msu college essay prompts

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How to Write the Michigan State University Essays 2018-2019

Located in East Lansing, Michigan State University is a large public institution with over 50,000 enrolled students. Michigan State offers an education focused on bettering the common good and everyday life, while also providing research and study-abroad programs in popular fields such as business, agriculture, and engineering.

Outside the classroom, Michigan State boasts of numerous student clubs and organizations, including Greek life. The university’s strong performance in NCAA Division I athletics — especially in football and basketball — makes the high-spirited green-and-white Spartans nationally well-known.

Michigan State accepted around 66% from the applicant pool this past year. For applicants, MSU requires two personal statements, a task that may initially seem challenging. CollegeVine has prepared this guide to help you tackle these prompts with success!

Looking for another essay guide? Search our College Essay Guide Database to find additional essay prompts.

MSU Application Essay Prompts

Prompt #1: difficult situation, describe a difficult or challenging situation you have faced. briefly state the situation, how you responded and why, would you have done anything differently, did you turn to anyone for help, and if so, for advice, consultation, assistance, and/or encouragement (200 words or less).

For those of you also applying to other schools, this question may seem very similar to the second Common Application prompt about overcoming a challenging experience. Essentially, the admissions officer reading your application wants to know how you deal with and grow from difficulty .

To write this essay, first brainstorm moments in your life, specifically challenging ones. Try to aim for experiences that troubled you at first, but you were able to overcome through your own efforts or with the help of others. This will display your capacity to face challenges, no matter how big or small, at Michigan State.

Some examples :

At the state championship meet, you lost your team’s relay; however, through perseverance, you trained with focus and determination, resulting in a comeback win the following year. This example shows that you are able to redirect a significant failure into a success with a growth mindset, revealing that you are capable of dealing with challenges in the future.
In your junior year, you failed the first biology test of the year. You feel as if your dreams of becoming a physician are crushed, so you give up. However, you ultimately seek extra help from your teacher in hopes of getting back on the right track. In doing so, not only do your grades slowly rise, but you also gain a newfound friendship. Although academics is a common topic to discuss, this example adds another element of depth by discussing friendships with teachers. This example shows that you use your resources to formulate genuine connections.

While the prompt asks for a statement that could potentially be large, the 200-word limit forces you to be concise and straightforward . Focus on three aspects in the essay: the challenge, the steps you took, and your reflection. Avoid including extra, unnecessary details. Overall, aim to write about a challenge that was significant to you and served as a defining moment for your personal growth.

Prompt #2: Unfair Treatment

Briefly describe a situation where you or someone close to you was not treated fairly. what did you do at the time and why; would you do anything differently; has it impacted or changed who you are today (200 words or less).

Like the first prompt, this question helps to unearth more of your personality; this time, however, the idea is centered around the concept of justice. What do you believe is fair? How do you proceed to maintain it? If something unjust occurs, how significantly does it affect you? These are the questions you should consider when approaching this essay.

Similar to the previous prompt, this moment should have a heavy weight on your defining identity, regardless of how big or small the actual experience was. Essentially, this moment shaped the way you perceive, process, and deal with injustice .

Sample ideas :

One of your best friends comes out as gay in high school. For the most part, everyone accepts him for who he is; however, a handful of peers harass and bully him. Because it hurts you to see him treated so negatively, you decide to start an LGBTQ+ club, which allows members and allies to meet in a safe and welcoming space. Any experience you have with social-rights inequality work great here. In this specific idea, you are the one witnessing the injustice, and because you feel so moved, you actively decide to make a grand gesture at school.
At a debate competition, the judge allows the host’s team to unfairly enter the final round, automatically blocking your chances of winning. You know you deserved impartial evaluation, but are infuriated that this opportunity was taken away from you. Instead of letting your emotions commandeer, however, you respect that decision and exemplify good sportsmanship for the duration of the competition. This example works because your frustration towards the situation is evident. Additionally, your response — displaying sportsmanship and respect — shows that you are, first and foremost, a mature person.
You want to join in on some friendly football with your male friends, but they laugh and say, “But you’re a girl!” It is difficult to receive sexist remarks, especially from friends, but you do not just walk away. Instead, you join in and win with class, educating them that you can play just as well, if not better, as a woman. This example deals with the clash of gender roles, and it succeeds at displaying injustice. Your response illustrates that you do not give in easily to harsh words and that you successfully prove yourself to be a force to reckon with.

