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University of Central Florida | UCF

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University of Central Florida | UCF’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college essay.

Why did you choose to apply to UCF?

Extracurricular Essay

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

Additional Info Essay

What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that will allow you to contribute to the UCF community?

Common App Personal Essay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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University of Central Florida 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Central Florida (UCF) 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations 

Requirements: 2 essays of 500 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Why , Community, Activity  

Why did you choose to apply to UCF? (250 words)

This is one of the most straightforward and common supplemental essay prompts out there. In order to impress admissions, do your research. Explore UCF’s offerings and be able to point to specific programs, departments, and/or organizations that are spurring you on to apply. If you can connect your interests and aspirations to your past pursuits, even better!

What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that will allow you to contribute to the UCF community? (250 words)

By now, you’ve surely seen many versions of this question: UCF wants to know what makes you you and how you will impact their student body. What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? Is there anything you can teach your classmates or peers about your hometown, culture, religion, or identity that they might not already know? Maybe you learned Irish dance from your grandma and look forward to starting a club on campus. Perhaps you were struck by the homeless crisis in Pakistan when you went to visit your family there and hope to make a local impact on this global issue through Hearts for the Homeless Orlando. UCF wants to know how your personal perspectives, beliefs, and/or lived experiences will impact others on campus, so tell them a story that helps them to imagine the kind of student you’ll be. As always, make sure you do your research! Tell them in which specific clubs, organizations, or service opportunities you hope to make a difference. 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

Activity essays like this one are more common than M.C. Escher posters in college dorm rooms. The most strenuous part is selecting the activity you want to write about. So, we return to our favorite mantra: Tell admissions something they couldn’t glean from anywhere else in your application. If you wrote your Common App essay about your time flipping burgers at your local fast food joint, focus on a different activity or work experience that reveals a new aspect of your personality. This can be a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and any accolades you may have received. Were you nominated as captain of your ultimate frisbee team? Were you tapped to manage a team of volunteers at the art collective? No matter what you choose, it should probably be something you’ve been involved in for a while, so you can demonstrate your growth and the impact that you have had on others.

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Draft Admission Essay(s)

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Purpose: Scholars will learn the rudimentary steps of crafting a personal statement and statement of purpose.

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Why Admission Statements Matter

Applications for graduate school solicit personal statements and/or statements of purpose. They are both important elements of any application because they provide a dynamic view of applicants that cannot be obtained from test scores or resumes. Here you demonstrate how your personal and academic experiences make you the ideal candidate.

The Nuances between Statements of Purpose and Personal Statements

Provide admissions committees the specific information that they request to know about you. Understand the prompt and know the subtle differences and similarities between the statement of purpose and personal statement. Below we outline the differences between both.

Statement of Purpose/ Intent

Is a more detailed version of your C.V. Here applicants write about classes, internships, research skills, and experiences that ensure individual success in the graduate program. Applicants outline research interests they want to pursue and highlight reasons why the graduate program will facilitate this pursuit.

Sample Statement of Purpose Prompt

“Outline the key experiences that prepared you for graduate-level studies.”

Personal Statement

Here applicants construct a picture of their place in society. Outline experiences that led you to choose your field and other aspects of your life that demonstrate your potential. Show the graduate program that you are ready in terms of personal life skills and character.

Sample Personal Statement Prompt

“Discuss your career goals and the attributes that you will bring to the XYZ program.”

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Important Resources 

Below are invaluable worksheets that outline statements’ components and tips on how to start writing.

  • AAP’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy of Graduate School Applications
  • General Guidelines for the Personal Statement
  • Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School and Scholarship Applications

The Writing Process 

#1

Consider your audience. Admissions committees are interested in applicants who clearly understand the program, demonstrate competence, and whose future goals best benefit from completing the program.

#2

Conduct research on what the graduate program offers in terms of location, faculty, research projects, funding, and student support programs.

#3

Analyze your academic, research, extracurricular, and life experiences for valuable skills and abilities you gained through them that ensure your success in the program of interest.

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Content to Include in Your Statements

The details of what to include in your admission statements can vary depending on the writing prompt each school, or program, provides for their application. Browse the videos below for more ways to write your statements.

Developing your Statement of Purpose

The video below is from Academic Advancement Program’s Fall 2020 Grad Prep Week. Dr. Don Brunson, Vanderbilt University’s Assistant Dean of the Graduate School’s Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education Program , presents on Do’s and Don’ts of the Statement of Purpose in an online workshop format.

Need the motivation to start writing your essays?

The video below is about writing your statement for medical school applications, but the same can be true for your graduate school personal statement.

Outlining your Statement

Experts from the University of California, Berkeley share tools you can use to outline and organize content for your written statement.

Editing Your Statements

  • Plan and give yourself plenty of time to craft several drafts.
  • Use concise language and write in the active voice.
  • Respect formatting guidelines like the page and word count limits.
  • Use your resources for help, like your faculty mentor, AAP Pre-Grad Advising , and the UCF Writing Center .

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Suggested Assignments

Assignment #34

Activity Four: Crafting Your Concept Map

Purpose: Scholars will outline the content and general flow of their statements by constructing concept maps. For assistance schedule a visit with AAP Peer Advisors . Time: 2 hours Instructions: 5d_activity_four Note: that instructions for this assignment are also available in audio format. It can be found here.

Activity 5: Writing a Personal Statement and Statement of Purpose

Purpose: Scholars will write a rough draft of their personal statements and statements of purpose. For assistance schedule a visit with the UCF Writing Center . Time: 1 hour Instructions: 5d_activity_five Note: that instructions for this assignment are also available in audio format. It can be found here.

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Prepare for graduate school now by marking this topic complete: click the “ Mark Complete ” button below in the bottom left hand corner to keep track of the topics you’ve completed. Then, click the “ Next Topic ” button below in the bottom right hand corner to move onto the next topic within the lesson.

