texas a&m essay example

How to Write the Texas A&M Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What are the Texas A&M supplemental essay prompts?
• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for Texas A&M
• Prompt #1: Personal essay
• Prompt #2: "Life event" essay
• Prompt #3: "Impactful person" essay
• Prompt #4: Optional additional information essay
• Prompt #5: For engineering applicants only

Located in aptly named College Station, Texas, A&M University has evolved significantly since its founding nearly 150 years ago. The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas was originally formed to teach military tactics and the agricultural and mechanical arts (the A&M in the school’s name is a symbolic nod to this past), alongside traditional classical and scientific studies. 

Today, Texas A&M is a premier research facility with the triple distinction of holding land-, sea- and space-grant designations, while its Corps of Cadets is the largest uniformed body outside the national service academies.  

Although Texas A&M is rooted in tradition, it’s by no means stuck there. Its long-term vision focuses on four pillars: transformational education; discovery and innovation; impact on state, nation, and world; and university as a community. Understanding this vision can help you write essays that reflect those same morals and values.

For deeper insights into these pillars and how this public university envisions fostering long-term student success and making a global impact, read through its strategic plan and vision for the decade ahead . And to get a better understanding of what Texas A&M is looking for in its Aggies, a by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, is available on its Common Data Set . 

Note: Texas A&M accepts applications via the Common App and ApplyTexas . It’s worth pointing out that the maximum word counts for A&M’s supplemental responses vary based on which application portal you’re using. We’ve noted the word counts for both portals below

What are the Texas A&M University supplemental essay prompts?

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (Required, 10-750 words for Common App, recommended 500-750 for ApplyTexas)

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (Required, 10-250 words for Common App; max. 592 for ApplyTexas)

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (Required, 10-250 words for Common App; max. 592 for ApplyTexas)

Optional: If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about, please note them in the space below. (250 words for Common App; max. 592 for ApplyTexas)

How to write each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Texas A&M University

How to write texas a&m supplemental essay prompt #1.

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (10-750 words for Common App, recommended 500-750 for ApplyTexas)

Essay prompts don’t get more open-ended than this. While it may seem overwhelming to have such a broad prompt, it’s actually an amazing opportunity. You now have the latitude to share with A&M something about who you are beyond your grades and test scores. 

If you’re applying to other colleges using the Common Application or Coalition App and think you need to write a second personal statement for A&M to match this prompt, don’t panic . Here’s some valuable advice for you: Choose a subject for this essay that can also answer a prompt for other schools on the Common App (which sets a max limit of 650 words) and/or Coalition Application (which suggests but doesn’t strictly limit your essay to 500-650 words).

If you’re applying to A&M through ApplyTexas, they suggest this Topic A essay be 500-750 words , but that’s just a suggestion—you won’t be penalized in any way for going over (or under) that suggested word budget. Things are a little different if you’re applying through the Common App: Your max word count is 750, and you’ll paste your Topic A essay into the A&M Questions section of the Common App (max of 750 words). You’ll want to not also submit your Common App personal statement when you’re asked if you want to include it or not (A&M won’t consider it, and it’s likely the same essay as your Topic A anyway).

In either case, we recommend you spend only the number of words necessary to tell your story in a concise, complete, and compelling manner, without going to extremes one way or another.

We know that you’re thinking. “Can I really use the same essay for all three application portals?”

All the prompts for these application systems are so broad and open-ended that you can pretty much write about any topic (well, almost any). But, more importantly, by focusing on writing one main essay for three application types, you can spend more time drafting and revising it so that it’s really, really great. #efficiency

“But what if I’m not applying to other schools using the Coalition Application or Common App?

Then write your deepest story. 

What do we mean by that?

There’s so much to say about writing your personal statement that we’ve created an entire step-by-step video course . Oh, and it’s pay-what-you-can. :) But if you want the short version, check out this free, one-hour guide . It covers the three core parts of writing a great college essay: brainstorming your topic, structuring your essay, and revising it to make sure it’s doing its job.

This essay, written for the University of Texas at Austin, does a great job at answering this Topic A prompt.

