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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 177 college essay examples for 11 schools + expert analysis.

College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. 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. 2. 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? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. 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? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. 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?

7. 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.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

The recommendations in this post are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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College admissions

Course: college admissions   >   unit 4.

• Writing a strong college admissions essay
• Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes
• Brainstorming tips for your college essay
• How formal should the tone of your college essay be?
• Taking your college essay to the next level
• Sample essay 1 with admissions feedback

Sample essay 2 with admissions feedback

• Student story: Admissions essay about a formative experience
• Student story: Admissions essay about personal identity
• Student story: Admissions essay about community impact
• Student story: Admissions essay about a past mistake
• Student story: Admissions essay about a meaningful poem
• Writing tips and techniques for your college essay

Introduction

Sample essay 2, feedback from admissions.

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University of Florida

Individuality anonymous, how will your individual background, experiences and personal identity influence your educational pursuits and your contributions to the campus community at the university of florida.

Essentially, individuality is a product of nature and nurture. I believe that one's individuality, comprised of many factors, ultimately predicts their later success and influence. A product of my environment, my unique upbringing has affected my life choices and shaped me into the balanced scholar athlete that I am today. Heredity aided in creation of my strong intrinsic motivation, which has driven me to pursue excellence in all arenas of my life. These powerful forces, existent in each of us, have distinctively impacted my high school career and will serve to do so at the University of Florida as well.

Declared "gifted" at an early age I was exposed to many opportunities to enhance my five years of education. The chance to learn basic algebra and practice advanced semantics helped me begin to realize my potential. This collaborated with my love of mathematics, existent since childhood, and my passion for all things scholastic began to take shape. Throughout elementary and middle school, my range of interests saw various foci from academics to athletics to music and back again. These experiences helped me to identify my interests, form my identity and pursue a fulfilling high school career.

Upon entrance into high...

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Recent posts, subscribe here, more expert advice, let's get existential: how to write a college essay about identity.

When you’re a teenager, you’re probably too busy to sit down and think about your own identity. No one exactly assigns you “introspection time” as homework (though, if you’re my student, this has very likely happened). So when you start working on your college essays, it might be the first time you truly start thinking about how you can express who you are in a way that will help a group of strangers understand something about you. Let’s be honest—it feels like a lot of pressure to sum up your identity in 250 words or less. But we’re here to help.

There are many different types of application essays you’ll need to write, as my colleague Annie so perfectly laid out here . But we’re going to talk about one type in particular: the essays about identity and diversity. These are powerful college essays that give admissions officers an opportunity to glimpse into your daily life and understand your unique experiences. For some students, though, these essays can be daunting to think about and write.  

Ever wonder why colleges are asking these questions? Well, the simple answer is that they want to get to know you more. Aside from your academic interests, your activities, and your accomplishments in the classroom, there really isn’t that much space to talk about things like your ethnic background, religion, gender identity, or local community. And these are things colleges want to know about you, too!

How Do You Write a Good Identity and Diversity Essay?

Before you start writing, let’s define a few terms you might run into while drafting your college essays about identity and diversity.

Who are you? I know what you’re thinking—it’s way too early in the morning to get this existential. I hear you. But let’s break this down. Identity is made up of many qualities: personality, culture, ethnic or racial background, sexual orientation, gender, physical ability, and linguistic background, among others. Maybe you identify really strongly with the religion on Mom’s side of the family, but not Dad’s. Maybe you speak a language not typical of folks from your culture. Maybe you have recently come into your gender identity and finally feel like yourself. Why is that identity important to the way you define who you are? Think of it like this: If you’ve met someone new, and your goal is to help them get to know you in the shortest amount of time possible, how would you be able to accomplish this? What’s your tagline? That’s how you’ll want to tackle this type of college essay.

Diversity  

One individual person can’t be diverse. But when a college is referring to diversity, they’re usually looking to their student body and asking how you, as an individual with your own identity, can add to their diversity. What experiences have you had in your life that might help you make the student body more diverse? Have you dealt with dyslexia and come to terms with how best to learn, keeping your abilities in mind? If so, how can you contribute to other students who might learn differently? Did you grow up as the oldest of 10 siblings and have to take care of them on a daily basis? What kind of responsibilities did you have and how did that influence you? These don’t need to be visible qualities. The goal of the diversity college essay is to understand how these identifying factors can help you contribute to a school in a way they haven’t seen before.  

Let’s define community. You may associate it with the city or neighborhood you live in. But a community doesn’t have to be geographical. It doesn’t even have to be formal. Community can come from that sense of connection you have with like-minded people. It can be built with people you’ve shared experiences with. So, when we think of community in this sense, we could be thinking about the community that exists within your apartment complex. We could be thinking about the youth group at your mosque. We could be thinking about your little group of artists within your science and tech magnet school. Think about what communities you are a part of, and be prepared to talk about your place within them.

You might think that these questions are only being asked by small liberal arts schools—but that’s not true. Bigger schools and colleges also want to get to know all of the thousands of students they’re bringing to campus as part of their class.

Big Name Colleges that Care About Diversity

To give you a glimpse of the variety, here are a few examples of college essays where these identity and diversity may come into play:

University of Michigan

“Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.”

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

“Expand on an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?”

Pomona College

“Tell us about an experience when you dealt with disagreement or conflict around different perspectives within a community.”

Sarah Lawrence College

“Sarah Lawrence College's community places strong value in inclusion and diversity. In 250-500 words, tell us about what you value in a community and how your perspective, lived experiences, or beliefs might contribute to your College community.”

Remember what these colleges are trying to understand: who you are and what has influenced you to become the person you are today (identity), where you come from (community), and how you might be able to add to the diversity of their college campus. Once you really get to the core and understand the intent of these types of college essays, you’ll absolutely be able to write in an earnest and genuine way. We say this frequently at Collegewise, but it’s worth repeating here, especially when it comes to essays about identity and diversity. Just be yourself.

About Us:  With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include  counseling ,  test prep ,  academic tutoring , and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform , leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates. 

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Research: How You Feel About Individualism Is Influenced by Your Social Class

• Nicole M. Stephens
• Sarah Townsend

And it can affect your performance at work.

It’s often assumed that getting a college education or a job in a professional workplace means that a student or employee has finally “made it” and can leave her social class background behind. The reality, however, is often quite different. Research shows that people coming from working-class backgrounds prioritize values like loyalty, humility, and interdependence, while the values prioritized in upper-class settings like universities and companies tend to be individuality, self-expression, and influence. Some experiments have shown that simply reminding students about the independent culture of college (for example, urging them to “pave your own path”) can increase their levels of stress, reduce their sense of fit or belonging, and undermine their performance on academic tasks. To address this, institutions and organizations need to incorporate social class into their diversity programs and adjust evaluation systems so collaboration and interdependence are rewarded.

