for transfer may not satisfy the degree requirements in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business.

Consult the Business Undergraduate Programs Office in Hagedorn Hall Rm 121 (phone 516.877.4600) for further information.

Gordon F. Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies

Please see general University admission requirements.

Honors College

Prospective students with superior high school records and standardized test scores of who seek admission to the Honors College should complete the Honors portion of the admission form, supply the requested evidence of their best academic or creative writing, and visit the Adelphi campus for an interview with a member of the Honors College administration or faculty. (If distance or expense prohibits a visit to campus, an interview will be conducted by telephone.) Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of a wide range of criteria, qualitative as well as quantitative. Acceptance is based on intellectual potential as well as on past achievement.

Transfer Students

Transfer students with 56 credits or more to complete at Adelphi and with a GPA of 3.5 or better are invited to petition the Dean of the Honors College for admission. Students should be prepared to provide letters of recommendation from college professors and examples of recent work.

Current Adelphi Students

All undergraduates enrolled at the University may request consideration for admission to the Honors College by petitioning the Dean. Such petitions will be evaluated in accordance with the standards for freshman admission, but greater weight will be given to the student’s record of achievement at Adelphi.

For more information, go to honors.adelphi.edu/admissions .

College of Education and Health Sciences

Scholar teacher education program (step).

Students applying to STEP should indicate their interest on application for admission and should select a major from the College of Arts and Sciences or the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies. To be considered for admission to STEP, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum SAT score of 1500 combined critical reading, math and writing. Transfer students must have at least a 2.75 GPA.

Please see general University admission requirements for all other majors/programs.

College of Nursing and Public Health

Admission requirements for freshman students.

Please see general University admission requirements at the beginning of this chapter.

Transfer Students—Basic Program

Students wishing to transfer into the baccalaureate nursing program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, have no more than one prerequisite science grade lower than C+ and have successfully passed the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), Version V. For more information on the TEAS, please visit nursing.adelphi.edu/admissions/transfer/teas . The acceptable grade for a transfer of science credits is a C+ or better. Science courses must not be more than 10 years old if they are to be used as prerequisites for the nursing program. The University’s admission committee will evaluate transfer credit. Because of the number of applicants and the limitations on available clinical spaces, it is recommended that applicants who have attended other institutions of higher education submit applications for transfer to the University Admissions Office by March 1 (for September entrance) or November 1 (for January entrance). Secondary school transcripts will be required of applicants who have completed less than 30 college credits. All transfer students are required to take the TEAS exam, which is designed to assess the general academic preparedness of students entering a nursing program in the areas of Science, Math, Reading and English. Students must achieve a minimum score as decided by the College of Nursing and Public Health for entrance to the nursing program.

An admission interview may be requested of transfer applicants. Applicants will be contacted by the College of Nursing and Public Health to make arrangements if necessary. The final decision on a transfer student’s application is based on the applicant’s previous academic achievement, TEAS scores, science grades, motivation and personal characteristics necessary for success in nursing.

Admission of Students Holding Degrees in Other Majors

Individuals holding a baccalaureate or master’s degree in a major other than nursing are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. University policies governing the  admission of transfer nursing students  apply to them, including a minimum GPA of 3.3 and passing scores on the TEAS exam.  If accepted, applicants may be given a maximum of 90 credits for their previous degree.  In most instances, this means that students will be held responsible for the professional courses and those science, math and business courses that they lack from their previous degree.

The College of Nursing and Public Health is also pleased to offer a 14 month accelerated second degree B.S. program. For more details please visit  nursing.adelphi.edu/academics/nursing-programs/accelerated-degree .

Admission Policies for Registered Nurses

Licensure as a registered nurse in the State of New York or eligibility for licensure endorsement is required.

Transfer students are required to have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA from all the institutions from which they transfer. Transcripts from high school, the school of nursing attended and any subsequent institutions of higher education must be submitted at the time of application. (See application instructions for detailed requirements).

Registered Nurse Transfer Students

Graduates from associate degree programs will have their transcripts evaluated for transfer credit; however, 64 is the maximum number of credits an associate degree graduate may apply to the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Diploma graduates may obtain the required nursing credits by a combination of Excelsior credits and college courses. Students who have received an A.A. or A.S. degree from an accredited institution, prior to their transfer to Adelphi, will be exempt from all General Education requirements.