If you are following the application elements curriculum, follow the Quick Learn icon to the right to the next topic in Personal Statements.

Note: For a refresher on Personal Statements, consult the topic Reflect and Create an Online Portfolio

Personal Statements

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

College Admissions , College Essays

feature_whoareyou

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

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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 !

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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.

Want to write the perfect college application essay?   We can help.   Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges.   Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

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 .

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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.

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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?

body_OhioUniversity

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.

body_graduation-2

#3: Edit Carefully

As you embark upon the college essay writing process, keep in mind the famous Ernest Hemingway quote: "The only kind of writing is rewriting." It might be extremely tempting to just write a draft and call it a day, but revising is a vital step in crafting an engaging essay.

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.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

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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Home — Essay Samples — Education — College Tuition — Why Are You Interested in UCF: Dream School

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Why Are You Interested in Ucf: Dream School

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Words: 609 |

Updated: 7 November, 2023

Words: 609 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Prompt Examples for the “UCF Application” Essays

  • Why UCF: Your Personal Connection Discuss your personal connection to the University of Central Florida. What specific experiences or aspects of UCF, such as campus events or location, have drawn you to this university?
  • Academic and Career Goals at UCF Share your academic and career aspirations and explain how UCF’s academic programs align with your goals. How do you envision UCF helping you achieve these goals?
  • The Role of Family in Your Educational Journey Reflect on the influence of your family in shaping your educational values and aspirations. How has your family’s emphasis on education and independence impacted your decision to apply to UCF?
  • The Importance of Hard Work and Dedication Discuss the values of hard work, dedication, and independence instilled by your family. How do you plan to apply these values to your academic and personal life at UCF?
  • Your Dream College: UCF Explain why UCF is your dream college. What specific features, such as academics, extracurricular activities, and location, make UCF your top choice? How do you plan to make the most of your time at UCF to achieve your educational and personal goals?

Works Cited

  • University of Central Florida. (n.d.). About UCF. Retrieved from https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/
  • University of Central Florida. (n.d.). College of Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.nursing.ucf.edu/
  • University of Central Florida. (n.d.). UCF Campus Life. Retrieved from https://www.ucf.edu/campus-life/
  • Plescia, M., & Chong, K. (2020). The impact of student-faculty relationships on student engagement and retention. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 57(3), 365-378.
  • Washington, M., & Burdett, T. (2018). The impact of extracurricular activities on student engagement and well-being. Journal of College Student Development, 59(4), 426-434.
  • Perna, L. W., & Titus, M. A. (2004). The relationship between parental involvement as social capital and college enrollment: An examination of racial/ethnic group differences. The Journal of Higher Education, 75(5), 534-564.
  • Schneider, B., & Stevenson, D. (1999). The ambitious generation: America’s teenagers, motivated but directionless. Yale University Press.
  • Buchmann, C., DiPrete, T. A., & McDaniel, A. (2008). Gender inequalities in education. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 319-337.
  • Elder, G. H. Jr., Eccles, J. S., Ardelt, M., & Lord, S. (1995). Inner-city parents under economic pressure: Perspectives on the strategies of parenting. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(3), 771-784.
  • Day, J. C. (1996). Population projections of the United States by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin: 1995 to 2050. U.S. Bureau of the Census.

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ucf college application essay prompts

ucf college application essay prompts

  • First Year Entry
  • University Honors Admissions

Students applying to the Burnett Honors College should show clear evidence of academic talent, motivation, intellectual curiosity and creativity.

The admission process involves a comprehensive review of the applicant's academic background, standardized test scores, personal statement, activities, and interests. Admission to the Burnett Honors College is very selective, and Honors students typically represent the top 8% of freshmen at UCF.

After being admitted to UCF, the Burnett Honors college will send an invitation to apply to the University Honors Program directly to academically talented students. However, any high-achieving incoming freshmen interested in applying may request an application. Applications are available between September 15th and March 15th.

If you have questions about your application, please contact us at [email protected].

ucf college application essay prompts

The Burnett Honors College has a rolling admissions process. Typically, applicants receive a decision within 3-5 weeks after they apply. Because the Burnett Honors College accepts a limited number of students each year, students should submit their University Honors application as early as possible.

All materials must be received by the application deadline in order for the applicant to receive full consideration.

To be considered, an applicant must be a FTIC (first time in college) student for the summer or fall semesters. Students who earn an AA degree as part of a dual enrollment program and are admitted to UCF as first time in college (FTIC) can only apply to the University Honors program as freshmen (FTIC).

Applicants must submit a University Honors application and official high school transcript directly to the Burnett Honors College. In addition, official SAT and/or ACT test scores should be submitted to UCF.

Students are encouraged to submit additional information which illustrates their talents, skills and/or interests. This information may be a significant factor in the BHC admissions decision.

Students may submit their BHC University Honors application before they are admitted to UCF, however our team cannot review the application until acceptance to UCF has been granted.

Academic Performance:

  • Weighted High School GPA
  • Senior Class Rank
  • SAT and/or ACT scores
  • Advanced Course Work (AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, AICE)

Other extraordinary accomplishments also play an important role in the decision process.

