university of vermont supplemental essay questions

Ut Prosim Profile: 2024-2025 Short Answer Questions

The Ut Prosim Profile is required for all degree-seeking applicants. Each question has a word limit of 120 words for your response. The Ut Prosim Profile is your opportunity to let us get to know you beyond what is on your application or academic materials. We encourage you to use your own voice and answer each prompt as fully as possible. Once you submit your application, your responses to the Ut Prosim Profile questions are final and cannot be updated.

Please take your time to form responses that you feel confident about and help to support your application for admission.

Virginia Tech's motto is "Ut Prosim" which means 'That I May Serve'. Share how you contribute to a community that is important to you. How long have you been involved? What have you learned and how would you like to share that with others at Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination.   Have you had an experience when you or someone you know were not being included? Did you reach out to anyone for assistance, direction, or resources? Were you able to affect change and/or influence others? Did this experience change your perspective and if so, how?

Share a time when you were most proud of yourself either as a role model or when you displayed your leadership. What specific skills did you contribute to the experience? How did others rely on you for guidance? What did you learn about yourself during this time?

Describe a goal that you have set and the steps you will take to achieve it. What made you set this goal for yourself? What is your timeline to achieve this goal? Who do you seek encouragement or guidance from and how do they support your progress as you work on this goal?

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Mastering the University of Vermont Supplemental Essays for 2024

Ivy-covered buildings, the majestic Green Mountains, and a spirited community: Welcome to the University of Vermont (UVM)! As part of your application to UVM, you’ll need to make your case to the Admissions Committee through a series of supplemental essays. The good news is that these prompts give you a wonderful opportunity to show who you are beyond test scores and GPAs. Let's dive into these prompts, word for word, and dissect how to best approach them.

The prompts are as follows:

Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?

UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world.

From the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain to our campus, UVM students are inspired by our location to think about their relationship to the environment. What does your relationship with your environment look like?

If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?

What is your favorite sentence from your application essay?

Word Limit: 500.0 words

Tips for Each UVM Supplemental Essay Prompt

1. why uvm.

This prompt is your chance to articulate why you're drawn to UVM specifically. Discuss the programs, culture, and unique opportunities that align with your academic and personal goals. Research UVM thoroughly and talk about specific classes, professors, organizations, and events that excite you. For personalized help on brainstorming unique aspects of UVM that resonate with your interests, consider using Sups AI .

2. The Ben & Jerry’s Charitable Flavor

This creative prompt lets you showcase your ingenuity and values. Use it as an opportunity to highlight causes you're passionate about. Maybe you’ll develop a flavor that supports mental health awareness or one that promotes renewable energy. Be as specific and genuine as possible. For tailored feedback on your creative ideas, Sups AI can connect you with current students who’ve successfully tackled similar prompts.

3. Celebrating Unique Identities

UVM values a diverse and inclusive community. Reflect on your cultural, racial, gender, or any other identities and discuss how they shape your interaction with the world. Consider using personal anecdotes to make your narrative compelling. If you need help organizing your thoughts or presenting them coherently, Sups AI offers one-on-one chats to help you fine-tune your essay.

4. Relationship with the Environment

This prompt is your chance to talk about your environmental ethics and practices. Reflect on how nature or your surroundings inspire your daily life and long-term goals. Draw a connection between your experiences and UVM’s environmental ethos. Sups AI can provide you with essay feedback and ensure your ideas are impactful and clear.

5. Soundtrack of Your Life

Music often serves as a reflection of our personalities and experiences. Choose a song carefully and explain its emotional and personal significance to you. Use storytelling to make the connection vivid and engaging. For inspiration or refining your storytelling technique, consider leveraging Sups AI .

6. Favorite Sentence from Your Application Essay

This prompt is straightforward yet insightful. Choose a sentence that showcases your writing prowess or a particularly meaningful moment in your essay. Explain why it stands out to you and reflects your narrative. If you’re unsure about which sentence to pick or how to contextualize it, Sups AI can offer guidance.

Final Thoughts

Approaching the University of Vermont supplemental essays can be a fulfilling endeavor if you take the time to reflect on each prompt earnestly. Remember, authenticity is key. For personalized advice, detailed feedback, or brainstorming sessions, get a jumpstart with Sups AI , the proven AI college counseling platform that has helped tens of thousands of students achieve their college dreams. Good luck!

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Undergraduate Admissions University of Vermont 194 South Prospect Street Burlington, VT 05405

How to Apply: First Years | Undergraduate Admissions | The University of Vermont(title)

How to apply: first years.

The rigor of an applicant’s academic program; grades; and trends in performance are considered. Essays, recommendations, and other evidence of each student’s life experience also assist our evaluation. Admission decisions are made without regard to family financial circumstances.

First Year Applicants Are:

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees or asylees only
• Those who have completed (or will soon complete) secondary school coursework and have not yet attended college or university

Important Dates and Deadlines

• November 1: Early Action or Early Decision I application due
• January 15: Early Decision II or Regular Decision application due 

View All Deadlines

Apply Through the Common App

Apply through the coalition app (scoir), check your application status, prepare to apply, required application materials, application options .

• The Common App
• Coalition App (Scoir)

There is no advantage or disadvantage to using either application format. 

Application Fee

$55 USD (nonrefundable) 

Vermont first-year applicants who apply Early Action or Early Decision will have their application fee waived. 

 High School/Secondary School Grades

• Official high school transcripts (must be sent directly to UVM Admissions by your high school) 
• First quarter and/or mid-year grades (send when they become available) 
• Mid-year grades

Letter of Recommendation

At least one letter of recommendation is required, preferably from a teacher.

Standardized Tests (Optional)

Standardized test scores.

Applicants through Fall 2026 are not required to submit standardized test scores,  but are welcome to do so if they feel it contributes to their academic record. Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application allow you to indicate if you want your standardized test scores considered. 

All applicants will be considered for admission, merit scholarships, and selection to the Honors College, regardless of whether test scores are submitted. 

Submitting Your Scores

• UVM’s College Board/SAT Code: 3920
• UVM’s ACT Code: 4322

Send your official scores to the University of Vermont (official only if submitted directly from the testing agency*). You may send results for all tests you take; our admissions evaluation will consider your highest scores. 

*Students applying through the Apply Coalition on Scoir can upload scores directly through their application. 

Minimum Entrance Requirements

• Four years of English 
• Three years of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or equivalents) 
• Two years of the same foreign language (American Sign Language meets this requirement) 
• Three years of a natural or physical science, including laboratory science 
• Three years of social science 

For college/school specific requirements, please visit our course catalogue.  

Optional Short Answer

The optional short answer question is a chance for us to get to know you better–a wonderful way to share your interests while demonstrating your creativity. Applicants can submit their optional short answer through the Common Application or the Coalition Application; you can also submit it after the application deadline by uploading through your application status page.  

Answer one of the following questions: 

• Why UVM? 
• Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why? 
• UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world. 
• From the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain to our campus, UVM students are inspired by our location to think about their relationship to the environment. What does your relationship with your environment look like? 
• If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?'
• What is your favorite sentence from your application essay?

Transfer Credit (AP/IB/College Courses)

You may be eligible to transfer credit to UVM for AP, IB, or other courses or exams taken prior to enrollment.

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• College credit taken in high school 
• Credit for international post-secondary examinations

Admitted Student Profile

GPA: 3.8 (4.0 scale)

Test Scores - Middle 50%

SAT EBRW: 670-740

SAT MATH: 650-740

Test scores reflect applicants submitting them. Applicants for fall 2025 are not required to submit standardized test scores. 

2024-25 Catalogue

Application and supporting materials for undergraduates.

To review an application and render a decision, the admissions office must receive the following by the appropriate deadlines:

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION: Applicants for first-year and transfer admission may apply online using the Common Application at The Common Application website or the Apply Coalition by Scoir at the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success website.  

APPLICATION FEE: A non-refundable application fee of $55 is charged for each application for undergraduate admission to a university degree program. The fee can be paid as part of the submission of the Common Application or Apply Coalition by Scoir via credit card or e-check. For candidates for whom the fee poses a financial hardship, fee waivers are accepted from the College Board, school counselors, or other reputable sources familiar with the applicant’s financial situation. The $55 application fee is waived for first-year Vermont residents applying Early Action or Early Decision.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS: From all secondary and all postsecondary course work. Transfer student applicants should send transcripts of all postsecondary courses, including those taken while in high school to ensure the greatest opportunity for transfer credit earned. Candidates may not ignore any previous academic work and are expected to provide a full, accurate account of the academic record. Only transcripts sent directly from the issuing agency are considered official.

SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORT: Should be completed by the secondary school counselor or other school official who is familiar with the student.

STANDARDIZED TESTING RESULTS ( Optional for First-Year candidates ): First year applicants have the option of submitting their test scores (it is not required). UVM’s code for the SAT is 3920 and 4322 for the ACT. Standardized test scores are considered official only if submitted directly from the testing agency. For further information regarding these tests, contact a high school college counseling office or visit the College Board and ACT websites.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: All first-year applicants must present one letter of recommendation. First-year students are encouraged to obtain a recommendation from either a college/school counselor or current or recent teacher. Transfer students are encouraged to obtain a recommendation from a current or recent professor.