It’s often assumed that getting a college education or professional job means that a person from a working-class or low-income background has finally “made it” and will seamlessly join the middle or upper class. The reality, however, is often quite different. As Della Mae Justice, a successful lawyer who was raised in poverty, explained to the New York Times in 2005 , “My stomach’s always in knots getting ready to go to a party, wondering if I’m wearing the right thing, if I’ll know what to do.” She continued, “I’m always thinking: How does everybody else know that? How do they know how to act? Why do they all seem so at ease?”

• Nicole M. Stephens is the Jeanne Brett Chair in Negotiations at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. As a social and cultural psychologist, her research examines the role of culture as both a source of and solution to inequality in schools and workplaces.
• ST Sarah Townsend is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. Using psychophysiological and behavioral methods, her research examines how people’s diverse backgrounds shape their interpersonal and institutional experiences.

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Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Conformity — Conformity Vs Individuality

Conformity Vs Individuality

• Categories: Conformity

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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Individuality, the interplay between conformity and individuality, fostering a balance, in conclusion.

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How to Write the Texas Christian University Essays 2023-2024

Texas Christian University (TCU) gives students the opportunity to choose whether they want to apply through the Common App or through the TCU website directly. The Common App has two required prompts and one optional prompt. The application through the TCU website consists of one required essay with four prompt options to choose from. 

If you choose to apply through the Common App we strongly encourage you to write the optional essay, as this will provide more admissions officers with more background and insight to your personality. Plus it also shows that you are dedicated to the application process and willing to go above and beyond to display your interest in the school.

TCU is a Top 100 University that receives thousands of applications from high performing students, therefore, your essays are your chance to stand out. If you’re planning to apply to TCU, keep reading for an in-depth look at how to write accurate, thorough responses to this year’s essay prompts.

Texas Christian University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Common app only.

Prompt 1: At TCU, it is our vision to be a world-class, values-centered university. We value academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. With which one of TCU’s core values do you most align and why? (200 words)

Prompt 2: TCU is committed to creating an inclusive campus culture for all people. We have a shared responsibility to enhance our community by encouraging inclusive environments through learning opportunities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Describe how you have already contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your community or how you plan to contribute to an inclusive college environment in the future. (200 words)

Prompt 3 (optional): TCU values individuality and believes that students are more than just a GPA and test score. To help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. Please upload an essay, poem, work of art or a URL that showcases another side of you.

TCU Application Only

TCU is a selective university, and our Admission and Scholarship Committees review thousands of applications each year. The essay tells us a great deal about our candidates and allows for expression of writing skills, organizational skills, creativity and imagination. The essay should be 300-500 words in length. Feel free to be serious, humorous or somewhere in between. Compose your essay on one of the following topics.

Option 1: At TCU, our mission statement is very important to us. “The mission of Texas Christian University, a private comprehensive university, is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and learning offered through the doctoral level.” This is integrated into all aspects of the TCU experience. If you were to write a mission statement about your life, what would it be and how does this mission direct your life and goals?

Option 2: Tell us about the most significant person, experience, or circumstance which has shaped your life thus far. How has he, she, or it influenced your character? How might you use what you have learned to achieve your goals?

Option 3: Those we call great will usually point to some failure in their lives as a pivotal moment leading them to their successful path. Tell us about a time in your life in which failure propelled you toward success.

Option 4: In her best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees, TCU alumna Sue Monk Kidd wrote, “The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” What matters to you?

Common App, Prompt 1

At tcu, it is our vision to be a world-class, values-centered university. we value academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. with which one of tcu’s core values do you most align and why (200 words).

The “ Why This College? ” prompt is a way for admissions officers to learn more about why you are uniquely interested in attending their school. This prompt goes a step further, however, and specifically asks applicants to explain why one of the school’s core values most resonates with them. The first step in answering this question is to dive a bit deeper into each of the TCU core values to provide important context before you begin to formulate your response.

As an academically-rigorous university, it goes without saying that applicants with strong academic backgrounds would be drawn to the university. This value is a strong choice for students who have very specific academic goals that only TCU could support. Examples could include referencing specific majors and programs that are unique to TCU. 

Intellectual Inquiry

Intellectual inquiry is the desire to question everything in order to gain a better understanding of why the world is the way that it is. If you choose this value, make sure to explain how intellectual curiosity differs from your academic interests. Talk about why you are passionate about furthering your education and what about TCU will provide you with the distinctive ability to think critically. 

Creative Expression

Outside of the classroom, it’s important that applicants display other ways they express their passions. Creative expression can be represented in many forms (not only visual art). Some examples include music, poetry, dance, rap/freestyling, fashion, cooking, acting, and even social media. You may not even realize that you are expressing yourself in a unique and creative way until you reflect on the things in your life that bring you joy. 

TCU is not solely looking for students who will keep their heads down and get good grades. Being a leader among your peers and in your community is a distinctive feature that highlights how you are able to use the knowledge you have gained to make an impact on the world around you. A fact about leadership that’s important to remember is that a leader does not always have a specific title or rank; a strong leader is someone who is both a good listener to others and has the influence to make positive change. 

As a religious institution, service and community engagement are extremely important values to TCU. If you are someone who is extremely active in giving back to your community or if you are someone who is looking for ways to pay it forward to others, this core value would be an excellent option to illustrate your passions for helping others. If you choose to write about service as the core value that resonates with you the most, make sure that you provide specific examples of how you hope to continue to serve others while attending TCU. 

Diversity and inclusion is a topic that resonates with many applicants. Whether it’s a part of your identity/background or a goal to be a more informed ally, diversity can be an extremely powerful and personal value to write about in your essay. TCU describes diversity as follows, “ Diversity reflects a broad range of identities and perspectives: race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, religious beliefs, age, disability status and political perspective.” Due to the wide breadth in which diversity encompasses, it’s crucial that you address which aspects of diversity you most align with and why. Inherently there may be some overlap on the topics you choose such as race and gender or religious beliefs and political perspectives. Exploring the intersectionality of multiple issues is a great way to approach this response while still honing in on specific issues. 

Appreciation of the Human Experience

This core value of TCU is arguably the most abstract of the six provided in the prompt. The Appreciation of the Human Experience could be addressed in many different ways, from bonding over a common quality to undergoing a challenge as a community. This value may be a good option if you’ve had experiences that cross cultures, languages, and other differences, and you want to continue to have these experiences at TCU.

By laying out the potential options in the prompt itself, the admissions committee is challenging you to answer the prompt precisely (to avoid blanket responses such as “I align with all of the core values of TCU”). Choosing one core value to reflect on will allow the admissions committee to have a clearer glimpse into your personality, morales, and beliefs. 

There is no right or wrong choice when responding to any of these six core values, but you should ensure that your response has two main elements:

• How your past experiences demonstrate an alignment with your chosen value. 
• How TCU can support your goals related to that chosen value.

For example, maybe you’ve always been driven to create the best plant-based alternatives to popular dishes and have spent countless hours experimenting in your kitchen since there were no food science courses at your school. You could express alignment with TCU’s value of Academics and express interest in their Food Management major, where you would learn the skills necessary to make the food space more innovative. 