Important Dates

September 15 - University Honors Application Available

  • You can request an application online  here  (log in with username and password "honors")
  • You can check your application status (once submitted)  here  (log in with your UCF NID and password)

January 15 - University Honors Priority Application Deadline (postmarked)

  • Students must be admitted to UCF and submit a complete Honors application by the Honors Priority Application Deadline to be considered for the  Honors Enhancement Scholarship
  • Students who apply early to the Burnett Honors College will also receive an earlier decision, which will allow early access to Honors benefits such as Honors Housing Room Selection* (in Tower 3 at Knight’s Plaza) and Honors Orientation registration (*Access to Honors Housing in Tower 3 requires a valid UCF on-campus housing contract (learn more at www.housing.ucf.edu ))

March 15 - University Honors Application Deadline (postmarked)

  • Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis

May 1 - University Honors Reply Form Deadline (postmarked)

  • Seats are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats are not considered reserved until (a) University Honors Student Reply Form is received AND (b) the student has submitted their  UCF enrollment deposit
  • A student's seat is not confirmed until they receive a confirmation letter from the Burnett Honors College
  • Students who have a confirmed seat in the Burnett Honors College will see "Confirmation Complete: Yes" when they log in to track their application status ( here ). University Honors Student Reply Forms received after the deadline will be considered only on a space-available basis

ONE-ON-ONE VISITS

Coming to campus and want to see what the Burnett Honors College has to offer? Then schedule a one-on-one visit! These 30-45 minute visits will be scheduled with an Honors staff member and one of our Honors Student Assistants, and will also include a tour of the Burnett Honors College building.

If you are interested in scheduling a One-on-One Visit to learn more about the Burnett Honors College, please call us at (407) 823-2545 or email us at [email protected] with your name, intended major, planned start semester at UCF, and availability. Appointments are generally available Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, year-round except for holidays. Please allow at least 24 business hours for scheduling a visit.

VIRTUAL ONE-ON-ONE VISITS

AN AFTERNOON AT THE BURNETT HONORS COLLEGE

Cannot attend an Open House? Want to visit the campus on a weekday when Fall or Spring terms classes are in session? Then plan to spend an afternoon at the Burnett Honors College. You will meet Honors staff and students, and will have the opportunity to ask questions about the academics, the extracurricular activities, and the special programs that the Burnett Honors College has to offer. Honors students can share their experiences and give you the student perspective. The number of available seats per session is 30, and prior advanced reservation is highly recommended. Reservations can be made by submitting this online form  this online form .

Upcoming Event Dates:

  • Monday, February 19th, 2024: 3:30-4:30 PM
  • Monday, March 11th, 2024: 3:30-4:30 PM
  • Friday, March 15th, 2024: 3:30-4:30 PM
  • Friday, March 29th, 2024:  3:30-4:30 PM

More dates may be added later, so please check back again!

Enhancement Scholarship

All freshmen that apply by January 15 are automatically considered for the Honors Enhancement Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded based on the academic credentials of the student (test scores, high school GPA and class rank). The scholarship is $2,000 and is disbursed in two equal installments of $1,000 during the first and second semesters at UCF.

Note: This scholarship is awarded only during the first year at UCF, and it is not recurring.

ucf college application essay prompts

National Merit Finalists

Students who are designated National Merit Finalists by the College Board will be accepted to the Burnett Honors College, provided that they submit a complete application by the deadline.

Provost Scholars

Students who are awarded UCF's Provost Scholarship will also be given special consideration.

Seat Reservation

Students admitted to the Burnett Honors College are required to confirm their participation and reserve their seat for the Fall semester. The Honors Student Reply Form is emailed to all admitted students starting in mid-February, and is due no later than May 1. Students who submit the UCF enrollment deposit after May 1 are automatically placed on a waitlist.

BHC class size is limited, so we encourage admitted students to reserve their seat as soon as possible. Students must complete steps 1 & 2 below to reserve their seat (and should complete step 3 as soon as possible):

Submit the UCF enrollment deposit to Undergraduate Admissions

Submit the completed Honors Student Reply Form by email to [email protected].

Register for a UCF Freshman Orientation session here .

Register for Orientation

Note: Students who reserve their seat after the class has filled are placed on the waitlist. Waitlist position is based on the date of the enrollment deposit to UCF and date of enrollment for Orientation; and not on the date of admission to the Burnett Honors College or the date of submission of the Honors Student Reply Form. Students can check their waitlist position here (log in with the UCF NID and NID password).

Ready to Apply?

The deadline to apply for Fall 2024 is March 15, 2024 (postmarked). Only applications received before the deadline are guaranteed consideration. Late applications will be considered only on a space-available basis.

Students who apply late should be in the top 5% of UCF's incoming freshman class in all areas (test scores, GPA, and other academic accomplishments). To request* a late application, you may send an email requesting an application with your name, email address, and UCF ID** to [email protected] . Applications will be sent via email in .pdf format.

*We reserve the right to not send application packets to students who request late applications based on their academic credentials or on the class becoming full.

**The UCF ID is a seven-digit number used to identify you in University systems. To obtain your UCF ID, go to myUCF , log in using your NID and password, click Student Self Service > Personal Information > UCF ID Info. This page will display your UCF ID, your NID, and your UCF ID Card number, once you have been issued one.

There are also two additional opportunities to join the Burnett Honors College once you have started at UCF as an incoming freshman: Second Year Entry for University Honors , and our Honors Undergraduate Thesis programs.

College Application and Scholarship Essay Workshop

Admin options.

Applying to college? Looking for scholarships? Join UCF's University Writing Center and the Department of Writing and Rhetoric for an interactive workshop about writing personal essays for your applications! Learn tips for getting started, review example prompts, develop a plan for revision, and more! The workshop session will include time for drafting as well as Q&A.

This event is open to all current high school students and UCF students as well as parents, guardians, family members, and other very important people supporting prospective college students who want to learn more! If joining via Zoom, microphone and camera access is encouraged for participation, but not required.

This workshop will be offered on the following dates in Spring 2022:

  • Wednesday, February 23 7:00-8:00 pm ( Zoom ) |   Register Here
  • Saturday, March 26 2:00-3:00 pm ( Join us in-person in the University Writing Center on UCF main campus or via Zoom ) |   Register Here
  • Thursday, April 14 6:30-7:30 pm ( Zoom ) |   Register Here

This event occurs on multiple dates/times. This event takes place at these locations on this date.