ESSAYS: UVM requires one essay as part of the Common Application or Apply Coalition by Scoir.

MUSIC MAJORS: Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts in Music or Bachelor of Science in Music Education must contact the music department to arrange for an audition or submit an audition video or audio recording before an application is considered complete (Students applying for music technology may complete their audition after matriculation at UVM). These materials become property of UVM and will not be returned. More information is available at the Department of Music website.

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How to Write the University of Vermont Essays 2019-2020

University of Vermont is a public research university located between the scenic Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Often called a Public Ivy, UVM offers students the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning in a broad range of academic programs. 92% of University of Vermont undergraduates participate in research, internships, or other forms of experiential learning during their time at the college.

UVM is somewhat selective with an acceptance rate of 68%. It uses the Common Application, and also invites applicants to respond to one of five supplemental essay prompts. UVM’s Music Program also requires that students submit an additional essay. Want to know your chances at UVM? Calculate your chances for free right now.

How to Write the University of Vermont Essays

If you would like an opportunity to further present yourself to the Admissions Committee, you may submit a response to ONE of the following prompts.

(While this essay is optional, we highly recommend that you complete it. An extra essay is another opportunity to share more of your story, and to demonstrate your interest in UVM).

Option A: Imagine it is the morning of August 28, 1963 and Twitter has already been developed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has contracted the flu. Rather than giving his historic “I Have a Dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, he instead sends out a Tweet that highlights the central point of his speech. What does he Tweet (in true Twitter fashion, no longer than 280 characters) and why? (optional, 500 words)

This prompt seeks to assess your creativity and communication capabilities. Before you begin writing your prompt, do some research into both Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and Twitter, specifically in the political or news sphere. 

Although you likely have some familiarity with Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous words, a close read will allow you to have a better grasp of its nuances and to write a more detailed explanation of your tweet. If you are unfamiliar with news and politics on Twitter, take a few moments to look at the Twitter profiles of news outlets such as the New York Times, or prominent political figures. How do these accounts condense nuanced main ideas into 280 characters or less? 

Your tweet should express the main idea you believe Martin Luther King wanted to send with his speech. Your tweet shouldn’t read simply like a synopsis or a book report though; it should show creativity and passion. 

Your explanation should take up the bulk of this essay, as your tweet will only be 1-2 sentences. You should be able to explain why you believe your tweet captures the heart of Martin Luther King’s speech. 

Consider incorporating literary and rhetorical elements into your explanation. Does your tweet capture some of King’s most powerful imagery for pathos? Does your tweet use parallel structure to reinforce King’s main ideas? Put what you learned in English class to use! 

Option B: A time traveler gives you a remote with two buttons: pause and rewind. Which would you prefer to use on your own life and why? (optional, 500 words)

This prompt seeks to assess your self-reflection skills and creativity. There is no right answer to the question, so long as you can provide a thought-provoking and well-reasoned response. 

Before you begin writing, think about the advantages and disadvantages of both alternatives. How would you benefit from having the ability to pause your life? On the other hand, how would pausing your life potentially cause unintended negative consequences? How would having the ability to rewind benefit your life and have negative consequences?

Avoid giving broad, generic responses that anyone would consider immediately. For example, review this response:

“I would like the ability to rewind my life so that I could go back and fix my mistakes”

Most people would think of this explanation right away. The rationale does not show any creativity or allow the reader to learn more about the author. Try to incorporate more personal details and creative insight. Consider this response instead:

“I would prefer to pause my life instead of having the ability to rewind. I often stay up wondering what would have happened if one event in my life went differently. If I had the opportunity to rewind and see the outcome of every alternative, I don’t think I would ever live in the present. However, if I could pause time, I would have a better opportunity to think everything through and make one choice confidently”

This response demonstrates more self-awareness and provides novel insight into the question. Your response should reflect an understanding of yourself and explain how you tackle problems. You should also show that you can think outside of the box. 

Be sure to incorporate a personal anecdote where you could have used a pause or rewind button for your life. For example, did you forget about a science test and wish you could take an extra hour to study? Did you ever say something unintentionally hurtful and wish you could go back and change your words to be more kind? Anecdotes help engage the reader and reveal more about your life experiences and who you are. 

Option C: Congratulations! You have been elected to give a TED Talk. You will give an 18-minute presentation on the topic of your choice to a room full of people who are eager to hear your insights. This talk will also be recorded and made available online, with the opportunity to go viral and affect millions. What is the title of your talk? What is the message you are trying to get across? What would you say in the final minute of the presentation that would leave a lasting impression? Explain. (optional, 500 words)

This prompt aims to evaluate your personal interests and your communication abilities. Your topic choice should reflect something meaningful to you that could also bring value to a broader audience. Some examples of previous TED talks are “ What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection ” and “ How to Speak so that People Want to Listen .”

Before you begin writing, familiarize yourself with the format of a TED talk. Watch a few of the most popular ones , or search for some that align with your interests. If you’re having trouble thinking of a topic, ask yourself:

• What are the important lessons you’ve learned?
• What are you good at?
• What are you passionate about?
• What is an unusual experience you’ve lived?
• What do you want to teach others?
• What can you talk about for a full 18 minutes?

A good TED talk will most likely be a strong response to more than one of these questions. For example, maybe you’re passionate about slow travel, and even biked around the border of your state over the course of one month. You might give a TED talk called “The Art of Slow Travel: Biking Around My State in 30 Days,” where you discuss your experience and how others can travel in a more environmentally conscious way. Or, maybe you love chemistry and cooking, and want to teach others how to use science to improve their dishes. Your speech might be called “Molecules and Meatballs: The Chemistry Behind Our Food.”

Be sure to remember your audience when designing your TED talk. The average TED Talk viewer is quickly scrolling through their internet feed, so you want the title of your talk to be eye-catching. The ideal TED talk should also be easily understood by any viewer, so avoid using jargon or niche phrases in your title.

When discussing the message you would like to send in your final minute, imagine you are pitching your talk to the average TED conference.  Your final minute should have the greatest emotional impact on your listener and succinctly reiterate the key points of your talk. Why is your topic important and why should your listener follow your advice? What is your most persuasive point? 

As long as you pick a topic you’re genuinely excited about, and frame it in a way that makes it applicable to others, your TED talk should be strong. Definitely have some fun with this one!

Option D: At the University of Vermont, we have a set of core values called Our Common Ground, which define how we work, live, study, do research, and participate as members of the community. Each core value statement falls under one of the following words: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice, and Responsibility. Choose one word from Our Common Ground and explain why it is important to you, how it has impacted you, and how you have incorporated it into your life. (optional, 500 words)

UVM’s Common Ground defines the university’s value system. Your response should make clear that you share these ideals. Although you are likely familiar with these words, take a moment to read UVM’s definition of the terms on their website . Tailor your response to this definition.  

The structure of this prompt lends itself well to a longitudinal essay structure. Begin your piece by explaining when you first realized the importance of this value. You can then transition into describing how you have incorporated it into your life and why it is important to you in the present. 

For example, you could begin your essay by telling the reader about the first time you learned the importance of responsibility after you lost your favorite Pokémon card when you were a child. You could then transition into how you then incorporated responsibility into more important areas of your life such as academics and your friendships. Finally, you could close out your essay by explaining what respect means to you today.   

Use personal anecdotes to enrich your response. Remember the classic writing advice to “show, don’t tell.” Instead of simply telling the reader that you embody integrity in your everyday life, provide specific examples of times that you upheld integrity in the face of adversity. 

For example, you could discuss letting a teacher know that they accidentally marked your wrong answer as correct on a test. You could also write about the time you returned a wallet full of cash to the police station without being tempted to take any money. These examples will allow your essay to feel more personal and authentic. 

Option E: Why UVM? (optional, 500 words)

The “Why School” prompt is a cornerstone of many universities’ undergraduate applications. Your response should clearly explain why you want to attend the University of Vermont. Aim to address at least one academic and non-academic reason to show a holistic interest in the school. 

Your response should focus on UVM-specific classes, programs, or activities. Do not discuss general aspects that could be found at any university, such as location or a low student to faculty ratio. Use UVM’s open course catalog, faculty biographies, school organization websites, and YouTube videos by current students to find school-specific subject matter.

For example, do not simply say that you want to attend UVM to be an ecological agriculture major. Many other schools have similar programs that would allow you to study similar subjects. What in UVM’s ecological agriculture program interests you?

Instead, discuss why you want to study ecological agriculture at UVM specifically. You could discuss your interest in taking classes at the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, whose research vessel would allow you to explore aquatic ecology on Lake Champlain firsthand.

Use the same approach when discussing the non-academic aspects of the school that interest you. For example, your desire to attend school in the Northeast is not a compelling response to this prompt. However, your love of hiking and your desire to join UVM’s Outing Club definitely show you’ve thought about your fit with UVM.

For more insight on campus culture, look to UVM’s event schedule—labeled the Bored Calendar on their website—or the school’s campus life page to gain more information about UVM’s extracurricular offerings.   

For Applicants to the Music Program

Please tell us why you are interested in majoring in music at the university of vermont..