The 200-word limit can be difficult to follow, since this prompt is also a hefty topic. As such, be concise and follow this structural format: the unfair treatment, the response, and your reflection. Be critical of the unfairness, but also express a sense of appreciation for the experience, especially if it significantly impacted your identity. Show readers that you have had encounters with injustice and are ready to tackle them at your time at Michigan State University.

In these personal statements, if you’re honest and reflective, then your personality will shine brightest. We wish you good luck on these essays and a successful application process!

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

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Michigan State University Admission Essays

Diversity and pursuing excellence.

Introduction As I stand on the precipice of my college journey, I am captivated by the timeless allure of Michigan State University. Renowned for its commitment to innovation, global leadership, and fostering an inclusive community, MSU stands as a beacon of academic excellence and limitless…

My Sister is My Role Model

In this essay, I will explore why my sister is my role model. Growing up, I admired her and aspired to follow in her footsteps. However, our relationship evolved when we moved to the United States, and I began to see her as not just…

Pride Before the Fall

When I chose to select this essay prompt, many of my friends thought I was insane. All things considered, for what reason would I tell strangers, particularly college admission officials, that I had failed at something. Besides, how do we even characterize failure? Does it…

A Second Chance

Disappointing your parents to the point where they start crying and questioning if all the sacrifices, they’ve made for you were worth it or not is the worst feeling a child can face. Especially after your parents left their home country, their parents, their friends…

My Motivation to Become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

While the whole world is trying to survive during this Covid-19 pandemic, all the countries are trying to provide the best Financial support to businesses without considering the business size whether it is an SME or a large corporation. Businesses always require financial support. Throughout,…

Once Bitten Twice Shy

Finally, I’m starting to write my college essay. I don’t know what is hard, constructing it or trying to think of my achievements, I was raised to be modest about my achievements, whatever they might be. Applying for college is nothing but bragging, and it…

How My Physical Abilities Have Changed My LIfe

I was faced up, looking at the ceiling as I was being pushed down the hallway in a stretcher. I was able to see my reflection in the ceiling and thought that I looked funny with my hospital cap and gown. Everyone kept asking me…

My Philosophy of Education: Become a Teacher

Introduction To start with, this is why do you want to become a teacher essay where I will explaine my passion in teaching. I’ve known for 6 years now that I’ve wanted to be a teacher even with many people telling me it’s not the…

Personal Statement on Why I Want to Teach

What can be a purpose of becoming a techer? In “Why I want to teach” essay I will explaine my purpose of becoming a teacher. Moreover, within the “Why I want to become a teacher” essay I will share where I am going to study…

Breaking Boundaries with Mathematics

Michigan State University has always been at the top of my list when it comes to choosing a college. The outstanding reputation of the university’s Mathematics department and its strong emphasis on research and innovation are the primary reasons that have motivated me to apply…

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Application Materials – A Tricky Genre To Master

So, you’ve decided to apply for something. You’ve taken notes on the application requirements, mentally planned your timeline, updated your resume/CV, and started brainstorming narratives to use in your statements. What next?

Application materials are a tricky genre to master because the writer has to balance a lot of rhetorical moves at once; answering the prompt, staying within word count, telling a story, and showing their best side to the adjudicator or reader.

I’ve been at the MSU Writing Center for several years, and in that time, I have developed an easy set of guidelines for application materials that center the writer’s narrative in the formulaic style of writing application materials. In this blog post, I’ll walk through the top three pieces of advice I usually tell writers as we work through application materials. The advice can be applied to any sort of application; jobs, scholarships, study abroad, Broad business, medical school/residency statements, etc.

Tip #1: Don’t edit and write at the same time.

This is a very common thing for writers with high-stakes deadlines to do because our natural impulse is to make sure that everything that goes on the page is the best it can be. But trying to edit and add content at the same time can make the writing process more stressful. Leaving cutting the piece down for length and editing for formality until the end of the process frees the writer to add more content as needed and can help them make stronger rhetorical moves while developing their narratives.

Tip #2: Answer the prompt.