I am fascinated by the ways that microscopic biomolecules like proteins, fats, sugars, and nucleic acids come together to create an incomprehensibly complex organism. The systems of the body are vast and intricate, and yet, one tiny mistake can be the difference between health and disease. Biology is about searching for that one small missing piece, the single A out of 3 billion, swapped with a T, that can mean the difference between normal hemoglobin and single-cell anemia, a disease that comes with a lifetime of complications. From the little boy hunched over his science kit to labs in AP Bio, my search for that special missing piece has continued to drive me down the many important avenues of my life. My mom signed me up for my first acting class when I was 4, and I jumped right into my role as a male Glinda the Good Witch, complete with sparkly pants and vest. I was hooked. On the day of the show, racked with nerves, I stood in front of the crowd of parents as I did my best to remember what seemed like a bajillion lines. I fell in love with the cheers of proud parents and bored siblings. Afterwards, I ran over to my parents and begged them to sign me up for another show. Although my initial performance was not exactly what one would call moving, as I grew, so did my dedication to discovering how to portray a realistic emotional arc of a complex character. Acting, to me, is about finding the missing, hidden piece and unlocking the mystery of a character's dreams and motivations. Another mystery I’ve come to marvel at is the complex, intricate ways that numbers can model situations. I love looking at a confusing question, seemingly unrelated to anything I’ve learned, and stripping it down to its basic concepts. For example, the limit as x approaches 1 of (4(-2+x)-4)/(x-1) is just asking for the slope of the line y=4x-8, where x is -1. From Algebra I to AP Statistics and AP Calculus BC, math has become a game, as I scavenge for the missing pieces that can turn a dataset of 100 heights into the probability that a randomly selected person is 5-feet tall. When I discovered the world of politics, I became engrossed in the moral dilemmas, ethical trade-offs, and the profound effects the people we elect can have on society. I watched with disgust as same-sex couples were denied the right to marry, migrants were locked in cages, cops shot unarmed Americans, and mass shooters massacred hundreds while politicians offered little more than “thoughts and prayers.” Searching for the missing pieces of justice, I have turned my outrage into action—organizing and attending protests, educating friends and family on current issues like climate change and presidential abuse of power, and leading a voter registration campaign at my high school. From the newsie Davey's righteous anger, to the DNA double-helix, to local linearization, to gun reform, my search for the missing pieces in the world around me comes together to assemble a portrait of the person I am today. But, like the world around me, my portrait is still missing pieces, especially when I try to sort out the puzzle of my future career. Will I be a lawyer, crafting complex arguments, defending the civil liberties of the neglected and abused? Or a lawmaker, working to create a more just system of laws that benefit the masses, not just the top one percent? I’m not sure, but one thing’s for certain: My search for the missing pieces of my life has taught me to look beyond the easy, obvious answers, and instead work to devise multifaceted solutions to intricate world problems. As I continue my quest, the question is: What other pieces will I find along the way? (643 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis

Look for unusual connections. Remember that admission officers want to see the unique sides of you that don’t come through in the four corners of your application. This student takes a potentially simple theme—missing pieces—and uses it to show dramatically different sides of himself: acting, math, politics, and biology. The result? We walk away with a better understanding of who this student is and how he’ll contribute to a college campus.

Showcase your knowledge. It’s perfectly OK to show you know what you’re talking about when it comes to your favorite subject. But there’s a way to do it without losing your reader in complex lingo. This student is obviously well-versed in biology and math, yet he weaves slightly technical explanations of the biological component of hemoglobin and the limit of X in a conversational way that displays genuine curiosity and interest without over-jargoning the essay.

Don’t be afraid to have fun. It’s easy to think your personal statement has to be super-serious and to the point. After all, your future is at stake here, right? But we’re confident in saying schools are also looking for students who enjoy life, seize opportunities, and have a sense of humor about the things life throws at them. This student shows he’s well-rounded by balancing the serious topics of migrants’ rights and LGBTQIA+ equality with the descriptive visuals of him as “Glinda the Good Witch, complete with sparkly pants and vest.”

End with a clear “So what?” This student takes the opportunity at the end of his essay to restate his theme about searching for missing pieces. And then he leaves us with a takeaway—a “So what?” moment that demonstrates he’s still just as curious as ever: “But, like the world around me, my portrait is still missing pieces, especially when I try to sort out the puzzle of my future career.”

how to write Texas A&M Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (10-250 words for Common App; max 592 for ApplyTexas)

You might panic at the two different (like, really different) word counts for the same essays in the different portals. But let’s take a deep breath together first. Inhale. Exhale. Better? 

Your response can be a few sentences to a few paragraphs, depending on what you have to say about the topic, but we’d generally recommend you use a good portion of the possible word count, since these essays are an opportunity to show the school who you are and what you bring to the community.