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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2024-2025 Supplemental Essay Questions

• Post author By Top Tier Admissions
• Post date July 29, 2024
• No Comments on 2024-2025 Supplemental Essay Questions

WHY SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS MATTER

While your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities paint a picture of your academic and social achievements, supplemental essays offer a platform to express your individuality. Admissions officers use these essays to understand who you are, what motivates you, and how you might contribute to their campus community.

Through your responses, you have the chance to demonstrate your writing skills, critical thinking, and genuine interest in the institutions to which you are applying. A well-written supplemental essay can tip the scales in your favor, providing context to your application and making a memorable impression.

2024-2024 SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS: A SNEAK PEEK

We are still seeing the effects of last year’s Supreme Court decision to overturn the legality of race-conscious admissions . Many colleges have reacted by using school-specific supplements to give students the opportunity to write about their lived experience, which may include their racial background.

To get you started, we’ve gathered a few examples of this year’s supplemental essay prompts from various top tier institutions with some ideas about how you might approach them:

University of Chicago:

• “Daddy-o”, “Far Out”, “Gnarly”: the list of slang terms goes on and on. Sadly, most of these aren’t so “fly” anymore – “as if!” Name an outdated slang from any decade or language that you’d bring back and explain why you totally “dig it.”
• Known for their quirky prompts, UChicago encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. This prompt challenges you to think metaphorically and philosophically about language and history. Your response could explore themes of individuality, belonging, or the search for identity in a complex world.

Dartmouth College:

• There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.
• Dartmouth’s prompt emphasizes storytelling and cultural heritage. Whether you choose to write about a personal story, a family tradition, or a historical narrative, this essay provides an opportunity to highlight your background and the experiences that have shaped you.

Yale University:

• What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)
• This is a classic “Why Us?” essay, which requires thorough research and a personal connection to the institution. Articulate your passion for Yale, detailing specific programs, faculty, or opportunities that align with your academic and career goals.

Personal Boot Camp

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OUR WHOLE TEAM ON YOUR TEAM

For students seeking one-on-one guidance building a wise application strategy, deepening their academic niche and crafting authentic applications and essays, book a Personal Boot Camp and work with our expert team over an intensive, personalized three-day period.

Students who don’t require the immersive guidance of our Personal Boot Camp benefit from working one-on-one with our team of experts to craft unique, stand-out essays with our Essay Guidance Program . Or consider our Essay Guidance and Common App 911 bundle for a complete application package!

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THE VARIOUS APPLICATION PLATFORMS

• Coalition App  
• Universal College App  
• UC App (University of California system)
• UCAS (UK Schools)

Note: Some schools, like Georgetown University and MIT , use their own application. The University of California also uses their own application for all nine campuses.

We’ve provided a deep dive into both the Georgetown and MIT applications and offer customized guidance in their completion. For the UC network, we’ve gone a step further and created our official “Mysteries of the UC App,” exclusive to our Top Tier family! If you’re interested in Georgetown, MIT, UCLA , UC Berkeley or any of the remaining UC campuses, we can help with a step-by-step walkthrough of each!

Common App 911/UC App 911

Step-by-step strategic support.

2024-2025 SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS

We are compiling the 2024-2025 supplemental essay questions for you on our College Application Essay Prompts page and we’ll continue to update all supplements as they are released. In the comments, feel free to note any schools you’d like to see included.

Grades and scores are king in determining your range of schools. But keep in mind: once you’re in-range of a school, the authenticity, content and quality of your college essays MATTERS !

If you enjoyed this post, follow us on Instagram @toptieradmissions for more tips and subscribe to our blog for expert insights & college admissions news !

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More From Forbes

Supplementing your college application: essay advice from college admission leaders.

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The college essay is the bane of many high school seniors’ existence. Students belabor the essay prompts, writing draft after draft in pursuit of elusive perfection. Their essays are reviewed by friends, teachers, family, and others, often to the point that the original drafts (and voice) are unrecognizable.

Just when they are bringing their main college essay in for a landing, a bevy of supplemental essays may rear their nuanced heads. Unfortunately, these opportunities to shine are rarely given the attention and effort that they warrant. Frustrated young people eager to finish their applications perceive supplemental essays as an instruments of torture–more hoops to jump through in the gauntlet of college admission. Colleges, however, use their responses to gauge interest and match.

Supplemental essays have drawn increasing attention in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that effectively struck down race-conscious admission. Colleges are searching for ways to learn more about students’ backgrounds and experiences and the ruling allowed room for schools to use essay responses to do so. I asked college admission leaders to provide context for the intent of supplemental essays and advice for how applicants might approach them. Here is what they shared:

Jay Jacobs, Vice Provost For Enrollment Management, University Of Vermont

“Supplemental essays give colleges one more opportunity to hear from the applicant directly. If you think about it, a lot of the college application is either impersonal and/or indirect feedback. Transcripts are simply marks received in courses over time, testing is performance on one (or more) Saturday mornings, extracurriculars are just a list of things students do, and letters of recommendation are third-party references. The essays are the only time a student has full control over their voice on their application.”

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UVM added optional (yes, they are truly optional!) supplemental essays in 2018. Each year a committee reevaluates the prompts from the prior year and recommends new and/or additional prompts for the following cycle. Prompts that are considered “finalists” get shown to a number of campus constituencies (tour guides, admissions staff, faculty, etc.) to be vetted. We try to choose prompts that both showcase to applicants the University’s values and allow applicants to show us who they are.”

“I always advise students to be sure that they are sharing something that makes them who they are and provides that context in their own voice to the admissions committee. As applicants start to put personal statements and supplements together, they will see that they can really write about anything. The essays that stand out to me over the course of my career are essays that showcase a student’s individuality (i.e. what are their strengths, interests, passions, etc.) and how those align with the institution to which they are applying. This allows admissions officers to understand how a student will fit at our institution, will contribute to the community, and (bonus points for this last one!) how a student will grow (i.e. work on new talents, knowledge, etc.) at a specific school. This is why copying and pasting supplemental essays can almost always be detected – the “why” can’t be the same for any two institutions.”

Liz Kinsley, Associate Dean & Director of Undergraduate Admission, Northwestern University

“Our writing supplements are designed to support students by helping them focus their responses on areas we consider most important to our holistic review: how their personal experiences have shaped various ways they see themselves engaging at Northwestern, and how their vision for college aligns with Northwestern’s institutional values, academic culture, and campus community.”

“As you work on supplements for us and other colleges, keep in mind that the college process is not merely an exercise in proving your achievements in high school—it can be so much more exciting (and you will be a more exciting applicant!) if you embrace its imaginative side, picturing who you may become in college and helping admissions committees see your potential for growth and contribution in that setting.”

Mike Drish, Executive Director Of Undergraduate Admissions At Vanderbilt University

“​​I am glad these are framed in the Common App now, usually, as ‘Questions’ as opposed to a 'supplement.’ The term supplement implies the question is supplemental in the application review process when the questions individual universities ask are most often one of the most important parts of the application in the review process. The questions a university chooses to ask are also a terrific opportunity for an applicant to gain perspective on what matters to that university, and what it values. A lot of time and effort goes into developing the specific wording of university-specific questions on the member section of the Common App.

At Vanderbilt, we ask applicants to choose from one of two short prompts. One prompt is focused on allowing the student to elaborate on a work experience or activity that has influenced them. We ask about this to better understand the balance an applicant has between their academic and social experiences. Another prompt gives the student an opportunity to reflect on how a conversation with someone with a different viewpoint had an impact on the applicant. We ask about this because at Vanderbilt we strive to foster an atmosphere on campus where students can explore and freely discuss the most complex and challenging issues. The answers to this supplemental question provide some insight into an applicant’s experience with contrasting viewpoints.”

“When responding to a university-specific prompt, answer the question. Too often applicants will have something they want to say and will not fully – or at all – answer the question. That is a missed opportunity on a very important part of the application. There is a lot of time and attention placed on the Common App essay, and that is important, but students should spend an equal amount of time and focus on their answers to the university-specific prompts.”

Eric Maguire, Vice President For Enrollment, Wake Forest University

“In our application review, we are looking for students who are intellectually curious and academically accomplished. We seek students who are as engaged in their communities as they are in the classroom. We want to enroll students who align with our Pro Humanitate motto and university mission. We review transcripts, resumes of activities, and other information commonly contained in the application. However, supplemental questions can fill in the blanks and reveal aspects of an applicant's candidacy that are important to our community and might not have otherwise come to light in the student's application. For quite some time, Wake Forest has invited students to create a top-10 list as one of our optional supplemental questions. The responses to this question show quite a bit of creativity and thoughtfulness.”

“Sometimes the top-10 list reiterates an important theme that is present in other parts of a student's application. However, many students view that question as an opportunity to share something new about their passions, personality, or perspective. The question has no right answer; it represents a blank slate for students to express themselves and gives us the opportunity to know them better. Our newest supplemental question, a slight reinterpretation of a question we've used in the past, asks students to connect an aspect of their lived experience to a quote of their choosing by former Wake Forest University professor, Dr. Maya Angelou. I look forward to seeing what quotes students choose to highlight and draw inspiration from. I also anticipate the question will solicit some powerful stories of determination, perseverance, and grace.”