One of the primary evaluation criteria for applications is the ability to answer the prompt. If a writer ignores the prompt in favor of adding external information, the application can be rejected right away. Always evaluate your narrative against answering the prompt, and make sure that your readers can pick up on your answer. One of the easiest ways to do this is make an appointment with the MSU Writing Center with the specific goal of evaluating whether the piece answers the prompt. You can also use strategies such as highlighting where you specifically answer the prompt, or putting the question directly into your outline as you develop your piece.

Tip #3: Why you, why them, why does it matter?

I developed this set of questions to make it easy for writers to appeal to the application reader or adjudicator. The first question, “why are you a good fit for what you’re applying to?” is usually included in the prompt already. Getting writers thinking about what unique things make them a good fit for the application helps develop confidence and self-expression. This is not to be confused with the second question, “why is this a good fit for you?” Because the second question digs into why the thing that is being applied to appeals to the applicant. Being able to cite specific things about each unique program can be difficult for application materials such as medical school secondaries, but application readers are often looking for evidence that the applicant has done their research and are applying because of the unique offerings available. In short, the applications are looking to see if they are being held in unique regard by the applicants. The final question, “why does it matter?” is important to spend time thinking on because either the prompt or the follow up interviews often ask it. Similar to question two, the application readers want to see the passion and drive in each applicant and want to know why this application matters. In a world of endless opportunity, why is the applicant pursuing this specific application? What are their goals beyond this application? Why does it matter?

These three tips are meant to generate a writer-centered approach to application materials and cut down on application stress. In my experience, the most difficult application prompts to answer are ones like, “describe yourself,” which seems simple enough, but under the pressure of a high-stakes deadline like an application can become impossible. Application materials are a tricky genre to master, but the more you can break down the process and adhere to the application guidelines, the easier the process will become.

Post published: October 18, 2023
Post category: Blog / Consultant voice

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Michigan State University Undergraduate College Application Essays

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

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College Application Essays accepted by Michigan State University

Friendship.com anonymous, michigan state university.

The "dot-com revolution" of the mid-to-late 1990s began to take hold just as I was entering my middle school years. I was eager to try new things, including this new Internet technology, because my inner self was also changing and becoming...

Looking to the Future Anonymous

It seems as though every day since elementary school people have been asking me the same daunting question: "So, what do you want to do when you grow up?" While my creative mind continues to come up with a different idea for each day of the week,...

Imported Culture Michelle Salman

“Lower your lids!”

Gilad, my drama instructor, paced back and forth on the stage, arms folded over his belly, Israeli impatience rising in his voice. His eyes narrowed, scanned me through bushy slits, and he barked new commands.

“Let your smile...

“Buenos días, ¿cómo estás?” Anonymous

When my dad first began working in Mexico, I nonchalantly changed my schedule to include seventh grade “Intro to Spanish.” Naturally, I didn’t think twice about what would later prove a crucial decision—few seventh graders realize how such simple...

Two Worlds as One Anonymous

“Τι κάνεις? Στην υγειά μας! Opa!”

“Howdy, partner. What’s in that iron skillet, ma’?”

Those phrases from opposite worlds represent my diverse cultural life growing up with a Greek mother and a father from North Dakota. From my mother I learned to...

New Experiences Samantha Jackson

One of the most significant reasons I want to attend Michigan State University is for the beloved “college experience.” To me, the best part of this experience is meeting people that I would have never met in my small hometown of Memphis,...

Notes From a Nomad Andrew Ronald Voigt

As I sit typing my final paper for eighth grade on a rainy Portland night in May, I hear my mother suddenly call, “Andrew, your father and I need to talk to you”. From her tone I know the subject of the conversation. She used that tone at the end...

The Learning Curve Anonymous

I carefully stepped down the steep gravel hill, making my way to the riverbank for my very first crew practice. The early March air chilled my skin and whipped my hair. I was nervous: each rocky step took me closer to a mass of athletic limbs, all...

Common App Short answer Anonymous

When I first heard the lyrics of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black,” it was from this little red contraption that I bought from a garage sale for ten dollars. I was hooked. That small record player eventually became the two Numark turntables and...

When World Collide Anonymous

2007: “Are y’all comin’?” I yell to the kids on the playground as I run over to the swings. They look at each other and laugh, clearly making fun of the way I speak. I put my head down, embarrassed, and walk to the swings alone. I wish I hadn’t...

