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CUNY Application Prompts 2021 are Out!

The CUNY Macaulay Honors College Essay prompts are now available.  If you will apply next fall, you may want to get drafts going over the summer; this fall the Macaulay deadline will be earlier than in the past (November 16).

You can read about the full application process here.

OUR ESSAY PROMPTS HAVE BEEN POSTED!

The application for the Macaulay Class of 2026 won't open until September 1, but the prompts are available now for rising seniors.

As part of the Macaulay application to the class of 2026, we require that studemts submit  two pieces of writing: an ESSAY and a second WRITING SAMPLE . Each should be around 500 words long. Word counts may be slightly over or under, within reason.

ESSAY PROMPT:  Describe an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

WRITING SAMPLE PROMPT: Write on a topic of your choice. It may be something you have already written, something that addressed a different prompt (such as another college essay or academic assignment), or may be an essay of your own design.

In selecting your writing sample, students should consider that:

• Readers will not be specialists in any specific field, submissions of a technical nature are discouraged
• Submissions can be an excerpt from a larger text, but it should be self-contained, with a reasonably clear beginning, middle, and end
• Students are encouraged to be ambitious in their writing, but also aware of word count limitations

SEE ALL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

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Everything you need to know about applying to macaulay honors.

Eric Dayts, a college senior at Macaulay Hunter, gives insight on the selection process at Macaulay Honors and how he interviews applicants.

Raisa Barshai , Staff Reporter | November 17, 2021

Here is the Class of 2022 at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter. “When applying to Macaulay, I ultimately decided on Hunter College as my school of choice, partly because I could see the diversity among the students in the class photos,” said Eric Dayts.

The prospect of a debt free college experience seems like a myth to most Americans, yet at Macaulay Honors, it has become a reality. New York City is one of the largest cities in the world and home to some of America’s top colleges and universities. Macaulay Honors gives students a chance to receive a high quality education with free tuition, while also receiving specialized care and attention from faculty. 

Because of Macaulay’s prestige and the limited number of seats available, it has a record low acceptance rate of 5% as of 2021. Macaulay Honors has consistently received the highest ratings for a public university honors college, and their students have received over 250 prestigious awards. There are 8 CUNY schools to choose from when applying to the Macaulay Honors program, all offering different majors. Hunter College is one of the most popular colleges to study at among Macaulay students, as it has a wide variety of majors and a beautiful campus located right outside of Gramercy Park in Manhattan. Hunter College is also known for its excellent dormitories and its status as a liberal arts school. 

Eric Dayts is now a senior at Macaulay Hunter College on the Pre-med track, and he is also both a freshman mentor and a student interviewer. Dayts came into Macaulay Hunter undecided for his major, but eventually chose to major in Biochemistry. He said that Macaulay Honors in general is very flexible in terms of a student being able to change majors, so he was able to explore his interests and change majors with ease. Applicants who are undecided do not have to worry about choosing a major right away, as Macaulay Honors will give you the opportunity to explore your interests once you get there. 

Dayts has received numerous opportunities through Macaulay’s mentorship program, including lab work, early acceptance to the University of Rochester’s Medical school, and having the MCAT requirement waived. His mentor from his freshman year helped him tremendously in navigating through Macaulay Hunter College and connecting him with labs and internships, as well as giving advice about going to med school. Dayts is a freshman mentor himself now, as well as a student interviewer. 

“The advisors at Macaulay are very adamant about your success, and the peer mentor systems help make the school a strong and supportive environment,” Dayts said.

As a student interviewer, Dayts has talked to many talented applicants, and he is responsible for giving admissions officers information about the students whom he thinks are “the future leaders of New York.” Macaulay Honors, and Hunter College specifically, takes interviews very seriously as part of their holistic review process. Macaulay wants applicants to show their interests, extracurriculars, and genuine self when interviewing, so the admissions officers know how you would fit into their community. Interviewer’s opinions on applicants are considered heavily, so making a good impression in the interview increases your chances of getting accepted. CUNY schools also do not review SAT/ACT scores at all anymore, so everyone has a chance to apply and to get a spot at the school without worrying about standardized test scores. 

“I would say that each part of your application is reviewed equally. One third of the weight is on your academic transcript, your essays are one third, and your interview is one third. Each aspect of your application is reviewed in a way that places an emphasis on who you are as a person, which is why we place so much emphasis on what you say in your interview and supplemental essays,” explained Dayts.