Thyra L Briggs, Vice President For Admission & Financial Aid, Harvey Mudd College

“There’s been a great deal of pressure for colleges to reduce the amount of additional questions they ask students, given how much work it is to apply to college. Indeed, it’s been proven that removing essay questions can increase a college’s application numbers in one fell swoop. That said, there are also demands on colleges to do more to differentiate themselves from one another and be more intentional in ensuring that students are getting a true sense of what a college cares about in their reading process. Our member questions help us signal to students two crucial aspects of Harvey Mudd - the value of how a student’s community shapes them and their research interests, as well as the central value of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts in our curriculum.”

“Hearing a student’s thoughts on both of these questions helps us to make better decisions in shaping our community. We don’t ask any question on our member page that we don’t read and consider carefully, and every year we review whether these questions are accomplishing what we hope. Last year we removed the “What about Harvey Mudd appeals to you” question, the answer to which had often become a laundry list of traits of which we were already well aware.”

James Nondorf, Vice President And Dean Of Admissions And Financial Aid, The University Of Chicago

“Supplemental Essays are an important piece of college applications. While personal statements are about the student (the person applying to college), a college’s supplemental essays are about the college (their values and strengths) and how a particular applicant may fit at that college. In the case of UChicago, we ask open-ended and creative questions because we find that students who really thrive in a Liberal Arts curriculum like the Core are creative thinkers. They enjoy engaging with questions that don’t actually have answers. Our supplemental essay prompts are unique and reflective of our campus culture and curriculum. UChicago is a place for people who love to play with ideas—students who enjoy discussing, debating, and creating new ideas and ways of thinking.”

“Our prompts give students a space to engage with an idea and to have fun with it, too. With no definitive answer, students can write an essay that reflects their personality, their curiosity, and their intellect. New prompts are chosen each year and applicants can make their own prompt or respond to a previous year’s prompt, so every student has the chance to let their own voice and ideas shine through their application. Whether it’s our supplemental essays or someone else’s, the most important thing you can do is be yourself and write thoughtfully and passionately. When you’ve seen tens of thousands of responses over the years, the applicants who are genuinely having fun writing their essay and are putting a lot of care and effort into it stand out.”

Keep Perspective

It is important to acknowledge that essay anxiety is only relevant for students applying to a subset of the many colleges and universities in the country–the selective institutions where the stakes are perceived to be high. According to the Common App , an organization of over 1,000 colleges and universities, 58% of their member institutions do not require an essay at all. CEO, Jenny Rickard says, “28% of our members don’t require anything like SAT scores, an essay, a teacher recommendation, etc.” She adds that for the schools that do require them, “essays are only one factor of many that colleges consider when making admissions decisions.” Meanwhile, a recent report from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) found that 56% of colleges attribute moderate to considerable importance to essays and writing samples in their application review, and 17% attribute no importance. If you are applying only to a school in that minority, you are off the hook. If not, heed the wisdom of these admission leaders above and get writing!

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Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to approach college supplemental questions.

Hi everyone, I'm working on my college applications and I'm struggling with the supplemental questions. Any tips on how to tackle these effectively and make my application stand out? Thanks for your help!

Hi there! Supplemental questions can indeed be challenging, but with some focused effort, you can make your application stand out. Here are a few tips to help you tackle them effectively:

1. Understand the purpose: Supplemental questions are designed to give the admissions office a better understanding of your personality, interests, and goals. They want to see whether you would be a good fit for their school, so make sure your responses highlight your unique qualities and demonstrate how attending their school will help you achieve your ambitions.

2. Research the school: Before answering any supplemental questions, it's crucial to thoroughly research the school. Understand their mission, values, and academic programs. Use this information to demonstrate your genuine interest in attending and how you can contribute to their community. Don't be generic; try to find specific reasons for choosing the school.

3. Answer the question directly: Unlike the personal statement, which can have a more narrative structure, supplemental questions typically ask direct questions and expect fairly concise answers. Make sure you address the prompt directly and provide specific examples that showcase your personality and experiences.

4. Be selective: Rather than trying to include every single activity or interest in your response, focus on those that are most relevant to the question and the school. Mention your most significant and meaningful interests or experiences that can showcase your skills, character traits, and values.

5. Proofread and revise: Your supplemental responses should be polished and free from errors. Make sure you proofread and revise multiple times to ensure your answers are clear and engaging. If possible, ask a teacher or counselor to review your work and provide feedback.

6. Maintain your voice: Supplemental questions provide an opportunity for you to showcase your unique voice and perspective. Be genuine and authentic in your responses. Don't try to mold yourself into what you think the college wants to see; instead, provide thoughtful and honest answers.

7. Remember the word count: Most supplemental questions have a word limit, so make sure you adhere to it. Use concise language that conveys your point effectively without going over the word count.

For in-depth breakdowns with specific advice for dozens of schools' supplemental essays, check out CollegeVine's essay guides here: https://www.collegevine.com/category/essays/essay-breakdown

By focusing on these tips, you should be able to develop compelling and memorable responses to supplemental questions that will help your application stand out. Good luck with your college applications!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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This /r/ApplyingToCollege sister subreddit is for anyone looking for people to review their college application essays (a.k.a. personal statements) and give feedback! For other questions about college admissions, visit /r/ApplyingToCollege, /r/SAT, /r/ACT, etc. * Any advertising is an instant ban * Don't put your name on your essay * Don't be plagiarizing * Set your shared Google Doc to not allow downloading *

My UVM Supplemental Essay

The question was "Why UVM"

I've lived in Vermont my whole life. I’ve always loved the crisp vibrant outdoors that is bejeweled by lush evergreens and multicolored deciduous woodlands. Although at times the sheer ruralness of Vermont can be suffocating to the point where I contemplated not applying to any schools in Vermont. That was until my Junior year of high school. I was on my high school track team when we went to a meet in Gutterson Field House. The atmosphere was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Like I was stepping into a whole new dimension. As Walked onto the balcony looking out upon the rest of the campus I told my father that we absolutely must visit. 3 weeks later we made the 2 hour trek up to Burlington and we went on the tour.  The final stop of the tour was outside of a building that I cannot remember the function of, not because I wasn't invested in what my guide had to say. But because I had been utterly mesmerized by the view of the sun over the mountains, and how it just caught off the reflections of Lake Champlain. At that moment, thoughts of going to school anywhere else faded. Why UVM?  Because all I thought was how I want to see that sight everyday for the rest of my life.  

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Can You Answer These Bizarre (But Real) College Essay Prompts?

With the release of universities 2022-23 supplemental essay prompts, we take you through some of the most unusual and bizarre US college supplemental essay prompts of all time, featuring universities such as UChicago, Tufts University and UPenn.

To get into a top US college , you’re going to need more than stellar grades, test scores, common application and extracurricular achievements. You’ll have to demonstrate, in your supplemental essays, that you are the kind of mature, driven, interesting person that would thrive at the particular university. This is much easier said than done — standing out from the crowd with a unique college essay can be very difficult.

Luckily, over the years some colleges have given their applicants a helping hand on this point by providing some really bizarre essay prompts. These warrant truly inventive responses, and let applicants really show off their writing prowess, creativity, and individuality.

Here’s out our list of some of the most creative, unusual and bizarre supplemental essay prompts from all time. How would you have responded to these questions? Check it out below!

Bizzare Supplemental Essay Prompts in 2022

We thought that it would be a good idea to include some of the more creative supplemental essay prompts from this year’s admission cycle (2022-23). We hope that this gets the creative juices flowing and helps you get a good early start to the essays!

University of Chicago

What advice would a wisdom tooth have?

Chapman University

Name one dish you would cook for the school’s admission team.

Pomono College

Marvel or DC? Pepsi or Coke? Instagram or TikTok? What’s your favorite ‘this or that’ and which side do you choose?

University of Vermont

Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?

In approaching these essays, it's essential to keep in mind why they are important and how they add context to your application. Admissions officers at top universities look for candidates that display creativity, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and a unique perspective.

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Unusual Supplemental Essay Prompts From Previous Years

When it comes to asking creative and wacky essay prompts, the University of Chicago is the leader. To come up with the best and most creative prompts, the college takes suggestions and inspiration from their own students, who are allowed to email their ideas annually. If you look on the UChicago website you can even see who submitted each essay prompt.

UChicago also allows you to answer a past prompt making these options for you to choose.

Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History…

This prompt was an excellent opportunity for students to show their creativity and humour, as well as their academic interests. The best ideas that we could find online were probably Visual Arms (Visual Arts) and Pig Problems (Big Problems).

Have you ever walked through the aisles of a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club and wondered who would buy a jar of mustard a foot and a half tall? We’ve bought it, but it didn’t stop us from wondering about other things, like absurd eating contests, impulse buys, excess, unimagined uses for mustard, storage, preservatives, notions of bigness…and dozens of other ideas both silly and serious. Write an essay somehow inspired by super-huge mustard.

Have you ever written an essay about a giant jar of mustard? In 2004 UChicago applicants had their chance, and while there are absurd elements to the prompt, there are many creative and serious directions essays took.

The elusive goal of mathematics, but with no context. What is “x”, and how did prospective UChicago students find it? We’re sure the students brought in a novel discussion of a diverse array of mathematical theory, as well as philosophical and personal matters.

