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College Essays

The ApplyTexas college application contains many essay prompts, and each of the most popular colleges in Texas has different requirements for which essays they expect applicants to answer.

So how do you get advice on writing your best ApplyTexas essays, no matter which school you're applying to? Look no further than this article, which completely unpacks all possible ApplyTexas essay prompts. We'll explain what each prompt is looking for and what admissions officers are hoping to learn about you. In addition, we'll give you our top strategies for ensuring that your essay meets all these expectations and help you come up with your best essay topics.

To help you navigate this long guide, here is an overview of what we'll be talking about:

What Are the ApplyTexas Essays?

Comparing applytexas essay prompts a, b, and c, dissecting applytexas essay topic a, dissecting applytexas essay topic b, dissecting applytexas essay topic c, dissecting applytexas essay topic d.

• Dissecting the UT and Texas A&M Short Answer Prompts
• Briefly: ApplyTexas Essay Topic E (Transfer Students Only)

The ApplyTexas application is basically the Texas version of the Common Application , which many US colleges use. It's a unified college application process that's accepted by all Texas public universities and many private ones. (Note that some schools that accept ApplyTexas also accept the Common App.)

The ApplyTexas website is a good source for figuring out whether your target college accepts the ApplyTexas application. That said, the best way to confirm exactly what your school expects is to go to its admissions website.

Why Do Colleges Want You to Write Essays?

Admissions officers are trying to put together classes full of interesting, vibrant students who have different backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, goals, and dreams. One tool colleges use to identify a diverse set of perspectives is the college essay .

These essays are a chance for you to show admissions officers those sides of yourself that aren’t reflected in the rest of your application. This is where you describe where you've come from, what you believe in, what you value, and what has shaped you.

This is also where you make yourself sound mature and insightful—two key qualities that colleges are looking for in applicants . These are important because colleges want to enroll students who will ultimately thrive when faced with the independence of college life .

Admissions staff want to enroll a diverse incoming class of motivated and thoughtful students.

ApplyTexas Essay Requirements

There are four essay prompts on the ApplyTexas application for first-year admission (Topics A, B, C, and D). For Topics A, B, and C, there are slight variations on the prompt for transfer students or those looking to be readmitted. We’ll cover each variation just below the main topic breakdown. There are also several short-answer prompts for UT Austin and Texas A&M , as well as Topic D for art and architecture majors and  Topic E for transfer students only . Although there are no strict word limits, colleges usually suggest keeping the essays somewhere between one and one and a half pages long.

All Texas colleges and universities have different application requirements, including which essay or essays they want. Some schools require essays, some list them as optional, and others use a combination of required and optional essays. Several schools use the essays to determine scholarship awards, honors program eligibility, or admission to specific majors.

Here are some essay submission requirement examples from a range of Texas schools:

• You are required to write an essay on Topic A .
• You also have to answer three short-answer prompts (250–300 words each) .
• If you're applying for a studio art, art education, art history, architecture, or visual art studies major, you'll have to write a short answer specific to your major .
• UT Austin also accepts the Common App.

Texas A&M

• If you're an engineering major, you'll have to respond to  a short-answer prompt .
• Texas A&M also accepts the Common App .

Southern Methodist University

• You must write an essay on Topic A .
• You may (but do not have to) write an essay on Topic B .
• You also have to answer two short-answer prompts .
• SMU also accepts the Common App and Coalition App and has its own online application, so you have the option to pick and choose the application you want to fill out .

Texas Christian University

• You must write an essay on any of the topics (A, B, or C) .
• TCU also accepts the Common App and Coalition App has its own online application, so it's another school for which you can choose the application you want to use.

The essays required as part of each admissions application differ from college to college. Check each institution's website for the most up-to-date instructions.

Three of the ApplyTexas essay topics try to get to the heart of what makes you the person you are. But since Topics A, B, and C all focus on things that are essential to you as a person, coming up with a totally unique idea for each can be difficult—especially since on a first read-through, these prompts can sound really similar .

Before I dissect all of the ApplyTexas essay prompts, let's see how A, B, and C differ from one another. You can then keep these differences in mind as you try to think of topics to write about.

ApplyTexas Prompts

Here are the most recent prompts for Topics A, B, and C on the ApplyTexas application.

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

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

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

How to Tell Topics A, B, and C Apart

One helpful way to keep these topics separate in your mind is to create a big-picture category for each one: Topic A is outside, Topic B is inside, and Topic C is the future .

In other words, Topic A is asking about the impact of challenges or opportunities on you and how you handled that impact. Topic B is asking about your inner passions and how these define you. Finally, Topic C wants to know where you're going from here. These very broad categories will help as you brainstorm ideas and life experiences you can use for your essay .

Although many of the stories you think of can be shaped to fit each of these prompts, think about what the experience most reveals about you. If it’s about how your external community shaped you, that'd probably be a good fit for Topic A. If it’s a story about the causes or interests that you're most passionate about, save it for Topic B. If it’s primarily about an event that you think predicts your future, it'll likely work well for Topic C.

(Note: if you are a transfer student writing the essay variation for Topics A, B, or C, keep in mind that these variations still ask you about the outside, inside, or future respectively.)

Your years-long passion for performing in theater productions is an appropriate subject for ApplyTexas Topic B essays.

Now, we'll thoroughly deconstruct everything you need to know about Topic A, the first ApplyTexas essay prompt.

What’s the Prompt Asking, and How Should You Answer It?

This prompt wants to see how a particular external experience as a high school student has shaped you . The prompt uses the phrase "your story," signaling that admissions staff want to know what you believe has had the biggest impact on you.

Step 1: Describe Your Experience

The first part of the prompt is about identifying and describing specific experiences you've had as a high school student. You don't want your essay coming across too vague, so make sure you're focusing on one or two specific experiences, whether they've been positive or negative. The prompt suggests zeroing in on something "unique," or something that has affected you in a way it hasn't impacted anyone else.

You'll want to choose an opportunity or challenge that you can describe vividly and that's really important to you. In other words, it   needs to have had a significant impact on your personal development.

It should also be an experience that has been part of your life for a while . You're describing something that's affected you "throughout your high school career," after all.

Step 2: Explain How This Experience Shaped You

You shouldn't just describe your experience—you also need to discuss how that experience affected you as a person . How did this particular opportunity or difficulty turn you into the person you are today?

It's best if you can think of one or two concrete anecdotes or stories about how your chosen experience(s) helped shape you. For example, don't just say that a public piano recital made you a hard-working person— describe in detail how practicing diligently each day, even when you weren't feeling motivated, got frustrated by particular parts of the piece you were performing, and experienced stage fright showed you that working toward your goals is worthwhile, even when it's hard.

Elaborating on how a specific challenge or obstacle that you faced during your high school career helped shape your current perspective and personality is one option for Topic A essays.

What Are Readers Hoping to Learn About You?

Admission staff are looking for two main things. First, they want to see that you can be mature and thoughtful about your surroundings and events in your life . Are you curious about the world around you? If you've really reflected on your experience, you'll be able to describe the people, places, and events that have impacted you as a high school student in a nuanced, insightful way.

Second, they want to see how you stand out from other applicants . This can be accomplished in one of two ways: (1) you can emphasize how you are somehow different because of your experience and how it impacted you, or (2) you can emphasize how you learned positive qualities from the event that differentiate you from other students. Basically, how did your experience turn you into a special, interesting person?

How Can Your Essay Give Them What They Want?

How can you make sure your essay is really answering the prompt? Here are some key strategies.

#1: Pick a Specific Experience

You'll need to select a particular opportunity or obstacle to zero in on. Opportunities include travel, internships, volunteer or paid jobs, academic events, and awards. Challenges might include competitions, performances, illnesses, injuries, or learning something new. Remember, you'll want to focus on one or two particular events or experiences that have truly contributed to your personal growth .

As you're choosing the experiences you want to write about, think about significant things that happened to you in connection with those events. Remember, you'll need to get beyond just describing how the opportunity or challenge is important to you to show how its impact on you is so significant .

#2: How Did This Experience Shape You?

You then need to consider what about your experience turned you into a person who stands out . Again, this can be about how you overcame the difficulty or how the opportunity fostered positive qualities or traits in you that would make you an appealing member of the college's student body. You want to make sure you have a clear message that links your experience to one, two, or three special traits you have.

Try to think of specific stories and anecdotes related to the event. Then, thoughtfully analyze these to reveal what they show about you. Important adults in your life can help you brainstorm potential ideas.

#3: Think of the Essay Like a Movie

Like a good movie script, a college essay needs characters, some action, and a poignant but ultimately happy ending . When you’re planning out your personal statement, try to think of the story you’re telling in movie terms. Ensure that your essay has the following features:

• Setting: As you're describing your experience, taking time to give a vivid sense of place is key. You can accomplish this by describing the actual physical surroundings, the main "characters" in your community, or a combination of both.
• Stakes: Movies propel the action forward by giving characters high stakes: win or lose, life or death. Even if you are describing your experience in positive terms, there needs to be a sense of conflict or dynamic change. In the anecdote(s) you've selected to write about, what did you stand to gain or lose?
• External conflict resolution: If there's an external conflict of some kind (e.g., with a neighbor, a family member, a friend, or a city council), you need to show some level of resolution.
• Internal conflict resolution: Inner conflict is essentially about how you changed in response to the event or experience. You'll need to clearly lay out what happened within you and how those changes have carried you forward as a person.

Describing your feelings before, during, and after the opportunity or challenge is a crucial element of a Topic A college essay.

#4: Add Details, Description, and Examples

Your essay will really stand out if you add effective examples and descriptions.

For example, imagine Karima decides to describe how learning to navigate public transit as a high school first-year student made her resourceful and helped her explore the city she grew up in. She also discusses how exploring the city ultimately changed her perspective. How should she frame her experience? Here are some options:

I was nervous about taking the El by myself for the first time. At the station, there were lots of commuters and adults who seemed impatient but confident. At first, I was very afraid of getting lost, but over time, I became as confident as those commuters.

I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement walking up the Howard red line turnstile for the first time. What if I got lost on my way to the museum? I was worried that I would just seem like a nuisance to all of the frowning commuters who crowded the platform. If I needed help, would they help me? Was I even brave enough to ask? When the metal doors opened, I pressed my nails into my palms and rushed in after a woman with a red briefcase. Success! At least for the first step. I found a sideways-facing seat and clutched my macrame bag with my notebook and sketching supplies. A map hung above my seat. Pressing my finger to the colorful grid, I found my stop and counted how many I still had to go. I spent the entire train ride staring at that map, straining my ears for everything the conductor said. Now, when I think about the first time I rode the El by myself, I smile. What seemed so scary at the time is just an everyday way to get around now. But I always look around on the platform to see if any nervous kids linger at the edges of the commuter crowds and offer them a smile.

Both versions set up the same story plotwise, but the second makes the train ride (and therefore the author) come alive through the addition of specific, individualizing details , such as the following:

• Visual cues: The reader "sees" what the author sees through descriptions such as "frowning commuters who crowded the platform," "woman with a red briefcase," and "colorful grid."
• Emotional responses: We experience the author’s feelings: she "felt a mixture of nerves and excitement." She wonders if she's brave enough to ask for help. The train ride was "so scary at the time" but feels "everyday" now.
• Differentiation: Even though the commuters are mostly a monolithic group, we get to see some individuals, such as the woman with a red briefcase.