Dayts has seen the diversity of Macaulay Honors in Hunter College increase with each passing year, mainly because the interviews themselves have diversified. Part of what makes the admissions process so fair at Macaulay is the fact that current students get to play a pivotal role in choosing who they want to be admitted into the next class. 

Macaulay Honors also has a unique curriculum that places emphasis on learning the history of New York City. A part of this curriculum includes mandatory seminars that give students the opportunity to participate in group discussions about everything that makes New York City unique. There are four seminars that students must participate in as a part of their curriculum: The arts of NYC, immigration of NYC, science of NYC, and the development of NYC. 

“These classes are great because they give students the opportunity to connect more with the professors who teach these classes, and encourage students to participate in group discussions rather than just listening to lectures,” Dayts said.

Many high school students across the country are currently stressed about college applications, especially during the  COVID-19 pandemic where many people have suffered both financially and mentally. Now more than ever, it is important for students to look into applying for colleges that will support them both financially and academically. Anyone who is a New York City resident has the opportunity to receive a full merit scholarship, making Macaulay Honors a perfect opportunity for talented students to achieve their goals with the support they need.

“The advisors at Macaulay are very adamant about your success, and the peer mentor systems help make the school a strong and supportive environment,” Eric Dayts said, a college senior at Macaulay Hunter.

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Raisa Barshai is the Spotlight Section editor for ‘The Science Survey.' She loves the freedom that journalistic writing gives her, allowing her to learn...

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For Families Who Want to Lessen College Admission Stress

Macaulay Honors College 101 [For the (College) Class of 2027]

September 28, 2022 by CPM

Have you heard about CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College? It is one of America’s top public honors college programs. If you live in New York and your teen is interested in this program, I encourage you to have them start the application as soon as possible.

What Is Macaulay Honors College? 

Macaulay Honors College at CUNY  is an honors college that is spread across eight CUNY colleges. Macaulay students participate in a program designed jointly by the respective college and Macaulay. Students graduate with a dual degree from Macaulay and their chosen CUNY home college.

Every Macaulay student receives a full-tuition scholarship.  Students are still responsible for paying school fees (including some years of room and board) if they are not covered by grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. Each CUNY college provides different housing options.

Other perks for Macaulay students include a $1,500 per student  Opportunities Fund  to help pay for various professional or academic programs.

Macaulay Honors Eligibility Requirements

Macaulay Honors College evaluates prospective students based on a combination of academic and personal factors. On the academic side, there isn’t a minimum GPA stated but the FAQ section mentions that Students applying to Macaulay should have a recommended average of 90 and above .

Also, note that high school classes of 2023 and 2024 Macaulay college applications are test-optional regarding submitting copies of their standardized test (SAT or ACT)  scores . 

To receive the full tuition Macaulay scholarships, students must be New York state residents/meet CUNY’S New York State residency requirements. Also, it must be the first college experience for prospective Macaulay students. The program only accepts incoming Freshmen – not transfer students. 

For more in-depth information, visit  Macaulay’s Admissions Requirements page .

Macaulay Information Session

Macaulay offers several upcoming admissions events for interested students. The events begin on October 2nd. Staff will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the program. Topics include deadline reminders, essay tips and handling the CUNY application for Macaulay. It is a great way to learn more about Macaulay Honors College.

Macaulay Application Tips

Start as early as possible.

The application went live on 9/1/22. The sooner that a student submits their application, it gives their recommenders more time to write recommendations. Once the application is submitted, their recommenders are notified and asked to upload their recommendation.

The great thing is that students can revise their submitted applications any time up until the deadline. They can add recommenders, upload essays and other supporting materials as well as pay the application fee. The application fee is currently $65. (Students with special financial or other circumstances may be able to have CUNY waive its application fee.)

It is important to note that applicants can only use  the CUNY Application . Macaulay Honors College is not in the CommonApp.  The Macaulay application website closes on 11/16/22 at 6pm.

Application Essay Prompts

As part of the Macaulay application, students are required to submit two essays for the class of 2027. Each should be around 500 words long.