Elvis is alive! OK, maybe not, but here in the Office of College Admissions we are persuaded that current Elvis sightings in highway rest areas, grocery stores and Laundromats are part of a wider conspiracy involving five of the following: the metric system, the Mall of America, the crash of the Hindenburg, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, lint, J.D. Salinger and wax fruit. Help us get to the bottom of this evil plot by constructing your own theory of how and why five of these items and events are related. Your narrative may take any form you like, but try to keep your theory to under two pages.

If there were any conspiracy theorists applying to UChicago in 1999-2000, they would certainly have been in luck with this prompt. Who would have been the mastermind behind your evil plot?

Tufts University

If UChicago is the champ of creative college essay prompts, Tufts might be considered a close second. Check out their unique prompts below.

Kermit the Frog famously lamented, 'It's not easy being green.' Do you agree?

This prompt is inspired by a Muppets song, whereby Kermit laments how green seems to blend in with so many other ordinary things and how he thus fails to stand out from the crowd. Of course, many students in their essays took this quote in a totally different direction, demonstrating their critical thinking and creativity.

The ancient Romans started it when they coined the phrase “Carpe diem.” Jonathan Larson proclaimed “No day but today!” and most recently, Drake explained You Only Live Once (YOLO). Have you ever seized the day? Lived like there was no tomorrow? Or perhaps you plan to shout YOLO while jumping into something in the future. What does #YOLO mean to you?

Back when this prompt was released, Tufts’ #YOLO question caused quite a stir. Lee Coffin, the dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Tufts admitted that the question was inspired by his affinity for pop music and his desire for applicants to have some fun when they introduce themselves to Tufts.

It’s been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can cause a typhoon halfway around the world. History is filled with such linchpins – small events or decisions that have huge effects on the future. Make your own change somewhere in history and show us the effects on the world.

This is one for fans of alternative history, perhaps invoking visions of a distorted universe where life as we know it has taken a turn for the better or worse. Again, a challenge for applicants would have been how to say something about themselves and their interests in a creative way.

University of Southern California

(Short Answer) Hashtag to describe yourself

It is common for college essay prompts to have a few short answer questions to get to know the student. For a few years starting in 2017 USC adopted a unique question, making students describe themselves with a #hashtag as they would on twitter or instagram. But what a difficult task that is - how would you describe yourself with a single hashtag?

Wake Forest University

Give us your top ten list.

Many Buzzfeed enthusiasts applying to Wake Forest in 2017-18 would have enjoyed the opportunity to make a top-ten list about anything of their choosing. What topic would you have written about, and what does this say about you?

UC Berkeley

If any of these three inanimate objects could talk, how would your room, computer or car describe you?

Imagine all of the time you’ve spent in your room, at your computer or behind the wheel; these objects might be the only things in the world that know your real identity. This question would have certainly prompted some deep reflection from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business applicants.

University of Notre Dame

You have 150 words. Take a risk.

Students could have taken this anywhere - so long as what they wrote was risky. There are even reports that some students took the ultimate risk and wrote nothing at all.

University of Pennsylvania

You have just finished your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217.

This is an iconic prompt that UPenn asked for about 20 years. It encourages students to consider their story, and to use this to introduce themselves to UPenn. For added realism, many students liked to start their responses in the middle of a sentence.

So, How Do I Write the Essay?

Since more than three quarters of US universities no longer require students to take standardized tests, college essays are becoming increasingly important in your application.

The key piece of advice we give to our students is to start on these essays early. If you are applying to several universities, you will have many different supplemental essays to complete, as well as the common application essay . Many of our students attest that writing all of their essays is by far the most stressful part of the application, and a part of the application that is easy to neglect.

Our other key piece of advice is to make the content of each supplemental essay very specific to the university you are applying to. You need to do your research about what each university looks for in a candidate and show a clear desire to attend that particular university.

As the world’s leading university admissions support company, we at Crimson know how to approach each supplemental essay and maximise your chances of gaining admission to a top university.

If you want to feel confident when submitting your college application essay, get your essay reviewed by us at Crimson. Our experts have assisted students who have gained admission to Harvard , Yale , Princeton , Stanford , Oxford , Cambridge and many other top universities!

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University of Vermont Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Vermont college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Vermont. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by University of Vermont

A commitment to change anonymous, university of vermont.

For most of my adolescent life, I had always hidden behind the somewhat comforting excuses for my weight: "You're just big boned," "You just have a slow metabolism," "Someday you'll grow into your body." But there was no denying the obvious truth:...

The Soccer Game Anonymous

Life lessons can sometimes be learned in the strangest of places...even at a soccer match. Going to watch my father play soccer every week was a large part of my childhood. The league he played in was far from high-profile, but there was something...

Life in a Canoe Anonymous

The thought that nearly eight hours later we would be dragging a canoe through a swamp in the dark never crossed anyone’s mind as we began to film. Clad in American Revolution-era attire, my friends and I made a short crossing of the Town River in...

Learning to Believe Ariel Johnston

Evaluate a significant experience....

It was the first night that I had seen the Western Wall, and all of the magic of that moment overcame me like an ocean wave, strong and powerful. As I walked towards the wall, holding hands with the other girls...

Blue Suede Shoes? No, Red Satin Heels Katherine Danaher

Nerves shook through my body as I prepared to introduce Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to 400 people in my town. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. Senator Sanders cleared his throat, and I looked up with concern. “Your shoes are...

The Common Application Essay Question #1 Alec Cameron Edelson

Ever since I was a young boy I have been curious and excited to learn new things. My favorite books where the Curious George books, as I thought the little monkey, George, was very much like me. George was certainly lovable, but he was always in...

Becoming a Baha'i Anonymous

Despite the bleak November evening, the people around the kitchen table were filled with joy. We had just finished studying the first of the Ruhi books, a series designed to teach the basics of Baha’i, and the tutors, Mary Kay and Chet, were...

A City Swept from it's Feet Anonymous

Eyes were beginning to blur; muscles were beginning to convulse; thousands were shouting from excitement. Through all these distractions, my mind began to form a clear picture of what was taking place. I was on the final stretch of the 2013 Boston...

Adulthood at 12,000 Feet Anonymous

Two days after leaving home this past June, I stood alone amidst thousands of people, not knowing a single one. I heard no English, saw no familiar sights, and was caught up in a dusty, polluted, hectic metropolitan whirlwind. I was in Kathmandu,...

Hook, Line and thinker. Dan Schwarz

To many, it may seem farfetched to associate the feeling of being perfectly content with a sport as salty as fishing, but not to me. The way the cork grip of a fishing rod gingerly held between my fingers instills the feeling of being so...

Finding My Purpose Anonymous

As I walked through the door there she stood, staring into oblivion with a dazed look on her face. Alice was my first Adaptive student, and the only discernible sound that she emitted was "ribbit." I was intrigued, but not surprised, because the...

My Secret Identity Mercedes Woolley

“It’s okay! Just breathe!” I said to myself in an attempt to suppress my unfaltering anxiety. I restlessly skimmed the pictures in a Clifford the Big Red Dog book, typical of me during independent reading. All the while I kept my head down,...

Common App Essay Anonymous

I felt an unequivocal sense of community when I gazed at my dinner plate one night at Chewonki and acknowledged that the beets, potatoes, and lettuce on my plate were plucked from the earth by me and my best friends. The hours that we expended on...

My Hair Is My Culture Isaiah Hines

I never forget a bad haircut. In my experience, a bad haircut can only be described as a humiliating, disturbing, and devastating experience that assuredly leaves me with a deep sense of being wronged. While I recognize how melodramatic that is,...

The Transition from Childhood into Adulthood Anonymous

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008, started out as an ordinary day in Zimbabwe. I was eight-years-old then, and I awoke unaware of the fact that this Tuesday would be the most devastating day of my life. My parents, my little brother and I lived on a large...

After the Fire Samantha R. Davidson

The world was closing in and the flame of desire to be a beautiful fire dancer was rapidly burning out with every shallow, poorly-oxygenated breath that I took. I was my own show, and not the one my parents drove three hours to come and see as my...

My journey Jack Tatirosian

I was tired of being that "fat kid.” I’ve struggled with my weight since…. well, the name calling started to sting. My weight, and its effect on my attitude, prevented me from feeling comfortable socially. It became more worse when I changed...

Photography Anonymous

A pair of tiny Mary-Janes and ruffled socks stirred anxiously in anticipation. Ms. Bush’s kindergarten classroom leered ominously over our small heads, making my friend Corinne’s knuckles whiten and eyes instinctively shoot downwards. My navy blue...

Wilkinsburg P.D. Anonymous

My heartbeat mimicked the blare of the sirens. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” I stood by as the detective searched the scene. It was then that the face of the perpetrator...

L'Taken Anonymous

What is the ENDA Act? The act that would end living, employment, and service discrimination against those who don’t strictly identify as heterosexual or cisgender (those whose sex matches their gender identity). The bill that would jump-start my...

Coming Out Anonymous

When I was seven I had my first crush. I remember the numerous sleepovers where I would be asked to divulge such a secret, with the stereotypical “so who do you like Dana?” I’d have no problem responding “I like Jessy,” which was always met with...