ApplyTexas Topic A Essay Ideas

There's no one best topic for this essay prompt (or any other), but I've included some potential ideas below to help you get started with your own brainstorming:

• Describe a time you organized the people around you to advocate a common local cause.
• Hone in on a particular trip with one or more family members.
• Identify a time when you were no longer in your comfort zone. Describe how you adapted and learned from that experience.
• Discuss being a minority in your school or neighborhood.
• Describe going through a cultural or religious rite of passage as a high school student.
• Elaborate on how you moved from one place to somewhere totally different and handled your culture shock.

ApplyTexas Topic A for Transfer, Transient, or Readmit Students

If you are applying to transfer or to be readmitted, you likely already have some college experience. So in this case, ApplyTexas offers a personal statement option that allows you to write about your life beyond your high school years. This option still asks you to demonstrate what in your experience has turned you into a unique individual. But if, for instance, you left college and now are reapplying, you’ll want to address how some aspect of that experience made an impact on who you are now. Otherwise, follow the advice above for the standard Topic A prompt.

Here’s the current Essay Topic A prompt for transfer applicants:

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admissions committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and other application information cannot convey.

Next up, let's go through the same process for ApplyTexas Topic B, taking it apart brick by brick and putting it back together again.

What’s the Prompt Asking?

At first glance, this prompt seems pretty vague. "Tell us about yourself" is not exactly the most detailed set of instructions. But if we dig a little deeper, we can see that there are actually two pretty specific things this question is asking.

#1: What Defines You?

This prompts posits that "most students"—which likely includes you!—have some kind of defining trait . This could be "an identity, an interest, or a talent," so you need to express what that defining trait is for you specifically.

For instance, are you an amazing knitter? Do you spend your free time researching cephalopods? Are you a connoisseur of indie movies or mystery novels? Or maybe you have a religious, cultural, ethnic, or LGBTQIA+ identity that's very important to you. Any of these things could plausibly be the main, framing theme of your essay.

#2: How Does That Defining Trait Fit Into "You" Overall?

Even though you have some kind of defining trait, that's not the entirety of you. Essentially, you need to contextualize your defining trait within your broader personality and identity. This is where the "tell us about yourself" part comes in. What does your defining trait say about you as a person? And how does it fit into your overall personality, values, and dreams?

In a Topic B college essay, you could potentially describe your knowledge of chess and how it exemplifies your talent for thinking several steps ahead.

Admissions staff are hoping to learn two main things:

#1: What You're Passionate About

It's essential that this essay communicates genuine passion for whatever you write about. College is a lot of work, and passion is an important driving force when things get busy. Therefore, readers are looking for students who are really engaged in the world around them and excited about specific causes and activities!

#2: How You View Yourself (and How Successfully You Can Communicate That)

A strong, well-developed sense of self goes a long way toward helping you weather all the changes you're going to experience when you attend college. Even though you'll change and grow a lot as a person during your college years, having a sense of your own core traits and values will help those changes be exciting as opposed to scary .

Colleges are looking for a developed sense of self. Additionally, they are looking for students who can communicate messages about themselves in a clear, confident, and cohesive way .

The challenge with this prompt is giving a complete picture of you as a person while still staying on message about your defining trait. You need to be focused yet comprehensive. Let's explore the best ways to show off your passion and frame your identity.

#1: Define the Core Message

First, you need to select that defining trait . This could be pretty much anything, just as long as you're genuinely invested in this trait and feel that it represents some core aspect of you.

It should also be something you can describe through stories and anecdotes . Just saying, "I'm a redhead, and that defines me" makes for a pretty boring essay! However, a story about how you started a photography project that consists of portraits of redheads like you and what you learned about yourself from this experience is much more interesting.

Be careful to select something that presents you in a broadly positive light . If you choose a trait that doesn't seem very serious, such as your enduring and eternal love of onion rings, you risk seeming at best immature and at worst outright disrespectful.

You also want to pick something realistic —don't claim you're the greatest mathematician who ever lived unless you are, in fact, the greatest mathematician who ever lived (and you probably aren't). Otherwise, you'll seem out of touch.

#2: Fit Your Message into the Larger Picture

Next, consider how you can use this trait to paint a more complete picture of you as a person . It's great that you're passionate about skiing and are a member of a ski team, but what else does this say about you? Are you an adventurous daredevil who loves to take (reasonable) risks? Are you a nature lover with a taste for exploration? Do you love being part of a team?

Select at least two or three positive messages you want to communicate about yourself in your essay about your key trait.

In a Topic B essay, a student could connect their long-time passion for cooking to their penchant for adding their unique touch to every project they take on.

#3: Show, Don't Tell

It's much more interesting to read about things you do that demonstrate your key traits than it is to hear you list them. Don't just say, "Everyone asks me for advice because I'm level-headed and reasonable." Instead, actually describe situations that show people asking you for advice and you offering that level-headed, reasonable advice.

#4: Watch Your Tone

It's important to watch your tone as you write an essay that's (pretty overtly) about how great you are. You want to demonstrate your own special qualities without seeming glib, staid, self-aggrandizing, or narcissistic .

Let’s say Andrew wants to write about figuring out how to grow a garden, despite his yard being in full shade, and how this desire turned into a passion for horticulture. He could launch into a rant about the garden store employees not knowing which plants are right for which light, the previous house owner’s terrible habit of using the yard as a pet bathroom, or the achy knee that prevented him from proper weeding posture.

Alternatively, he could describe doing research on the complex gardens of royal palaces, planning his garden based on plant color and height, using the process of trial and error to see which plants would flourish, and getting so involved with this work that he often lost track of time.

One of these approaches makes him sound whiny and self-centered, whereas  the other makes him sound like someone who can take charge of a difficult situation .

ApplyTexas Topic B Essay Ideas

Again, there's no single best approach here, but I've outlined some potential topics below:

• Are you known for being really good at something or an expert on a particular topic? How does this impact your identity?
• Discuss how you got involved in a certain extracurricular activity and what it means to you. What have you learned from participating in it?
• Describe something you've done lots of research on in your free time. How did you discover that interest? What have you learned as a result?
• What's your most evident personality trait? How has that trait impacted your life? (You can ask friends and relatives for help with this one.)
• Relate the importance of your LGBTQIA+ identity.
• Discuss your religious or cultural background and how this defines you.
• Describe your experience as a member of a specific community.

ApplyTexas Topic B for Transfer, Transient, or Readmit Students

The ApplyTexas variation on Topic B is specifically designed for two different possible application situations. The first is for people who are applying as nondegree-seeking or postbaccalaureate students (aka “transient students”). In this case, they ask you to discuss the courses you want to take and what you hope to accomplish if you are admitted. That means they still want you to focus this essay on what you are passionate about, as mentioned above, but they expect that passion to be based on courses the university offers more directly.  

The second is for students who are reapplying after being suspended for academic reasons. In this situation, they ask you to describe any actions you have taken to improve your academic performance and to give them a reason why you should be readmitted. You’ll still need to focus on your positive traits in this variation, so this can be a tricky task. As in the example above, you’ll need to watch your tone and not come across as whiny. Instead, confront the cause of your academic suspension and what you learned from that experience; then, turn it into a newfound strength. Maybe you learned new study habits you can describe for them. Maybe working full-time while you were suspended improved your work ethic. Whatever you choose, show how a negative situation changed into a positive learning experience for you, and focus on the better person you are now because of it. 

Here’s the current prompt for Essay Topic B for transfer applicants:

If you are applying as a former student and were suspended for academic reasons, describe briefly any actions you have taken to improve your academic abilities and give reason why you should be readmitted. If you are applying as a nondegree-seeking or postbaccalaureate application, briefly describe the specific objectives you wish to accomplish if admitted, including the courses in which you would like to enroll.

Now, we can take apart Topic C to get a good handle on how to tackle this future-facing essay.

You've got a ticket in your hand—where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

If ApplyTexas Topic A and Topic B were all about your past experiences, Topic C wants you to give readers a glimpse of your imagined possibilities .

There are basically two potential approaches to this question. We'll break them down here.

Option 1: Describe Your Long-Term Goals

One approach to this prompt is to use your essay as a chance to describe your long-term goals for your career and life .

For some students, this will be a straightforward endeavor. For example, say you’ve always wanted to be a doctor. You spend your time volunteering at hospitals, helping out at your mom’s practice, and studying biology. You could easily frame your "ticket" as a ticket to medical school. Just pick a few of the most gripping moments from these past experiences and discuss the overall trajectory of your interests, and your essay would likely be a winner!

But what if you’re not sure about your long-term goals yet? Or what if you feel like you really don't know where you're going next week, let alone next year or 10 years from now? Read on for Option 2.

Option 2: Demonstrate Thoughtful Imagination

Although you can certainly interpret this as a straightforward question about your future, you can also use it as a chance to be more imaginative.

Note that this entire question rests on the metaphor of the ticket. The ticket can take you anywhere; you decide. It could be to a real place, such as your grandmother's house or the Scottish Highlands or the Metropolitan Museum. Or it could be somewhere fantastical, such as a time machine to the Paleolithic.

The important point is that you use the destination you select—and what you plan to do there—to prove you're a thoughtful person who is excited about and actively engaged with the world around you .

The destination you choose to write about, whether realistic or fantastical, should be clearly linked to a specific goal or set of goals that you wish to pursue or are currently pursuing.

If you're on a direct path to a specific field of study or career, admissions officers definitely want to know this. Having driven, goal-oriented, and passionate students is a huge plus for any college. If this sounds like you, be sure your essay conveys not just your interest but also your deep love of the subject, as well as any related clubs, activities, or hobbies you’ve done during high school.

If you take the more creative approach to this prompt, however, realize that in this essay (as in all the other ApplyTexas essays),  the how matters much more than the what . Don't worry that you don't have a specific goal in mind yet. No matter where your eventual academic, career, or other pursuits might lie, every activity you've done up to now has taught you something, whether that be developing your work ethic, mastering a skill, learning from a mentor, interacting with peers, dealing with setbacks, understanding your own learning style, or persevering through hardship. Your essay is a chance to show off that knowledge and maturity.

So no matter what destination you choose for your ticket (the what ), you want to communicate that you can think about future (and imagined!) possibilities in a compelling way based on your past experiences (the how ).

Whether you take the ideas of "where you are going" and "what you are doing" in a more literal or more abstract direction, the admissions committee wants to make sure that no matter what you study, you'll be able to get something meaningful out of it . They want to see that you’re not simply floating through life on the surface but are actively absorbing the qualities, skills, and know-how you'll need to succeed in the world.

Here are some ideas for how to show that you have thoughtful and compelling visions of possible futures.

#1: Pick Where You're Going

Is this going to be a more direct interpretation of your goals (my ticket is to the judge's bench) or a more creative one (my ticket is to Narnia)? Whichever one you choose, make sure that you choose a destination that is genuinely compelling to you . The last thing you want is to come off sounding bored or disingenuous.

#2: Don’t Overreach or Underreach

Another key point is to avoid overreaching or underreaching. For instance, it’s fine to say that you’d like to get involved in politics, but it’s a little too self-aggrandizing to say that you’re definitely going to be president of the United States. Be sure that whatever destination you select for your ticket, it doesn’t come off as unnecessary bragging rather than simple aspiration .

At the same time, make sure the destination you've chosen is one that makes sense in the context of a college essay. Maybe what you really want is a ticket to the potato chip factory; however, this essay might not be the best place to elaborate on this imagined possibility.

While you can of course choose a whimsical location, you need to be able to ground it in a real vision of the kind of person you want to become . Don't forget who your audience is! College admissions officers want to find students who are eager to learn . They also want to be exposed to new thoughts and ideas.

#3: Flesh It Out

Once you've picked a destination, it's time to consider the other components of the question: What are you going to do once you reach your destination? What will happen there? Try to think of some key messages that relate back to you, your talents, and your goals .