ESSAY 1: ABOUT YOU Select one of the options below. 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. O R Tell us about an area or activity, outside of academics, in which you have invested a lot of time and effort. Tell us why. What did you learn? How was it meaningful? ESSAY 2: ABOUT YOUR PLANS FOR COLLEGE. PLEASE DISCUSS ALL POINTS BELOW. Why do you want to go to an honors college ? There are many benefits of being a Macaulay student, such as the Macaulay community, special courses, Honors advisement, cultural passport, opportunities funds, and other financial benefits. Please describe how these features will shape you and your college experience, including, what you expect to bring to the college community and what you expect to get out of your college experience. MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE

You can learn more about essay considerations on the  Macaulay Honors College Essay Questions  page.

Important Macaulay Admissions Dates

9/1/22: The Macaulay application opens.

11/16/22: The Macaulay application closes at 6pm.

11/28/22: All supporting documents (including application recommendations) are due by 6pm.

3/15/23: Decision day (prospective students receive notifications).

5/1/23: COMMITMENT DAY

The Macaulay Honors College is a wonderful program so consider encouraging your high (academic) achieving seniors to apply.

If you found this post helpful, please share it. 

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, college essay prompts: complete list, analysis, and advice.

College Admissions , College Essays

When talking about college essays, we tend to focus on the Common Application prompts , and it's true that many students will need to write a Common App essay. However, there are actually quite a few schools, including both public and private universities, that don't use the Common App and instead ask applicants to respond to their own college essay prompts.

Luckily, college essay prompts tend to be pretty similar to each other. In this guide, I'll list all the college essay questions for popular schools in the US (and a few abroad) and then break down the patterns to help you brainstorm topics and plan how to approach multiple essays efficiently. After reading this guide, you'll be able to strategize which essays you'll write for which colleges.

Feature image: Mayr /Flickr

Why Do Colleges Ask For an Essay?

The short answer: the essay gives admissions committees a sense of your personality beyond the statistics on the rest of your application. The essay is your chance to show the committee your unique perspective and impress them with your maturity and insight.

College application essay prompts are written with this goal in mind. Admissions officers want to give you the chance to share your interests, aspirations, and views on the world, so most prompts ask about how your experiences have shaped you or what you're excited about studying or doing in college. I've collected a ton of examples below and provided some analysis to help you begin planning and crafting your own essays.

Keep in mind that the personal statement alone won't be enough to get you in— your grades and test scores are still the most important factors in your application . That being said, a stellar essay can help bring a borderline applicant over the top or give an excellent but not extraordinary student the opportunity to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

As such, the essay tends to matter most for very competitive schools. Non-competitive schools generally don't ask you to submit an essay.

Complete List of College Essay Prompts

This list collects the 2022 college essay prompts for major state universities, top-50 schools, and other popular schools which have their own unique questions. They're divided by region, with all optional essays listed at the end.

I left off the Common App supplements, as those often require a substantially different approach. I also stuck to four-year schools, meaning I didn't include special two-year programs, such as Deep Springs College or Miami Dade College's Honors Program (both of which require essays).

Finally, note that these prompts are for freshman applicants, so the requirements might be different for transfer students .

General Applications

There are three general applications you can use to apply to many different schools at once:

Common Application

Universal college application, coalition application.

Each application has its own personal statement requirement. Some schools will ask for additional supplemental essays.

Many more schools accept the Common App than they do the UCA or Coalition Application , though some will accept more than one of these applications.

For the Common App essay, you pick one of the prompts and write 250-650 words about it. Here are the prompts for the 2022-2023 school year:

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?

Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

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.

The UCA essay prompt is completely open ended and has a 650-word limit. Here is the 2022-2023 prompt:

Please write an essay that demonstrates your ability to develop and communicate your thoughts. Some ideas include: a person you admire; a life-changing experience; or your viewpoint on a particular current event.

For the Coalition Application, you'll pick one of five prompts listed below. While there is no hard word limit, the range guidelines are 500-650 words. Here are the prompts for 2022-2023:

What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?

Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?

Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?

What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?

Now that you know the essay requirements for the three general applications, let’s look at the application essays for specific schools . To keep things organized, we’ve grouped schools based on the region of the US in which they’re located.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic

The Great Dome at MIT

Georgetown University

Georgetown asks applicants to write one short essay (about half a single-spaced page) and two longer essays (approximately one single-spaced page each). Each applicant must respond to the first two prompts and can choose among the other four based on the specific program she's interested in.