Emotional Evolution Anonymous

Blistering aluminum pans flying through the air. The head chef yelling orders at the sous chef, who would then relay them back to the line cooks. I pushed through the swinging doors to the back area, dropping off dirty dishes and yelling “corner”...

The Summer I Matured... Kind Of Shanti Anuradha Boyle

Falling asleep in class is never a good idea, especially when the teacher is your 86-year-old grandfather and the classroom is his bedroom. How did I get roped into giving up my limited, beautiful summer days for a fluorescent monitor and fourteen...

The Most Important Subjects Anonymous

All summer I had been speculating about the first day of high school, but not for the same reasons as my peers. While others were perfecting their “summer bods,” I was worried about one particular class and one particular teacher. As I took a...

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The Question and Answer section for University of Vermont is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

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University of Vermont College of Medicine Interview Feedback

Full Member

• May 17, 2021

I am looking at one of last year's prompts: "Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process." I am planning on writing about my grandmother's development of dementia during COVID-19. I briefly mention how it affected me academically, so is this ok as long as it's not entirely focused on academics?  

• Jun 10, 2021

Gwynbleidd said: I am looking at one of last year's prompts: "Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process." I am planning on writing about my grandmother's development of dementia during COVID-19. I briefly mention how it affected me academically, so is this ok as long as it's not entirely focused on academics? Click to expand...

deleted1048149

• Jun 12, 2021

olenus said: For the secondaries, is there a character or word limit? It states that before last year it was limited to 500 words but there is no specification on last year's, I'm assuming due to the pandemic making everything more complicated. Click to expand...

proteinfolder

• Jun 22, 2021

Hi everyone. I'm also struggling with the non-academic challenge. Is this more of an adversity essay or challenge essay? From my understanding, the former is something you had no control over happening (like an illness) while a challenge is something you willingly took on. I have examples for either, just not sure what works best here - I've been seeing people use both.  

deleted1066172

• Jun 24, 2021

Does Vermont typically use the same secondary prompts over the years? Hoping to start pre-writing secondaries but am unsure if they change frequently year-to-year  

PsychedOutMD said: Does Vermont typically use the same secondary prompts over the years? Hoping to start pre-writing secondaries but am unsure if they change frequently year-to-year Click to expand...

• Jun 30, 2021

For the COVID prompt, I don't necessarily have anything about my application that was adversely affected b/c of COVID but I wanted to write about how I was personally affected (witnessing anti-Asian hate crimes and how my Korean family was affected during this time reinforced my desire to display empathy as a physician to address racism on an individual level). Would appreciate your thoughts on whether this could be a way to go or if I should just leave it blank?  

sun_flower580

• Jul 2, 2021

Hi! Would someone be so kind as to post the prompts on here please?  

has anyone else not received a secondary yet?  

Morningnight

mistybay said: has anyone else not received a secondary yet? Click to expand...

brockhamptonfanacct

Wannabeanmd1999.

brockhamptonfanacct said: Same Click to expand...

fingerscrossed1085

On their website, it says they do not send out secondaries until July 17th  

• Jul 7, 2021

Just got the secondary this morning. All prompts are the same as last year. IS Prompts: Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process.(max 500 words) The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself.(max 500 words) Please use this box to describe how the COVID19 pandemic may have adversely impacted your application. (Optional)(Max 150 words) Additional Comments (Optional)(max 300 words)  

• Jul 8, 2021

tay1213 said: Just got the secondary this morning. All prompts are the same as last year. IS Prompts: Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process.(max 500 words) The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself.(max 500 words) Please use this box to describe how the COVID19 pandemic may have adversely impacted your application. (Optional)(Max 150 words) Additional Comments (Optional)(max 300 words) Click to expand...

deleted1074206

• Jul 9, 2021

TheWaldonator said: Anyone else still waiting on a secondary? Click to expand...

OOS secondary received just now!  

creativeusername2191

Throwawayaccount777

creativeusername2191 said: Me. OOS high stats and 4th casper quartile so I don't think i'd be screened out but you never know. maybe they are sending in waves Click to expand...

following up from previous post...Just received secondary wohoo!  

OOS secondary received!  

coinaco said: +1 Click to expand...

OOS received!  

By residency history, how specific do you think they want it? Like every time you moved and addresses or just general areas for general amounts of time?  

NormalUsername42

Morningnight said: +2 OOS secondary received Click to expand...

cyclistturneddoc said: By residency history, how specific do you think they want it? Like every time you moved and addresses or just general areas for general amounts of time? Click to expand...

Gwynbleidd said: The 500 word limit has me feeling really bad about writing just “I lived in X state my entire life” lol. Click to expand...

What should I write in the Residency History section? ​

fingerscrossed1085 said: Just checked the FAQ and this is what it said to do: What should I write in the Residency History section? ​ Please indicate the places you have lived. Include where you lived, the age(s) you were when you lived there, and the approximate population of the city or town. Example: 0-18 Stamford, CT pop. 106,000 18-21 Evanston, IL pop. 200,000 21-29 Stamford, CT pop 106,000 29-present South Burlington, VT pop 22,000 Click to expand...

Gwynbleidd said: Well…already submitted the secondary. Lol Click to expand...

For the speeding ticket question, I honestly do not remember if I have gotten one in the last five years. I ordered my home state driving record which was clean. I drove across country a few years ago and remember getting pulled over, however, I do not know if I got a ticket. I do not remember the state this was in. What should I do? Is there any way to find a national driving record?  

Does anyone know if Anatomy or Physiology will count towards the biology credit? I emailed the admissions team but have not heard back yet.  

C345diaphragmalive

eggiman said: Does anyone know if Anatomy or Physiology will count towards the biology credit? I emailed the admissions team but have not heard back yet. Click to expand...

+1 OOS! Bunch of schools slid in my DMs after I got verified today lol  

WhatsUpDoc824

For the non-academic challenge, I know this was talked about previously, but I'm talking about a negative personality trait I developed through something that happened when I was younger. I mentioned how it affected my academics early in college and how through interactions with other students in study groups I was able to overcome it. Would this count as "academic"?  

Proudfather94

• Jul 11, 2021

What are you guys putting for the additional comments? Is it cool to make it a why us essay?  

Update: For anyone wondering, it does not seem like UVM sends an "application complete" email after all your supplemental materials (CASPer. LORs, secondary) have been received. It simply gives you the little green check on the secondary portal. Submitted 07/09, and application complete 07/10.  

Morningnight said: Update: For anyone wondering, it does not seem like UVM sends an "application complete" email after all your supplemental materials (CASPer. LORs, secondary) have been received. It simply gives you the little green check on the secondary portal. Submitted 07/09, and application complete 07/10. Click to expand...

• Jul 12, 2021

sun_flower580 said: How do you know your casper quartile? Click to expand...

rep_the_don

proteinfolder said: Hi everyone. I'm also struggling with the non-academic challenge. Is this more of an adversity essay or challenge essay? From my understanding, the former is something you had no control over happening (like an illness) while a challenge is something you willingly took on. I have examples for either, just not sure what works best here - I've been seeing people use both. Click to expand...

• Jul 15, 2021

Is anyone's "Letters Received" not updating? Under Document Status Mine they're marked as received 7/9 but on the Status tab it currently says "Not Received" and my application is Incomplete. Any advice on what to do?  

• Jul 18, 2021

are you guys writing an optional essay? im not sure what to do  

al32341 said: are you guys writing an optional essay? im not sure what to do Click to expand...

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Essays and Short Answer Prompts

The Penn application process includes a personal essay —which is sent to most schools you apply to—as well as a few short answer prompts . We read your words carefully, as they are yet another window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Through your writing, we get a glimpse of what you might bring to our community—including your voice and creativity. 

Remember, you are the expert on your story. This is an opportunity for you to reflect and understand who you are now, and who you want to be in the future. You have the agency to choose the information you want to share. This is your story: your experiences, your ideas, your perspective.   

A Few Writing Tips

• Review the prompts thoroughly.  Be sure you’re answering the question or prompt being asked. Topics are chosen because the Admissions Committee wants to know specific things about you. If you don’t address them directly, we are left to make decisions regarding your application with incomplete information. 
• Consider your response carefully.  We understand that you may be writing responses for different schools and you may want to reuse material, but be sure to read through your response to make sure it is relevant to the prompt. 
• Double-check your writing.  Give yourself time to revisit your response. Try to avoid rushing your writing process so you have time to revise your work. Ultimately, it is up to you to polish and proofread your writing before you submit. 
• Do your research. Are there classes you’re eager to take? Research opportunities you’d love to pursue? A group or club you want to be a part of? This kind of specificity shows us you’re serious about Penn and have thought about how you’d spend your time here. 

2024-25 Short Answer and Essay Prompts

When answering these prompts, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to that specific undergraduate school. Some of our specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the  Penn short answer prompts should address your single-degree or single-school choice.  

• Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, only required for first-year applicants) 
• How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words) 
• The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences” section). Considering the undergraduate school you have selected for your single-degree option, please respond to your school-specific prompt below.  

Transfer Essay (required for all transfer applicants): Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4150 characters) 

Undergraduate School-Specific Short Answer Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer this question about your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.  