#4: Ground Your "Journey" in Specific Anecdotes and Examples

The way this question is framed is very abstract, so ground your thoughts about your destination (whether it's more straightforward or more creative) in concrete anecdotes and examples that show you're thoughtful, engaged, passionate, and driven.

This is even more important if you go the creative route and are writing about an unusual location. If you don't keep things somewhat grounded in reality, your essay could come across as frivolous. Make sure you make the most of this chance to share real-life examples of your desirable qualities.

Imagine Eleanor’s essay is about how she wants a ticket to Starfleet Academy (for the uninitiated, this is the fictional school in the Star Trek universe where people train to be Starfleet officers). Which essay below conveys more about her potential as a student?

My ticket is to Starfleet Academy. There, I would train to become part of the Command division so I could command a starship. Once I was captain of my own starship, I would explore the deepest reaches of space to interact with alien life and learn more about the universe.

I've loved Star Trek since my dad started playing copies of old episodes for me in our ancient DVD player. So if I could have a ticket to anywhere, it would be to Starfleet Academy to train in the command division. I know I would make a superb command officer. My ten years of experience in hapkido have taught me discipline and how to think on my feet. Working as a hapkido instructor in my dojo the past two years has honed my leadership and teaching qualities, which are essential for any starship commander. Additionally, I have the curiosity and sense of adventure necessary for a long career in the unknown reaches of space. Right now, I exercise my thirst for exploration through my photography blog. Using my DSLR camera, I track down and photograph obscure and hidden places I find in my town, on family trips, and even on day trips to nearby cities. I carefully catalogue the locations so other people can follow in my footsteps. Documentation, after all, is another important part of exploring space in a starship.

Both versions communicate the same things about the imagined destination, but the second essay does a much better job showing who Eleanor is as a person. All we really learn from the first excerpt is that Eleanor must like Star Trek .

We can also infer from version 1 that she probably likes leadership, exploration, and adventure because she wants to captain a starship, but we don't really know that for sure. Admissions officers shouldn't have to guess who you are from your essay; your essay should lay it out for them explicitly and articulately.

In the second essay, by contrast, Eleanor clearly lays out the qualities that would make her a great command officer and provides examples of how she exemplifies these qualities . She ties the abstract destination to concrete activities from her life, such as hapkido and photography. This provides a much more well-rounded picture of what Eleanor could bring to the student body and the school at large.

Eleanor's essay about her desire to explore the final frontier creatively illustrates her curiosity and leadership potential .

ApplyTexas Topic C Essay Ideas

I've come up with some sample essay ideas for the two different approaches to this prompt.

Possibility 1: Your Concrete Goals

• Describe your goal to pursue a particular academic field or career and discuss how specific classes or extracurricular activities ignited that passion
• Discuss how your plans to pursue politics, project management, or another leadership role were fostered by a first experience of leadership (this could be a straightforward leadership position in a club or job or a more indirect or unplanned leadership experience, such as suddenly having to take charge of a group).
• Discuss how your desire to teach or train in the future was sparked by an experience of teaching someone to do something (e.g., by being a tutor or by helping a sibling deal with a particularly challenging class or learning issue).
• Describe your goal to perform on stage, and discuss how your past experiences of public creativity (e.g., being in a play, staging an art show, performing an orchestra, or being involved in dance,.) led you to this goal

Possibility 2: Creative/Abstract Destination

• What would you do if you could visit the world of a favorite childhood book, movie, or TV series? What qualities does that show about you?
• Is there a relative or friend you would like to visit with your ticket?
• Is there a particular historical period you would like to time travel to?
• Is there a destination you've always wanted to go to that you've read about, heard about, or only conjured up in dreams or in a moment of creativity?

Remember to tie your imaginative destination to concrete details about your special qualities!

Topic C for Transfer, Transient, or Readmit Students

ApplyTexas offers a Topic C alternative in case there is personal information you want them to consider along with your application, such as why you are transferring to a new school. They still want you to focus on the future, but they encourage discussing any hardships, challenges, extenuating circumstances, or opportunities that have affected your abilities and academic credentials (in a positive way). They also want you to discuss how these circumstances can help you contribute to a diverse college community. In this case, this variation is not fundamentally different from the ticket question; it just asks for a more specific focus. So if this variation applies to you, use the advice above for question C option one. 

Here’s the current prompt for Essay Topic C for transfer applicants:

There may be personal information that you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

Would you use your ticket to visit Renaissance Italy, a journey you metaphorically hope to take as a history major?

If you're applying to one of several fine arts fields, you might have 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?

If you’re applying to study architecture, art, or art history, one of the essays you will likely have to write is this one. This essay topic is trying to ask as broadly as possible about an experience with art that has moved you in some way. This means that your options for answering the question are quite varied. So what are the two different parts of this prompt? Let's take a look.

Part 1: Observation and Reaction

Think of a time you experienced that blown-away feeling when looking at something human made. This is the reaction and situation the first part of the essay wants you to recreate. The prompt is primarily interested in your ability to describe and pinpoint exactly what quality made you stop in your tracks. The huge set of inspiring object options the prompt offers tells us that your taste level won't be judged here.

You can focus on a learning experience, which includes both classes and extracurricular activities, or you can focus on a direct experience in which you encountered an object or space without the mediation of a class or teacher. The only limit to your focus object is that it is something made by someone other than you. Your reaction should be in conversation with the original artist, not a form of navel-gazing.

The key for this part of the essay is that your description needs to segue into a story of change and transformation . What the essay topic is asking you to show isn’t just that you were struck by something you saw or learned about, but that you also absorbed something from this experience that impacted your own art going forward.

Did seeing the Angkor Wat Temple during a trip abroad with your family foster your intellectual passion for Southeast Asian art or religious monuments?

Part 2: Absorption

This brings us to the second part of the essay prompt: this is where you need to move from the past into the present — and then at least gesture meaningfully toward the future.

It’s one thing to look at a piece of art, such as a sculpture or architectural form, and feel moved by its grace, boldness, or vision. But it’s a sign of a mature, creative mind to be able to take to heart what is meaningful to you about this work and then transmute this experience into your own art or your interpretation of others' creative works.

This essay wants to see that developing maturity in you ; therefore, you should explain exactly how your own vision has changed after this meaningful encounter you've described. What qualities, philosophy, or themes do you now try to infuse into what you create or how you analyze art?

More importantly, this essay prompt asserts that being affected by something once isn’t enough. That’s why in this second part of the essay,  you also need to explain what you’ve been doing to keep having similarly moving encounters with other creative works .

You have some choice, too, when it comes to answering, "What have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?" For example, you could describe how you’ve sought out other works by the same artist who moved you the first time. Or you could describe investigating new media or techniques to emulate something you saw. Or you could discuss learning about the period, genre, school, or philosophical theory that the original piece of art comes from to give yourself a more contextualized understanding.

If you’re planning an academic career in the visual arts or architecture, then you’re entering a long conversation started by our cave-painting ancestors and continuing through every human culture and society since.

This essay wants to make sure that you aren’t creating or interpreting art in a vacuum and that you have had enough education and awareness to be inspired by others. By demonstrating how you react to works that move you—not with jealousy or dismissal but with appreciation and recognition of another’s talent and ability—you're proving that you're ready to participate in this ongoing conversation.

At the same time, this essay is asking you to show your own creative readiness.  For example, describe not only the work you have produced but also your ability to introduce new elements into that work—in this case, inspired by the piece you described. This way, you can demonstrate that you aren’t a one-note artist but are mature enough to alter and develop what you make. Or if you want to major in art history or art education, relate how your perspective on a particular piece of art or architecture is shaped by your unique perspective, based on your experiences, education, and cultural identity.

A student might write their Topic D essay on how Michelangelo's Madonna della Pietà   has influenced their own artistic renderings of youth and beauty in grief.

What are some best practices for teasing out the complexities of art in written form? Here are some helpful tips as you brainstorm and write your essay.

#1: Pick One Piece of Art or Learning Experience

Once you’ve chosen between these two contexts, narrow down your selection even further . If you're writing about an educational encounter, don’t forget that it can come from an informal situation as well. For example, you could write about something you learned on your own from a documentary, a museum visit, or an art book.

If you're writing about a direct experience with art, don't necessarily fixate on a classic piece . Alternatively, you could discuss a little-known public sculpture, a particularly striking building or bridge you saw while traveling, or a gallery exhibition.

Whatever you end up writing about, make sure you know some of the identifying details . You don’t need to know the answers to all the following questions, but do your best to research so you can answer at least two or three of them:

• Who is the artist?
• Where is the piece on display?
• What kind of work is it?
• With what materials was it made?
• When was it made?

#2: Figure Out Why You Were Struck by This Particular Work

The make-it-or-break-it moment in this essay will be your ability to explain what affected you in the object you're writing about . Why is it different from other works you’ve seen? Were you in the right place and time to be moved by it, or would it have affected you the same way no matter where or when you saw it? Did it speak to you because it shares some of your ideals, philosophies, or tastes—or because it was so different from them?

Be careful with your explanation because it can easily get so vague as to be meaningless or so obscure and "deep" that you lose your reader. Before you start trying to put it down on paper, try to talk out what you plan to say either with a friend, parent, or teacher. Do they understand what you’re saying, and do they believe you?

#3: Make a Timeline of Your Own Creative Works

When you think about what you've been making or thinking about making during your high school career, what is the trajectory of your ideas? How has your understanding of the materials you want to work with or study changed? What message do you want your works to convey, or what message in others' works most resonate with you? How do you want your works to be seen or engaged with by others? What is the reason you feel compelled to be creative or involved in the arts?

Now that you’ve come up with this timeline, see whether your changes in thought overlap with the art experience you're planning on describing . Is there a way you can combine what was so exciting to you about this work with the way you’ve seen your own ideas about art evolve?

#4: Use a Mix of Concreteness and Comparisons in Your Description

Just as nothing ruins a joke like explaining it, nothing ruins the wordless experience of looking at art as talking it to death does. Still, you need to find a way to use words to give the reader a sense of what the piece that moved you actually looks like —particularly if the reader isn't familiar with the work or the artist that created it.

Here is my suggested trick for writing well about art. First, be specific about the object. Discuss its colors, size, what it appears to be made of, what your eye goes to first (e.g., bright colors versus darker, more muted ones), what it represents (if it’s figurative), where it is in relation to the viewer, whether or not you can see marks of the tools used (e.g., brush strokes or scrapes from sculpting tools).

Second, step away from the concrete, and get creative with language by using techniques such as comparative description. Use your imagination to create emotionally resonant similes. Is there a form of movement (e.g., flying, crawling, or tumbling) that this piece feels like? Does it remind you of something from the natural world (e.g., a falling leaf, a forest canopy being moved by wind, waves, or sand dunes shifting)?

If the work is figurative, imagine what has been happening just before the moment in time it captures. What happened just after this point? Using these kinds of nonliteral descriptors will let your reader understand both the actual physical object and its aesthetic appeal.

Dissecting the UT and Texas A&M Short-Answer Prompts

Both UT Austin and Texas A&M require short answers as part of their first-year applications. For both schools, some prompts are required by all applicants, whereas others are required by those applying to certain majors or departments.

We'll go over the UT Austin prompts, followed by the Texas A&M prompt.

UT Austin Short-Answer Prompts

UT Austin requires three short answers from all first-year applicants and also offers an optional prompt. Each short answer should be approximately 250–300 words , or one paragraph.

Short Answer 1: Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Short Answer 2: Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

Short Answer 3: The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Optional Short Answer: Please share background on events or special circumstances that may have impacted your high school academic performance.

What Are These UT Austin Short-Answer Prompts Asking?