Short Essay: Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

All Applicants: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

Applicants to Georgetown College: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study).

Applicants to the School of Nursing & Health Studies: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service: The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?

Applicants to the McDonough School of Business: The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

For more Georgetown application tips, check out our articles on the Georgetown essays and how to get into Georgetown .

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT doesn't ask for a single personal statement but rather asks applicants to respond to a series of questions with just a paragraph or two of about 200 words each .

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.

Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.

Tell us about a significant challenge you've faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

For more details on how to get into MIT , read our other articles on the MIT application process , tips for MIT essays , and an example of a real MIT acceptance letter !

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Indiana University Bloomington

IU asks for 200-400 words on your plans and interests.

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. If you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. Please note that this essay may be used in scholarship consideration.

University of Illinois

The University of Illinois asks for two essays (or three only if you selected a second-choice major other than what's noted on your application). All responses should be approximately 150 words.

You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you've selected a second choice. Each response should be approximately 150 words. If You're Applying to a Major: 1.  Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else. 2.  Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies: 1.  What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. 2.  What are your future academic or career goals? If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared): Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

If you're applying to UIUC, check out our UIUC essay tips article as well!

University of Wisconsin–Madison

All applicants must complete two essays for UW–Madison. The essays should be 250-650 words in length and may be used for scholarship and campus program review.

If you apply through the Common Application, you’ll be asked to reply to one of the freshman Common Application essays in lieu of the first essay prompt below, but you’ll be required to respond to the second prompt below. 

If you apply through the UW System Application, the following two essays are required:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you've done — academically or personally — and what you've learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

Tell us why you would like to attend 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.

Kyle Field at Texas A&M ( Ed Schipul /Flickr)

The ApplyTexas application is used by all Texas public universities and some private colleges. There are four ApplyTexas essay prompts. Which ones you need to respond to will depend on where you're applying. UT Austin, for example, requires applicants to submit at least one essay responding to Topic A on the ApplyTexas application. .

While there's no set word limit, the online application will cut off each essay at 120 lines (~1000 words).

Topic A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Topic B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

Topic C: You've got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Topic D: Please Note: The essay in this section is specific to certain college majors and is not required by all colleges/universities that accept the Apply Texas Application. If you are not applying for a major in Architecture, Art, Art History, Design, Studio Art, Visual Art Studies/Art Education , you are not required to write this essay.

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education), describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

We go into all the ApplyTexas prompts in detail here !

University of Georgia

For UGA, applicants must write two essays, one 200-300 words and one 250-650 words . Both essays are required for all applicants. The longer personal essay uses the Common Application prompts for 2023 ; the prompt for the shorter essay is as follows:

The c ollege admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.

For a more detailed discussion of the UGA essays, read this article .

The Campanile at UC Berkeley

University of California

Students applying to the UC system must respond to four out of eight short personal insight questions. The maximum word count for each response is 350 words.

• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
• Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
• Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
• What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
• Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Learn more about the UC essays , the UC application , and how to choose which UC schools to apply to with our complete guides .

University of Oregon

Applicants to the University of Oregon are required to submit one essay of 650 words or fewer. You also have the option to write a second essay (maximum of 500 words), but it’s not required.

The essay prompts are as follows:

The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO's Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

Optional second essay: As you've looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you've hopefully learned what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of these two options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting the Equity and Inclusion website . Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.

University of Washington

In addition to its specific prompts, the University of Washington gives specific advice about what its admissions officers consider to be good writing before the prompts:

"At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Essay Prompt (Required): Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped shape it. Maximum length: 650 words.

Short Response (Required): Our families and our communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. Maximum length: 300 words

You can also find more tips on the University of Washington essays in this blog article .

International

Generally speaking, international schools are less likely to ask for an essay, since admission tends to be heavily focused on grades and test results. However, a few popular international schools do ask for a personal statement as part of their application.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UK Schools)

UCAS is a general application for UK schools (similar to the Common App in the US). There's no specific prompt for the personal statement—instead, applicants are required to write an essay describing what they want to study, why they want to study it, and what they bring to the table. There is a 4,000-character/47-line limit.