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of a global, multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare through advancing science. How will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare and how will Penn Nursing contribute to your future nursing goals? (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare here . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations.

The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the  academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences .  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations. 

Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues.  Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.  (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about  the foundations of a Wharton education . This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward. 

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words)

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology here . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests.

Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Program Essay Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer the program-specific essay below. 

** Numbers marked with double asterisks indicate a character count that only applies to transfer students applying through Common App.  

Discuss how your interests align with the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters**)

We encourage you to learn more about the DMD: Digital Media Design Program .

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words) 

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing, and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words) 

• Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words) 
• Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words) 

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words) 

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words) 

Sharing Additional Information

To be your own best advocate, you may give our Admissions Committee more context about you by sharing additional information in your college application. While this is not required, it can help give admissions officers a fuller picture of who you are if you are concerned about any missing information or context. Consider the following guiding questions as you decide to share any additional information:

• Is there additional context you want to provide about how your time is spent outside of the classroom?
• Do you have a long commute to school, or responsibilities within your home or community that may prevent you from engaging in certain activities?
• Has there been a big change in your life that has impacted your grades or participation in activities?
• Is there missing context about your school that you want to provide? 

Want more information about our majors?

Want to learn more about life as a Terp?

Ready to apply?

Need more information on cost of attendance at UMD, financing your education and merit scholarships?

Essay Questions

The essay is just one of the 24 factors we use as part of our holistic application review.

The essay provides you with the opportunity to showcase aspects of your personality and experiences that fit well with the University of Maryland (UMD) community. When considering your approach to your essay, take time to think about your answer, making it creative and succinct.

Please answer one of the following essay questions. Make sure to include the question itself at the start of your essay. Your essay should be no more than 650 words; the question will not be included in the essay total word count.

• 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.

Please answer the following question. Students who have been out of school for several years or who have a personal circumstance that affected performance, may wish to address that situation in their essay. Your answer should be no more than 300 words.

• Please describe your past academic experiences and your reasons for wishing to enroll at UMD at this point in your academic career.

There is a lot more to learn about UMD, so let's stay in touch!

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Common questions, essay questions.

As students consider how they will contribute to the University of Michigan campus community and respond to question and essay prompts, they may wish to highlight things that had an impact on them such as: their involvement in clubs, competing as a student-athlete, studying abroad, going on a mission trip, being engaged in debate, participating in the performing or visual arts, having alumni ties to the institution, making a difference in their community, serving in a leadership capacity, being an entrepreneur, and many others. 

University of Michigan Questions

• 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.  (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words/maximum 300 words)
• Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words /maximum 550 words)

The Common Application 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. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

• 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.

Transfer Applicants:   If you are a transfer student, please view the Transfer Essay Questions webpage  for additional required essays.

University of Wisconsin-Madison 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

University of Wisconsin-Madison 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: 1 essay of 650 words (or less)

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

Tell us why you would like to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (You may enter up to 650 words, but 300-500 is recommended).

This sneaky prompt is a twofer, though both parts cover classic why essay territory: admissions wants to know just what appeals to you about the University of Wisconsin-Madison. So, take a moment to look inside. What exactly do you want out of your college experience? Research opportunities? Weekend football games? To dip your toe into city life? Now, if you were to imagine a Venn diagram of your expectations and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s offerings, what would land in the overlap? The only way to know for sure is to do your research!  

The goal is to show admissions that you’ve done your homework. Make sure Admissions Officers know that you’ve already thought about what you want to do when you get there and that you’re ready to act on those hopes and dreams and so forth. 

But, wait, there’s more! The second part of the prompt gives you the opportunity to include information about specific academic programs at Madison that appeal to you. So just as before, utilize the school’s website, but this time pay careful attention to the specific majors and academic offerings that catch your eye. What do you love about your chosen major and/or minor? If you’re interested in UW’s Gender & Women’s Studies pr ogram, can you describe what you will take away from this program and how it relates to your long-term ambitions ? How did you become interested in this field, and what resources does Madison provide that will help you achieve your goals? Finally, if you’re undecided, think about what makes Madison the ideal environment for your academic exploration. How do you plan to hone in on the perfect major as you attend? Remember, the more details you include, the better.

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UChicago Supplemental Essay Questions

The University of Chicago has long been renowned for our provocative essay questions. We think of them as an opportunity for students to tell us about themselves, their tastes, and their ambitions. They can be approached with utter seriousness, complete fancy, or something in between.

Each year we email newly admitted and current College students and ask them for essay topics. We receive several hundred responses, many of which are eloquent, intriguing, or downright wacky.

As you can see from the attributions, the questions below were inspired by submissions from UChicago students and alumni.

2024-25 UChicago Supplement

Question 1 (required).

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; Choose one)

Essay option 1.

We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

Essay Option 2

"Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now” – Bob Dylan. In what ways do we become younger as we get older? – Inspired by Joshua Harris, Class of 2016

Essay Option 3

Pluto, the demoted planet. Ophiuchus, the thirteenth Zodiac. Andy Murray, the fourth to tennis's Big Three. Every grouping has something that doesn’t quite fit in. Tell us about a group and its unofficial member, why (or why not) should it be excluded? – Inspired by Veronica Chang, Class of 2022

Essay Option 4

"Daddy-o", "Far Out", "Gnarly": the list of slang terms goes on and on. Sadly, most of these aren’t so "fly" anymore – “as if!” Name an outdated slang from any decade or language that you'd bring back and explain why you totally “dig it.” – Inspired by Napat Sakdibhornssup, Class of 2028

Essay Option 5

How many piano tuners are there in Chicago? What is the total length of chalk used by UChicago professors in a year? How many pages of books are in the Regenstein Library? These questions are among a class of estimation problems named after University of Chicago physicist Enrico Fermi. Create your own Fermi estimation problem, give it your best answer, and show us how you got there. – Inspired by Malhar Manek, Class of 2028

Essay Option 6

And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

Some classic questions from previous years…

Exponents and square roots, pencils and erasers, beta decay and electron capture. Name two things that undo each other and explain why both are necessary. – Inspired by Emmett Cho, Class of 2027

“Where have all the flowers gone?” – Pete Seeger. Pick a question from a song title or lyric and give it your best answer. – Inspired by Ryan Murphy, AB’21

“Vlog,” “Labradoodle,” and “Fauxmage.” Language is filled with portmanteaus. Create a new portmanteau and explain why those two things are a “patch” (perfect match). – Inspired by Garrett Chalfin, Class of 2027

Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History... a full list of unmodified majors ready for your editor’s eye is available here . —Inspired by Josh Kaufman, AB'18

You are on an expedition to found a colony on Mars, when from a nearby crater, a group of Martians suddenly emerges. They seem eager to communicate, but they're the impatient kind and demand you represent the human race in one song, image, memory, proof, or other idea. What do you share with them to show that humanity is worth their time? —Inspired by Alexander Hastings, Class of 2023, and Olivia Okun-Dubitsky, Class of 2026

Who does Sally sell her seashells to? How much wood can a woodchuck really chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Pick a favorite tongue twister (either originally in English or translated from another language) and consider a resolution to its conundrum using the method of your choice. Math, philosophy, linguistics... it's all up to you (or your woodchuck). —Inspired by Blessing Nnate, Class of 2024

What can actually be divided by zero? —Inspired by Mai Vu, Class of 2024

The seven liberal arts in antiquity consisted of the Quadrivium — astronomy, mathematics, geometry, and music — and the Trivium — rhetoric, grammar, and logic. Describe your own take on the Quadrivium or the Trivium. What do you think is essential for everyone to know? —Inspired by Peter Wang, Class of 2022

Subway maps, evolutionary trees, Lewis diagrams. Each of these schematics tells the relationships and stories of their component parts. Reimagine a map, diagram, or chart. If your work is largely or exclusively visual, please include a cartographer's key of at least 300 words to help us best understand your creation. —Inspired by Maximilian Site, Class of 2020

"Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?" - Eleanor Roosevelt. Misattribute a famous quote and explore the implications of doing so. —Inspired by Chris Davey, AB’13

Engineer George de Mestral got frustrated with burrs stuck to his dog’s fur and applied the same mechanic to create Velcro. Scientist Percy Lebaron Spencer found a melted chocolate bar in his magnetron lab and discovered microwave cooking. Dye-works owner Jean Baptiste Jolly found his tablecloth clean after a kerosene lamp was knocked over on it, consequently shaping the future of dry cleaning. Describe a creative or interesting solution, and then find the problem that it solves. —Inspired by Steve Berkowitz, AB’19, and Neeharika Venuturupalli, Class of 2024

Joan of Arkansas. Queen Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Babe Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mash up a historical figure with a new time period, environment, location, or occupation, and tell us their story. —Inspired by Drew Donaldson, AB’16

Alice falls down the rabbit hole. Milo drives through the tollbooth. Dorothy is swept up in the tornado. Neo takes the red pill. Don’t tell us about another world you’ve imagined, heard about, or created. Rather, tell us about its portal. Sure, some people think of the University of Chicago as a portal to their future, but please choose another portal to write about. —Inspired by Raphael Hallerman, Class of 2020