Only Time Will Tell Anonymous

I’ll always remember that drive; there was a crisp summer breeze sailing in through my window and the taste of early-morning dew still hung in the air. My heart was beating so fast, I could hardly hear my favorite song, “Sweet Caroline”, blasting...

Devotion Anonymous

My mother’s hands tell the entire world of my life. They were the first to hold me when I was first born and feed me when I cried. It was her hands that have raised me on behalf of my busy dad, patting me when I behaved well and spanking me when I...

Chemistry, Conflict, and the Red Bean Bun Anonymous

So ubiquitously sold in the streets of cold breezes of winter in South Korea, a red bean bun brings deliberate warmth and joy to many people. Sold at a price of only forty cents back in the 90s, the red bean bun was more than just a snack; it was...

Shanghai for a Year Anonymous

The vibrant skyline stood dead. It was 4:30 A.M. and life ceased to exist on the streets of Shanghai. The sunrise peaked through the jungle of buildings across the river and shined onto our faces. I stared at the skyline, thinking how much the...

Acceptance Anonymous

“Sit still!” my mom shouted at me in Igbo, as she continued to press the scalding flat iron to my scalp. I hung my head, watching as the puddle of tears in my lap grew larger, each additional tear rolling off my chubby ten-year-old cheek,...

Heritage Living Victoria Katashev

Live musicians yell into their mics while the crowd jumps and sings along to their music. I’m out of breath, my chest hurts, and I know my voice will be gone, but I’ve accepted it. An older man stands up on one of the picnic tables, dancing and...

Change Michelle Ong

In middle school, my favorite song wasn’t Imagine Dragon’s Radioactive, but Matthew West’s 10,000 Reasons. I didn’t know who celebrities like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie were, but I knew who Jeroboam and Rahab were. I didn’t have a phone or iPod,...

Finding Veterinary Medicine through Research Animals Xiang Ji

I initially saw obtaining hearing aids as admitting defeat to a disability. Being Hard of Hearing, I struggled with following conversations for years. Even after learning three foreign languages to communicate better, I realized in college that I...

Building a Considerate City: Advocating for Mental Health and Homeless Solutions in Los Angeles nevaeh gutierrez

The notion of family in my Latino community is one that is extremely fluid, with the expectation that we treat others with respect. Albert, my “neighbor,” has occupied the bush in front of my house for over two years and has become a part of my...

Ask an Expert: Writing a Personal Statement

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Karissa Chabot-Purchase, Career Consultant, James Madison College

Question: I’m overwhelmed at the thought of writing a personal statement to accompany my graduate/professional/law school application. Where do I even begin?

Answer: Most graduate programs ask for personal statements (sometimes called statements of purpose or statements of intent) to understand candidates’ motivations for applying to graduate school—a perspective that metrics like an undergraduate GPA or a standardized test score just can’t offer. Unpacking that motivation and your personal goals is tough, and often very different than the writing you’re asked to do in the classroom.

The advice I give students is to make sure you address the main questions admissions committees will have on their minds.

Note: Some programs will ask candidates to respond to a specific prompt, while others will request a general statement. These suggestions should help you get started when asked to provide a general statement.

First: What inspired your interest in the field you’re applying to pursue an advanced degree in? How have you sustained that interest in and outside of the classroom, and how have those activities reinforced your conviction that you’re well-suited to the field?

Note: Tackling this question at the beginning of your essay often offers you the opportunity to share a unique, personal story that will help you grab the attention of your readers.

Second: How are you well-prepared/poised for success as a graduate student? How has your classroom-based work broadened your skillset, and how have you gained insights about the field through extra-curricular pursuits (internships, part-time roles, student group engagement, etc.—all those great involvements that are on your resume!).

Note: This is your chance to highlight a few key accomplishments/involvements that have helped you grow (both personally and professionally) and have prepared you to meet the challenges of an advanced degree program. Try unpacking 2-3 experiences that have contributed the most to that growth/preparation vs. trying to cover your entire resume in a few paragraphs.

Third: What is it about our school that makes it a unique fit for you? What can we provide you that other institutions cannot?

Note: This final portion of the essay will need to be customized for every school you’re applying to. Consider highlighting what attracted you to the program beyond its ranking or location (faculty, specific courses, out-of-classroom offerings, etc.).