Obviously, these short-answer prompts are asking four different things, but they do have some similarities in terms of their overall goals.

These prompts basically want to know what you can offer UT Austin and why you'd be a great fit as a student there . They also want to know why you chose UT Austin and your specific major.

In other words, all these prompts essentially work together as a "Why This College?" essay .

How Can You Give UT Austin What They Want?

Admissions officers will be looking for evidence that you're genuinely interested in the school, the major you've chosen, and the career you want to pursue . Make sure to identify features of the program that appeal to you. In other words, why UT Austin? What makes you a good fit here?

Be as specific as possible in your responses. Since you won't have much room to write a lot, try to focus on a particular anecdote, skill, or goal you have.

Admissions officers also want to see that you have an aptitude for your chosen career path , so if you have any relevant work, research, or volunteer experience, they definitely want to know this! It's OK to take a broad view of what's relevant here.

Finally, they're looking for individuals who have clear goals as well as a general idea of what they want to do with their degree . Are you interested in working with a specific population or specialty? Why? What led you to this conclusion?

Texas A&M Engineering Prompt

All engineering applicants to Texas A&M must submit an esssay responding to the following prompt:

Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals?

What Is This Texas A&M Engineering Prompt Asking?

The engineering prompt wants to know two essential things:

• What are your future goals for your specific field of interest (i.e., the kind of engineering field you want to go into or are considering going into)?
• What environmental or external factors (e.g., a person, a mentor, a volunteer experience, or a paper or book you read) contributed to your development of these goals?

How Can You Give Texas A&M What They Want?

Be as specific as possible in your response. For the engineering prompt, what admissions officers want to know is simply what your biggest engineering ambition is and how you came to have this goal.

You'll want to be as specific as possible. Admissions officers want to see that you have a clear future in mind for what you want to do with your engineering degree. For example, do you plan to go on to a PhD program? Why? Do you have a particular career in mind?

In addition, make sure to specify the main inspiration for or motivation behind this goal. For instance, did you have a high school teacher who encouraged you to study engineering? Or perhaps you decided on a whim to take a computer science class, which you ended up loving.

Remember that the inspiration for your engineering goals doesn't have to be limited to something school-related. If you get stuck, think broadly about what initially got you interested in the field.

Briefly: ApplyTexas Essay Topic E (Transfer Students)

US transfer students and international transfer students must typically submit an additional essay responding to the following prompt (or must submit an essay on one of the topic variations listed above ).

Choose an issue of importance to you—the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope⁠—and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

What's the Prompt Asking?

This prompt, which is intended for transfer students, essentially wants to know what hardship, challenge, or social issue has affected you on a personal level (or a larger group you're part of) and why you think this particular issue is so important to you .

For example, maybe you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have personally experienced discrimination in your local community because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. Or perhaps you grew up in a wealthy family but have begun to see recently how widespread the issue of homelessness really is and now are making a more conscious effort to find ways to remedy this problem in your own community.

The issue you choose doesn't have to relate to a wider social issue; it could be a learning disability you have, for instance, or the fact that you no longer share the same religious beliefs as your  family.

The most important part of this question is the connection between the issue and yourself . In other words, why is this issue so important to you ? How has it affected your life, your goals, your experiences, etc.?

This essay is a way for admissions officers to get to know you and what matters to you personally on a much deeper level than what some of the other essay topics allow, so don't be afraid to dive into topics that are very emotional, personal, or special to you .

Furthermore, be sure to clearly explain why this particular issue—especially if it's a broader social issue that affects many people—is meaningful to you . Admissions officers want to know about any challenges you've faced and how these have positively contributed to your own growth as a person.

The Bottom Line: Tips for Writing ApplyTexas Essays

The ApplyTexas application contains four essay prompts (Topics A, B, C, and D), with different schools requiring different combinations of mandatory and optional essays . There are also short-answer prompts for UT Austin, as well as a Topic E only for transfer students.

One way to keep these three similar-sounding essay topics (A, B, and C) separate in your mind is to create a big-picture category for each one:

• Topic A is about your outside .
• Topic B is your inside .
• Topic C is about your future .

Now, let's briefly summarize each essay topic:

Essay Topic A

• Overview:  Describe any unique experiences you've had as a high school student and how these have shaped who you are as a person.
• Pick a specific aspect of your experience.
• Describe how it made you special.
• Describe the setting, stakes, and conflict resolution.
• Add details, description, and examples.

Essay Topic B

• Overview:  Describe a defining trait and how it fits into the larger vision of you.
• Define the core message.
• Fit that core message of yourself into the larger picture.
• Show things about yourself; don’t tell.
• Watch your tone to make sure that you show your great qualities without seeming narcissistic, boring, glib, or self-aggrandizing.

Essay Topic C

• Overview:  Describe "where you are going" in either a literal, goal-oriented sense or a more imaginative sense.
• Pick where you’re going, but don’t over- or underreach.
• Flesh out your destination. How does it relate back to you?
• Ground your “journey” in specific anecdotes and examples.

Essay Topic D

• Overview:  Describe being affected by a work of art or an artistic experience to make sure that you are ready to enter a fine arts field.
• Pick one piece of art or one specific experience of learning about art.
• Figure out exactly why this work or event struck you.
• Examine your own work to see how this artwork has affected your creativity or engagement with art or art history.
• Use a mix of concrete descriptions and comparisons when writing about the piece of art.

Short-Answer Prompts

• Overview: Specific to UT Austin applicants
• Describe your relevant experiences and interests up to this point.
• Describe what about the program appeals to you and how you will use your degree (i.e., your future goals).
• Treat the prompts as parts of a "Why This College?" essay.

Essay Topic E (Transfer Students)

• Overview: Specific to US and international transfer applicants
• Pick an issue that means a lot to you and has had a clear effect on how you see yourself.
• Emphasize how this issue or how you've treated this issue has ultimately had a positive impact on your personal growth.

What's Next?

Curious about the other college essay choices out there? If your target college also accepts the Common Application, check out our guide to the Common App essay prompts to see whether they would be a better fit for you.

Interested to see how other people tackled this part of the application? We have a roundup of 100+ accepted essays from tons of colleges .

Stuck on what to write about? Read our suggestions for how to come up with great essay ideas .

Working on the rest of your college applications? We have great advice on how to find the right college for you , how to write about your extracurricular activities , and how to ask teachers for letters of recommendation .

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

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Essays & Short Answers

Summer/Fall 2025 Essay

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

Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Spring 2025 Essays

All freshman Spring 2025 applicants must submit Topic A in ApplyTexas.

Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Spring 2025 Essay Topic

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

Submitting Your Essay

You can submit your essays:

• In conjunction with your application.
• Using the Document Upload System in MyStatus.

*Students do not need to submit other Common App essays. We’ll only review what is required.

Short Answers

• Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application.
• Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

Summer/Fall 2025 Prompts

• Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
• Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? ( Guidance for student s: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

Spring 2025 Prompts

• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Submitting Your Short Answers

You can submit your short answers with either your Common App or Apply Texas application. Short answer responses must be completed in order to submit your application.

• Transfer applicants must submit one essay responding to Topic A.
• Applicants to the School of Architecture are required to upload Topic D in addition to Topic A. 

Essay Topics

Topic a (required).

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school/college or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and the other application information cannot convey.

Topic D (School of Architecture majors only)

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, 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?

Submitting Your Essay(s)

Apply Texas Essays 2022‒2023

Apply texas essays 2023.

If you live in Texas or plan on applying to schools there, it’s likely that you’ve heard of the Apply Texas portal . At Texas schools, the Apply Texas essays are an important part of the application process. In fact, the Apply Texas essays are the best way to let your personality, experiences, and interests impress admissions teams. 

In many ways, Apply Texas—including the Apply Texas essays—resembles the Common Application. So, you can likely repurpose plenty of information from the Common Application as you complete the Apply Texas application. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to tackle each of the Apply Texas essays. We’ll discuss:

• General information about the Apply Texas portal 
• How to respond to each of the Apply Texas essay prompts
• Different Texas college requirements
• The importance of the Apply Texas essays
• More useful essay resources from CollegeAdvisor

Now, let’s start our deep dive into the Apply Texas essays. But first, let’s talk about the Apply Texas application more broadly. 

What is Apply Texas?

Apply Texas is a college application portal where students can apply to higher education institutes in Texas. The portal was created in order to allow students to fill out one application for all Texas schools. Students will create an Apply Texas login in order to access their applications. 

However, while many of the best colleges in Texas require an Apply Texas login to complete their application, some don’t. So, make sure to check the application requirements for every school. 

Apply Texas essay vs. the Common Application essay

You may be wondering, what’s the difference between the Apply Texas essay and the Common Application essay? Well, logically, Apply Texas can only be used to apply to schools in the state of Texas. However, some Texas schools may also accept applications through the Common Application or Coalition Application. If that’s the case, then you can decide which portal to use. 

Overall, the Apply Texas essay format is similar to the Common Application essay format. This means that many of the tools you’ve used for your Common Application essay will help you complete your Apply Texas essays. You can also look at Common App essay examples to help you write the Apply Texas essays. 

Understanding the Apply Texas essay requirements

Different schools will have different requirements when it comes to the Apply Texas essay prompts. Some schools may not even require an essay at all. 

For example, Texas State University applicants will complete their applications using the Apply Texas login. While Texas State only lists their essay as “highly recommended,” you should still complete it. You can also check out some Apply Texas essays examples to bolster your application. 

The Apply Texas application also has its own unique Apply Texas essay prompts, which differ from the prompts on the Common App. So, while you might be able to repurpose your Common App essay for one of the Apply Texas essay prompts, you should think carefully about your choice of topic. 

What schools use Apply Texas?

Many two- and four-year universities in Texas use Apply Texas. This includes the majority of public universities as well as some private colleges. 

However, you should always double-check each school’s admissions site to see which application portal you should use. Each school’s requirements will vary. 

You can use Apply Texas to apply to some of the best colleges in Texas , including UT Austin and Texas A&M University. However, Rice University—the top college in Texas, according to U.S. News—does not use Apply Texas. 

Understanding the Apply Texas essay format

If you’re planning to apply to multiple Texas schools, you should create an Apply Texas login. However, all schools’ requirements will be different. This means the Apply Texas essay format could slightly vary.

While you’ll find one Apply Texas essay word limit on the application itself, different schools will recommend different word counts. You may also not complete all of the Apply Texas essays for every school.

So, top Texas universities such as the University of Houston , Texas Tech , and TCU will have slightly different requirements, even though you’ll use the same Apply Texas login to access their applications. Use our College Search Feature below to learn more about each school’s unique features!

What are the Apply Texas essays?

Next, let’s check out the Apply Texas essays. 

There are three Apply Texas essay prompts. You’ll complete different Apply Texas essays depending on which schools you apply to. For example, some schools may require that students respond to the Apply Texas essay A, while others may let you choose your prompt.  

Below, we’ve provided a chart with each of the Apply Texas essay prompts. 

Applicants should also note that Apply Texas word limits will vary by school. In this chart, we’ve provided the word limit suggested by the portal itself. However, you should adapt your word count to each university’s requirements. 

Remember to consider school supplements 

Additionally, note that some universities will require other short essays as well as one of the Apply Texas essay prompts. 

For example, the UT Austin application will differ from the Baylor application even though both will use an Apply Texas login. Likewise, the UT Austin application requirements aren’t exactly the same as the UT Dallas application requirements. So, always be sure to double-check the admissions sites for school specifics. 

Before tackling your Apply Texas essays, try to read some Apply Texas essays examples. This will give you an idea of the different ways to approach the essay. The Apply Texas essay format can vary, so looking at Apply Texas essays examples can help you think outside of the box. 