Or, maybe you’ve spent a lot of your high school career volunteering to mentor underserved students since you had your own mentor growing up, and they helped you find your voice and passions. You would align most with the value of Service, and you’re glad that TCU offers many service-based clubs, such as A Moment for Magic, that works to improve the quality of life for underserved children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area through facilitating social wellness activities.

This prompt lends itself well to storytelling, so consider beginning your essay with a relevant anecdote before reflecting on your own values and those of TCU.

Common App, Prompt 2

Tcu is committed to creating an inclusive campus culture for all people. we have a shared responsibility to enhance our community by encouraging inclusive environments through learning opportunities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion., describe how you have already contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your community or how you plan to contribute to an inclusive college environment in the future. (200 words).

As we just learned in the previous prompt, diversity is one of TCU’s core values. The fact that this value has now appeared in two of the TCU prompts should further emphasize the importance of the topic to the university. 

The prompt is not asking you a “yes” or “no” question about whether or not you personally value diversity and inclusion. The admissions committee is asking you to describe a specific example of the steps you have already taken to cultivate a more inclusive environment in your community. However, if you have not yet had the opportunity to make this kind of impact in your community they also provide space in this prompt to idealize how you can use the education and resources at TCU to take back to your community and make an impact in the future. 

This prompt is an example of the Diversity Essay . Typically, colleges ask this question because they want to build a diverse class with unique perspectives. They also want to understand how your background has impacted your approach to life, and in this case, how your background will impact their college environment.

In this essay, you’ll need to identify how your experiences have equipped you to create an inclusive environment. This begins with identifying the communities you belong to that hold personal significance to you. These communities may include groups who share the same ethnicity, gender, country of origin, language, income class, disability, or hobby, just to name a few.

Since you only have 100 words, you’ll need to choose just one example from your background to highlight in your essay. Once you’ve selected a topic, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the strongest emotion you feel about your background?
• Is there a skill or talent you have developed because of your background?
• Is there a personality trait that has been strengthened because of your background?

When answering this prompt, you should use a few sentences of your essay to explain your background, then use the rest of the essay to explain how your background will contribute to an inclusive college community.

For example, a female student may choose to focus on her background with Women in STEM. She may share her experience of growing up in a single-mother household and watching her mother persevere as an engineer in a male-dominated field to provide for her and her sister. This student may share how her mom’s drive inspired her to pursue a career in STEM as a software developer. Then, this student might talk about her desire to join a network of like-minded women by participating in the “Women in Science and Engineering” group at TCU. As a part of this group, she will share her perspective on what it means to be a woman in STEM to hopefully inspire her peers to stay dedicated to the field. 

When writing your essay, avoid making these common mistakes:

• Writing about cliche topics (sports injury, tragedy, immigrant story)
• Making general statements about how you’ll contribute to the inclusivity of the college (like showing kindness, practicing anti-racism, staying open-minded, etc.). Instead, try to specifically tie your background to an actionable step you’ll take in college (joining a group, volunteering, educating yourself with certain classes, etc.)
• Talking about more than one community you belong to (remember, you only have 100 words).
• Writing only about negative experiences. If you do write about a negative experience, be sure to focus on how it inspired positive change.

Common App, Prompt 3 (Optional)

Tcu values individuality and believes that students are more than just a gpa and test score. to help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. the only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. please upload an essay, poem, work of art or a url that showcases another side of you..

It’s always a good idea to complete all prompts even if they’re optional. Even if your responses to the first two prompts are really strong, completing the optional prompt will show the admissions committee that you are willing to go the extra mile to showcase your dedication to TCU. 

In addition to just being a good strategy for your overall application, this prompt provides you with the opportunity to upload something creative that will help illustrate your character to the admissions committee.

This prompt may be extremely straightforward for some applicants, but others may find it more difficult to choose a creative piece to submit. Some applicants may already have a saved file full of poems or lyrics that they can submit with little preparation required. However, it may be a good idea to create something new and special for your TCU application. 

Maybe instead of just uploading the file with your poem to your application, you instead film a video of you doing a dramatic reading of the poem. That way viewers will be able to listen to the poem with the correct inflections and passion that you intended. Or maybe if you choose to upload a piece of visual art you could also write a small blurb describing what the piece means to you. 

Some of you may be worried  when reading this prompt and think,“But what if I have no artistic talent to share with the admissions committee?” Firstly, everyone has some kind of talent or skill that they’re good at or passionate about — so great creative! Here are a few examples of unconventional ways to show your passions:

• An international student is extremely passionate about sharing their culture with the TCU community so they make a brief powerpoint presentation that highlights some of the key holidays, traditions, food, and language of their heritage. 
• A student writes a short screenplay about the lives of students pre and post pandemic. The screenplay is meant to be a comedy, but also addresses many of the serious issues that have arisen during the pandemic. 
• A student films a short video of themselves cooking one of their favorite meals with a parent. They even go as far as to make it a competition to see who could make the dish the best. 
• Another student makes a photo collage of their family, friends, and hobbies outside of school. A picture’s worth a thousand words after all!
• A student films themselves doing a short stand-up comedy bit where they poke fun at themselves while also revealing things about their background. 

Whatever you choose to upload, make sure that it’s an accurate reflection of your personality and values. It’s also helpful to use this prompt as an opportunity to showcase a unique side of you that your application didn’t fully capture. 

For example, if the majority of your application discussed your interest in becoming a doctor and TCU’s pre-health enhancement program, but you also love to compete in poetry slams, use this as an opportunity to showcase your creative interest in poetry. 

As the prompt states, “The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination.” So really let your imagination run wild on this prompt and allow it to show a different side of yourself than just your academic strengths. 

TCU Application, Option 1

At tcu, our mission statement is very important to us. “the mission of texas christian university, a private comprehensive university, is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and learning offered through the doctoral level.” this is integrated into all aspects of the tcu experience. if you were to write a mission statement about your life, what would it be and how does this mission direct your life and goals (300-500 words).

By providing the TCU mission statement as the introduction to this prompt, the admissions committee is offering you a framework for what your own mission statement might look like. Even though it would be great if your personal mission statement aligned with the values of TCU, you want to avoid simply regurgitating the same mission statement in your response. 

The first step in responding to this prompt is reflecting on what motivates you. It could be helpful to look back at other parts of your application and see if you can find any recurring themes, religious values, dedication to bettering your community, a global mindset, leadership, creative outlets, etc. Once you have honed in on a few topics that you feel truly represent your personality and future goals, you can begin to formulate your mission statement: 

Example: As a first generation college student, I am empowered by the knowledge I cultivate. I seek to deepen my understanding of global issues through intellectually stimulating conversations that will challenge my current ways of thinking. I am motivated by my faith, strong morals, and an excitement for learning. 

Writing your mission statement alone, however, is not enough to fully answer the prompt. The second part of the prompt asks you to describe “how does this mission direct your life and goals?” Writing a compelling mission statement is not enough, you must also be able to explain the meaning behind the statement.