Event runs on multiple dates (select event date for details)

Date Location
Virtual
Trevor Colbourn Hall 109: Trevor Colbourn Hall 109 and Virtual
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25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

June 24, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered what other people write about in their college application essays, you’re not alone. Just as reading a range of novels can expose you to unique takes on similar themes, seeing others’ college essay topic ideas can open you up to new possibilities, spark creativity, and enhance your brainstorming process. Since we read hundreds of essays per year, we wanted to round up a collection of past topics from actual students to inspire your essay-writing endeavors. Moreover, we’ve paired those topics with targeted brainstorming questions that will set you off on your own path to success. Ready? Let’s dive in.

How do I find the right college essay topic ideas?

Like a well-hidden geocache , the right college essay topic ideas can only be uncovered with some effort. In general, the right college essay topic:

  • is interesting and/or exciting to you
  • demonstrates a quality, value, or perspective that can’t be found elsewhere on your application

While deciding, focus on asking yourself the right types of questions. For example, let’s say you’re down to two topics: a moral/ethical dilemma you recently faced, or the nonprofit you started last year. In this scenario, most students may assume they *should* write about the nonprofit–after all, it’s the more “impressive” of the two, right?

However, let’s divorce ourselves from “should.” Instead, ask yourself: if I write this essay, what will admissions officers learn about me that they can’t learn about elsewhere? Through starting this nonprofit, what have I learned about myself? Can I show my reader what I value, or how I handle problems? Or will I basically be re-hashing what is already in my activities list or honors section ?

Alternatively, the ethical/moral dilemma you recently faced completely threw you for a loop. It made you rethink a closely held belief and forced you to confront how you handle challenging situations.

Ask yourself: what will admissions officers learn about me that they can’t learn about elsewhere? What have I learned about myself? Can I handle this subject tactfully—without complaining, blaming others, or coming to a conclusion that feels forced/too neat? Can I be vulnerable?

Be honest with yourself, and a clear winner will emerge.

How do I find “unique” college essay topic ideas?

Every year, our students wonder how to ensure that their essay stands out, often asking us questions along these lines:

How do I make sure that my essay topic is different from everyone else’s?

If I write about my sports injury, will it sound like every other sports essay?

If I write about my parent’s illness, will that be just another sob story?

We get it—it’s natural and normal to be curious about what admissions officers want to hear, or wonder whether particular college essay topic ideas will strengthen your application more than others. While there is some strategy involved with topic selection, the way you write about and reflect on any given topic is usually much more important than the topic itself.

To that end, college essay topics/themes we see on a regular basis include:

  • Coming-of-age, most often a realization that changed their perspective or inspired personal growth
  • A challenging situation or moral dilemma
  • A passion or intellectual curiosity
  • A meaningful aspect of their family/identity/cultural background
  • An important community

We see these topics frequently because they are universal to the teenage experience. This does not make them bad or mean you should avoid them. On the contrary, it makes them classic, timeless, and relatable (remember, you’re trying to create a personal connection with your reader!).

Accordingly, use the above college essay topics/themes as a way to start collecting ideas for your own personal statement, and know you are in very good company if you write an essay on one of them.

Bottom line: you make a college essay topic “unique” by writing about yourself, in your own style and voice, with plenty of detail and specifics. You share what you learned and how you grew. That’s it!

Where can I find examples of college essay topic ideas?

Sometimes, you just need a list of examples. Let’s go back to our geocaching reference above. What the heck is a geocache, anyway? What will you find inside one? Do people use certain types of containers? Perusing a few examples will help you build an idea of what to expect when you go exploring. Okay, I could be looking for anything from Tupperware containers to film canisters…or fake rocks…what?!

Accordingly, in providing you with this list of college essay topic ideas, we want to validate and inspire you. These are real college essay topics developed by real college applicants, so it’s very likely you can connect or identify with at least a few of them. If a topic resonates with or sounds interesting to you, try writing down some thoughts on the associated brainstorming question and see where it takes you.

Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

  • Central Story : A parent’s struggle with addiction, and the author’s struggle to cope with the changes happening at home
  • Reflection/Resolution : How the author found themselves again—and learned to cope—by leaning into activities that they loved
  • Brainstorming Question : Has your parent or guardian ever faced a significant health problem, such as a chronic illness, terminal diagnosis, or addiction? How did it impact you?
  • Central Story : After volunteering at a homeless shelter for years, the author realized he had been avoiding personal connection with the men he served meals to
  • Reflection/Resolution : Prioritizing connection, even if uncomfortable, and finding new, tangible ways to understand and assist this population
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever had a perspective-changing volunteer opportunity? If so, what was your perspective before you started, and what is it now?

