Asking The Difficult Questions
In the past few months, I’e been in the process of applying to several colleges. Anyone familiar with the process knows that usually the most important supplementary information in each application comes from the personal essay and college-specific supplement. Schools encourage applicants to reflect on their high school experiences and showcase their best achievements, thoughts, and experiences. The supplement part of each application is designed to challenge the applicant, and offer alternative information about the applicant that the admissions office might not learn otherwise. After all, challenges do not build character, they reveal it. So, take a moment, or two, and think about how you would answer some of these questions. I wouldn’t hesitate to say that you may learn something about yourself if you give the questions considerable thought. These questions have no “right” answer, just think about what best describes your thoughts and feelings.
- The Admission Committee members would laugh if they knew I…
- What five words best describe you?
- What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
- Your favorite website?
- For some, it’s politics or sports or reading. For others, it may be researching solar power fuel cells or arranging hip-hop mash-ups. What makes you tick?
- Tell us about an idea or an experience you have had that you find intellectually engaging.
- Prepare a one-minute video that says something about you. What you do or say is totally up to you.
- In our ever-changing society, people have defined ‘equity’ and ‘community’ in many different ways. How do you define these terms and what are the implications of equity and community for our 21st century society?
- What outrages you? What are you doing about it?
- What final Jeopardy category would ensure your victory?
- Who is the person you dream of becoming and how do you believe (Insert Name) University can help you achieve this?
- Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful?
Please feel free to comment on this short sampling of questions, or feel free to comment on any other intriguing application questions.