For instance, a student’s mission statement could concisely explain their many different academic/career interests or it could be a reminder for them to stay true to their morals along the way to a successful future. Explaining the purpose behind your mission statement should give the reader a closer look at what drives yourself to becoming the best version of yourself. It’s also okay to include creative anecdotes to explain your mission statement. Maybe there was a defining event in your life that directed you to the path you’re on now. 

Example: My mission statement is derived from years of watching my parents work hard, but never quite having the right resources to be truly comfortable financially. The barrier of access to education prohibits so many people from achieving their life goals. I will use my privilege for higher education to not only better my future, but also pay it forward to my community. 

TCU Application, Option 2

Tell us about the most significant person, experience, or circumstance which has shaped your life thus far. how has he, she, or it influenced your character how might you use what you have learned to achieve your goals (300-500 words).

It may be challenging to pinpoint just one person, experience, or circumstance that has been “the most significant” in shaping your life. For many applicants, a parent or guardian may be the most obvious choice to write about for this prompt. However, as writing about a parent/guardian will likely be a very common response topic, it may be helpful to think outside the box on this one to choose a more unique topic to write about. 

If you do choose to write about a parent/guardian, however, try and be as specific as possible when explaining your reasoning. Besides raising you and providing you with a foundation for education and ethics, can you think of a specific example of something that was said or done by your parents that particularly impacted you?

For example, a student could write about their mother who left a well paying job at a fancy law firm to instead pursue a career in the non-profit sector providing free legal advice and representation to those in need. Having a role model who would choose to forgo a larger paycheck in exchange for a more fulfilling career helping others, would likely have a lasting, positive impact on the student’s morals. 

Writing about an influential experience or circumstance may be very emotional to reflect on. Although it’s helpful to expose parts of your authentic identity to the admissions committee, it’s also important to tell your story in the way that’s most comfortable for you. If there is an event or circumstance that you know has a significant impact on your life, but you don’t feel comfortable writing about it in your response, focus on expressing the impact of the event rather than on the details of the event itself. 

For example, losing a loved one, recovering from a traumatic injury/illness, and being bullied in school are all examples of events that likely contribute greatly to a student’s character, however, these kinds of events may be sensitive to relive while writing your essay response. In these instances, talk about how you grew as a person as a result of these unfortunate events. 

Regardless of what you choose to write about, focus on illustrating how the person or occurrence motivates you to further your education and achieve your unique aspirations and goals. For example, a student who got a severe concussion during a car accident could explain how this motivated them to pursue engineering to create vehicles with better safety features to protect drivers and passengers at all times. 

TCU Application, Option 3

Those we call great will usually point to some failure in their lives as a pivotal moment leading them to their successful path. tell us about a time in your life in which failure propelled you toward success. (300-500 words).

This classic Overcoming Challenges Essay prompts applicants to speak transparently about a time where something didn’t go as planned and what they learned from that experience. For many students, a notable failure might be a bad test grade or losing a sporting event. Although these examples may resonate with you, try to avoid choosing cliche topics . 

“Failure” can look like many different things, but similarly to the previous prompt option, the focus on this response should be more centered on what you learned from the experience rather than the event itself. 

Here are a few examples of failures that would be appropriate for this prompt:

• A student who wanted to start a composting system at her school was upset when the funding request was denied by the district. She almost gave up on the initiative until she realized there were other paths to reducing food waste in the cafeteria. Rather than rely on commercial composting pickup, she approached the Gardening Club to propose a joint fundraiser and initiative to build a composting system in the school’s own community garden. The fundraiser was a big success, and all the discarded food is now turned into nutrient-rich compost that the Gardening Club uses for its projects. 
• A student who really wanted to play the lead in the school play spent countless hours practicing his audition lines. He didn’t end up getting cast and decided to write his own one-man show instead. The writing process itself was cathartic, but his friends encouraged him to actually hold the show. So, he built the set from scratch using thrifted materials and held the show for the local community to raise money for a theatre troupe supporting low-income students. He raised $300+ and got a standing ovation for his performance, leading him to write more plays to be put on for the community.

The key to this prompt is to provide just enough background on the failure so that the admissions officers can understand its impact on you, but not too much so that it becomes the focus of the essay. The goal is to show what you learned from the failure and how you picked yourself up from it, so you should spend most of the essay reflecting on these points.

TCU Application, Option 4

In her best-selling novel the secret life of bees, tcu alumna sue monk kidd wrote, “the hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” what matters to you (300-500 words).

This open-ended prompt gives you the creative freedom to address any topic that has not been previously discussed in another part of your application. Although it’s admirable to be passionate about solving world hunger or climate change, don’t feel pressured to choose a complex global conflict to address. 

Sometimes the most compelling essay responses to these kinds of open ended prompts are those that are lighthearted and include a bit of humor. Unlike some of the previous prompt options, this prompt does not ask what matters to you the most , but rather just something that matters to you in general. Understanding this distinction should help you approach this prompt differently than the other prompt options provided previously. 

Here are some examples:

• Maybe you really enjoy fudgesicles, and they’ve always been your go-to food when you’re working on a difficult task or have to make a tough decision. You could use your love for fudgesicles to explain your thought process or decision-making process in a few specific experiences.
• You’re always looking to challenge and improve yourself. You could share the story of how you spent nearly every day of your sophomore year winter in the skating rink, working on your double lutz. The feeling when you finally landed it was exhilarating. Now, you’re tackling the triple lutz.
• Sustainability and entrepreneurship matter to you, and it’s one of the reasons you started a podcast interviewing the founders of local, eco-friendly businesses. You could write about the process of setting up the podcast, the people you’ve interviewed, and the lessons you’ve learned.

It’s important to keep this essay very specific to your own experience. By formulating a more niche response, rather than a very general one, the admissions committee will gain deeper clarity on what motivates you as an individual.  

Where to Get Your TCU Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your TCU 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. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Georgia College & State University | GCSU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short response.

The questions on this page are being asked by Georgia College As part of our mission to provide students with a liberal arts education, Georgia College strives to create an atmosphere that instills in students exceptional qualities of mind and character including respect for individuality. Georgia College is dedicated to extending learning beyond the classroom to foster critical thinking skills and help students develop the tools necessary to not only consume knowledge, but also produce knowledge. Our faculty create a rigorous and challenging classroom experience and prepare students to combine that experience with real-world applications. With this educational style in mind, please choose one of the two following essay topics:*

Given your own individual background and life experiences, what strengths or distinctions will you contribute to the student body at GCSU?

Please describe the most important goal you have established for yourself regarding your future undergraduate experience and explain how a Georgia College education fits into accomplishing this goal.

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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Navigating College as a Middle Child: Embracing Individuality and Connection

Table of contents, embracing independence, fostering empathy and connection, carving my unique path.