College Essay Topic Ideas — Continued

  • Central Story : Navigating interactions with customers at a part-time job
  • Reflection/Resolution : Finding ways to connect with and appreciate patrons, and understand how important her job was
  • Brainstorming Question : Do you work in a customer service role? What have been your most memorable interactions, positive or negative? How have they impacted you?
  • Central Story : After years of being a competitive ballet dancer and having aspirations to dance in college, the author is struck with the realization that she does not actually want to be a professional ballerina
  • Reflection/Resolution : Coming to terms with her decision, and embracing who she is without ballet
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever had a college-related or professional goal that changed? Why did it change, and how did you deal with it?
  • Central Story : How a difficult incident during a baseball game changed the author’s relationship with the sport, and pushed him toward new realizations about his future
  • Reflection/Resolution : Embracing his own power to make a difference by immersing himself in research, and discovering new fields that he is interested in pursuing in college
  • Brainstorming Question : Has a particular situation ever shocked or deeply upset you? What realizations did you have about yourself? About others?
  • Central Story : The author’s fiction writing journey and realization that women of color are underrepresented or presented as one-note in most literature
  • Reflection/Resolution : The author’s commitment to crafting characters that not only represented her but reflected her values and beliefs, and creating a writing community in the process
  • Brainstorming Question : Do you have a hobby or passion that you could spend hours a day/week engaging in? How did you get started, and what experiences have been most special/important to you?
  • Central Story : How a strategy-based board game gave the author the skills needed to take a volunteer opportunity to the next level
  • Reflection/Resolution : What the author learned about himself in the process, and the importance of being open to what all types of experiences can teach you
  • Brainstorming Question : What’s your go-to “fun” activity? What (perhaps surprising) skills have you learned from it? Have you been able to apply them in other areas of your life?
  • Central Story : The author’s intensive preparation for synchronized swim team tryouts
  • Reflection/Resolution : How the author dealt with the disappointment of not making the team, and learned important lessons about failure and resilience
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever tried—and failed—at something that took weeks, months, or even years to prepare for? What was that like? How did you cope, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
  • Central Story : The author’s longing for a stable community after experiencing a housing crisis
  • Reflection/Resolution : How volunteering at a local nonprofit committed to building homes helped him find the community he was searching for, and inspired his future career path
  • Brainstorming Question : What activity is most meaningful to you? How is it enabled you to make an impact on others? How has it impacted you personally?
  • Central Story : The author’s first encounter with coral bleaching, and ensuing environmental activism
  • Reflection/Resolution : How he found balance between activism and his personal life so that he could bring his best self to every project
  • Brainstorming Question : Do you participate in any activities that feel consuming on multiple levels? How do you find balance? Has that been a difficult journey?
  • Central Story : The author’s love of connecting with friends and family through baking, even when the time commitment involved became difficult to navigate
  • Reflection/Resolution : How the author learned to juggle multiple types of commitments, leading to increased joy and intention
  • Brainstorming Question : What personal hobbies are most meaningful to you, and why? Have you ever struggled to find time for your favorite hobby amidst other obligations? How did you navigate that?
  • Central Story : How the author struggled with coming out
  • Reflection/Resolution : How joining a supportive LGBTQ community helped the author make peace with her identity, and also begin helping others who may be struggling with their identity
  • Brainstorming Question : Is there an aspect of your sexual or cultural identity that you’ve struggled to accept? What has that journey been like for you? What actions have you taken along the way, and what have you learned about yourself in the process?
  • Central Story : The author’s determination to help other students feel less isolated and more involved at school, which stemmed from his own early experiences as an immigrant
  • Reflection/Resolution : How the author implemented actual changes that resulted in more connection, school spirit, and personal fulfillment
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever tried to solve a particular issue in your community? What issue did you try to solve, and why? What steps did you take to solve it, and what was the outcome?
  • Central Story : How the author’s early love of Spanish led to learning additional languages
  • Reflection/Resolution : How learning languages has allowed for deeper cultural exploration and appreciation, along with an exploration of the author’s own personal history and goal to pursue linguistics in college
  • Brainstorming Question : Do you already know what you want to pursue in college? How did you come to that conclusion, and what experiences have informed or influenced it along the way?
  • Central Story : How the author’s perfectionism often caused her to avoid trying new things, which she realized after a massive project went sideways
  • Reflection/Resolution : The author began trying new activities outside her comfort zone that introduced her to new interests and inspired further exploration
  • Brainstorming Question : Do you ever feel like you hold yourself back? In what ways? How have you tried to overcome those hurdles?
  • Central Story : The author’s lifelong interest in his favorite animal
  • Reflection/Resolution : What attributes of this animal the author is most fascinated by, how those attributes connect to his own life/experiences, and what he’s learned about himself in the process
  • Brainstorming Question : What are your “favorites”—favorite color, favorite animal, favorite song, favorite movie, favorite place, etc? Why are they your favorite? What can your “favorites” tell us about you?
  • Central Story : How the author’s boredom with piano stemmed from always following sheet music strictly as written
  • Reflection/Resolution : How learning a new musical term—and experimenting with it—enabled the author to find the joy in music again
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you participated in any activities that lost their appeal at some point? How did you react, and what was the outcome?
  • Central Story : The author’s love for a certain childhood craft
  • Reflection/Resolution : How rekindling her love for this craft led to a fascination with repetition and patterns that ultimately inspired her college major
  • Brainstorming Question : As a child, what activities did you love most? Do you still engage in any of them? If so, why are they so important to you?
  • Central Story : The toxic environment within the author’s first school play, which made her start to lose her passion for music
  • Reflection/Resolution : How quitting theater and investing her energy in different, more supportive activities allowed her to reclaim her love of singing
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever quit an important sport, club, or other activity? What led to that decision, and how did you move forward?
  • Central Story : How the author’s love of fashion—and its history—led to a particularly optimistic sewing project
  • Reflection/Resolution : How the process of trial and error during her project—as well as her continued work on it—represents her resilience, passion, and love of learning
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever undertaken a project that didn’t go according to plan? What ups and downs did you encounter, and how did you navigate them?
  • Central Story : How the author confronted her perception of entrepreneurship as well as her own role within her company
  • Reflection/Resolution : How asking difficult questions, conducting research, and being willing to pivot led the author to adjust her mindset and personal philosophy
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever realized that you might need to adjust a previously held belief or perspective? How did you come to that conclusion, and what did you do about it?
  • Central Story : The author’s reluctance and nervousness to return to India, where she spent her childhood
  • Reflection/Resolution : How reconnecting with her culture, especially its literature, led her to embrace herself more fully and even helped inform her future career path
  • Brainstorming Question : Do you ever feel torn between two different worlds or cultural identities? How have you navigated and/or tried to come to terms with that?
  • Central Story : How the author’s self-doubt and fear began to negatively impact her sports performance
  • Reflection/Resolution : How a teammate’s influence enabled the author to start trusting herself, leading to increased self-confidence and new levels of risk-taking
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever dealt with an ongoing struggle that started to take over your life? What enabled you to start adopting a healthier outlook?
  • Central Story : The author’s realization that her method of communication in leadership roles may be hindering, rather than helping, progress
  • Reflection/Resolution : How adjusting her communication methods, focusing on collaboration, and readjusting her perspective led to a new definition of personal and professional success
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever realized that your way of doing things may be negatively impacting a particular group or team? If so, what did you do about it?
  • Central Story : An ethical dilemma that the author experienced while serving on her school paper
  • Reflection/Resolution : How the author arrived at her decision, and what she learned about her own decision-making process
  • Brainstorming Question : Have you ever been confronted with a moral or ethical dilemma? If so, how did you arrive at a decision? Do you regret or stand behind that decision—why or why not?