University of British Columbia

UBC asks applicants to fill out a personal profile consisting of five to seven short-answer questions that vary depending on the program you're applying to. Answers should be 50-200 words.

Depending on which degree program you apply to, you’ll be asked to answer some or all of the following questions on the UBC application:

• Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why.
• What is important to you? And why?
• Family/community responsibilities
• Creative or performing arts
• Work/employment
• Service to others
• Tell us more about one or two activities listed above that are most important to you. Please explain the role you played and what you learned in the process. You will be asked for a reference who can speak to your response.
• Additional information: You may wish to use the space below to provide UBC with more information on your academic history to date and/or your future academic plans. For example: How did you choose your courses in secondary school? Are there life circumstances that have affected your academic decisions to date? What have you done to prepare yourself specifically for your intended area of study at UBC?
• Please submit the names of two referees who know you well and can comment on your preparedness for study at UBC. Examples of referees include an employer, a community member, a coach, a teacher/instructor, or anyone who knows you well. One of the referees you select must be able to speak to one of the activities/experiences described in one of your long-answer responses above. For applicants who are currently attending a high school, one of your referees must be a school official (e.g., Grade 12 or senior year counsellor, teacher, or IB coordinator). Neither referee should be a friend, family member, or paid agent.

Some programs of study may ask applicants to respond to the questions above and some additional, program-specific questions when completing the personal profile.

University of Cambridge

Optional Essays

Some schools don't require an essay from all applicants but do recommend or require an essay for certain programs. I've listed a selection of those prompts below.

Arizona State University

Students applying to the Barrett Honors College at ASU must submit one essay of 300 to 500 words in response to one of the following prompts (your response may be critical or creative):

Prompt 1 Discuss how a specific piece of art (painting, literature, photograph, etc.) or popular culture (song, comic book, etc.) helped you realize something new about yourself or the world. What was that realization, and how did the piece of art or pop culture bring about this change in your thinking? Do not simply describe the piece of art or pop culture; instead, focus on its effect on you and how it makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience. Prompt 2 Tell us about a habit or way of thinking that others would recognize as “uniquely you.” This is something you value and would hesitate to give up because it is a distinct part of who you are or what makes you different - why is it so? Be sure to share how this aspect of your identity makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience.

City University of New York

Applicants to Macaulay Honors College must write two essays: an “about you” essay, and an essay describing your plans for college. Each response should be around 500 words, give or take a few within reason.

Essay 1: About you. (Select one of the options below.) 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. OR Tell us about an area or activity, outside of academics, in which you have invested a lot of time and effort. Tell us why. What did you learn? How was it meaningful?

Essay 2: About your plans for college. Please discuss all points below. Why do you want to go to an honors college ? There are many benefits of being a Macaulay student, such as the Macaulay community, special courses, Honors advisement, cultural passport, opportunities funds, and other financial benefits. Please describe how these features will shape you and your college experience, including, what you expect to bring to the college community and what you expect to get out of your college experience.

Florida International University

Only applicants who don't meet the criteria for automatic admissions and whose applications undergo holistic review will need to submit a 500-word essay:

Students requesting appeal or additional review of their admission status must submit a written statement including:

Your goals and educational or professional objectives

A summary/explanation of past academic performance

Information and/or circumstances that may have affected past academic performance

• Any other information the student wishes to have considered

Ohio University

For the Ohio University application, students who've been out of school for more than a year must submit an essay explaining what they've done in their time off from school.

Applicants who have been out of high school for more than one year must submit an essay detailing activities since graduation.

Additionally, applicants to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism are encouraged, though not required, to submit an essay detailing how they want to help shape the future of journalism.

For all other applicants, submitting an essay here is optional; however, if you do wish to write an essay, the application suggests that you describe any academic challenges you’ve faced, academic and career objectives, or involvement in community affairs (recommended length is 250-500 words).

Those interested in Ohio University's OHIO Honors Program (including the Cutler Scholars Program) are required to answer the following essay prompt (limit 250 words):

Students in the OHIO Honors Program represent all majors on campus and take engaging honors courses while applying what they learn outside of the classroom. Students choose from classes and experiences across three pathways: community engagement, research and creative activity, and leadership . Students in OHP can move among the three pathways as their interests evolve and they develop their goals. What pathway is most exciting to you right now, and why?