Still feeling stumped? Feel free to write your essay “out of order” and assemble it into a cohesive narrative at the end. Outlining some thoughts about how you’ve prepared for an advanced degree program through your courses might help you generate ideas about your motivation for applying or remind you why specific schools are on your radar.

Finally, remember, that career practitioners across campus are here to assist you! Book an appointment through Handshake with your college-based advisor to work on your statement, whether you’re still in the brainstorming stage or would like perspective on a more polished draft.

Sources: GoGrad.com; Purdue OWL

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Apply as a first-year student if you are currently in high school (regardless of total college credits completed while in high school) or you have graduated from high school but haven’t enrolled at a college, university or any other school after high school. This includes early/middle college students who complete a high school diploma at the same time as an associate’s degree.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what's the michigan state essay prompt.

Hey guys, I'm starting to work on my college applications and I was wondering if anyone knows what the current essay prompt is for Michigan State University? Thanks in advance!

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, Michigan State required only the main personal statement from the Common Application. This could change in future years, as sometimes schools change their minds about requiring or not requiring supplements, but this year you're in luck - you won't have to do any extra work for your Michigan State application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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

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August 3, 2022

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips [2022 – 2023]

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine “educates exemplary physicians and seeks to improve health through discovery and responding to the needs of the medically underserved in our communities.” Their research focus is in “groundbreaking” biomedical research about the prevention, control and treatment of disease – and mechanisms underlying human disease. (source: MSU website )

Median MCAT/GPA is 510/3.77. They expect applicants to have long term, in-depth clinical work, paid or volunteer.

MSU CHM’s dean, Aron Sousa, MD, characterizes the curriculum as having robust clinical experience in each year of medical school, and academic content organized by chief complaint rather than organ system or discipline.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine 2022-2023 application essays

Michigan state university college of human medicine secondary essay #1.

Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? ( 500 words )

Your proudest / most significant career accomplishment might relate to MSU CHM’s mission or focus , namely serving the underserved, making an impact in medically underserved communities at home or abroad, or having performed and discovered groundbreaking research that sheds insight into the prevention, control or treatment of disease.

Another approach might be to describe what you would consider to have been a physician’s life well-lived in service to others. What would that service have looked like? Stay humble. Do you define this life of service by its corresponding humanitarianism rather than conceit, clichés or dogma?

Perhaps you think of retirement not as an end but as a transition, like book chapters? How did your career in medicine bring you to this next life adventure? Perhaps you have no intention of retiring? How does your life as a physician change once past your prime or after a significant accomplishment?

In real life, there is no such thing as a crystal ball. Life will be full of surprises, achievements, disappointments, joy and pain much of which you cannot predict today. So this prompt isn’t really about life plans and details. It’s a narrative about hopes and aspirations – and your imagination.

MSU CHM secondary essay #2

American society may be experiencing a watershed moment as it reckons with various systemic injustices. Use the space below to share your thoughts about this statement. ( 500 words )

A watershed moment is a moment that changes the direction of belief. A watershed moment is a historic epiphany, a moment when looking back one can see the moment when a standing belief changed direction. It is an event or an action that changes the course of normalcy. 9/11 is a watershed moment in US culture. The reversal of Roe vs Wade is a watershed moment in US culture. The electric car is a watershed moment in sustainability and climate change.

“Reckons with” is a pivotal verb phrase suggesting systemic injustice is a force to be reckoned with. Yet, reckon also means to settle, as in reconciling or settling a bank account. How is American Society settling discrimination in its institutions and systems once and for all?

The American Medical Association has adopted bold guidelines to confront systemic racism with the aim of dismantling racist policies and practices in health care. This prompt infers that right now we are changing the infrastructure and methods of institutions to eliminate inherent bias, inequality, inequity and prejudice. Most medical schools have adopted similar positions in their mission statements. However, this prompt does not limit your answer to addressing systemic injustice solely in healthcare. You may talk about healthcare, but you do not have to.

Where do you see the dismantling of injustice? What does that look like? How is it done? How effective is it? Is there backlash or turmoil? Where have you seen justice in action? How are we never turning back in time regarding injustice?