• Dunn, J. (2018). Siblings: Love, envy, and understanding. Psychology Press.
• Feinberg, M. E., Solmeyer, A. R., & McHale, S. M. (2012). The third rail of family systems: Sibling relationships, mental and behavioral health, and preventive intervention in childhood and adolescence. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 15(1), 43-57.
• Grossmann, K., & Grossmann, K. E. (2004). The middle generation in family systems: Authority, identity, and transformation. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 21(3), 417-432.
• Salvatore, J. E., Kuo, S. I., Steele, R. D., Simpson, J. A., & Collins, W. A. (2017). Recovering from the early caregiving environment: Longitudinal links between quality of caregiving, attachment security, and adolescent psychosocial development. Developmental Psychology, 53(3), 451-462.
• Schmidt, M. E., & Padilla-Walker, L. M. (2017). The roles of sibling and peer relationships in predicting loneliness and social anxiety. Journal of Adolescence, 54, 38-48.

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TCU Supplemental Essays 2022-23

Located in Fort Worth, Texas , TCU is one of the top 100 colleges in the nation. So, as you prepare to apply, you should think carefully about your TCU supplemental essays. Depending on how you apply, you’ll write 1-3 TCU essays—we’ll expand on each of the required TCU essay prompts in this guide. 

Overall, the TCU essay prompts are designed to help you show the admissions team what makes you unique. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to write Texas Christian University supplemental essays that highlight your strengths. 

Keep reading to learn more about TCU admissions, the TCU application requirements, and the TCU supplemental essays.

TCU Essay Prompts: Quick Facts

• TCU Acceptance Rate: 54% – U.S. News ranks TCU as a moderately selective school.
• TCU Admissions site: 1 required essay
• Common App: 2 required essays, 1 optional
• Texas Christian University Supplemental Essays Tip : In your TCU supplemental essays, highlight how you connect with the school’s mission and values. Do your research to learn more about TCU, and use those notes as you consider the TCU essay prompts. 
• Texas Christian University Application: Students can submit their TCU admissions application through the Common App , Coalition App, ApplyTexas, or the TCU Application. 
• Early Action: November 1 st
• Early Decision I: November 1 st
• Regular Decision: February 1 st
• Early Decision II: February 1 st

Does TCU have supplemental essays?

Yes, TCU admissions requires two TCU supplemental essays on the Common App and one supplemental essay on the TCU Admissions website. Note that overall, the university only requires students to submit a single essay . However, certain application portals may ask for further information. So, be intentional about which platform you use to complete your application.

As stated, unlike at most other colleges, the TCU supplemental essays vary by platform. Logically, many students who are applying to several schools choose to use Common App . However, applying for college directly on the school’s website is another secure and simple way to submit your TCU application and Texas Christian University supplemental essays.

No matter what application platform you use, it is important to understand all the TCU essay prompts and required TCU supplemental essays prior to submitting your application. However you submit them, your TCU essays are a critical part of the TCU admissions process.

How the TCU essays fit into the application process

The Texas Christian University admissions committee describes the TCU application process as selective, personal, and holistic. This means the TCU admissions committee looks at all components of your TCU application to better understand who you are. This includes your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular involvements, and, of course, the Texas Christian University supplemental essays.

Strong TCU supplemental essays are a critical component of a successful college application . The TCU essay prompts are specifically designed to let you show why you belong on campus. Overall, your TCU essays should highlight your values, creativity, and commitment to TCU. 

What are the TCU essay prompts?

Students interested in TCU can submit their TCU supplemental essays and apply through the Common App or the TCU admissions application (TCU’s own portal). 

If you use TCU’s portal, the TCU application requirements include just one essay. Students applying through the TCU admissions application have four TCU essay prompts to choose from. 

The Common App requires two TCU essays and offers a third optional essay. The TCU essay prompts on the Common App don’t give you a choice—instead, you’ll find standard essay prompts to complete. There are no additional TCU essay prompts to choose from.

TCU Supplemental Essays – Common App

At TCU, it is our vision to be a world-class, values-centered university. We value academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. With which one of TCU’s core values do you most align and why? (200 words)

TCU is committed to creating an inclusive campus culture for all people. We have a shared responsibility to enhance our community by encouraging inclusive environments through learning opportunities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Describe how you have already contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your community or how you plan to contribute to an inclusive college environment in the future. (200 words)

Prompt 3 (Optional)

TCU values individuality and believes that students are more than just a GPA and test score. To help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. Please upload an essay, poem, work of art, or a URL that showcases another side of you.

TCU Supplemental Essays – TCU Portal

At TCU, our mission statement is very important to us. “The mission of Texas Christian University, a private comprehensive university, is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and learning offered through the doctoral level.” This is integrated into all aspects of the TCU experience. If you were to write a mission statement about your life, what would it be and how does this mission direct your life and goals?

Tell us about the most significant person, experience, or circumstance which has shaped your life thus far. How has he, she, or it influenced your character? How might you use what you have learned to achieve your goals?

Those we call great will usually point to some failure in their lives as a pivotal moment leading them to their successful path. Tell us about a time in your life in which failure propelled you toward success.

In her best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees , TCU alumna Sue Monk Kidd wrote, “The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” What matters to you?

In this article, we will focus on how to approach the Common App TCU essay prompts rather than the prompts on the TCU portal. However, if one of the TCU essay prompts on the school’s portal seems like a better fit, consider applying through TCU’s website instead of using the Common App. 

Next, we will cover each of the TCU essay prompts for the Common App in detail.

TCU Essay Prompts #1: TCU’s Values

Prompt 1: at tcu, it is our vision to be a world-class, values-centered university. we value academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. with which one of tcu’s core values do you most align and why (200 words).

In many ways, the first of the TCU essay prompts is a “why TCU” essay. As a “why school essay,” you should use the first of the TCU supplemental essays to highlight what makes TCU the perfect school for you. In this case, your “why this college essay” for TCU should highlight your connection to TCU’s values. 

“Why this college essays” or “why school essays” are a common type of essay prompt. These prompts allow the admissions committee to learn what makes their school the right fit for a particular student. In this case, strong TCU supplemental essays will highlight why TCU aligns with a student’s core values. 

Unpacking the prompt

The prompt begins by telling the applicant exactly what TCU values on its campus.  Additionally, you can see these values reflected on the TCU admissions website—a good reminder to do your research. Then, this TCU essay prompt asks explicitly about which of TCU’s values most appeal to you.

Strong TCU supplemental essays will make a connection with a few of the values listed in the essay prompt. These include academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. 

Don’t feel pressured to address all of these values in your TCU supplemental essays. After all, you only have 200 words. Instead, identify 2-3 values that you find most compelling. With such a limited word count, you may benefit from picking a set of values that you can discuss in tandem.

For example, TCU values both diversity and intellectual inquiry. A student who also holds these values might discuss how diversity is a necessary component of true intellectual discourse. In your response to the TCU essay prompts, you can also highlight how you’ve displayed these values within your own life. This can add dimension to your TCU application.

Overall, you should use the TCU supplemental essays to highlight your values and beliefs. Next, let’s discuss the second TCU Common Application essay prompt.

TCU Essay Prompts #2: Creating Inclusive Environments

Let’s look at the second of the Common App TCU supplemental essays. Like the first, this prompt asks you to highlight how your values align with those of TCU—but this time, it focuses on inclusivity.