How long should Apply Texas essays be?

As you tackle the Apply Texas essays, you should keep the word count in mind. According to the Apply Texas application portal, you have 800 words for each of your essays. 

However, when it comes to the word limit, you’ll want to see what each university requires or recommends. Every school’s requirements will be different. 

Let’s check out a couple of schools in Texas and compare their approach to their Apply Texas essay word limit. 

The University of Texas Austin requires its applicants to respond to Apply Texas Essay A if using the Apply Texas application. Their word limit is 500-700. Additionally, students will complete three required short answer essays with word limits of 250-300 words. They can also choose to complete a fourth optional essay (also 250-300 words). 

Alternatively, Texas Tech does not require applicants to complete an essay. However, the essay is “highly recommended.” So, as usual, consider this optional essay a requirement. If using the Apply Texas application, Texas Tech gives students the option to respond to Apply Texas Essay A or B. They have placed a 500-word limit on this essay. Check out some tips from Texas Tech admissions to write your Apply Texas essays. 

Texas Christian University

The TCU admissions office requires applicants to complete one essay. However, which of the Apply Texas essays students write is up to them. The word limit is 300-500 words, so you’ll need to impress TCU admissions with a concise, authentic, and passionate essay. 

As you begin your Apply Texas essays, check out Common App essay examples and Apply Texas essays examples to help you prepare.

Apply Texas Essay 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.

The Apply Texas Essay A seems to be the overwhelming favorite among universities using the Apply Texas essays. This prompt asks students to “tell us your story.” Simple enough, right? 

Of course, a prompt this broad can feel overwhelming. However, it’s a great opportunity to show admissions who you are. This is your chance to really make your application stand out by sharing something that you haven’t yet revealed (or expanded upon) in other parts of your Apply Texas application. 

This prompt is quite similar to one of the Common Application prompts. So, if you want some inspiration, you can check out Common App essay examples. 

Which Texas colleges require it?

Surprisingly, many universities in Texas do not require applicants to submit an essay. However, if a school includes an “optional” essay requirement, you should still submit one. The Apply Texas essays are a great way to stand out and enrich your application narrative. 

That being said, some universities in Texas do require applicants to submit Apply Texas Essay A. For instance, Texas A&M requires applicants to respond to Apply Texas Essay A. And, as we mentioned, the UT Austin application also requires Apply Texas Essay A.  

Remember, while going through the Apply Texas application, double-check the essay requirements. They will vary depending on each school. 

How to write Apply Texas Essay A

Like many college essays, Apply Texas Essay A asks you to share experiences that have made you who you are. Whether you have a million ideas or are drawing a complete blank, don’t worry. We’re here to help.

Let’s check out the best way to respond to Apply Texas Essay A.

You could probably tell many stories. Apply Texas Essay A asks you to share just one. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation. 

So, think about significant moments in your life. It could be easier to focus on the last few years, as you’ve probably grown a lot throughout high school. 

Make a list of moments that have changed or shaped you as a person. No moment is too small to include. As long as it shows some growth—and you can write authentically and passionately about it—then it’s a good topic. 

Answer the prompt completely

Now, the prompt mentions an opportunity or challenge. Don’t blatantly point out this in your draft by stating “this was a huge challenge/opportunity.” Most likely, if you’ve chosen a story that shows your personal growth, then it’s probably an opportunity or challenge. And, if you tell your story well, this will come through. 

You will need to clearly show how that moment that you’re sharing has shaped who you are today. For example, let’s say that you want to discuss the day you went to your first protest. From that moment forward you’ve been passionate about activism. That clearly shows how pivotal this moment was in your life. Maybe it’s even shaped what you’d like to study or your future career. 

Remember to research your school, too. Well-written Apply Texas essays will be specific to each individual school. For example, if writing an essay for Southern Methodist University , check out their specific programs and offerings. Even though this isn’t a “why school” essay, you can still link your interests and growth to the school.

Write passionately

This isn’t the time to write vague statements that could apply to any high school student. Your story should be unique to you. Make sure to choose your topic wisely to highlight your passion and authenticity. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative. Set the scene. Remember that it’s much more impactful to show rather than tell when writing. If we continue with our protest example, you might open your essay by describing the atmosphere using descriptive language that puts the reader right there with you. Then, you can reflect back on how this moment has affected you to date. 

Apply Texas Essays – Topic B

While a few schools require applicants to answer the Apply Texas essay A, some may ask you to choose which essay to respond to. Let’s review the second of the Apply Texas essay prompts:

Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of these students, then tell us about yourself.

Again, the goal of this prompt, like all of the Apply Texas essays, is to let you show each school what makes you unique. You should also aim to relate it back to your aspirations. For example, how does who you are shape what you want in your future?

Approaching Apply Texas Essay B

Topic B asks you to explore a part of your identity. Is there something you can point out that shows your values, character, and personality?

For example, maybe you’ve been dancing ballet since you started walking. Maybe it’s become a form of meditation or a way for you to express yourself. Perhaps it’s taught you discipline. It doesn’t matter how it’s shaped you (although it should be in a positive way)—you just need to show how it has impacted you. 

If you decide to focus on an “identity” instead of an “interest,” then you’ve got even more options to choose from. You can choose to highlight your background, experiences, family, values, or other key features. 

Overall, your topic should be unique to you. And, again, don’t be afraid to get creative in writing this essay. Your Apply Texas essays shouldn’t read like a resume; they should be engaging while still answering the prompt. 

Apply Texas Essay Prompts – Topic C

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a university that requires students to respond to the last of the Apply Texas essays. However, you may be given the option of which Apply Texas essay prompts you’d like to respond to. So, let’s check out Essay C.

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

You may notice that this essay seems quite different from the other Apply Texas essays—it gives you a lot more freedom. So, you can really dive into the creativity of this topic. However, remember to not get too carried away and forget that, in the end, you’re still writing a college essay. The main goal, like the other Apply Texas essay prompts, is to show who you are as a person and an applicant. 

Crafting a response to Essay C

For Essay C, your process doesn’t have to be wildly different than it was for the other Apply Texas essay prompts. First, decide what you’ll write about. Start by brainstorming options if nothing comes to mind right away. 

Maybe you have a topic in mind immediately. That’s great! If you can write passionately about your ticket destination and activity, then that’s the topic for you.

Once again, get creative. You could go to a magical land, back in time, outer space, or to a remote island. The ticket and the destination don’t matter—it’s what they show about who you are. 

Most importantly, make sure to tie in your career goals or future aspirations. How will this trip impact you and your future? What experience will you have that will shape you?

Exploring Texas college’s essay requirements

When it comes to factors such as the Apply Texas essay word limit or Apply Texas essay prompts, requirements will vary by school. While the general Apply Texas application will be the same, the Apply Texas essay format will be different. Namely, each school will request different Apply Texas essay prompts. 

Let’s look at some of the essay requirements for the best colleges in Texas:

As you can see, while the Apply Texas application is uniform, the essay requirements vary greatly by school. For instance, you’ll see the Apply Texas essays for the Baylor application vs the University of Houston application are not the same. So, always double-check with your university’s admissions sites for all requirements. 

And, don’t forget, when it comes to “optional” essays, treat them as though they are required. While Texas A&M admissions requires an essay, Texas Tech does not. However, strong essays will impress both Texas Tech and Texas A&M admissions. After all, Apply Texas essays are the best way for schools to get to know you better. 

How important are the Apply Texas essays?

When it comes to the admissions process, the Apply Texas essays are extremely important. In general, college essays let applicants share a part of their personality that they haven’t highlighted elsewhere in their application. 

Additionally, most schools use a holistic admissions approach when evaluating students. That means that they review all parts of the application: GPA, essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and more. In fact, with more schools going test-optional, essays are an even more significant piece of your application puzzle. 

All to say: strong Apply Texas essays can make a huge difference. So, give yourself ample time to write them.

5 Tips to Make Your Apply Texas Essays Stand Out

Since the Apply Texas essays are so important in the admissions process, you’ll want to do everything you can to make yours stand out. 

5 tips to write Apply Texas essays that impress 

1. meet the requirements.

This may seem obvious, but you need to make sure that you understand the requirements for each school. Double-check the word counts and requirements for each to make sure that you hit all targets. 

2. Choose a topic carefully

Your topic is the most important part of the process. If you choose a topic that you aren’t authentically passionate about, it will show. Don’t think about what admissions wants to hear. Instead, choose a topic that you can easily write about. Then go back and fine-tune your essay to answer every aspect of the prompt. 

3. Get creative

Your Apply Texas essays should be engaging and unique. Don’t feel like you need to stick to a certain format. Set the scene and capture your audience. This is your opportunity to show who you are as well as your writing chops. So, as long as you answer each prompt fully, get as creative as you’d like!

4. Show personal growth

Your Apply Texas essays should show how you’ve evolved. Ideally, you should connect your personal growth to future aspirations in college and beyond. No matter the prompt, this is your opportunity to shine. These are college essays, so you want to show what you’ll bring to campus with your responses. 

5. Start early!

The last thing you want to do when it comes to your Apply Texas essays is wait until the last minute. Creating impactful essays will take time. You’ll brainstorm, draft, edit, and redraft. You should also leave enough time to have someone else proofread your essay for mechanical errors. Likewise, if they don’t understand the narrative, you’ll want to rework your story and message so that it makes sense to a reader. 

Apply Texas Essays & More Essay Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Writing the Apply Texas essays can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled many essay resources to help you create your best essays. While admissions requirements and essay prompts will change, the overall goal of your college essays stays the same: show admissions who you are and why you belong at that university. 

Before writing essays, you’ll also want to research specifics about the school. We have college pages that outline acceptance rates, enrollment, majors, and more to give you some quick facts on different schools in Texas. To jumpstart your research, check out the Baylor University , Texas A&M University , and University of Texas Austin pages . However, make sure to also do a deep dive into each university’s website to learn more about specific programs and campus life. 

Essay guides and other resources

Follow up by checking out our essay guides. These guides are specific to individual universities. You may even find it helpful to look at past essay guides such as our Baylor , Texas A&M , or UT Austin essay guides. Again, while prompts may change, the end goal of the essays stays the same. 

Additionally, check out the most recent guides such as this 2022-2023 Texas Christian University guide for the most up-to-date tips on making your essays stand out to TCU admissions. Looking at example essays can also help you get inspired. 

CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of resources to help you on your college journey. No matter if you’re trying to create the best Baylor application or impress Texas A&M admissions, our team can help. For expert guidance on the Apply Texas essays and more, schedule a meeting with our team here .

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

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Freshman Admission Essays

An essay is not required for admission, but it is highly recommended. Essay topics A, B, and C below are the same topics found on the   ApplyTexas application. If you choose to submit an admission essay, select one of these topics . Essays may be submitted through your ApplyTexas or CommonApp account or by using our document uploader.

Essay Topics - ApplyTexas

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

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

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

Writing Essentials

To assist you with your essay, the Texas State English Department has provided the following guide to good essay writing.

Sentence and Paragraph Level

Does the essay reflect a relative mastery of usage, conventions, and vocabulary?

Do the sentences and ideas follow one another in a logical and coherent fashion?

Does the essay reflect a relative knowledge of the proper conventions of grammar? Do not simply use spell check or proofread your essay; read your essay out loud.

Do your sentences and words follow the proper conventions of punctuation and spelling?

Unified Theme or Subject

Narrow your topic to a single topic. Don't try to write a broad, general essay on how your life has changed. You can't do this in one page. 

Are your ideas specific and coherent? Choose language that reflects and relates specific ideas.

Creativity engages the reader. Don’t be afraid to take risks with your writing. Use creative examples.