Finally, those interested in the Honors Tutorial College are must answer the following two essay prompts (in about 500 words each):

HTC Question 1: Please explain why you have chosen your particular program(s) of study.

HTC Question 2: We expect that one reason you seek a tutorial education is for the one-on-one interaction with faculty, but other than that, what interests you about pursuing a tutorial-based undergraduate education? What aspects of your education and life experience have prepared you for a tutorial education with its emphasis on research and creative activity?

University of Central Florida

The essays for UCF are optional but recommended. Applicants are provided two prompts and may compose responses of no more than 250 words each.

Why are you interested in UCF?

Discuss your reasons for pursuing the academic program (major) selected above.

UCF applicants also have the option (but are not required) to write a response to one of the Common App personal essay prompts.

For tips on how to write the UCF essays, read this article .

University of Kansas

Applicants to KU's honors program must answer one of the following three essay prompts in 500 words or fewer:

Option 1: KU’s Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction fosters a community “exploring the limitless potential of the human imagination, whether that be to question, to play, or to dream the future.” Envision a future — imaginative or realistic — and describe your role in it. Option 2: Author, professor, and autism advocate Temple Grandin has often spoken about how the world needs “different kinds of minds.” Discuss how considering perspectives or problem-solving approaches different from your own will strengthen the work you do at KU and beyond. Option 3: Part of KU’s mission is to “lift students and society” by making “discoveries that change the world.” What kind of personal or academic discoveries do you hope to make at KU — and why?

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

UNL doesn't require applicants to submit an essay, but you will need to write one to be considered for scholarships. There is a 500-word limit.

Tell us about the experiences that have shaped you as a person—the family or community circumstances you've overcome, your leadership or service experiences, your career goals, examples of your commitment to help your family or under-served communities, or experiences you've had with the global community.

University of Utah

Applicants to the Honors College must complete an essay using the Common Application. The maximum word length is 650 words.

The prompts you may choose from on the Common Application are as follows:

1. (In 250 words) Your first semester at college, you find you must take a required course in a discipline you have never been interested in exploring. What happens next is... 2. (In 250 words) What is it that interests you about the Liberal Arts and Sciences education (hint: look this term up) offered by the Honors College?

Applicants to the Business Scholars Program must complete an additional essay. There is no word limit, but U of U recommends keeping answers between 250-500 words.

Exploration, perpetual learning and development, and a passion for the world of business are essential traits of Business Scholars. Describe a time in your life when you experienced something impactful, challenging, or new and how that experience encouraged you to be the person you are today and will help you be successful in business.

Type 1: Questions About a Meaningful Experience

This type of college essay question is the most common. The exact focus of these prompts can vary quite a bit, but they all ask you to reflect on an important experience. Some questions specify a type of experience whereas others don't, simply opting to have applicants write about whatever matters to them.

There are three basic sub-types that you'll see when dealing with these prompts. Let's look at an example of each.

#1: Overcoming a Challenge

These prompts ask about how you dealt with a particular challenge or solved a problem. Below is a typical example of this question type from the MIT application:

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

To address a question like this, you need a topic that has real stakes —that is, something that you genuinely struggled with. Even though it can seem as though you should only discuss positive experiences and feelings in your college essay (you want to impress your readers with how awesome you are!), unwavering positivity actually hurts your essay because it makes you seem fake.

Instead, be honest : if you're writing about a negative experience, acknowledge that it was unpleasant or hard and explain why. Doing so will just make your overcoming it that much more impressive.

#2: Engaging With Diversity

Questions about diversity ask how you interact with those who are different from you . See an example below from the Common Application:

When approaching this type of question, you need to show that you're thoughtful about new ideas and perspectives. Colleges are full of students from all kinds of backgrounds, and admissions officers want to know that you'll be accepting of the diversity of other students, even if you don't necessarily agree with them.

Also, make sure to pick a specific instance to focus on. Writing a general essay about how you accept others won't impress admissions officers—you need to show them an example of a time that you did so.

#3: Growing Up

Finally, this type of prompt asks about a transitional experience or rite of passage that made you feel like an adult. I've reprinted another example from the Common App:

For these types of prompts, you want to show personal growth. Explain to the reader not just who you are but also how you've changed . (Really, this is a good idea no matter which prompt you're addressing!)