Final Thoughts — College Essay Topics

After identifying an interesting and personally significant essay topic, you’ll want to focus on further brainstorming as well as execution. Not sure what to do next? College Transitions’ highly skilled essay coaches can help— click here to see available packages or schedule a free consultation.

Additional resources you may find useful:

  • Common App Essay Prompts
  • How to Brainstorm a College Essay
  • 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
  • College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
  • How to Start a College Essay
  • How to End a College Essay
  • Best College Essay Help
  • College Essay

Kelsea Conlin

Kelsea holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Tufts University, a graduate certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her short fiction is forthcoming in Chautauqua .

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UCF Extracurriculars, resume or essay?

My son told me UCF only considers SAT score and GPA in admissions. Is this true??? If not, how does he submit a resume or portfolio of his tech work when there is nowhere in the Future Knight portal to submit anything?

This is not true. If his GPA and SAT are competitive, they will then read his essay. (Common app.) I can not express adequately how important the essay is! Also please note it’s not the length of the essay that’s important…it’s the content.

I don’t know for sure, but I suspect Victor is correct above. If you call Undergraduate Admissions, they can probably help you. I have found them to be very helpful in the past.

On the essay, I agree the content is critical. I also think it is very important to go beyond what the applicant did, focusing a great deal on whatever lessons they learned that they will carry forward in life.

Are you a Florida resident Florida students in the top 10% are guaranteed admission Top 10 Knights | UCF Undergraduate Admissions

The application itself has a spot to add extra curriculars, so you can put that work there. UCF has two essay prompts of their own, not the usual Common App one, that they say is not required, but highly encouraged. They may call them personal statements, but they are basically essays.

This may help answer some questions. Application Process FAQs | UCF Undergraduate Admissions

I would follow this advice from the FAQs There are really no optional parts in a a college application. What is required is the bare minimum and most colleges that have optional parts are looking for applicants who will separate themself from the applicant pool

The only exception if you are a Florida High School student guaranteed admission under the top 10% rule but even then they don’t guarantee which semester you will start Summer, Fall, or Spring. Spring is the worst because they want you to go somewhere in the fall online or community college etc.

The application for admission provides space for a listing of extra and co-curricular activities; this portion of the application should be completed in lieu of submitting supplemental materials.

The essay is an optional component of the application for admission. If you elect to submit an essay, please select a topic within the application form and submit it within your completed application.

I chimed in on the other post, but I will reply here as well. I have a daughter who is a senior. So what is on the application today could be different. There was no place to really put a resume, just a place to list a few ECs. I always recommend that kids do the essay. My D chose why UCF. With all that, kids need the GPA and SAT/ACT to be at a certain level.

I do know some kids that when they were deferred, they called admissions and sent in extra materials. Please apply ASAP. They are rolling admission and it is getting late in the application season.

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How important is the Optional Common App essay on my application?

I'm finishing my UCF application and all I'm missing is the Common App essay but I'm completely lost on what to write about. I'm not going to skip over it but I just want to know how important it is for my chances of getting in. Should I be stressing over it?

Citations and Writing (+styles for Chicago, Turabian, etc.)

  • Citation Management
  • APA Style Guide
  • MLA Style Guide
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  • Citing Government Documents
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Guides for Writing Application Essays

  • Citing Specific Databases
  • Annotated Bibliography
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  • UCF Writing Center

University Writing Center - Student Resources

  • Guidelines for Writing Your Personal Statement
  • Writing Personal Statements

The following books focus on various types of essays and cover letters, but much of the guidance provided may be useful for other applications as well.

See also Resumes, Cover Letters & Interviews

Search the UCF Library Catalog for other books on college admissions essays , including:

ucf college application essay prompts

  • Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice Call Number: UCF Rosen General Collection --LB 2366.2.A84 2000 ch2ck availability

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  • Accepted! 50 Successful College Admission Essays Call Number: UCF Main Library Reference -- LB 2351.52.U6.T3 2002 ch2ck availability

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UCF Makes Changes to Admission Process, Timeline for Earlier Notification

First-year students applying to Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 will be the first cohort offered these new timelines

By UCF Undergraduate Admissions | June 26, 2024

A college application

UCF is making a significant change to its undergraduate application and admission process to provide prospective students with a more structured timeline and earlier notification of their admission status. Starting with the application cycle for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025, UCF will transition from a straight rolling admission process to an early action (EA) plan for first-time-in-college (FTIC) students.

Under the new process, FTIC students who wish to apply for early action for the Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 term must submit their application by Oct. 15, 2024. All required application materials must be  received by Nov. 1, 2024. FTIC applicants who meet these deadlines will receive a final admission decision or deferral for additional information on Nov. 15, 2024. The university will continue to operate on rolling admission for applications completed and submitted after Nov. 1, 2024.