Use specific examples to help make your points clear. It will make your essay solid and convincing. 

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• Apply Texas College Essay Prompts for Class of 2023

January 17, 2022 By Jolyn Brand

The Apply Texas application is a common application form for most Texas public universities. It allows students to input their information for several different colleges at once. ApplyTexas college essay prompts for class of 2022 are:

• Essay 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?
• Essay B:  Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of these students, then tell us about yourself.
• Essay C:  You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Each school requires a different combination of these three college essays-some require all three, some just one or two, or others make certain ones recommended or optional. Some schools even use these essays for both admissions decisions AND scholarships so it’s important to put time and effort into each one!

UT Short Answer Question Requirements

As part of ApplyTexas, all freshman applicants will also respond to  short-answer questions .

Fall 2022 Prompts-Required Short Answers (250-300 words each):

1.     Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

2.     Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

3.     The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

4.     Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance, including the possible effects of COVID-19.

Texas A&M University-  3 Short Answer Questions for all applicants

• Texas A&M University believes that diversity is an important part of academic excellence and that it is essential to living our core values (loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, respect, and selfless service). Describe the benefits of diversity and inclusion for you personally and for the Texas A&M campus community. (250-300 words)
• Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why.
• Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.

Texas A&M University- Short answer question for Engineering majors (Priority deadline- October 15)

Engineering Essay : Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals?

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Apply Texas Essay Prompts With Tips and Samples

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College admission essays play a crucial role in ensuring that learners achieve their academic goals. Basically, application papers vary from one institution to another because they focus on admitting a vibrant and productive community. In this case, applying for colleges in Texas is unique when compared to other states because learners decide to use either “Coalition for College” or “ApplyTexas” methods. Most Texas colleges require students to ApplyTexas method when completing their admission. However, the “Coalition for College” application is an alternative method that focuses on bridging the gap created by the first option. In turn, these two ways have the same value, and each applicant should use the most effective and accessible approach. The findings presented reveal that students should identify specific requirements for their colleges of choice. Besides, they must provide accurate details concerning their career goals and past experiences. Finally, seeking professional assistance enhances the overall quality of the papers.

General Aspect of Applying in Texas

Applying for college in Texas is unique when compared to other states because every student can either use “Coalition for College” or “ApplyTexas” methods. In this case, many Texas colleges require students to ApplyTexas method when completing their admission. However, the “Coalition for College” application is an alternative method for students. Then, these two ways have the same value, and each applicant should use the most effective and accessible approach. For example, ApplyTexas is an online application that enables individuals to create an account and provide personal information and papers. In turn, “Coalition for College” is more robust and allows students to begin their college admissions after joining high schools. Basically, this approach will enable them to do planning for their education. Also, college application essays vary from one institution to another due to the varying needs of learners. It is because educational institutions focus on admitting a vibrant and productive community. Hence, the writing process allows educational institutes to achieve this objective.

Existing Apply Texas Essay Prompts 2023-2024

Essay prompts for college admission in Texas vary from one academic year to another. For instance, students must focus on identifying topics relevant to their academic year. In this case, these two admission processes have different issues. Basically, learners must identify the most suitable method of application and related topics. Then, each student has to complete several papers to receive admission to college by following the rules of an essay structure. In turn, aspirant students must demonstrate an adequate understanding of the subject to secure an admission position at the college of choice. Also, one may require looking for assistance from professionals to meet the necessary qualifications. In most cases, individuals must provide a specific number of words for each essay. Moreover, prudent scholars use the most straightforward and powerful language to communicate the intended message. Clarity and accuracy are essential factors that one must consider. For example, the following topics have been used in previous years for college admission.

1. ApplyTexas

Topic A applicable for freshmen applicants from the United States and International countries for summer 2023 through spring 2024 is:

Tell us your story. What exclusive opportunities or challenges have you experienced during your high school line of business, which has contributed towards your current character? (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic A for the statement of purpose presented by the transfer, transient, readmit students from the United States or International transfers for summer 2023 through spring 2024 is:

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating situations that you feel could make your application valuable. You may also want to clarify the exceptional features of your academic upbringing or valued experiences you may have, which relates to your career of choice. You should note that the statement of purpose should not be a mere listing of undertakings in high school or a record of your contributions to school-related activities. Instead, you should use it as an opportunity to address the admissions committee directly. A good statement of purpose should allow the committee to learn more about you as an individual. You should provide details that an interested person may not obtain from transcripts and other application information (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic B for freshmen applicants from the United States and International countries for summer 2023 through spring 2024 is:

Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines their character most uniquely or exceptionally. Tell us about yourself (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic B for the transfer, transient, readmit students from the United States or International transfers for summer 2023 through spring 2024 is:

If you were applying as a former student and were away from the institution due to suspensions for academic reasons, give a clear description of the specific activities that you took to improve your academic abilities. Besides, give reasons why you should receive readmission. If you are applying as a non-degree seeking or post-baccalaureate applicant, provide a brief description of the specific objectives you wish to accomplish after you receive an admission. Make sure to include the courses that you would like to enroll (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic C for a freshman from the United States and other countries applying for summer 2023 through spring 2024, the topic is:

You have got a ticket in your hand – Where do you intend to go? What do you plan to do? Give a detailed account of what will happen when you get there? (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic C for the transfer, transient, and readmit learners from the United States, or International transfers was:

You may have some personal information that you want to consider as part of your admissions application. Write an essay that describes this information. A good essay should include unique hardships, encounters, prospects that influenced or impacted your abilities and academic credentials, personal responsibilities, extraordinary achievements and talents, and educational objectives. Besides, you should include the ways that you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic D relates to an essay specific to certain college majors. In this case, one should note that not all colleges or universities that rely on ApplyTexas Application require students to complete this essay. Besides, aspiring college students who intend to take majors in Architecture, Art, Art History, Design, Studio Art, and Visual Art Studies, or Art Education should complete this essay. Hence, one of the common topics is:

Personal interaction with objects, images, and spaces can have a powerful influence on how individuals think about specific issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies, or art education), give a clear description of an experience where instruction caused this type of change. You should also provide a personal interaction with an object, image, or space that caused this type of unprecedented change. What did you do to act upon your new thinking, and what steps have you taken to prepare for further study in this area? (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

Topic E for the transfer, transient, and readmit learners from the United States or International transfers were:

Choose an issue that has significant importance to your life – some of the matters that you can examine may include personal, school-related, local, political, or international in scope. Besides, you can write an essay where you give a clear and accurate explanation of the significance of your issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation (“ApplyTexas Essay Questions,” 2023).

2. Coalition for College

The following essay prompts are applicable for students who decide to make their college application through “Coalition for College.”

1. Tell a story from your life that describes an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape your behavior (“Coalition Application Essay Prompts,” 2023). 2. Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution (“Coalition Application Essay Prompts,” 2023). 3. Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the encounter affect your expectations? (“Coalition Application Essay Prompts,” 2023). 4. What is the hardest part of being a student now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)? (“Coalition Application Essay Prompts,” 2023). 5. Choose a topic that you find appropriate and write an essay (“Coalition Application Essay Prompts,” 2023).

Students should focus on providing the most appropriate and accurate information when writing essays. covering an essay outline. Basically, the most important facts that a learner should consider may include the depth of piece prompts. For instance, the “Coalition for College” application has fewer questions that ask for more details about learners. In this case, a college applicant must focus on providing adequate information to convince the admission committee about qualifications by considering an outline format. In turn, every aspiring college student should remember that each school requires a different combination of papers. However, some institutions may require one to write all the essay prompts or at least two. The preparation stage should include identifying the essay requirement needed for every college. Therefore, learners should focus on providing accurate details required to meet the specific needs of colleges.

How to Standout

Students can rely on adequate preparation and professional support to stand out from the crowd and win a spot. Basically, the admission committee focuses on unique papers when allocating admission opportunities to applicants. In this case, one should focus on ways to promote the quality of necessary compositions required by a college. Moreover, adequate preparation allows students to gather enough details for their writing purpose. Then, professional assistance can help students to horn their writing skills and deliver outstanding papers that appeal to admission officers. In other instances, experts can assist one in identifying flaws that can reduce the overall quality of college admission essays. Therefore, timely and adequate preparation and seeking professional assistance when writing a paper is the most effective way to get a college admission opportunity.  

Answer Different Essay Prompts

• Why are you interested in the major that you indicated as your first choice course?
• What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career, which shaped your career choice?
•  People can demonstrate leadership in different ways. Share how you have shown leadership in your school, community, or career. How do you intend to use leadership skills in your future career? 
• Please share how you believe that your experiences, perspectives, and talents can shape your ability to contribute towards and enrich the learning environments at the college. You should focus on in and outside classroom instances.
• Share background on events or special cases that may have impacted your academic performance in high school. How will you control such issues to ensure that you complete your studies effectively?

One’s choice of a major can influence responses to the above questions. For example, colleges assume that students make informed career choices when selecting majors. In this case, an applicant must engage in activities that enhance the skills and knowledge in selected courses. Also, applicants should relate past experiences and interests to the major selected. For instance, connecting the chosen majors to past experiences and leadership contributions shows the admission committee that one can make a significant contribution to society. In turn, the approach increases the opportunity to receive acceptance from the admission officers.

Significance of Resumes

Resumes done previously for work and colleges can help one to improve the quality of the admission essay. Basically, students include their skills and experiences when writing papers. In this case, using the information for writing admission papers can prevent learners from omitting important skills and expertise. Moreover, those who include adequate information tend to convince the admission committee that they can benefit from a college education and give back to their communities. In turn, most higher learning institutions focus on molding all-rounded students who can become productive members of their communities. Also, including some information used in resumes makes the admission committee determine if applicants can become productive members of their societies. Hence, students should consider integrating their resumes into college essays to promote the overall quality and chances to receive admission.

Truth Versus Idealization

Students should consider telling the truth as opposed to idealizing the information presented in college admission letters. In particular, accurate details, given most effectively, improve the overall quality of essays. The admission committee seeks to identify the abilities of every person who applies for a learning position. For instance, accurate facts allow the selection to make informed decisions and provide people who can make significant changes to the community a chance to study. In this case, responsible officers can reject one’s application if they realize the presence of false details in the paper. Also, applicants should not risk losing their chances to pursue higher learning by providing incorrect information. In turn, writing several drafts of college admission essays can ensure that learners prepare unique papers that can help them on the spot. The following specific benefits of providing accurate as opposed to ideal details are presented below:

Advantages of Providing Accurate Details When Writing College Essays

• Accurate details make admission essays appear believable.
• Precise features allow the college admission committee to identify various weaknesses that a learner has and may require adequate support.
• Accurate information allows colleges to plan programs that may benefit learners maximally in achieving their desired career goals.
• Accurate details increase the chances of securing an admission position. Most people may tend to doubt idealized information, which can result in the cancelation of one’s admission.
• Substantial evidence in admission papers allows the selection committee to categorize learners depending on their potential.

College admission papers play a crucial role in ensuring that learners achieve their academic goals. In this case, application essays vary from one institution to another because they focus on admitting a vibrant and productive community. However, the definition of such learners may differ in different states. For instance, applying for college in Texas is unique when compared to other countries because learners decide to use either “Coalition for College” or “ApplyTexas” methods. In turn, most Texas colleges require students to ApplyTexas method when completing their admission. On the other hand, the “Coalition for College” application is an alternative method that focuses on bridging the gap created by the first option. The two ways have the same value, and each applicant should use the most effective and accessible approach. As a result, one should remember the following tips when writing a college admission essay:

• Provide accurate details in the essay.
• Relate experiences, career goals, and past experiences. This strategy makes essays outstanding and believable.
• College applicants should focus on seeking professional assistance when writing their admission essays.    