What’s so odd about odd numbers? —Inspired by Mario Rosasco, AB’09

Vestigiality refers to genetically determined structures or attributes that have apparently lost most or all of their ancestral function, but have been retained during the process of evolution. In humans, for instance, the appendix is thought to be a vestigial structure. Describe something vestigial (real or imagined) and provide an explanation for its existence. —Inspired by Tiffany Kim, Class of 2020

In French, there is no difference between “conscience” and “consciousness.” In Japanese, there is a word that specifically refers to the splittable wooden chopsticks you get at restaurants. The German word “fremdschämen” encapsulates the feeling you get when you’re embarrassed on behalf of someone else. All of these require explanation in order to properly communicate their meaning, and are, to varying degrees, untranslatable. Choose a word, tell us what it means, and then explain why it cannot (or should not) be translated from its original language. —Inspired by Emily Driscoll, Class of 2018

Little pigs, French hens, a family of bears. Blind mice, musketeers, the Fates. Parts of an atom, laws of thought, a guideline for composition. Omne trium perfectum? Create your own group of threes, and describe why and how they fit together. —Inspired by Zilin Cui, Class of 2018

The mantis shrimp can perceive both polarized light and multispectral images; they have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Human eyes have color receptors for three colors (red, green, and blue); the mantis shrimp has receptors for sixteen types of color, enabling them to see a spectrum far beyond the capacity of the human brain. Seriously, how cool is the mantis shrimp: mantisshrimp.uchicago.edu What might they be able to see that we cannot? What are we missing? —Inspired by Tess Moran, AB’16

How are apples and oranges supposed to be compared? Possible answers involve, but are not limited to, statistics, chemistry, physics, linguistics, and philosophy. —Inspired by Florence Chan, AB’15

The ball is in your court—a penny for your thoughts, but say it, don’t spray it. So long as you don’t bite off more than you can chew, beat around the bush, or cut corners, writing this essay should be a piece of cake. Create your own idiom, and tell us its origin—you know, the whole nine yards. PS: A picture is worth a thousand words. —Inspired by April Bell, AB'17, and Maya Shaked, Class of 2018 (It takes two to tango.)

“A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.” –Oscar Wilde. Othello and Iago. Dorothy and the Wicked Witch. Autobots and Decepticons. History and art are full of heroes and their enemies. Tell us about the relationship between you and your arch-nemesis (either real or imagined). —Inspired by Martin Krzywy, AB’16

Heisenberg claims that you cannot know both the position and momentum of an electron with total certainty. Choose two other concepts that cannot be known simultaneously and discuss the implications. (Do not consider yourself limited to the field of physics). —Inspired by Doran Bennett, AB’07

Susan Sontag, AB’51, wrote that “[s]ilence remains, inescapably, a form of speech.” Write about an issue or a situation when you remained silent, and explain how silence may speak in ways that you did or did not intend. The Aesthetics of Silence, 1967. —Anonymous Suggestion

“…I [was] eager to escape backward again, to be off to invent a past for the present.” —The Rose Rabbi by Daniel Stern Present: pres·ent 1. Something that is offered, presented, or given as a gift. Let’s stick with this definition. Unusual presents, accidental presents, metaphorical presents, re-gifted presents, etc.—pick any present you have ever received and invent a past for it. —Inspired by Jennifer Qin, AB’16

So where is Waldo, really? —Inspired by Robin Ye, AB’16

Find x. —Inspired by Benjamin Nuzzo, an admitted student from Eton College, UK

Dog and Cat. Coffee and Tea. Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye. Everyone knows there are two types of people in the world. What are they? —Inspired by an anonymous alumna, AB'06

How did you get caught? (Or not caught, as the case may be.) —Inspired by Kelly Kennedy, AB’10

Chicago author Nelson Algren said, “A writer does well if in his whole life he can tell the story of one street.” Chicagoans, but not just Chicagoans, have always found something instructive, and pleasing, and profound in the stories of their block, of Main Street, of Highway 61, of a farm lane, of the Celestial Highway. Tell us the story of a street, path, road—real or imagined or metaphorical. —Anonymous Suggestion

UChicago professor W. J. T. Mitchell entitled his 2005 book What Do Pictures Want? Describe a picture, and explore what it wants. —Inspired by Anna Andel

“Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.“—Miles Davis (1926–91) —Inspired by Jack Reeves

University of Chicago alumna and renowned author/critic Susan Sontag said, “The only interesting answers are those that destroy the questions.” We all have heard serious questions, absurd questions, and seriously absurd questions, some of which cannot be answered without obliterating the very question. Destroy a question with your answer. —Inspired by Aleksandra Ciric

“Mind that does not stick.” —Zen Master Shoitsu (1202–80)

Superstring theory has revolutionized speculation about the physical world by suggesting that strings play a pivotal role in the universe. Strings, however, always have explained or enriched our lives, from Theseus’s escape route from the Labyrinth, to kittens playing with balls of yarn, to the single hair that held the sword above Damocles, to the Old Norse tradition that one’s life is a thread woven into a tapestry of fate, to the beautiful sounds of the finely tuned string of a violin, to the children’s game of cat’s cradle, to the concept of stringing someone along. Use the power of string to explain the biggest or the smallest phenomenon. —Inspired by Adam Sobolweski

Have you ever walked through the aisles of a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club and wondered who would buy a jar of mustard a foot and a half tall? We’ve bought it, but it didn’t stop us from wondering about other things, like absurd eating contests, impulse buys, excess, unimagined uses for mustard, storage, preservatives, notions of bigness…and dozens of other ideas both silly and serious. Write an essay somehow inspired by super-huge mustard. —Inspired by Katherine Gold

People often think of language as a connector, something that brings people together by helping them share experiences, feelings, ideas, etc. We, however, are interested in how language sets people apart. Start with the peculiarities of your own personal language—the voice you use when speaking most intimately to yourself, the vocabulary that spills out when you’re startled, or special phrases and gestures that no one else seems to use or even understand—and tell us how your language makes you unique. You may want to think about subtle riffs or idiosyncrasies based on cadence, rhythm, rhyme, or (mis)pronunciation. —Inspired by Kimberly Traube

In 2015, the city of Melbourne, Australia created a "tree-mail" service, in which all of the trees in the city received an email address so that residents could report any tree-related issues. As an unexpected result, people began to email their favorite trees sweet and occasionally humorous letters. Imagine this has been expanded to any object (tree or otherwise) in the world, and share with us the letter you’d send to your favorite. -Inspired by Hannah Lu, Class of 2020 

You’re on a voyage in the thirteenth century, sailing across the tempestuous seas. What if, suddenly, you fell off the edge of the Earth? -Inspired by Chandani Latey, AB'93 

The word floccinaucinihilipilification is the act or habit of describing or regarding something as unimportant or of having no value. It originated in the mid-18th century from the Latin words "floccus," "naucum," "nihilum," and "pilus"—all words meaning “of little use.” Coin your own word using parts from any language you choose, tell us its meaning, and describe the plausible (if only to you) scenarios in which it would be most appropriately used.  -Inspired by Ben Zhang, Class of 2022 

Lost your keys? Alohomora. Noisy roommate? Quietus. Feel the need to shatter windows for some reason? Finestra. Create your own spell, charm, jinx, or other means for magical mayhem. How is it enacted? Is there an incantation? Does it involve a potion or other magical object? If so, what's in it or what is it? What does it do?  -Inspired by Emma Sorkin, Class of 2021 

Imagine you’ve struck a deal with the Dean of Admissions himself, Dean Nondorf. It goes as follows: you’re guaranteed admission to the University of Chicago regardless of any circumstances that arise. This bond is grounded on the condition that you’ll obtain a blank, 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, and draw, write, sketch, shade, stencil, paint etc., anything and everything you want on it; your only limitations will be the boundaries of both sides on the single page. Now the catch… your submission, for the rest of your life, will always be the first thing anyone you meet for the first time will see. Whether it’s at a job interview, a blind date, arrival at your first Humanities class, before you even say, “hey,” they’ll already have seen your page, and formulated that first impression. Show us your page. What’s on it, and why? If your piece is largely or exclusively visual, please make sure to share a creator's accompanying statement of at least 300 words, which we will happily allow to be on its own, separate page. PS: This is a creative thought experiment, and selecting this essay prompt does not guarantee your admission to UChicago. -Inspired by Amandeep Singh Ahluwalia, Class of 2022

Cats have nine lives, Pac-Man has three lives, and radioactive isotopes have half-lives. How many lives does something else—conceptual or actual—have, and why? -Inspired by Kendrick Shin, Class of 2019

If there’s a limited amount of matter in the universe, how can Olive Garden (along with other restaurants and their concepts of food infinity) offer truly unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks? Explain this using any method of analysis you wish—physics, biology, economics, history, theology… the options, as you can tell, are endless.  -Inspired by Yoonseo Lee, Class of 2023 

A hot dog might be a sandwich, and cereal might be a soup, but is a ______ a ______? -Inspired by Arya Muralidharan, Class of 2021 (and dozens of others who, this year and in past years, have submitted the question “Is a hot dog a sandwich,” to which we reply, “maybe”)

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” – Jessamyn West -Inspired by Elizabeth Mansfield, Class of 2020