Option 1

    Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

    Note the key word here: evaluate. You aren’t just describing something; the best essays will explore the complexity of the issue. When you examine the “impact on you,” you need to show the depth of your critical thinking abilities. Introspection, self-awareness and self-analysis are all important here. And be careful with essays about the winning touchdown or tie-breaking goal. These sometimes have an off-putting “look how great I am” tone and very little self-evaluation.

    Option 2

    Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

    Be careful to keep the “importance to you” at the heart of your essay. It’s easy to get off track with this essay topic and start ranting about issues like global warming. The admissions folks want to discover your character, passions and abilities in the essay; they want more than a political lecture.

    Option 3

    Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

    I’m not a fan of this prompt because of the wording: “describe that influence.” A good essay on this topic does more than “describe.” Dig deep and “analyze.” And handle a “hero” essay with care. Your readers have probably seen a lot of essays talking about what a great role model Mom or Dad or Sis is. Also realize that the “influence” of this person doesn’t need to be positive.

    Option 4

    Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

    Be careful of that word “describe.” You should really be “analyzing” this character or creative work. What makes it so powerful and influential?

    Option 5

    A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

    Realize that this question defines “diversity” in broad terms. It’s not specifically about race or ethnicity (although it can be). Ideally, the admissions folks want every student they admit to contribute to the richness and breadth of the campus community. How do you contribute?

    Provided by American Interface Education