School of Social Work

Criteria for admission to the upper-level social work program include:

• 60 approved college credits with concentration in liberal arts.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8.
• Demonstrated motivation and capacity to work with people, and personal values congruent with the N.A.S.W. Code of Ethics.
• Experience in the human services (highly desirable).
• Two professional or academic references.
• A personal essay outlining the applicant’s interest in a career in social work.

Procedures for All Social Work Applicants

Students officially enter the Social Work program in their junior year. Students may enter the major following their sophomore year at Adelphi, or upon transfer with an associate’s degree from a community college.

Students who have declared social work as their major during their freshman or sophomore years at Adelphi must meet with the director of the undergraduate program to review their academic progress as well as their motivation to pursue a career in social work. Based upon this review, the director will advise students regarding their academic and career goal. Students transferring to Adelphi for the purpose of pursuing social work must follow the procedures outlined below.

Transfer students must submit their application to the Admissions Office at Adelphi University. The Admissions Office will determine acceptance and evaluate the applicant’s academic record to decide which courses are acceptable and which General Education courses still need to be taken.

Social work courses taken at another college or university may be considered as electives if approved with a grade of “C” or better, but are not accepted as the equivalent of Adelphi’s social work courses. Students who expect to transfer from other colleges or universities should concentrate on earning credits in the humanities—particularly language, literature and the arts—and in the natural sciences. No more than 64 credits earned at a two-year college may be transferred at Adelphi. Students planning to transfer to the ANSWER program should contact the program director for specific information on liberal arts requirements. Courses taken through social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education are evaluated to determine equivalency to Adelphi’s social work courses on an individual basis. Applicants may be asked to submit college bulletins, course syllabi and other relevant materials.

University College

Admission to programs in University College is based upon the ability to do college-level work. Although past academic records are required and reviewed, University College is more concerned with a potential student’s present motivation to earn a degree than in that student’s previous academic performance.

Adults interested in University College programs are required to:

• Submit a completed University College application, including an essay that demonstrates both intellectual promise and the motivation to engage in college-level work.
• Pay a nonrefundable application fee of $40.
• Provide high school and all previous college transcripts. (High school transcripts are only required for students who have not completed a minimum of 30 college credits.)

An SAT score is not required for University College applicants.

Once a completed application, including all supporting documentation, has been received, the student will be notified as to their admission status. The Office of University Admissions makes every effort to notify candidates of their admission decision approximately three weeks after receiving a completed application. An admitted student may be permitted to register for classes and to earn college credit pending receipt of official supporting application materials.

It is the responsibility of all admitted students to have all official transcripts sent directly to the Office of University Admissions, Levermore Hall, Room 114, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, P.O. Box 701, Garden City, New York 11530-0701, either prior to or within 30 days of the date of the official letter of acceptance.

Accepted students will not receive full admission status until all official transcripts have been received and evaluated. When official transcripts have been received and evaluated, written notification of the number of accepted transfer credits will be sent to accepted students by the Office of Admissions. Admitted students who do not comply with the above will be unable to register for future terms. Administrative withdrawal may be reversed once the outstanding transcripts are received.

Graduate Study Admissions

General requirements for admission*.

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must present evidence of their qualifications for advanced study.

The following supporting documents should be submitted to the Office of University Graduate Admissions:

• Completed application for admission and $50 application fee.
• An official transcript for all previous college and university work.
• Appropriate test scores (check with your school and/or department).
• Completed recommendation forms.
• Students who have lived in the United States less than three years and are from a non-English-speaking country need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The language requirement may also be fulfilled by successfully completing an approved English Language preparation program.

Besides these general requirements, particular programs may specify additional requirements. Applicants should review the statement on admission that appears within the section of this Bulletin for each school.

For further information, call or write:

Office of University Graduate Admissions Adelphi University Garden City, NY 11530 p – 516.877.3050

Or you can begin your application online at admissions.adelphi.edu/apply-now .

* The Office of Admissions, in consultation with the academic program, has the right to waive a requirement or request additional material.

Admission to Graduate Standing

To be admitted to candidacy in any graduate program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree, applicants must possess a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university and must present evidence of their qualifications for advanced study.

In addition to these general requirements, the specific prerequisites for admission to a particular graduate program should be carefully noted. Applicants who are otherwise acceptable for candidacy but who lack special course prerequisites may be admitted as nonmatriculants. When they have satisfactorily fulfilled such background requirements, they are automatically accorded the status of matriculated degree candidates. (See also the additional requirements of individual schools.)