Hop on a free discovery to call find out how we can help you get accepted >>

MSU CHM secondary essay #3

Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and/or insights. ( 500 words )

All medical school applicants have had a disruption to their medical school activities, from classes to shadowing to taking the MCAT. Feel free to mention your readjustment to your medical school path briefly. Then, how did you get involved in the pandemic? What did you do to help people through this crisis? How does COVID-19 change healthcare for physicians? For hospitals? For communities? For patients?

MSU CHM secondary essay #4

In the most general sense, create a list of ten (or more) words or phrases you might use to describe or characterize yourself to someone you just met. From this list of words or phrases, are any associated with your decision to pursue medicine as a career? If yes, select up to 3 and explain. If no, explain. ( 500 words )

This prompt is the most “outside the box” prompt yet. Obviously, whatever words or phrases you choose to describe your character paint a self-portrait with words. So, it stands to reason that several entries would correspond with being a physician, whether in your humanitarian values, beliefs, spirituality, love of science, guiding principles (like altruism), or intersectionality (the Venn Diagram of who we are, the circles of our beliefs or the roles we play and their overlap). Just as your activities on the AMCAS application fit a variety of categories, so should your list of characteristics. Be honest, and be yourself.

Most applicants will likely explain a few characteristics that fit with pursuing medicine. This is a reasonable approach. However, it is possible that an outside the box thinker could be so original in how they explain a “no” that their answer is original and fascinating. For instance, an applicant with a philosophy background might have a wonderful time with this prompt. However, chances are, answering “no” will pose an unnecessary risk.

MSU CHM secondary essay #5

If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? ( 500 words )

Some applicants explain a life circumstance, a story, a situation, a challenge they’ve overcome , or a nontraditional path to medicine that sets them apart from the pack or deepens their portrait in the big picture of the application.

Do not answer this question with filler. However, do not overlook an opportunity to enhance the school’s sense of who you are, especially if the secondaries they provide exclude the opportunity to share an important story . Be sure the story ends well and demonstrates what you learned or how you changed for the better with insight and humility.

Do not repeat stories told in other parts of this secondary or in your primary. This essay, like all essays, should add to the reader’s understanding of you.

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your MSU applications. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine 2022-23 application timeline

AMCAS application deadline (MD/PhD Applicants)	Early October
Secondary Applications, Fee, and Letters of Evaluation (MD/PhD applicants)	Late October

Source: MSU website

Related resources:

The Ultimate Guide to Secondary Essay Questions from Top Med Schools
Here’s How to Match Your Values to the Medical School Mission Statement
5 Dont’s for Your Medical School Personal Statement

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Michigan State University Secondary Application Essays Prompts (MSU)

Cracking Med School Admissions Team

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM) is a great school with strong clinical training. Many students who attend medical school there learn how to treat patients who live in suburban and rural areas. In order to receive an interview invite, you need to have a strong Michigan State secondary application that shows an abundance of clinical experiences and your personal traits. Read our other Michigan State secondary application tips below .

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to MSU year after year! We suggest you pre-write this soon after you submit your AMCAS. We can help you edit your Michigan secondary application essays with our secondary editing packages .

Pre-writing Tip: The MSU secondary has gotten longer and longer throughout the years. There is too much variation year after year, so we DO NOT RECOMMEND medical school applicants to pre-write this secondary.

Other than submitting a strong Michigan secondary, it is also important to ace the Michigan State Multiple Mini Interview .

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Michigan State Medical School Medical School Secondary Application Essays: 2023-2024

Michigan state secondary application essay prompts:.

Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? (500 words)
American society may be experiencing a watershed moment as it reckons with various systemic injustices. Use the space below to share your thoughts about this statement. (500 words)
Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and insights. (500 words)
Modified from Last Cycle – Consider three or four words and/or phrases from your medical school application that you use to describe or characterize yourself. Pick one (or a completely different one) that is underdeveloped to provide additional written narrative to the committee as to why you’ve decided to pursue a career in medicine (500 words)
New Essay – Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and/or insights. (500 words)
If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? (500 words)

Tips to Answer Michigan State Medical School Secondary Application Essays

Michigan State Pre-writing Tip: The MSU secondary has gotten longer and longer throughout the years. And, this is a state school that sends interview invites earlier. So ideally, you should work on this earlier. However, there is much variation year after year in the essay prompts. Dr. Rizal and Dr. Mediratta only recommend answering the questions that have not changed for the past 2 application cycles.

