William and Mary College

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum). The fan is chugging away overhead, desperately fighting off the heat that Jinhua’s summers are infamous for. But I am oblivious: I’m finishing my drawing of Mickey Mouse. With pencil in hand, markers sprawled about, and … Read moreArtist

Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? Eye color was evenly divided in my family before I was born: two sets of blue eyes and two sets of green eyes. My birth would have traditionally tipped the scales, but I was born with one blue eye and … Read moreUnique Eyes

Try to fit who you are in 500 words. Anything allowed! I am well known for having many strongly held personal convictions. Whether people look fondly on my convictions or harness utter disdain for them is a completely different story. Some are seen to be outrageous, such as believing that dipping Wendy’s fries in Frosties … Read moreA Man of Convictions

Students at the University of Notre Dame are passionate! Their passion gives direction and definition to campus academic, community, and spiritual life. Recognizing that you have already provided us with a list of your extracurricular activities, please briefly describe your greatest passion and tell us how it defines and directs you. I stood on my … Read moreMy Passion for Literature

A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. Had someone asked me my nationality four years … Read moreI Am: A French-American

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. No matter how old I grow, the meaning of friendship has always remained the same – loyalty, sympathy, understanding, and unwavering support. I learned this lesson early in life, back when my best friend’s trampoline … Read more“All That Matters”

Topic 5 from Common Application: Personal Topic Describe a character-defining instance of strength in the face of adversity. (Submitted as supplemental essay to some schools) “Kai houtos manthano.”* To most, they are meaningless words, incomprehensible and bizarre. But to me, their meaning is legion: secrecy, silence, concealment. They are Greek, and they mean subversive. I … Read moreA Battle for Insight

Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us, or just make us laugh. Think of this optional … Read moreCraftsmanship

Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us, or just make us laugh. Think of this optional … Read moreSquare-dancers

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. In my hometown, Nanchang, China, the Gan River divides the city into two worlds. One side of the river has enjoyed much government … Read morePersonal Statement