Provisional Admission

Applicants for degree candidacy who show promise for advanced study but have some deficiencies in their scholarly credentials may be admitted on a provisional basis. Such status must be approved by the school in which the student seeks candidacy.

A student admitted on a provisional basis is given the opportunity to meet the required academic criteria established by the specific program or department. In qualifying for status as degree candidates, provisional students are required to obtain grades of “B “or better in each course or a 3.25 grade-point average during an initial 12-credit probationary period. Students who fail to achieve at this level are disallowed from pursuing further course work in the degree program.

Admission of Nondegree Students

Students who wish to undertake graduate study but who do not intend to become candidates for a degree are classified as Nondegree Students. This classification includes those who wish to take selected courses to earn credit for personal or professional benefit and those who enroll as summer visitors. In order to gain admission as a Nondegree Student during the academic year, such students must file a nondegree application form and present evidence of a baccalaureate degree.

Nondegree Students are permitted to enroll in only those courses that have been specifically designated by departments as being available to such students. Individual exceptions require special permission by the coordinator of the program in which the student wishes to enroll and/or by the appropriate dean.

Nondegree Students are limited to a maximum of 12 credits in courses regularly applicable to a graduate degree. Waiver of this limitation requires the appropriate dean’s approval.

Visiting Students

A student who is a degree candidate at a university other than Adelphi and who wishes to take courses at Adelphi for transfer to the university in which he or she is a degree candidate may do so by making regular application as a Nondegree Student to the Office of Graduate Admissions. At the end of the semester in which he or she is enrolled, the student must file with the Registrar of Adelphi University a formal request that a record of grades be sent to the home university.

International Students

The following documents should be submitted by all international applicants:

• International application for admission.
• Certified English translations of all prior academic records.
• Official or certified transcripts from all institutions previously attended.
• Total of 80 or better (95 for Master’s degree in Social Work) on the Internet-based Test (IBT) of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the completion of ELS Language Center’s Level 112. The IELTS (with a score of 6.5) may also be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL exam.
• Translated descriptions or syllabi of courses taken (if requested).

Additional items may be requested by the Office of International Student Services. Besides these general requirements, particular programs may specify additional requirements. Applicants should review the statement on admission that appears within the section of the Bulletin for each school.

Admission to Off-Campus Centers

The Office of Admissions in Garden City, using the same criteria and procedures governing applicants to the main campus, handles admission to off-campus programs.

Adelphi welcomes the opportunity to assist qualified veterans in their academic plans and preparations for the future. The University considers, on an individual basis, the needs, interests and purposes of veterans who desire higher education.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 70+ academic honors examples for your college application.

College Admissions

College applications are all about showing off to the admissions committee, and what better way to do so than to lead with your most impressive academic awards.   What are the best academic honors and awards to put on a college application?

In this guide, we give you 7 0+ academic honors examples to give you an idea of what types of achievements colleges like to see most on applications.   In addition, we explain what counts as an academic honor or award, go over different impressive academic honors and awards examples you can get, and give you useful tips for effectively talking about awards on your application.

What Is an Academic Honor or Award?

First things first, what counts as an academic honor or award?

Generally speaking, an academic honor or award is any major achievement you’ve made and been recognized for in some way.   The form of recognition can range from an actual object, such as a trophy or plaque, to prize money, a title, or verbal recognition.

Typically, an academic honor will fall into one of the following categories:

• Distinction, honor, or honorable mention  for which you won’t usually receive a physical object or award—just the title
• A diploma or certificate indicating the completion of a program or recognizing an accomplishment in a program or other activity
• Prize or award won from a contest, competition, or tournament
• Scholarship given in recognition of an outstanding (academic) accomplishment
• Membership in a highly selective and competitive group or society

If you’ve won any awards for specific activities such as a sport you play or a club you’re part of, it’s better to list these in the extracurricular activities section of your application instead of in a separate awards section.

So what are some honors and awards to put on a college application? Up next, we'll take a look at more than 70 academic honors examples.

Academic Honors and Awards Examples

Here, we give you a list of 70+ academic honors and awards examples you could include on your own college application, from prizes won in national and international contests to school-based distinctions and awards.

All the academic honors examples below are grouped by category and listed alphabetically.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of all academic honors and awards you could possibly have, so if you have an achievement that doesn’t exactly match one of the examples below, don’t worry—you can still put it on your college application!