ApplyTexas essay questions. (2020). Retrieved from www.applytexas.org website: https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/html/preview20/essay_preview.html

Coalition Application essay prompts. (2020). Retrieved from Coalition for College website: https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/essays

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University of Texas at Dallas | UT Dallas’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

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?

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What to expect from applytexas.

With ApplyTexas, you can apply to any Texas public university or community college, and many private universities.

To begin the application process, you will create an account. Once logged in, you will see a prompt to find the right application for you. You will answer a few questions and we will tell you which applications you will use to apply to college. Next, you can start your Core Questions. Core Questions allow you to answer questions one time and share your responses with all the schools you apply to. Finally, use the school search function to find and save the schools you wish to apply for. Answer the school specific questions and you are ready to submit your application!

Before you start

Before creating an ApplyTexas account, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success.

Explore programs on My Texas Future

Ask for help, preview application questions, create an account.

To begin your college and university applications, you need to create an ApplyTexas account. You will use this account to apply for admission or transfer to schools. Not ready to apply? Start searching for and saving schools that interest you. 

To create an account, you will need: 

• Your name 
• Date of birth 
• Phone number 
• ZIP code 

With an account, you can login and view resources on My Texas Future as well as ApplyTexas. 

Find the right application

Once you create and log in to your account, it’s time to start your college journey!  

Before you start an application, you will need to answer a few questions and we will tell you which applications you’re eligible for. Your answers to these questions also help us recommend some additional schools to consider applying to. 

Start your application

Once you know which applications you are eligible for, it’s time to start your college journey!  

You can begin your Core Questions from your dashboard. Your Core Questions are part of every college application you submit. ApplyTexas shares your responses to Core Questions with all colleges and universities you apply to. 

Because this is an important part of your application, keep these tips in mind as you begin: 

Save your progress and come back later

Review your answers.

Once you finish your Core Questions, visit the “Core Questions” page to review your answers. Next, use the “School search” page to select the schools you would like to apply to.

Select a school

Once your Core Questions are complete, select the school(s) you would like to apply to using the “School search” page. 

Here you can filter by school, application type, and preferred semester to find the program that is right for you. In the search results you will see deadlines, application fees, essay requirements, and more.  

If you are not ready to begin a school application, favorite the school to save it for later. These applications will show up on your dashboard.  

You do not need to complete your Core Questions or create an account to see what school applications are available on ApplyTexas. Simply visit the “School search” page to see available applications.

Finish and submit your application

You may need to answer more questions from each school to submit your application. Once you have selected the schools you want to apply to, the dashboard shows your progress with each school’s application. If you have any remaining questions to answer for schools, you will know from checking your progress on your dashboard. Remember, ApplyTexas sends both Core Questions and school-required questions as a part of your application to each school.

Write essays

Writing application essays is often challenging. Take time to review prompts, outline, and draft your essay. Have someone review your responses to ensure your essay is the best reflection of your writing abilities.  

Essays are not a requirement for every school. You can f ind details on essay requirements for each school on the school search page.  

School search  

Track progress

View progress on your Core Questions and school-required questions on your dashboard. Each application card on your dashboard shows the steps needed to complete your application.  

You can also see your progress by opening your application and looking at the progress bar at the top of the page.  

After submitting your application

Send transcripts.

Colleges and universities ask that you send official transcripts for any college courses taken. Send transcripts directly to the school you’re applying to . You cannot upload transcripts through the ApplyTexas portal.

Pay application fees

Some colleges and universities require an application fee. You may see a fee shown when submitting your application. If so, you will need to pay to schools outside of the ApplyTexas portal.

Fee waivers help students who may not be able to afford this application fee. To be eligible for a fee waiver, students may need to show paying the application fee will cause financial hardship.

Supporting documents

Some schools may require you to submit additional documents. For example, if you applied to an arts program, schools may ask you to send in a portfolio. They may also ask for a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). The school collects these documents. Schools will send information about how to submit these documents.

Send test scores

M any schools requir e you to send entrance exam scores. You can submit your application without them, but schools won’t review your application until they receive your scores. Find specific entrance exam requirements for each program on the school search page.

If you wish to register for an exam, visit the test’s site.  

Wait for admissions decisions

Congrats! By this point you will have submitted your application and completed any required next steps, such as paying fees and submitting transcripts. The school will send admissions decisions directly to you. While you wait for this decision, you can review your submission and apply to additional schools using ApplyTexas.

Need help paying for college? Get Started

• Texas Scholarships

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Showing 1–25 of 45 results

Extraordinary Scholarship

Five high school students from Texas can be awarded the Extraordinary Scholarship of $1,000, administered by Daniel Stark to pursue their undergraduate studies annually.

Jon Yi Education Scholarship

The Jon Yi Education Scholarship awards $1,000 to high school seniors pursuing a two- or four-year degree at an accredited Texas-based post-secondary institution of their choice.

ASHRAE Region VIII Scholarship

The $3,000- grant aims to support full-time students pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree in any of the ASHRAE authorized programs.

Gulf Coast Hurricane Scholarship

The Gulf Coast Hurricane Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students residing and studying plastic industry-related courses at postsecondary institutions in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.

The James M. & Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund

James M. & Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to eligible students to pursue undergraduate degrees in arts and sciences, human services, music, or ministry at an accredited college.

Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation Loan

Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation offers $8,000 interest-free loans to Texas high school graduates and college students intending to complete their undergraduate studies at an accredited institution in Texas.

CJ Davidson Scholarship for FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)

The C.J. Davidson Scholarship for FCCLA of $2,250 is awarded to ten graduating high school seniors in Texas who will attend a four-year college in the same state.

Matsuo Bridge Company Ltd. of Japan Scholarship

The American Welding (AWS) Foundation offers the Matsuo Bridge Company Ltd. of Japan Scholarship to a student enrolled in a welding engineering-related discipline at an accredited high institution nationwide.

Curwen-Guidry Scholarship Fund

The Fund awards high school seniors who are bowlers in the USBC League to further their education. It’s open to students in the nine states part of the Southern Bowling Congress.

Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest – High School Seniors

The Scholarship Contest awards 30 scholarships to high school senior students who live in states with Regions' full service and plan to enroll in undergraduate programs of their choice.

Susan Howard Community Service Award

The British American Foundation of Texas annually awards students in Texas and Great Britain a scholarship worth $5,000 for their community service.

Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest – College Students

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest awards 30 scholarships to undergraduate students who live in states with Regions' full service and are enrolled in undergraduate programs of their choice.

V&E Diversity Scholarship

Vinson & Elkins offers $10,000 to seven high school senior students of a minority in Houston, Dallas, and Austin to enroll in law undergraduate degree programs at accredited universities or colleges.

Ann Arnold Scholarship

The Ann Arnold Scholarship is an annual award of $5,000 to a junior, senior, or graduate student enrolled in a broadcast journalism program at a four-year institution in Texas.

Davis Memorial Foundation

The Western States Roofing Contractors Association awards undergraduate and graduate students scholarships to enroll in a trade school or pursue a degree in a field related to construction.

HSC Scholarship

The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium seeks to support Hispanic and Latino students in Texas to study at a university or college in the United States.

Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship

The Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship offers twenty $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors.

SAWF Scholarship Program

The Southern Automotive Women's Forum Scholarship Program provides scholarships between $1,000 and $5,000 to women enrolled or who plan to enroll in a STEM-related field.

Ab Irvine Scholarship Program

Santa Fe Civitan awards two undergraduate or graduate students, passionate to help children with special needs, the $2,000 Ab Irvine Scholarship Program each to pursue their undergraduate or graduate studies.

BSN and post-baccalaureate Scholarship

The $1,000 BSN and post-baccalaureate Scholarship is awarded by an organization that wholly and solely supports the nursing community, this scholarship is extremely prestigious and coveted.

LVN and A.D.N. Scholarship

The $500 LVN & A.D.N Scholarship awarded by an organization dedicated to supporting the nursing community, is just what you need to move forward in your nursing career.

National Rice Month Scholarship Contest

The National Rice Month Scholarship Contest takes place with a handsome scholarship to financially assist high school graduating seniors pursuing higher education degrees at accredited post-secondary institutions across the U.S.

C. Lamar Meek Memorial Scholarship

The winner of the C. Lamar Meek Memorial Scholarship receives $1,500 to finance studies in an area related to medical and veterinary entomology.

Study.com November Scholarships

The Study.com November Scholarships offer 30 students in any field of study from the United States or 25 specific states a $500 scholarship each to pursue their undergraduate studies.

Fifth Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program

The program, administered by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, provides up to $5,000 to students planning to take the CPA examination and be CPA certified in Texas.

About Texas Scholarships

Texas is a state that has it all: big cities, small towns, beaches, mountains, deserts, and forests. With its diverse geography and population of over 28 million people, there is something for everyone in the Lone Star State. Texas is an exciting place to study, with a wide range of educational opportunities and activities. From the bustling cities of Dallas and Houston to the vast open spaces of West Texas, students can explore everything from world-renowned museums to some of the nation’s best beaches. With its vibrant culture and diverse population, it is no wonder that so many people choose to pursue their studies in this great state. Whether you are looking for a degree program or just want to take advantage of all that Texas has to offer, there is something for everyone here!

Did you know that there is over $1.5 billion in scholarship money available to students in Texas? That’s a lot of money that can help pay for school! There are all sorts of scholarships available, from academic to athletic scholarships, to ones for special talents or unique backgrounds. No matter what your interests or strengths are, there is probably a scholarship out there for you. These Texas 2023 scholarships will make a big difference in how much debt you graduate with!

10 best scholarships in Texas

There are a lot of scholarships available for Texas – so we gathered 10 of the best value ones. These scholarships are open to Texas students, some are open to students across the U.S., and have minimal application requirements.

Scholarships in Texas for high school seniors 2023

High school seniors in Texas have a great opportunity to pursue their dreams of higher education with the help of scholarships available to them. With so many different types of scholarships available, there is likely one that will fit every student’s unique needs and interests. Many of these scholarships are merit- or need-based, while others focus on specific fields of study or target certain demographic groups. Some schools may offer special awards for students who demonstrate academic excellence or participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or community service. It is important for high school seniors to research all the scholarship opportunities they qualify for and apply early to increase their chances of receiving an award.

Here are three scholarships in Texas for high school seniors that we love. – The Coca-Cola Scholars Program provides merit-based scholarships to high school seniors based on academic excellence, leadership and community involvement worth up to $20,000. – The Terry Foundation Scholars program offer $5,000 to students to attend either Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Texas State University, The University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University, University of Texas, Arlington, or the University of Texas at El Paso – The Wischer Scholarship worth $11,000 is offred by Frost Bank.

There are more than 40 scholarships available for students in Texas, so have a look and find the right one for you. You can also search through the 300+ high school senior scholarships .

Cost of College in Texas 2023

It’s no secret that college tuition costs can be a major financial burden for many students and their families. In Texas, the average cost of college tuition per year across all institutions is $9,611 for in-state students and $22,541 for out-of-state students. This amounts to an average total cost of attendance (including room and board) of approximately $20,000–$30,000 annually depending on whether the student lives on or off campus. Additionally, some Texas universities offer reduced tuition rates for certain groups such as military veterans and members of religious organizations. By researching available scholarships and taking advantage of any discounts offered by colleges or universities in Texas, it may be possible to reduce overall college expenses significantly.

