American University

Topic of your choice (Common App essay) “Repeat Dojo-kun. Seek perfection of character. Be faithful. Endeavor. Respect others. Refrain from violent behavior,” I call out. To my left, the line of kneeling students repeats my words. “Sensei-ni, rei,” I call to the line, and we bow to our teacher. He bows to us, dismisses the … Read more The Dojo-Kun

The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? I have no idea why freshman me signed up for debate. However, I marked a check next to “DEBATE1” on my … Read more Debating My Way to Certainty

Common application question: write about an experience that had an impact on you / topic of your choice. It was hours before dawn when I awoke, but I was not tired. There was an almost palpable sense of apprehension and excitement spreading throughout the country, and I felt a wave of it hit me as … Read more Election

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised] My grandma thought I was going to die. By studying abroad in France, away from her care, I learned that I must be the one to make the most out of an experience, … Read more ‘Ohana

Free Response: Tell us something about yourself that makes you a unique addition to our community. 1. At four, her dad left a pot of coffee on the counter (a pot meaning twelve cups) while he went upstairs to take a shower. She climbed on the counter, took out a mug and drank the entire … Read more Ten Facts about Cindell

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? “Wissen Sie, wo die Stadtamhof Haltestelle ist?” (Do you know where the Stadamhof Station is?). The German man directed his question to me, but before I had the chance to respond, my sister interjected, … Read more The Segway to Self-Identity

Common Application: topic of your choice Shark Day 2011. 100 miles from the ocean, but the fate of the top predator of the oceans, key to the health of marine ecosystems, would be decided right here in Sacramento. The role I got to play on Shark Day was cutting off the tags that said “Made … Read more Political Advocacy as an Intern

Describe an aspect of your childhood/upbringing that shaped the person you are today. Describe an aspect of your childhood/upbringing that shaped the person you are today.In a navy blue Volvo station wagon my entire childhood evolved. Inside, memories rested alongside the hardened French fries and squashed fruit snacks that lined the plastic leather interior.Growing up … Read more A Newfound Nostalgia

Explain a struggle you have faced in your life that helped define who you are “Aap meri choti shezadi ho, Hannah,” my Pakistani grandfather told me before I moved to the U.S. from Saudi Arabia. I was later able to translate his loving Urdu words into English: “You are my little princess, Hannah.” I am … Read more My Confusing Cultural Identity

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. Smack! Within a fraction of a second, my life was changed forever. A homemade slingshot snapped and launched a funnel and water balloon at an unimaginable speed directly into my left ear. Once I’d been … Read more Life Changing Experience