Advanced Placement (AP) Awards

• AP International Diploma (APID)
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• AP Scholar with Honor
• DoDEA AP Scholar
• International AP Scholar
• National AP Scholar
• State AP Scholar
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Certificate

National Awards

• Governor’s Volunteer Award
• National Student Volunteer Award
• President’s Award for Educational Achievement
• President’s Award for Educational Excellence
• President’s National Service Award

PSAT Awards

• National Hispanic Scholar
• National Merit Commended Student
• National Merit Finalist
• National Merit Scholar
• National Merit Semifinalist
• School-based National Merit Scholarship winner

School-Based Awards

• Foreign language award
• High class rank (e.g., top 10%)
• Honor roll/GPA award
• National Honor Society membership
• Perfect Attendance Award
• School-specific award
• School subject-specific award
• Student of the Month/Term/Year
• Subject-specific Honor Society membership (e.g., Science Honor Society)

Competitions and Contests

• AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
• Academic Decathlon
• Academic Triathlon
• American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)
• B.E.S.T. Robotics Design contest
• Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge
• Davidson Fellows Scholarship
• Doodle 4 Google
• Google Science Fair
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
• International BioGENEius Challenge
• International Chemistry Olympiad
• International Mathematical Olympiad
• International Photography Awards (IPA)
• Kids Philosophy Slam
• Microsoft Imagine Cup
• MIT INSPIRE
• MIT THINK Scholars Program
• National Academic League
• National Academic Quiz Tournament
• National Economics Challenge by CEE
• National Geographic Bee
• National Geographic Student Photo Contest
• National High School Mock Trial Championship
• National Science Bowl
• National Science Olympiad
• PhysicsBowl
• Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
• Regional/National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards
• University Interscholastic League (UIL)

Miscellaneous Awards

• Boy Scouts/Eagle Scouts awards
• Employee of the Month
• Girl Scouts awards
• Merit scholarships for college
• Musical performance award
• National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) winner
• National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) winner
• Publications (such as short stories, art pieces, essays, etc.)
• Volunteer award
• Work award or promotion

The Best Honors and Awards to Put on a College Application

Of the dozens of academic honors examples above, which ones will look the most impressive on a college application?  Here, we explain the top four qualities a truly impressive academic honor will have. 

Note that an honor doesn’t need to have all  these qualities, though if it does, then it is definitely an excellent one to put on your application!

#1: It’s Highly Selective

One quality you want to highlight on your application is the selectivity of the award or honor you’ve won.  In other words, the academic award will be one that a lot of students try to win, making it difficult to achieve.

For example, because national and international contests and competitions draw so many student competitors, winning an award like these would certainly impress the admissions committee.

The more selective an academic honor or award is, the more impressive it’ll look on your college application.

Academic Honors Examples of Highly Selective Awards

• Google Science Fair winner

#2: It’s Unique

Admissions committees see a lot of honor roll and National Society honors on college applications (not that these are bad — they’re just fairly common). So if you've won a particularly unique or rare award, definitely include it on your application, as this will  help you stand out from the crowd.

A unique award can be highly selective; it can also be one that is less well known or that highlights something creative, surprising, or impressive about you.

For instance, maybe you won the Most Innovative Employee award at your part-time job after you pitched the idea to create and manage a social media page for the company.

Academic Honors Examples of Unique Awards

• Specific school-based awards (e.g., Most Confident Speaker in Chinese Class)
• Local or community-based awards 

#3: It’s Relevant to Your Academic Interests and Strengths

Another academic award or honor that's  great to include on your college application is one that’s relevant to your academic interests and strengths.  These are typically subject- or field-specific awards, such as English or writing awards, math awards, etc.

For example, if you’re planning to major in engineering, you'd want to detail any awards you might have won in science, math, or engineering contests.

Relevant awards indicate to the admissions committee not only that you’re truly committed to the field you want to study, but also that you’re one of the most promising students in your field.

Academic Honors Examples of Relevant Awards

• Writing award or publication (if you’re an English or creative writing major, for example)
• STEM award (if you’re a STEM major)
• Model UN (if you’re a political science or IR major, for example)

#4: It Highlights Your Leadership Potential

An impressive academic honor or award will also emphasize your leadership potential.  These are typically   awards that involve group or collaborative work.  S o if you ever led others to success — as a captain or president, for instance — this kind of honor would look great to potential colleges.

Just make sure that you explain on your application what kind of role you had and how your leadership specifically led your team to success.

