Bucknell University

Grit has been identified as a significant predictor of success. Describe a situation in your life that truly demonstrated a unique degree of grit. Why were you so motivated? What did you learn from the experience? I’ve come to understand that when I choose a path in life, I’m bound to face some roadblocks along … Read more Grit to withstand

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

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. I stared down at my bowl of coarse, mushy oatmeal as everyone surrounding me at the table began to devour their overflowing plates … Read more 10 Days of Veganism

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Darkness permeates the early hours of a weekday morning as sleep wraps a blanket around New York City. The beaming moonlight … Read more Two and a Half Rotations

Please describe a time when you found the courage to step outside of your comfort zone to do something unexpected and completely unlike you. Why did you take this risk? What have you learned from the experience? Ireland was nothing like I had expected. Living in a small Irish city with my aunt and uncle … Read more Ireland

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

Common Application Topic of Your Choice If the English language were a playground, the word “education” would definitely be a bully. Big and scary sounding, education grabs unsuspecting pronouns by the collar and throws them up against the wall with their untied shoes kicking above the ground until they prove themselves worthy and education plops … Read more (Music) Theory of Education

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. When my younger brother, James, was five years old, Jack Nierman bit him while they were playing in our favorite playground. I was sitting atop the monkey bars when I saw it happen. I swung down and pushed Jack away, … Read more Sticks and Stones

Discuss some issue of personal concern, and its importance to you. Fairness is a quality that I try hard to embody, and I admire those who demonstrate the impartiality necessary to be just. But people often mistake impartiality as the defining characteristic of someone who is fair. Empathy is more essential because it is necessary … Read more Fairness and Justice