Read all our secondary essay tips: Secondary Essay Guide – Cracking Med School Admissions

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #1: Be familiar with and discuss how MSU’s Shared Discovery Curriculum will help you become the physician you want to be. Pick specific aspects of the curriculum that relate to your interests and activities. We STRONGLY advise students to not write statements like “I like the early clinical exposure” because almost every medical school has incorporated that into its curriculum – this is no long unique! Instead, discuss specific rotations and classes that appeal to you. Make sure you discuss why that curriculum aspect is important to you.

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #2: For the COVID-19 question, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic. We have an entire healthcare current events blog post here, where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19.

Important resources to help you answer the Michigan State secondary application questions:

Read about COVID-19 and other healthcare current events like healthcare disparities: Top 10 Healthcare Current Events You Need to Know
Read all our tips on how to write COVID-19 essays + examples: COVID Essay Medical School Example & Tips To Stand Out

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #3: When you list 3 words or phrases to describe yourself, make sure the words discuss different aspects about you. For example, you should probably not write hard-working, studious, AND driven, since there is a lot of overlap among those words. If Dr. Rizal had to answer this question, she might use phrases like “Excellent Connector” and “Community Builder” and “Creative” – note that she could discuss anecdotes from her personal experiences.

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #4: The last question on the MSU secondary application is open-ended. ( If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? ) Treat that like a diversity secondary essay. You can talk about anything, from a challenging family background and how it shaped you to your leadership experiences. Contact us if want to brainstorm your topic for this prompt!

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #5: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has historically given preference to in-staten applicants. Whether you are in-state or out-of-state, make it a priority to discuss your clinical experiences and community service work in Michigan as well as your desire to treat Michigan patients as a medical student.

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #6: Get our help with editing your Michigan State secondary essays! Our Cracking Med School Admissions team will make sure your essay is personalized towards your passions and MSU CHM’s values. We’re here to help you stand out! If you have additional questions about how you can stand out, contact us below.

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Michigan state medical school medical school secondary application essays: 2022-2023.

Slightly reworded from last year: Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? (500 words)
New Essay: In the most general sense, create a list of ten (or more) words or phrases you might use to describe or characterize yourself to someone you just met. From this list of words or phrases, are any associated with your decision to pursue medicine as a career? If yes, select up to 3 and explain. (500 words)

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Michigan State Medical School Medical School Secondary Application Essays: 2021-2022

Michigan state university college of human medicine secondary application essay prompts.

Describe where you envision yourself and what you’ll be doing in 10 years. What do you realistically hope will be your most significant accomplishment by that time? (500 words)

Michigan State Medical School Medical School Secondary Application Essays: 2020-2021

The College of Human Medicine offers students an innovative learning environment. What experiences have you had that have prepared you to succeed in our curriculum? How will you approach any challenges you may face? (500 words)
Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? (500 words)

Michigan State Secondary Application Essays: 2018 - 2019

The College of Human Medicine implemented a new curriculum in the fall of 2016. Describe your understanding of this curriculum. Explain which of your attributes/strengths will assist in being successful in this curriculum. Explain how you will address any challenges it might pose. Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
Thoroughly review the CHM course Prerequisite Model Options as outlined on our website. Which course prerequisite model are you applying to CHM with? (choose between options)

Michigan State Secondary Application Essays: 2017 - 2018

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. Please describe how your personal characteristics or life experiences will contribute to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine community and bring educational benefits to our student body. (1000 characters)
Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (1000 characters)
Why have you chosen to apply to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and how do you think your education at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)

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Michigan State University Secondary Essay Prompts

These are the secondary application essay prompts for Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page .

about Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Secondary Deadline : November 30, 2024 Secondary Fee : $90 FAP Waiver : Yes CASPer Required : Yes Screens Applications : No Accepts Application Updates : No

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is committed to educating exemplary physicians and scholars, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing service at home and abroad. We enhance our communities by providing outstanding primary and specialty care, promoting the dignity and inclusion of all people, and responding to the needs of the medically underserved.

1. The College of Human Medicine offers students an innovative learning environment. What experiences have you had that have prepared you to succeed in our curriculum? How will you approach any challenges you may face? (300 words)

2. Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? (300 words)

3. If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? (300 words)

All prompts have a 250-word limit.