Prompt 2: TCU is committed to creating an inclusive campus culture for all people. We have a shared responsibility to enhance our community by encouraging inclusive environments through learning opportunities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Describe how you have already contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your community or how you plan to contribute to an inclusive college environment in the future. (200 words)

This prompt asks applicants to speak directly about diversity equity and inclusion. Specifically, TCU wants to know how you’ve enriched your community—or will enrich their campus—by promoting diversity and inclusion. Diversity in this context includes race, ethnicity, religion, gender, region, academic interest, and varied learning styles.

Defining diversity and inclusion

When approaching the TCU supplemental essays, you should first reflect on how you define and see diversity equity and inclusion. Think about your family, your high school, and your community. Remember, your answer doesn’t have to address all areas of diversity and inclusion. Once you understand what diversity and inclusion mean to you, it’s time to start looking for examples.

Centering your experiences

In your TCU essays, the admissions team wants to see concrete examples of how you’ve helped create an inclusive environment. 

Review your resume and Common App activities list, and look for things you’ve done that reflect these ideals. Remember, your TCU supplemental essays don’t need to revolve around specific leadership roles or lines on your resume. You may have contributed to an inclusive environment through classroom conversation or a simple interaction with those around you.

Overall, for both of the required TCU essay prompts, you should highlight how your values manifest in your interactions with the world around you. There’s no right or wrong answer to the TCU essay prompts— the TCU admissions team just wants to learn more about who you are and what you believe.

Optional TCU Supplemental Essay

The final TCU supplemental essay is optional. At CollegeAdvisor, we always recommend that students complete all optional essays to stand out. However, this final prompt is not technically part of the TCU application requirements.

Check out the optional TCU essay prompt below:

Prompt 3 (Optional): TCU values individuality and believes that students are more than just a GPA and test score. To help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. Please upload an essay, poem, work of art, or a URL that showcases another side of you.

Unlike the other TCU essays, the last of the TCU essay prompts gives you a bit more freedom. In fact, it’s not an essay prompt at all—it’s an invitation to share your creative work. 

The last of the TCU supplemental essays can help you stand out in the TCU admissions process by showcasing a side of you that the admissions team may not otherwise see. You won’t find any word limits in this prompt—instead, you have full creative freedom.

However, you should still think carefully about your response to the last of the TCU essay prompts. Look for things to share that would add genuine value to your TCU admissions application. 

TCU Essays and the Admissions Process

The TCU admissions team uses a holistic review process. As mentioned in the TCU Quick Facts, the TCU acceptance rate is 54%, which makes this school relatively selective. While the TCU acceptance rate can change each year, you can expect the TCU acceptance rate to remain selective. This makes the TCU supplemental essays even more important.

However, don’t let the TCU acceptance rate intimidate you. In addition to the TCU essay prompts, you can use plenty of the TCU application requirements to highlight your strengths. 

In addition to the TCU essays, the TCU admissions team requires the following: 

• Application fee
• Official high school transcript
• Counselor evaluation
• Teacher evaluation

Each of these TCU application requirements will contribute to your admissions outcome. 

Additionally, some applicants may need to submit additional materials. For example, international applicants are required to submit an English proficiency test, and Early Decision applicants must submit an Early Decision agreement. 

Does TCU care about essays?

Yes, Texas Christian University cares about TCU essays. In fact, the TCU essays play a major role in the admissions process—so don’t neglect the TCU essay prompts. 

Beyond your Common App Personal Essay , applicants must complete 1-2 TCU supplemental essays (depending on how they apply). These essays ask applicants to highlight how their values align with those of the TCU admissions team. So, in your Texas Christian University supplemental essays, you should foreground how your values inform your interactions with your community. Then, expand on your past experiences to discuss how these same values would help you enrich campus life at TCU. 

Remember, well-crafted Texas Christian University supplemental essays are a great way to increase your admissions odds. 

TCU supplemental essays and the holistic review process

In any holistic application process, supplemental essays can make a major difference. Therefore, your TCU supplemental essays are your chance to speak directly to the TCU admissions team and highlight why you’d be a good fit for their school. 

For selective colleges like TCU, essays can serve as a key way for students to stand out. So, look at each of your Texas Christian University supplemental essays as an opportunity to set yourself apart. 

5 Tips on How to Write the TCU Supplemental Essays

How to write the tcu supplemental essays, 1. get organized.

Want to write strong TCU supplemental essays? First, get organized. Before you sit down to write your TCU essays, take some time to brainstorm. This can help you flesh out your thoughts. 

After you have an idea of the topics you’d like to discuss, make an outline. This will help you respond to every aspect of the TCU essay prompts thoughtfully and thoroughly—and make it easier to write a draft.

2. Perfect the why school essay.

The Texas Christian University supplemental essays don’t look like conventional “why this college essays.” But, make no mistake, at their core, the TCU essays want you to highlight what makes TCU the perfect place for you. 

This one may seem obvious, but many students fall victim to not answering the why school essay prompt. In these essays, you should steer clear of stats like the TCU acceptance rate or college rankings. Instead, you should draw clear parallels between your interests, accomplishments, and values and Texas Christian University. 

For example, if you’re interested in biomedical research, you might discuss how TCU’s unique approach to this field engages you. Don’t just focus on TCU—instead, highlight how TCU directly serves your needs. 

3. Establish “fit”

You’ve probably heard the term “fit” before. Essentially, college “fit” is about finding the right school for your needs—where your values, interests, and achievements align with the school’s ethos and offerings.

So, use the TCU essay prompts to highlight how you would be a good fit for TCU. In your TCU supplemental essays, look for specific examples of programs, values, and opportunities that make TCU the right match for you. Then, focus your Texas Christian University supplemental essays on these factors. 

4. Get creative

Texas Christian University values creative expression. To that end, TCU allows students an opportunity to share their creative work as part of their application. This is one of the more non-traditional TCU essay prompts, so feel free to submit a nontraditional answer to these TCU essay prompts. 

Whether you submit an essay with a satirical tone, an art portfolio, or a video of a musical performance, the last of Texas Christian University supplemental essays lets you show a different side of yourself. If this optional prompt resonates with you, don’t hesitate to highlight your creativity.

5. Find a proofreader

After you have strong Texas Christian University supplemental essays, it’s time to proofread. 

Strong TCU essays will be well-structured, with proper use of grammar and spelling. Find someone you trust to proofread your TCU essays for clarity and syntax. You might ask a parent, teacher, counselor, or college advisor for help. 

Lastly, refer to this Texas Christian University supplemental essays guide often to help you craft competitive TCU essays.

TCU Essays and Additional Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Looking for more essay resources? Before you write your TCU supplemental essays, check out some of our other content designed to assist you with your TCU admissions application and TCU supplemental essays. You can also check out some of TCU’s resources including this webinar with TCU’s Dean of Admissions, Heath Einstein.

Want to write the perfect “why school essay”? This guide can give you more tips on tackling the first of the TCU supplemental essays. At their core, “why college essays” look for one thing—a strong argument as to why you belong at a particular school. Check out our guide for tips. 

Looking for other Texas colleges for your list? Check out our Best Colleges in Texas guide for insights on top colleges around the state. 