Academic Honors Examples of Leadership/Group Awards

• Volunteer awards
• Girl Scouts or Eagle Scouts awards

How to Talk About Honors on Your College Application: 4 Tips

Since you likely won’t have a lot of room to write about academic honors and awards on your application, it's important that   you present your academic achievements in an effective, impressive way.  Here are some tips on how to talk about the awards you've won.

Tip 1: Open With Your Most Impressive Awards

Admissions officers don’t usually spend a lot of time with each application they get, so you want to make sure that you’re catching their eyes right away by starting with your most impressive honors and awards.  These will generally be awards that are highly competitive and required a lot of work and commitment on your end.

Tip 2: Focus on Your Spike

A "spike" is a particular academic passion you have.   For example, if you’re a science buff who plans to major in chemistry, you'd want to emphasize your spike on your application by focusing primarily on your chemistry- and science-related activities and awards.

Having a spike will ultimately help you stand out from other applicants.  To learn more about how you can develop a spike, check out our guide on how to get into Harvard and the Ivy League .

Tip 3: Describe Awards That Are Vague or Unclear

Not all academic awards and honors are well known or obvious, especially if they’re unique to your school or area. Therefore, m ake sure that you’re using the space you have in the awards section of your application to describe any academic honors that the admissions committee is probably unfamiliar with.

The last thing you want an award to do is confuse admissions officers, so be clear about what it is, how you won it, and what makes it impressive.

Tip 4: Explain the Competitiveness of the Award

For each academic award or honor you’ve won, you want to clarify its level of competitiveness by explaining the scope of the competition.  For example, was the science tournament you won a national one? A local one? A school-based one?

Note that if the award has the word "national" or "international" in it, you shouldn’t have to add much explanation to its description since it'll be obvious that the award is fairly selective.

The overall point here is to show off!

Recap: Honors and Awards to Put on a College Application

As you can see, there's a huge variety in the types of academic honors and awards examples you can put on your college application. The 70+ academic honors examples listed above are just some of the possible honors you could include.

In general, the best academic honors to include on your application will have some or all of the following qualities:

• They’re highly selective/competitive
• They’re unique
• They highlight your academic interests and strengths (your "spike," that is)
• They emphasize your leadership skills/potential

You won’t have a ton of space on your application to explain the academic awards you’ve won, so it’s important to use the room you have wisely. To reiterate, h ere are our four best tips for how to talk about your academic awards and honors on your application:

• Open with your most impressive awards and honors
• Focus on your spike —i.e.,  your biggest academic passion and commitment
• Describe any vague, unclear, or lesser-known awards/honors you've received
• Explain the competitiveness of the award

Now get out there and win some awards!

What’s Next?

Lots of colleges use the Common App . If you're going to be using this platform to apply to college, make sure you know what to expect with the Common App honors section .

Planning to take AP tests in the spring? If you're hoping to snag a distinguished AP award , read our guide to get tips on how you can do this.

Honors can prove that you're a serious and ambitious college applicant.  Check out our expert guide to learn what high school honors is and how you can achieve honors status at your own high school.

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Honors College Academics

The Honors College seeks to prepare highly talented and motivated students to face the 21st century by providing them with the intellectual perspectives and critical skills needed to exercise responsible leadership at every level of their lives.

Our Curriculum

Honors students have the privilege of taking an alternative PATH curriculum—Adelphi’s approach to general education. In place of the standard classes, Honors students complete two year-long courses that introduce great texts and ideas. Students also take Honors seminars on more specific topics.

In their final year, all students undertake an individual research project on a topic of interest to them that culminates in an honors thesis.

Core Courses

These year-long courses provide a common groundwork for our intellectual community, cultivating a shared sense of collaboration, debate, and inquiry that extends beyond the classroom walls.

Advanced Seminars

In these seminars, our students realize that they are not simply learning facts but actively constructing the future of a field or dismantling disciplinary silos.

Research and Theses

Applying what was learned during the core courses through a yearlong thesis project—involving original, extended research.

Pre-Professional and Joint Degree Programs

Honors College students are able to complete double majors and pre-professional programs including three-year joint programs with distinguished partner institutions. Giving you all the benefits of an Adelphi education, with a direct path to a prestigious graduate program.

National Scholarships and Fellowships

Learn about highly competitive awards that can provide opportunities and support during your studies.

Honor Societies

As a result of their strong academic, leadership, and service achievements, many Honors College students are invited to join prestigious honor societies .