Key Dates for Early Action Applicants:

  • Early Action Application Deadline: Oct. 15, 2024
  • Early Action Material Submission Deadline: Nov. 1, 2024
  • Early Action Decision Release Notification Date: Nov. 15, 2024

“Transitioning to this early action and modified rolling admission process reflects our commitment to providing prospective Knights with a clear and timely admission experience, while maintaining flexibility for those students who prefer a rolling process,” says Alicia Keaton, interim associate vice president for enrollment planning and management. “We understand that the college application process can be stressful, and this change will allow families to operate on a timeline that works best for them, helping them to better plan for their future.”

Early action at UCF is non-binding, meaning that admitted students are not obligated to submit an enrollment deposit upon admission and have until May 1, 2025, to make their final decision. This flexibility allows students to explore their options and make the most informed choice about their college education.

The early action plan is part of UCF’s ongoing efforts to enhance the admissions process and improve the overall experience for applicants. The university remains dedicated to providing an enriching and inclusive environment that empowers students to transform their aspirations into achievements.

Prospective first-year students and their families are encouraged to visit the UCF Undergraduate Admissions website for more information on the early action process and to access resources for completing their application. In-person and virtual information sessions and one-on-one admissions counseling options are also available for families who seek support.

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Pegasus magazine.

Spring 2024

For a decade, UCF-based nonprofit Limbitless Solutions has transformed kids’ lives through bionic limbs. 

ucf college application essay prompts

5 Important Takeaways From The 2024–2025 U.S. News And World Report Best Global University Rankings

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Harvard University

This morning, U.S. News and World Report released their much-anticipated 2024-2025 Best Global University Rankings. These annual rankings are a cornerstone in the field, influencing decisions that range from student applications to institutional funding and providing a glimpse into the current state of affairs in the world of higher education. This list can provide helpful insights into the relative merits of the schools students may be considering adding to their college lists. In order to use this list effectively, however, it is important to understand the nuances of the ranking system and the factors considered therein.

Here is a breakdown of the rankings’ methodology, as well as key takeaways from this year’s list:

Methodology

The U.S. News and World Report Best Global University Rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology that evaluates colleges and universities across thirteen key metrics. These include:

  • Global research reputation (12.5%)
  • Regional research reputation (12.5%)
  • Publications (10%)
  • Books (2.5%)
  • Conferences (2.5%)
  • Normalized citation impact (10%)
  • Total citations (7.5%)
  • Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited (12.5%)
  • Percentage of total publications that are among the 10% most cited (10%)
  • International collaboration – relative to country (5%)
  • International collaboration (5%)
  • Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field 5%
  • Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers 5%

In addition to the overall global rankings and country-specific rankings, U.S. News and World Report published a subject-specific ranking list , evaluating schools’ global positions in over 50 individual disciplines.

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These rankings offer quantitative data students can consider when building their college lists, providing a fairly comprehensive picture of universities’ academic prowess and institutional reach. That being said, students using the rankings to build their college lists should note that many of these factors do not capture the qualitative aspects of students’ experiences.

Key Takeaways from the 2024–25 Rankings

1. The number of universities considered rose by more than 10%.

This year, 2,250 universities across over 100 countries were considered—up more than ten percent from the 2,000 schools considered in the previous ranking.

2. Harvard University lands on top.

As in the last cycle, Harvard University claimed the #1 spot in the global rankings list. This prestigious accolade reflects Harvard's unparalleled academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and global influence. Known for its distinguished faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and a tradition of innovation, Harvard continues to set the standard in higher education, making it the leading choice for students and scholars worldwide.

3. The U.S. dominates the rankings for another year.

Nearly half of the top 50 schools in the ranking are located in the U.S., totaling 24 of the top 50 on the rankings list. Additionally, four out of the top five are U.S. schools: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley. This remarkable achievement underscores the global prestige of U.S. universities, known for their world-class research, innovative academic programs, and extensive resources.

4. UT Austin and Brown University dropped in the rankings.

Both Brown University and The University of Texas at Austin surprisingly dropped in the rankings, falling out of the top 50. Given both schools’ excellence, this shift demonstrates the fierce competition for top spots in the rankings this year.

5. U.S. News and World Report adds new subjects to the rankings.

This year, four new disciplines were added to the subject-specific rankings, including: ecology; green and sustainable science and technology; environmental engineering; and marine and freshwater biology. These additions not only demonstrate the ranking system’s commitment to reflecting the most relevant information in higher education today, but also provide a glimpse into recent trends and changes in the disciplinary offerings at the most prestigious universities in the world.

The 2024–2025 U.S. News and World Report Rankings offer students valuable information regarding the trends in the global higher education landscape. While students should take their personal preferences and the intangible elements of a school’s culture that draw them to a specific school into account, these rankings can be a helpful first step for students as they set their collegiate goals and assemble their college lists.

Christopher Rim

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COMMENTS

  1. Does UCF have specific essay or personal statement topics?

    Mailing Address P.O. Box 160111 Orlando, FL 32816-0111 Office Location Duke Energy UCF Welcome Center Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: 844-376-9160 Fax: 407-823-5625 Business Hours

  2. 5 Tips to Write an Excellent UCF Application Essay

    UCF Common App Essay Prompt 2: The Major Prompt. Discuss your reasons for pursuing the academic program (major) selected above. Like the first question, this prompt wants to know more about you as an individual student. Think about what draws you to your major beyond prestige or salary.

  3. University of Central Florida

    Common App Personal Essay. Required. 650 words. 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?

  4. Apply

    The information collected by each is the same. However, the Common App contains essay prompts that are not required by UCF. ... UCF Undergraduate Application. Apply to UCF using our convenient online application. ... I'm currently studying at another college or have earned credits at another school, but I want to attend UCF.

  5. Apply to UCF

    Steps to Apply. 1. Complete and submit the online application. When you're ready, fill out the undergraduate application online. Start Your Undergraduate Application. 2. Submit required documents. After completing your application, you'll receive an email with specific instructions for submitting required documents based upon your student type.