1. Describe a time when you faced a challenging, but important, learning opportunity. Include your approach and resources used to pursue this challenge. What did you learn about yourself and your approach to learning from this experience? What, if anything, would you do differently?

2. Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn?

3. If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you?

The prompts are as follow (word limit for all are 250)

1. The College of Human Medicine has implemented a curriculum referred to as the Shared Discovery Curriculum . Explain which of your attributes/strengths will assist in your success in this curriculum. Explain how you will address any challenges it might pose for you. Please limit your response to 250 words or less.

2. Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.

3. If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.

1. Describe an experience that profoundly affected you in either a positive or negative manner. What did you learn about yourself through this experience? You are permitted to use an experience included in your AMCAS application, as long as you did not go into great detail (including personal statement and/or experiences), or you discuss a different aspect of the experience. Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

2. Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

3. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of being a physician some day? How do you see yourself addressing this challenge? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

4. If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on the medical school’s website. Med School Insiders does not guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page.

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Secondary Essay Prompts

Secondary Essay Prompts – Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Secondary Essay Prompts for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine East Lansing, MI.

2019 – 2020

Describe a time when you faced a challenging, but important, learning opportunity. Include your approach and resources used to pursue this challenge. What did you learn about yourself and your approach to learning from this experience? What, if anything would you do differently? Please limit your response to 250 words or less
Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.

2018 – 2019

The College of Human Medicine implemented a new curriculum in the fall of 2016. Describe your understanding of this curriculum. Explain which of your attributes/strengths will assist in being successful in this curriculum. Explain how you will address any challenges it might pose. Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
Thoroughly review the CHM course Prerequisite Model Options as outlined on our website. Which course prerequisite model are you applying to CHM with? (choose between options)

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

2017 – 2018.

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. Please describe how your personal characteristics or life experiences will contribute to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine community and bring educational benefits to our student body. (1000 characters)
Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (1000 characters)
Why have you chosen to apply to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and how do you think your education at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)

Secondary essay webcast with Dr. Jessica Freedman, founder and president of MedEdits Medical Admissions. Read more about Dr. Freedman.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Topics covered in this presentation:

When should I submit my secondary essays?
Pay attention to the word/character limits.
Can I recycle secondary essay prompts for multiple schools?
Identify topics that you left out of your primary application.
And, much more.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Admissions Requirements

Learn more about this school:

Secondary Essay Prompts for Other Schools

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Secondary Essay Prompts By School

*Data collected from MSAR 2022-2023, 2022 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book, and institution website.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on each medical school’s website. MedEdits does not guarantee it’s accuracy or authenticity.

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Secondary Essay Prompts – University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

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Secondary Essay Prompts – Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN

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College Essay Prompts: Complete List, Analysis, and Advice

College Admissions , College Essays

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

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

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Why Do Colleges Ask For an Essay?

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

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

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

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

Complete List of College Essay Prompts

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

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

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

General Applications

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

Common Application

Universal college application, coalition application.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic

The Great Dome at MIT

Georgetown University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

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

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

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

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

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

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Indiana University Bloomington

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

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

University of Illinois

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

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

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

University of Wisconsin–Madison

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

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

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

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

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We go into all the ApplyTexas prompts in detail here !

University of Georgia

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

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

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

The Campanile at UC Berkeley

University of California

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

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

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

University of Oregon

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

The essay prompts are as follows:

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

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

University of Washington

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

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

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

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

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

International

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

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UK Schools)

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

University of British Columbia

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

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

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

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

University of Cambridge

Optional Essays

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

Arizona State University

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

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

City University of New York

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

Essay 1: About you. (Select one of the options below.) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. OR Tell us about an area or activity, outside of academics, in which you have invested a lot of time and effort. Tell us why. What did you learn? How was it meaningful?

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

Florida International University

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

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

Your goals and educational or professional objectives

A summary/explanation of past academic performance

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

Any other information the student wishes to have considered

Ohio University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Type 1: Questions About a Meaningful Experience

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

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

#1: Overcoming a Challenge

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

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

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

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

#2: Engaging With Diversity

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

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

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

#3: Growing Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What's Next?

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

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

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

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

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

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