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3 Strong Boston University Essay Examples

Boston University is a top research university in the heart of the city. With a fairly low acceptance rate, admissions is pretty selective, and writing strong essays is essential to standing out.

BU requires one essay for all applicants, and has an additional information prompt that is optional. Applicants to the Accelerated Program in Liberal Arts and Medicine have another essay, and Honors College applicants have two additional essays.

In this post, we’ll then go over example essays from a real applicants, analyzing what they did well, and what could be improved.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our BU essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Essay Example #1

Prompt: What about being a student at Boston University most excites you? (250 words)

I am most excited by Boston University’s Societal Engineer vision. As an aspiring engineer with a strong interest in government, I love that BU encourages engineering majors to strengthen their communication skills and global awareness. 

Academically speaking, I would explore political science courses through BU Hub requirements like Historical Consciousness and Ethical Reasoning. In addition, I would explore the world through the semester-abroad programs offered by BU for engineering majors. If admitted, I would love to study in Grenoble (and brush up on my French!) as a sophomore.

Beyond academics, BU’s student groups also align with the Social Engineer vision. BU’s Engineers Without Borders mission spans both engineering and communication, as their project in Zambia involved both in developing sanitation systems and presenting posters on these systems to the community. Given my strong desire to help others through engineering, I would devote my time and energy to EWB’s projects at BU. 

I am also intrigued by BU’s political student groups, and I appreciate that BU’s student government offers students from all colleges leadership as Senators. I work closely with my high school’s administration as the vice president of our honor society and the overseer of student elections, and I would enjoy doing something similar at BU.

At BU, I can see myself tinkering with Autodesk Inventor late into the night and petitioning legislatures to fix gerrymandered districts. Because BU’s Societal Engineer vision would encourage both my STEM and humanities interests, I am very excited about being a student at BU. 

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is a strong response that adequately conveys what the student hopes to obtain from an education from Boston University. The applicant begins with a straightforward statement that expresses their interests in engineering and government.

Establishing this cross-disciplinary interest immediately sets the candidate apart from other engineering majors and makes their response more unique. By mentioning the intersection of engineering and government, the candidate hits upon a rare niche that demonstrates a willingness to bridge two seemingly disparate subjects. 

The student also mentions a study abroad opportunity specific for those within their major. They mention a specific study abroad destination, which further underscores their interest in this offering. The inclusion about brushing up on their French establishes a personal connection to their location choice, which also strengthens this portion of the response.

Next, the applicant discusses BU’s relevant extracurricular opportunities:

This inclusion is a good example of taking a BU-specific offering and expanding on what specific project the author intends to work on. They do a good job of connecting an engineering-related club to their humanities-related passions. 

The applicant then concludes with the following: 

These final sentences do a nice job of wrapping up the response in a way that allows the essay to flow smoothly until the end. The mentions of Autodesk Inventor and petitions provide readers with specific details that corroborate the points made earlier in the response. The applicant ends with a forward-facing sentence that solidifies their desire to attend BU. Similarly, you should aim to wrap up your response with a final statement that encapsulates your essay thus far and also points ahead to your future at the university.

What Could Be Improved

This essay could be strengthened in that the candidate does not necessarily establish a personal connection to BU’s Societal Engineer vision. To improve this, they could briefly elaborate on what drew them to this academic intersection. Perhaps volunteering at a homeless shelter opened their eyes to housing inequalities, which stem from issues with both finding cheap building materials and their city’s budget. Or, perhaps their interest in creating sustainable plastic substitutes drew them to explore both materials engineering and environmental policy. This personal connection would strengthen the overall authenticity of this essay and provide a flow for admissions officers to follow. 

The next portion of this response could also be improved. It centers on BU’s academic opportunities:

The applicant demonstrates that they have researched their major and mention a specific requirement. This is a good start; however, they should elaborate more on why they chose to mention this specific category. They can talk about how they hope to learn more about specific courses within this category. 

For instance, maybe they want to learn about security in America to inform their sense of national politics, or delve into the representation of the Holocaust in film, as they feel current policies on religious diversity should consider this topic. This further elaboration will round out this portion of the response rather than leaving it underdeveloped.