Texas is a great state for college students looking to save money on tuition. With over 200 public and private universities throughout the state, there are plenty of options for those who want to pursue higher education without breaking the bank. Here are three of the most affordable colleges in Texas: the University of Texas at El Paso, The University of North Texas, and Stephen F. Austin State University. At UTEP, undergraduate tuition fees start as low as $6,788 per year; UNT starts at $10,890 per year; and SFA’s undergrad rates begin at just $9,888 per year. These schools offer excellent facilities and resources that provide students with a quality education while keeping costs manageable.

Why study in Texas 2023?

If you are a graduating high school senior or even a college or graduate student then consider some of these reasons why you should study at a college in Texas. Texas state offers some of the most rigorous academic programs to students, with leading research institutions at an affordable college cost. The state is diverse, with lively cities and an affordable cost of living. Texas also has plenty of economic and employment opportunities that will benefit students after graduation or even for finding jobs while studying.

Scholarships for women in Texas 2023

Women in Texas have made great strides toward achieving educational success. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, women make up almost 60% of college students enrolled in public universities and colleges across the state. Women also account for 55% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded by four-year institutions, showing that they are highly dedicated and motivated when it comes to pursuing higher education.

To support this growing population of female college students, there are several scholarships available specifically for women who reside in Texas or attend college within the state’s borders. These scholarships provide financial assistance to help cover tuition costs as well as other expenses related to their studies such as books, supplies, transportation, and more. With these resources available, women can achieve their academic goals without worrying about how they will pay for them.

Women in Texas have the opportunity to make their educational dreams a reality with the help of scholarships designed specifically for them. These scholarships are available from various organizations and institutions across the state, providing financial assistance to female students so they can pursue higher education without worrying about how they will pay for it. From covering tuition costs to helping with other expenses related to their studies, these scholarships provide essential support that enables women to achieve success in college and beyond.

So if you’re a female student in Texas looking for financial assistance to help make your academic dreams come true, be sure to check out the list of scholarships available specifically for women in the state. With the right resources and support, you can achieve all your goals and reach new heights in your education. Good luck!

Tips for Winning Texas Scholarships

1. Start early: The earlier you start your scholarship search, the better chance you have at finding the right scholarships for you and applying for them in time. Most scholarships require applications to be submitted several months before the money is actually given out, so it’s important to get a head start on your search. Also, some scholarships have an early bird deadline that you should be aware of.

2. Use the right resources: There are a lot of different resources out there for finding Texas scholarships, so it’s important to use the right ones. Be sure to check with your school, state government, and local community organizations for scholarship opportunities in your area. There are also plenty of online resources, such as scholarship search engines and websites dedicated to helping students find scholarships.

3. Write a great essay: Many scholarships require an essay as part of the application process. It’s important to take this seriously and write a compelling essay that stands out from the rest. Be sure to follow all instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any scholarships for women in texas.

There are 30 Texas scholarships specifically for women. Namely, the LPA Scholarship , the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship , and the Society of Women Engineers Scholarship . In addition, 43 of our scholarships call for applications from any gender, including women. If you’re looking for scholarships for women outside Texas, head to our Scholarships for Women page.

How many scholarships are there for high school seniors in Texas?

There are 13 different scholarships available in our Scholaroo database for high school seniors in Texas. A scholarship that may be of particular interest because of the minimum requirements, is the Texas History Essay Contest . This scholarship calls for graduating high school seniors to submit an essay to stand a chance to win up to $4,000 in a cash prize for college.

How to apply for scholarships in Texas?

There are a variet of scholarships available in Texas, so your first step is to do some research. Figure out which scholarships you’re eligible for and suit your needs, and start reading through the requirements. Planning will be key for success so ensure you are well aware of all deadlines for each application. Gather all the necessary documents and save them in an easy accessible location – things such as your transcript, financial information, acceptance letter, will be required often. Ensure that you understand the rules for submitting — things such as file formatting is critical as you may be disqualified if it’s incorrect. If you need to submit extra materials such as an essay or survey, we recommend that you first plan out your responses and review them a few times before submitting. Some scholarships have requirements for after the award has been disbursed, such as mainting a certain GPA or sending regular academic reports, ensure that you are aware ofthis before accepting.

Are there any scholarships for minorities in Texas?

There are 3  Texas scholarships that are for minority students. Specifically, the LPA Scholarship, the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program and the HSC Scholarship . The LPA Scholarship is to improve diversity in engineering and architecture fields, any student from a minority group may apply. ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! program and HSC Scholarship is for Hispanic students only.

Are there scholarships in Texas for college students?

There are 21  Texas scholarships that call for applications from college students. Most of the scholarships in Texas are for those already enrolled in a college or university, or those who will be soon.

How many full-ride scholarships are available in Texas?

There aren’t many full-ride scholarships specifically for Texas. The Terry Foundation Scholars is one. They offer funding to cover tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and more. You will need to graduate from a Texas high school and attend one of the 13 Texas public universities to receive this full-ride scholarship. If you’re looking for full-ride scholarships outside Texas, check out The Gates Scholarship or the Science Ambassador Scholarship .

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Texas A&M University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: May 1

You Have: 

Texas A&M University 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: Two required essays of 250 words each; one optional essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball , Additional Information

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (250 words)

This prompt is incredibly vague, which is kinda awesome because it sets you up to talk about almost anything you want. Which life event has sparked personal growth? What do you think it takes to be successful and how do you embody those qualities? Maybe a parent’s fragile health situation challenged you to take on more responsibilities than the average teenager, preparing you for the hard work ahead. Or perhaps you learned to love your football team’s playback sessions, as they forced you to routinely examine your mistakes, welcome constructive criticism, and guide you toward self-improvement. Whatever story you choose to tell, be sure to infuse it with personal details that no one else could include in their essay.

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (250 words)

Who is the first person to come to mind when you read this prompt? The person you write about can be someone in your immediate circle, larger network, or on the world stage. Remember that the person you choose is going to say a lot about what you value and respect in others. Maybe an adult in your life has served as a mentor and role model for you, or perhaps the person who has impacted you most is a close friend and confidant. Once you identify the person you’d like to write about, be sure to summarize who they are to you, how they have impacted your life, and how you’ve changed as a result of knowing them.

If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about, please note them in the space below. (250 words)

Let us start by saying: this prompt is not for everyone. If your GPA has not dramatically increased or decreased during your high school career, move along. If, on the other hand, you’re thinking, “Yes! An opportunity for me to explain!” then read on.  Your transcripts are like Garfield Minus Garfield . Sure, we can see that something’s changed from frame to frame, but we don’t know why. Grades need context. Admissions doesn’t know why or how things happened—good or bad—so ake a look at your grades and note any anomalies or odd jumps/drops. Think back to that time in your life and tell your story. Maybe your family struggled with financial instability or the loss of a loved one. Maybe you started meeting virtually with a tutor and climbed from a fall semester C in geometry to a spring semester A. No matter your story, you are not alone in your journey of ups and downs—high school is a veritable war zone of distractions and possibilities. And, remember, everyone loves a comeback. 

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A place to share anything related to Texas A&M and the surrounding area.

Questions on application for Fall 2023

Out of state parent. My son will be applying in August for fall 2023. He wants CS so he would apply engineering (right?). He is in top 2% in his OOS school and has around 1,500 on SAT and likely NMF for our state. I heard that A&M will be adding the Common App for this upcoming cycle and my son wants to do that and not have to create a separate Apply Texas account just for his A&M app. We also want to make sure his app is in fairly early in August as I have heard that being early is important to A&M. Should he just do the Common App and hopefully no timing delay or glitches from the A&M rollout? Or is important enough to be early that he should creat an Apply Texas account?

Also I read that there are up to two optional teacher recommendations but they are not required. How important are the teacher recommendations? He has already asked two teachers but they are on summer break and won’t be back for school until mid/late August. Just wondering if he should submit earrings August or wait for teacher recommendations for late August?

Essay Prompts Fall 2023 Applications (Go Apply Texas and University of California)

Is there a way to get the essay prompts for Fall 2023 application, so that I can complete my work in the summer? I have searched online and I see some past examples but it appears that Texas and California are yet to release prompts for Fall 2023 process. Do they generally rinse and repeat? How does one get ready for the process? thanks so much!

The UC personal insight topics should remain the same for 2023 applicants.

What Starts Here

   , ph.d. program, master's programs, portfolio program in robotics, admissions & incoming students, current students, online programs & degrees, master's degrees, student experience, new “essentials of ai” course launches this fall.

Credit: The University of Texas at Austin

The Department of Computer Science and the Good Systems program present a one semester-credit-hour course titled “Essentials of AI for Life and Society.”

Experts in artificial intelligence predict that AI-powered technologies will continue to become more and more a part of our everyday lives. It will affect how we work, spend our leisure time, make policy decisions and make sense of the world around us. And yet, most of us don’t really understand how the technologies work or what their potential risks and benefits are.

UT Austin’s Department of Computer Science , in partnership with the university’s Good Systems program, is launching a new course this fall titled The Essentials of AI for Life and Society . Beginning the week of August 21, the one semester-credit-hour course will provide basic AI literacy and cover the ethical and societal implications of AI technologies. It’s open to all students at UT Austin, regardless of major, as well as staff and faculty. No prerequisites, technical knowledge or programming skills are required.

Peter Stone — professor of computer science, director of Texas Robotics, founding member of Good Systems, and one of the course’s co-instructors — thinks every part of the economy will be touched in some way by AI.

“To succeed in the coming world, it’s going to be essential to be familiar with AI tools and be able to strategize about what’s going to be the role of human creativity and human labor and human value in the economy, compared to AI tools,” he said.

Students can register at the Office of the Registrar to take the course (CS 109) for credit.

Staff, faculty and graduate students can sign up here , preferably by September 5th, to audit the course without credit.

The course will be taught by three core computer science faculty — Joydeep Biswas, Don Fussell and Stone — as well as several guest lecturers from other areas of the university that intersect with AI technology, including the Moody College of Communication, the School of Information, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the Cockrell School of Engineering.

“There has been a real tipping point in terms of the power of AI and in particular its accessibility to a huge array of applications,” said David Vanden Bout, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, who initiated the first discussions around the new course. “Giving UT students both a broad perspective on AI as well as the ethical considerations of its application will equip our students with key knowledge of a technology that is likely to become pervasive in our lives.”

The first part of the course is an introduction to what AI and machine learning are, including the major methodologies and paradigms, as well as a few application areas like computer vision, natural language processing, reasoning under uncertainty and robotics. The second part will focus on societal implications, such as impacts on the workforce, proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, challenges to democracy and benefits.

“Every UT student is going to touch artificial intelligence in some way, shape or form,” said Sharon Strover, professor in the School of Journalism and Media, Good Systems’ chair and a key organizer of the course. “We want to catch them early, so that we can help shape the agenda that they carry around with them with respect to what AI technologies are, what some of the do’s and don’t’s are, and what they want their relationship with technology to be as they encounter AI.”

Good Systems is one of UT Austin’s interdisciplinary research Grand Challenges housed in the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. Its focus is on how to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence for the good of all of society, while mitigating potential harms and unintended consequences.

The course, which runs the entire fall semester, has a hybrid format. It will meet every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. for a live, synchronous lecture that can be attended in-person at the LAITS studio classroom or streaming online. Each week, there will be an assigned reading, an interactive lecture and short assessments. Students have the option to take the course for a letter grade or pass/fail. For additional information and to test your computer and internet connectivity, go to LAITS Online Courses for Students .

“My number one hope is that participants get the ability to discern what’s realistic and what’s science fiction, to be able to understand the terminology that’s being used in the news, to be able to apply the lessons to real decisions that they need to make in their own careers and to be engaged and inform the public debate about how our society should respond to these new technologies,” Stone said.

Cross-posted from the College of Natural Sciences By Marc Airhart