The more research you do, the stronger your Texas Christian University supplemental essays will be. Remember, writing a successful “why this college essay” requires you to understand what makes each school unique.

TCU Essay Prompts – Final Thoughts

When reviewing your TCU supplemental essays, keep these tips in mind. The TCU admissions team wants to see how your profile aligns with TCU’s academic resources, university values, and campus culture. So, use your TCU essays to show them—and get one step closer to an acceptance letter .

Do some thorough research on TCU, starting with the TCU admissions website. Setting up a campus visit can also be a great way to explore TCU and learn whether you can envision yourself on campus. It can also give you some details to include in your TCU supplemental essays.

The more you know about your college of choice, the better your supplemental essays will be. However, you shouldn’t just research TCU—you should also think critically about your own interests and goals. The more you know about what you want in a college—and how you can make your chosen college a better place—the stronger your essays will be.

This TCU essay guide was written by AO, Chelsea Holley . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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The 25 Hardest Schools to Get Into in 2024

You're going to have to get creative to walk some of these hallowed halls.

By Jake Rossen | Apr 26, 2024

Choosing where to attend college remains one of the most important decisions of a person’s life. The right school can carve out a path toward a rewarding career; the wrong one can leave a graduate with debt and regret. (One easy benchmark test: Whether a school can produce students who earn more on average than a high school graduate. Many, but not all, do.)

Some aim for colleges that are notoriously difficult to breach on the premise that a better education from an institution can mean better career opportunities. Recently, education advocacy site Niche examined the current crop of schools that are among the most difficult to gain admission to. Generally, this means a low acceptance rate and a high bar for credentials. Here are the 25 that are the most selective when it comes to handing out acceptance letters:

• Minerva University (San Francisco, California) // 1 Percent
• California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, California) // 4 Percent
• Stanford University (Stanford, California) // 4 Percent
• Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts) // 4 Percent
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Massachusetts) // 4 Percent
• Columbia University (New York, New York) // 4 Percent
• Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey) // 4 Percent
• Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut) // 5 Percent
• Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island) // 6 Percent
• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) // 6 Percent
• Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) // 6 Percent
• Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire) // 6 Percent
• University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) // 6 Percent
• Pomona College (Claremont, California) // 7 Percent
• Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois) // 7 Percent
• Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) // 7 Percent
• Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland) // 8 Percent
• Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, Pennsylvania) // 8 Percent
• United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland) // 8 Percent
• Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) // 9 Percent
• Amherst College (Amherst, Massachusetts) // 9 Percent
• Bowdoin College (Brunswick, Maine) // 9 Percent
• Williams College (Williamstown, Massachusetts) // 9 Percent
• Colby College (Waterville, Maine) // 9 Percent
• Rice University (Houston, Texas) // 9 Percent

The list has changed somewhat since Niche’s 2023 rankings , which placed Harvard at the top of the list. (It’s now ranked number four.) Coming in first is Minerva University , which is somewhat of an anomaly in higher education. The school is small—it turned out 400 graduates as of 2021—and sends students to different continents as part of its curriculum. Part of the school’s admissions process is a “series of online challenges designed to measure” how applicants “think and communicate.”

The California Institute of Technology, or CalTech, comes in second. The science and engineering-heavy hub has a favorable student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. According to U.S. News and World Report , a high school class ranking is considered important for applicants.

Stanford University relies heavily on the GPA and SAT scores of applicants. Less than 5.5 percent of new students have an SAT score below 1400.

Acceptance rates don’t tell the complete story. Prospective students are still evaluated based on their merits. Beyond grades, selections can come down to expressing a desire to learn and overcome challenges and expressing individuality beyond rote essays. And, of course, being able to pay tuition.

If selectivity is not for you, you can always consider schools with more forgiving acceptance rates. In 2022, Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, welcomed 100 percent of applicants.

Read More Stories About Education Here:

[h/t Niche ]

So Your High School Doesn’t Offer APs—Are AP Exams Still Important For College Admissions?

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Advanced Placement courses are offered at thousands of high schools across the U.S.— approximately 35% of public high school graduates in the Class of 2023 took at least one AP exam, and approximately 2.8 million students sat for AP exams in 2023. However, a large number of schools do not offer AP courses. In many cases, this is due to a lack of resources—though strides have been made to increase access to AP courses in underprivileged schools, a gap in access persists along racial and socioeconomic lines. In other cases, schools are ditching the AP curriculum as a result of their educational philosophy. In 2018, elite private schools in the D.C. area such as Sidwell Friends and Georgetown Prep announced their intention to phase out AP classes, citing their desire for a more independent curriculum and a growing frustration with the AP’s orientation toward testing rather than other metrics for success.

Despite these drawbacks, AP courses and exams remain highly regarded by many colleges and universities, as they offer insight into students’ academic acumen and potential to complete college coursework successfully. As a result, many students without access to AP courses are left wondering whether they should still register, study and sit for AP exams.

First and foremost, students should know that colleges and universities evaluate their applications in the context of their school and the opportunities available to them. This means that if students did not have AP classes available to them at their schools, admissions officers will not expect to see AP courses or AP exam scores included in their applications. As such, these students’ applications will not be disadvantaged in any way by not including AP exams.

That being said, there are some scenarios in which a student may still wish to take an AP exam despite not having taken an AP course. These are the top three reasons that students might consider sitting for one or more AP exams:

1. To Earn College Credit

One of the main reasons students take AP exams is to earn college credit. Many colleges and universities grant credit for high AP exam scores (typically for 4s or 5s). By earning credit through AP exams, you may be able to fulfill prerequisites, skip introductory courses, or accelerate your progress toward graduation once you enroll in college. However, this is not the case at every school. In order to determine whether the time and effort you will put into studying and taking an AP exam will be justified, you should research whether the schools you are considering applying to give college credit for high AP exam scores. You can often find this information on admissions or departmental websites, or by contacting admissions representatives at each respective school. You can also check the College Board website to see if the schools on your list accept AP credits, but note that these policies change frequently, so you should still follow up with the schools for verification. If a handful of the schools on your list do accept high scores for credit, it may be a strategic choice to sit for one or more exam.

‘Challengers’ Reviews: Does Zendaya Tennis Movie Score With Critics?

Patriots select north carolina quarterback drake maye with no 3 pick in nfl draft, ‘baby reindeer’ star says real martha searches need to stop, 2. to use exam scores in lieu of the sat or act.

As Ivy League and other top schools reinstate their standardized testing requirements, some schools have announced their intention to allow students to submit test scores from AP examinations in place of ACT or SAT scores. Dartmouth allows students applying from schools outside of the U.S. to satisfy their testing requirement by submitting three AP exam scores. Meanwhile, Yale’s new test-flexible policy also allows students applying domestically to submit AP and IB scores in lieu of other standardized tests. If you are applying internationally or if you have reason to believe that you will achieve a stronger score on AP exams than on the SAT or ACT, you can consider sitting for the exams. Note that not all schools have such flexible testing policies, so you will likely still need to sit for the SAT or the ACT.