Essay Example #2

Prompt: What about the Kilachand Honors College resonates with you, and how would Kilachand’s curriculum fulfill your academic, creative, intellectual, and/or professional goals? (600 words)

I am an example of societal rejection. My lack of adherence to gender constructs breaks traditional expectations as my queerness takes over any sense of “normality” that society could see in me. As a queer, nonbinary person of color and an Indian immigrant, I’ve moved away from expectations that demand a definition of my characteristics and have begun to explore who I am on a profound level. It’s this concept of exploration that I aspire to integrate into my education so that I can learn more about others and understand the incomprehensible by any means, whether it be through interacting with different aspects of humanity, connecting with new communities, or increasing my knowledge on a topic. 

I’ve found this same ring of curiosity and educational passion that distinguishes Kilachand Honors College and have come to resonate with it, whether it be through the different community based circle meetings, the dissimilar seminars focused on developing critical and creative thinking, or the focus on experiential learning. However, Kilachand takes this interest for learning one step further, adding another dimension to the challenging liberal education through building on layers of global, social, corporate, and geopolitical challenges within the classes. This interdisciplinary aspect of the Kilachand curriculum provides me with the chance to understand issues from different perspectives, which I’d take advantage of to fulfill my professional goal of directing a human rights campaign. 

Specific classes like KHC HC 401: Epistemologies and the Process of Inquiry and KHC HC 301: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Challenges offer new intellectual opportunities I have been seeking while also supporting me in utilizing my education in a way that benefits my community. The emphasis placed on exploring the real life impact of students’ work in Kilachand’s integrated curriculum is empowering and would help me use education as a tool to build on my global perspective and make a meaningful difference.

It is my goal to learn more about the unfamiliar so that I can apply that knowledge to “unsolvable global issues” that are only labeled as such because of a cultural disconnect or societal difference. Kilachand supports this goal through offering co-curricular events and residencies where I can connect with other cultures through visiting different cultural institutions or having enlightening discussions with leading professionals. I am inspired by the passion behind the Kilachand community; events such as the POC and LGBTQIA+ Circle meetings are features of the Kilachand community that I hope to contribute to and learn from. By learning about others’ experiences and sharing my own, I aspire to be a part of the intellectual curiosity that is shared among Kilachand students.

The copious academic, cultural, and social opportunities at Kilchand all connect back to the same pillar of change that I have continuously been drawn to. Even though my interests are diverse and follow multiple tracks, the diversity of opportunities at Kilchand resonate with my varied passions and offer an accepting community connected through curiosity, which I hope to contribute to. 

The essay starts out with a bold, unexpected first sentence that hooks the audience into continuing to read the essay. This well-crafted writing seamlessly leads into an introduction about the writer, their values, and what they are looking for in a college education. The following paragraphs show how the Kilachand Honors College is an ideal fit for them.

The key to writing any “Why This College?” essay is to highlight specific resources that the college offers. This essay does that well by mentioning a wide range of BU resources by name, including classes, the integrated curriculum, the interdisciplinary educational philosophy, and extracurricular activities. By directly stating that they want to take “specific classes like KHC HC 401: Epistemologies and the Process of Inquiry,” the writer shows that they have done thorough research into the Honors College. More than anything else, evidence of this research demonstrates interest in the offerings of the Honors College and a strong “why” for applying.

The writer has not created a laundry list of resources with their essay either. They show that they have a personal interest in each resource by using “I” statements and explaining their ideas for making the most of the Honors College in the future. Instead of simply stating “I am looking forward to joining clubs related to social justice at BU,” the writer presents a much clearer and more confident vision for their academic future with the phrase “…events such as the POC and LGBTQIA+ Circle meetings are features of the Kilachand community that I hope to contribute to and learn from.”

Though the essay is highly specific with the resources it mentions in most parts, several sentences in the second paragraph could be strengthened:

However, Kilachand takes this interest for learning one step further, adding another dimension to the challenging liberal education through building on layers of global, social, corporate, and geopolitical challenges within the classes. This interdisciplinary aspect of the Kilachand curriculum provides me with the chance to understand issues from different perspectives…

Many other colleges offer an interdisciplinary curriculum, so the writer should write additional details here about Kilachand’s “interdisciplinary aspect.” They should ask themselves, is there a specific university value which encourages professors to tie many academic disciplines together in the classroom? Does BU require Kilachand students to take an honors core curriculum that covers many areas? Answering these questions would add the right level of specificity to the writer’s point about Kilachand’s educational philosophy. 

The essay would also be stronger if the writer explained exactly how Kilachand fosters curiosity. If curiosity were a core value of the Honors College, the writer could clarify by changing part of the essay’s last sentence to “an accepting community connected through the value of curiosity.”