College can be challenging, so admissions officers want to know that you have the maturity to deal with (likely) living on your own, managing your own life, and planning for your future.

Regardless of the exact prompt, the key to this type of college essay is to show what you've learned from the experience. Admissions officers don't care that much about what happened to you—they care about what you think and feel about that event. That's what will give them a sense of who you are and what kind of college student you'll make.

Once you write a first draft, put it in a drawer for a week. Taking some time away from it will allow you to come back to it with fresh eyes. Then, try to read your essay from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about you. Would they be able to understand the story? Do you explain clearly what you learned? Does your intro grab the reader's attention?

It can also be helpful to ask someone you trust, such as a parent, teacher, or peer, to read your essay and give you feedback. Really listen to what they say and think about how you can improve your writing.

Finally, try reading your essay aloud. This will help you catch any weird or awkward phrasings.

What's Next?

If you're struggling with how to approach your personal statement, consider looking at some college essay examples .

The essay is just one part of the college application process. Check out our guide to applying to college for a step-by-step breakdown of what you'll need to do.

Finally, if you're planning to take the SAT or ACT , consider taking a look at our expert test-prep guides for some helpful advice on whatever you might be struggling with.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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Incoming Freshmen

• Current CSI and Transfer Students  

Applications for Fall 2024 admissions are now closed. If you have submitted your application on-line but not the supporting documents, you can still submit them through May 15 (follow the instructions you received via email).

Eligibility: Students with high overall high school averages who demonstrate strong academic abilities and personal characteristics such as leadership, community service, creativity, talent, and enthusiasm, are encouraged to apply.  Students must demonstrate CUNY proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

Apply: You must first apply for admission to CSI using the CUNY Application. You will need the CUNYfirst ID* generated by that application to submit the Supplemental Application. As part of your application, you will need to do the following:

• Submit the Verrazzano Supplemental Application for Incoming Freshmen .
• Submit one personal essay (no more than 1 page), a resume, your high school transcript and two typed letters of recommendation (instructions on how to submit these will be included in a confirmation email generated when you complete the Supplemental Application). These must be typed. You are permitted to submit SAT scores to CUNY if you feel they would strengthen your application.

Note: if you are also applying to Macaulay Honors at CSI, we will get the letters of recommendation from your Macaulay application. You must still submit the Verrazzano essay, your resume, and your high school transcript.

*The CUNYfirst ID number (an 8-digit number) is assigned after you submit the CUNY or Common Application. You will receive information about claiming your CUNYfirst account, and the number will be found at the top of your self-service screen when you log-in to the CUNYfirst Student Center.

Apply for Scholarships: Students are strongly encouraged to submit a CSI Scholarship application . Applications are generally due to the Scholarship Office by 5 pm February 28 (but visit their website for updates).  

Current CSI and Transfer Students

Applications for Fall 2024 admissions are open. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2024

Eligibility: Current CSI or transfer students with at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA and who demonstrate strong academic abilities and characteristics such as leadership, community service, campus involvement, creativity, talent, and enthusiasm, are encouraged to apply. You must also meet the following criteria:

• Full-time enrollment in a baccalaureate program at CSI
• 3.0 GPA at CSI or other accredited university of college
• Passed or exempt from all three CUNY Assessment Tests
• Have at least two full academic years of undergraduate study remaining.  Please contact [email protected] if you have questions about your eligibility. 

Apply: If you are not currently a CSI student, you must first apply for admission to CSI . You will need the CUNYfirst ID* generated by that application to submit the Supplemental Application. As part of your application, you will need to do the following:

• Submit the Verrazzano Supplemental Application for Current CSI or Transfer Students .
• Submit one personal essay (no more than 1 page), a resume, and a copy of your DegreeWorks worksheet (if you are a current CSI student) and two letters of recommendation (one of which needs to be from a professor from your current or former college. Instructions on how to submit these will be included in a confirmation email generated when you complete the Supplemental Application. These must be typed.

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Macaulay essay for college application

I just noticed that the word limit of Macaulay essay is 500 words and I write 640sth words in it, so will cuny disqualified me or putting back me in the regular application pool??? Cuz I thought that it has the same word limit as the regular one which is under 650 words and unfortunately I have already submit one of the Macaulay essay. I'm really worried about that now... Is there anyone can give me a clue? Thx!!!!!😭