3. To Demonstrate Your Academic Abilities

It is important to remember that while they are not the only way to demonstrate their academic capabilities, AP exams are an unbiased and quantifiable way to assess students’ preparedness for college coursework. Students who struggled academically earlier in their high school years or who want to highlight their skills in a specific discipline may benefit from the inclusion of AP scores in their applicant profiles.

Finally, while students who do not have access to AP classes should consider their options and make a strategic decision about taking exams on the basis of their applicant profiles and academic goals, students who have taken AP courses absolutely should take AP exams. Failing to sit for the exams will not only foreclose the possibility of earning college credit, but it will also reflect poorly on your application and raise questions with admissions committees.

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I Thought the Bragg Case Against Trump Was a Legal Embarrassment. Now I Think It’s a Historic Mistake.

By Jed Handelsman Shugerman

Mr. Shugerman is a law professor at Boston University.

About a year ago, when Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, indicted former President Donald Trump, I was critical of the case and called it an embarrassment. I thought an array of legal problems would and should lead to long delays in federal courts.

After listening to Monday’s opening statement by prosecutors, I still think the district attorney has made a historic mistake. Their vague allegation about “a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election” has me more concerned than ever about their unprecedented use of state law and their persistent avoidance of specifying an election crime or a valid theory of fraud.

To recap: Mr. Trump is accused in the case of falsifying business records. Those are misdemeanor charges. To elevate it to a criminal case, Mr. Bragg and his team have pointed to potential violations of federal election law and state tax fraud. They also cite state election law, but state statutory definitions of “public office” seem to limit those statutes to state and local races.

Both the misdemeanor and felony charges require that the defendant made the false record with “intent to defraud.” A year ago, I wondered how entirely internal business records (the daily ledger, pay stubs and invoices) could be the basis of any fraud if they are not shared with anyone outside the business. I suggested that the real fraud was Mr. Trump’s filing an (allegedly) false report to the Federal Election Commission, and that only federal prosecutors had jurisdiction over that filing.

A recent conversation with Jeffrey Cohen, a friend, Boston College law professor and former prosecutor, made me think that the case could turn out to be more legitimate than I had originally thought. The reason has to do with those allegedly falsified business records: Most of them were entered in early 2017, generally before Mr. Trump filed his Federal Election Commission report that summer. Mr. Trump may have foreseen an investigation into his campaign, leading to its financial records. He may have falsely recorded these internal records before the F.E.C. filing as consciously part of the same fraud: to create a consistent paper trail and to hide intent to violate federal election laws, or defraud the F.E.C.

In short: It’s not the crime; it’s the cover-up.

Looking at the case in this way might address concerns about state jurisdiction. In this scenario, Mr. Trump arguably intended to deceive state investigators, too. State investigators could find these inconsistencies and alert federal agencies. Prosecutors could argue that New York State agencies have an interest in detecting conspiracies to defraud federal entities; they might also have a plausible answer to significant questions about whether New York State has jurisdiction or whether this stretch of a state business filing law is pre-empted by federal law.

However, this explanation is a novel interpretation with many significant legal problems. And none of the Manhattan district attorney’s filings or today’s opening statement even hint at this approach.

Instead of a theory of defrauding state regulators, Mr. Bragg has adopted a weak theory of “election interference,” and Justice Juan Merchan described the case , in his summary of it during jury selection, as an allegation of falsifying business records “to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 election.”

As a reality check: It is legal for a candidate to pay for a nondisclosure agreement. Hush money is unseemly, but it is legal. The election law scholar Richard Hasen rightly observed , “Calling it election interference actually cheapens the term and undermines the deadly serious charges in the real election interference cases.”

In Monday’s opening argument, the prosecutor Matthew Colangelo still evaded specifics about what was illegal about influencing an election, but then he claimed , “It was election fraud, pure and simple.” None of the relevant state or federal statutes refer to filing violations as fraud. Calling it “election fraud” is a legal and strategic mistake, exaggerating the case and setting up the jury with high expectations that the prosecutors cannot meet.

The most accurate description of this criminal case is a federal campaign finance filing violation. Without a federal violation (which the state election statute is tethered to), Mr. Bragg cannot upgrade the misdemeanor counts into felonies. Moreover, it is unclear how this case would even fulfill the misdemeanor requirement of “intent to defraud” without the federal crime.

In stretching jurisdiction and trying a federal crime in state court, the Manhattan district attorney is now pushing untested legal interpretations and applications. I see three red flags raising concerns about selective prosecution upon appeal.

First, I could find no previous case of any state prosecutor relying on the Federal Election Campaign Act either as a direct crime or a predicate crime. Whether state prosecutors have avoided doing so as a matter of law, norms or lack of expertise, this novel attempt is a sign of overreach.

Second, Mr. Trump’s lawyers argued that the New York statute requires that the predicate (underlying) crime must also be a New York crime, not a crime in another jurisdiction. The district attorney responded with judicial precedents only about other criminal statutes, not the statute in this case. In the end, the prosecutors could not cite a single judicial interpretation of this particular statute supporting their use of the statute (a plea deal and a single jury instruction do not count).

Third, no New York precedent has allowed an interpretation of defrauding the general public. Legal experts have noted that such a broad “election interference” theory is unprecedented, and a conviction based on it may not survive a state appeal.

Mr. Trump’s legal team also undercut itself for its decisions in the past year: His lawyers essentially put all of their eggs in the meritless basket of seeking to move the trial to federal court, instead of seeking a federal injunction to stop the trial entirely. If they had raised the issues of selective or vindictive prosecution and a mix of jurisdictional, pre-emption and constitutional claims, they could have delayed the trial past Election Day, even if they lost at each federal stage.

Another reason a federal crime has wound up in state court is that President Biden’s Justice Department bent over backward not to reopen this valid case or appoint a special counsel. Mr. Trump has tried to blame Mr. Biden for this prosecution as the real “election interference.” The Biden administration’s extra restraint belies this allegation and deserves more credit.

Eight years after the alleged crime itself, it is reasonable to ask if this is more about Manhattan politics than New York law. This case should serve as a cautionary tale about broader prosecutorial abuses in America — and promote bipartisan reforms of our partisan prosecutorial system.

Nevertheless, prosecutors should have some latitude to develop their case during trial, and maybe they will be more careful and precise about the underlying crime, fraud and the jurisdictional questions. Mr. Trump has received sufficient notice of the charges, and he can raise his arguments on appeal. One important principle of “ our Federalism ,” in the Supreme Court’s terms, is abstention , that federal courts should generally allow state trials to proceed first and wait to hear challenges later.

This case is still an embarrassment, in terms of prosecutorial ethics and apparent selectivity. Nevertheless, each side should have its day in court. If convicted, Mr. Trump can fight many other days — and perhaps win — in appellate courts. But if Monday’s opening is a preview of exaggerated allegations, imprecise legal theories and persistently unaddressed problems, the prosecutors might not win a conviction at all.

Jed Handelsman Shugerman (@jedshug) is a law professor at Boston University.

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