Essay Example #3

Prompt: Describe a time when you felt out of your comfort zone or marginalized in a situation. How did you respond to that moment and how has it informed your actions moving forward? (600 words)

“The last 10% is 90% of the work.”

It was written on a small, ripped-off piece of yellow legal paper in fading blue ink. And now, it still sits in my desk drawer, four years after it was given to me by my band director, Mr. Laghari. It was one day in ninth grade, about two weeks before I was to perform my very first audition, that Mr. Laghari strolled over to where I was sitting.

“Alright Kat, let’s hear this district piece!”

What followed, looking back, was absolutely the most mediocre performance you’ve ever heard.

“Well done! I have a few comments for you though. Mainly, it seems like you have the notes and rhythms down, but you gotta add some musicality!”

I had no clue what he was talking about; it showed in my face.

“Expression! Dynamics! You know!”

But I didn’t.

“Oh come on! It’s the last part, right before the audition, the hardest part. You know, my high school band director once told me…”

He took out his yellow legal pad and began writing.

“The. Last. Ten. Percent. Is. Ninety. Percent. Of. The. Work.”

He ripped it off, and gave it to me. And I took it to heart. I looked up musicality, expression, dynamics, and worked to map out phrases in the music. I recorded myself to see what I could add to make it musical .

When the audition came around, I was ready. When they called euphoniums, I enthusiastically left my school’s group and walked with the rest of the auditionees to the holding room. But it was a long walk. Not only did I start to miss the safety of my school group, I started to get in my own head. What if I put in all my hard work for nothing? What would people think? My parents? Mr. Laghari? In the holding room, I squirmed in my seat, waiting for my name to get called. The clock on the wall ticked and ticked, my anxiety building all the while. Finally, my name was called, second-to-last, and as I followed the volunteer to the audition room, I suddenly remembered Mr. Laghari’s slip of paper. I just needed to give my ninety percent. I focused myself, and did just that.

So it came as a surprise to me when Mr. Laghari told me that I placed seventh, and they took the top six players, on the bus ride home. Not only was I surprised, I was crushed. “We’ll get ‘em next year!” he said. But all I heard was “You didn’t make it this year.” It was a bitter trip.

It took me about a week to realize what he said, and that I would crush it next year. I told myself it wasn’t a matter of auditioning to see if I could make it. I told myself auditioning was a formality. And as I looked at the blue ink on that slip of paper, with all of those crushing memories now attached, I told myself that I would give my ninety percent not just on the last ten percent of the work, but on all of it: every year. And with that mindset, I’ve not only placed first in All-Districts on trombone and euphonium, but have made it all the way to All-State. 

So, whenever I need inspiration for a project, motivation to finish my homework, determination not to give up, I just open up my desk drawer. And one day in the near future, when I move off to Boston University, that slip of paper is what I’ll be taking with me.

This essay is a moving example of how to tell a story with dialogue. Beginning the essay with dialogue is unexpected, which automatically makes for a gripping hook. At the same time, dialogue is an excellent way to organize the essay and convey main ideas in a succinct, yet creative way. The one-sentence introduction of the essay summarizes its entire message more effectively than a paragraph.

The writer then shows how they felt out of their comfort zone and responded by focusing on several specific moments of their journey to become a better musician. Writing about a few parts of a story with vivid detail will result in stronger narrative than a more general, big picture account. 

Lastly, the essay is cohesive and moving because of its motif, or recurring theme, of Mr. Laghari’s slip of paper. This one detail ties the whole essay together from start to finish. The motif makes the essay flow well and stay on topic, which are among the greatest challenges for any college essay writer. Of course, the motif makes for an awe-inspiring concluding sentence as well!

The writer could strengthen their essay by responding further to the last question of the prompt about how their moment of discomfort informed their actions moving forward. The writer certainly touches on this, but only talks about working harder as a musician and high school student. Adding a few more sentences to the second-to-last paragraph about their plans for the far future would answer the prompt more completely. For example, they could expand the final sentence of that paragraph to the following:

And with that mindset, I’ve not only placed first in All-Districts on trombone and euphonium, but have made it all the way to All-State. I’m now inspired to put 100% into my dream of becoming a professional musician in a philharmonic orchestra.

Where to Get Your BU Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your BU essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. In fact,  Alexander Oddo , an essay expert on CollegeVine, provided commentary on the essays in this post. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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