  6. University of Central Florida 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

    University of Central Florida (UCF) 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations. *Please note: the information below relates to last year's essay prompts. As soon as the 2024-25 prompts beomce available, we will be updating this guide -- stay tuned! Requirements: 2 essays of 500 words each. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Why, Community, Activity.

  7. UCF Research Guides: Fulbright Applicants

    One-hour College Application Essay: Write Your College Admission Essay Today. Call Number: UCF ONLINE General Collection -- LB2351.52.U6.M45 2008 ... is far more competitive than in the past and the college essay is a key component.We offer suggestions on good topics to write about without getting too specific (and just as importantly what not ...

  8. UCF Research Guides: Grammar and Writing: Application Essays

    Search the UCF Library Catalog for other books on college admissions essays, including: Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice ... One-hour College Application Essay: Write Your College Admission Essay Today. Call Number: UCF ONLINE General Collection -- LB2351.52.U6.M45 2008.

  9. Draft Admission Essay(s)

    Developing your Statement of Purpose. The video below is from Academic Advancement Program's Fall 2020 Grad Prep Week. Dr. Don Brunson, Vanderbilt University's Assistant Dean of the Graduate School's Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education Program, presents on Do's and Don'ts of the Statement of Purpose in an online workshop format.

  10. College Application and Scholarship Essay Workshop

    Join UCF's University Writing Center and the Department of Writing and Rhetoric for an interactive workshop about writing personal essays for your applications. Learn tips for getting started, review example prompts, develop a plan for revision, and more.

  11. College Essay Prompts: Complete List, Analysis, and Advice

    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.

  12. UCF Admission Requirements 2023

    The University of Central Florida is a respected public research university in the heart of Orlando, Florida, a world-renowned tourist destination.But the 68,000 students who successfully navigated the UCF admissions process enjoy much more than proximity to Disney World. With a strong research focus and standout programs in everything from Psychology to Hospitality Management, the school ...

  13. Does UCF Admissions require recommendations, essays or interviews?

    Mailing Address P.O. Box 160111 Orlando, FL 32816-0111 Office Location Duke Energy UCF Welcome Center Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: 844-376-9160 Fax: 407-823-5625 Business Hours

  14. Why Are You Interested in Ucf: Dream School

    In conclusion, liveliness, location, academics, a personal connection, and activities are among the many reasons why I have chosen to apply at the University of Central Florida. My family has been an integral part of my academic and social development. They have promoted dedication to educational development, and have supported me throughout my ...

  15. Prospective UCF Students

    The admission process involves a comprehensive review of the applicant's academic background, standardized test scores, personal statement, activities, and interests. Admission to the Burnett Honors College is very selective, and Honors students typically represent the top 8% of freshmen at UCF. After being admitted to UCF, the Burnett Honors ...

  16. Questions about application essays : r/ucf

    2. RudeYoghurt5. • 1 yr. ago. I would apply to UCF using their application. It's easier and they give admission decisions faster when you apply through them vs common app. Thats my personal experience and what a highschool counselor friend of mine has observed over the years. 1.

  17. UCF Essay Confusion

    You may email your essay to [email protected]. Please make sure to include identifying information in your email such as name and date of birth. Your personal statements should be no longer than a total of 500 words or 7000 characters for both statements combined.

  18. College Application and Scholarship Essay Workshop

    Join UCF's University Writing Center and the Department of Writing and Rhetoric for an interactive workshop about writing personal essays for your applications! Learn tips for getting started, review example prompts, develop a plan for revision, and more!

  19. University of Central Florida Secondary Application

    University of Central Florida Secondary Essay Prompts. Prompts have been updated June 2023. (Older essays, if available are below) Prompts. Please list each course you have taken, or are projected to take, in an online environment. (500 characters) If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida.

  20. 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

    Accordingly, use the above college essay topics/themes as a way to start collecting ideas for your own personal statement, and know you are in very good company if you write an essay on one of them. Bottom line: you make a college essay topic "unique" by writing about yourself, in your own style and voice, with plenty of detail and specifics.

  21. UCF Extracurriculars, resume or essay?

    MEC143 November 17, 2021, 5:55pm 5. The application itself has a spot to add extra curriculars, so you can put that work there. UCF has two essay prompts of their own, not the usual Common App one, that they say is not required, but highly encouraged. They may call them personal statements, but they are basically essays.

  22. A question about the admission essay on common app : r/ucf

    A question about the admission essay on common app. I read that when writing a personal for UCF through the common app you're supposed to pick two of the prompts and write either two or one essay. I am applying through the common app and it only gives me the option of one essay and asks to choose only one prompt.

  23. How important is the Optional Common App essay on my application? : r/ucf

    Rule of thumb, anything "optional" is like a soft requirement in college apps. It can only boost your chances because it shows you are actually somewhat interested in the university and not just applying for the sake of applying. It can only really negatively impact your app if you write absolute nonsense. 8. Award.

  24. Guides for Writing Application Essays

    One-hour College Application Essay: Write Your College Admission Essay Today. Call Number: UCF ONLINE General Collection -- LB2351.52.U6.M45 2008 ... is far more competitive than in the past and the college essay is a key component.We offer suggestions on good topics to write about without getting too specific (and just as importantly what not ...

  25. UCF Makes Changes to Admission Process, Timeline for Earlier

    Early action at UCF is non-binding, meaning that admitted students are not obligated to submit an enrollment deposit upon admission and have until May 1, 2025, to make their final decision. This flexibility allows students to explore their options and make the most informed choice about their college education.

  26. 5 Important Takeaways From The 2024-2025 U.S. News And World ...

    Key Takeaways from the 2024-25 Rankings. 1. The number of universities considered rose by more than 10%. This year, 2,250 universities across over 100 countries were considered—up more than ...