Here are some tips on brainstorming and writing your response:

Help your reader see your life. Be sure to focus on specific details that respond to the prompt, but also be reflective. How have you changed because of this event? What did it teach you about yourself or the world? How is your perspective different than it was before? How have your values been shaped?

Focus on growth. Your response doesn’t need to be all sunshine and roses and puppy kisses. But your readers are generally more interested in the actions you took in response to an event and what you learned from it than they are in the event itself—show us the transformation you went through and the insight you gained. 

Aim for less common. Stories like a sports injury or winning/losing the big game tend to appear in a lot of essays. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t use them—but it’s way harder to write them in a way that shows how you’re different from other applicants. Your event/experience doesn’t have to be truly unique—cause it’s rare for that to exist—but aim for that end of the spectrum. What are some experiences in your life that shaped you in powerful ways and that your peers probably don’t have really similar versions of?

While we don’t have an A&M-specific sample to share, And here’s a sample essay for a similar prompt from UT-Austin, with analysis.

As Co-Head of Roman2Roman, a program intended to help integrate incoming ninth-graders into my school community, I have become a creative, open-minded, and empathetic leader by understanding the dynamics of communication and responsibility.  From leading bi-weekly committee meetings to pairing 135 freshmen with older mentors, coordinating with administrators, planning and orchestrating events for 350 people, and finding unique ways to involve the greater community, my role in the R2R program has equipped me with managerial skills that will be helpful in college and beyond.  As a result of my leadership experience, I was selected to be Co-Head of The Student Service Learning Board. In this role, I organized successful food, clothing, and book drives, in addition to planning meal-packing projects for the homeless, card-design activities for veterans, and beach clean-ups to support local parks, all of which involved participants ages K-12. Within my family’s Farm Foundation, I also assumed leadership responsibilities as I coordinated our annual Thanksgiving meal donation at the local fire station which entailed fundraising, communications, purchasing, packaging, and operations.  As a Longhorn, I hope to expand my leadership opportunities and make a lasting impact on the UT community. Through establishing meaningful connections among R2R members, and understanding the importance of an inclusive community, I am interested in getting involved with The Transfer Student Agency of Student Government as a way to help incoming transfer students integrate into the UT community. I’d love to participate in The McCombs Leadership Program to hone my leadership skills through retreats and workshops focusing on cooperation, communication, and contributions to society. Hunger and Homelessness Outreach would also be an ideal opportunity for me to continue my leadership and service and utilize my experiences on the SSLB and my family’s farm foundation to organize volunteer opportunities to aid members of the Austin community. — — —

Think beyond extracurriculars. While it seems logical to connect an extracurricular activity in your response, and you can definitely do so, don’t feel like that’s the only way to answer this question. Much like the Topic A prompt, this “life event” topic is deliberately broad. Unlike the Topic A prompt however, you’re given license to even pull events from beyond the high school-era you. Even so, we recommend you …

Make connections beyond the single life event. Whether your meaningful life event happened during high school or earlier, it’s important to show how you’ve implemented the lessons learned from that event into your life today. So while the student in the example above initially is detailing their experience of Roman2Roman, they list several examples of how that opportunity at leadership helped them develop far more than simple leadership skills—enabling them to strengthen managerial, planning, and collaboration skills that will help ensure their success in college.  

Consider connecting your growth with future opportunities at A&M. While the prompt doesn’t specifically ask about how you’ll continue these interests at college (just how they’ll help you be successful there), some clear tie-ins will help solidify your expression of interest. In the example above, after demonstrating their leadership skills developed during high school, the student shows that they’ve considered how they’ll continue to build on leadership by participating in the McCombs Leadership Program, and Hunger and Homelessness Outreach, among others.

And here’s another essay, also written for UT-Austin, that could work well for this prompt.

Sitting at my desk, a rainy day in quarantine, an email arrived from a teacher: Would I join the GSS fellowship? My school’s Global Seminar Series developed out of a realization that in a time of limited connection, we could harness technology for high school girls from Tanzania to Thailand to Texas to learn about and collaborate on addressing global issues.  As a Fellow, I work with school administration to cultivate a network connecting 200+ students from 19+ countries to leaders in fields such as STEM, Business, and Government/Non-profit organizations. Throughout 16 seminars, our goal is to inspire our participants and support them as changemakers.  During the week, my responsibilities are planning based: brainstorming, content and resource development, and speaker outreach. During the seminars, I cultivate conversation and make sure everything runs smoothly. Saturdays, when the seminars happen, are my favorite, especially once they are over and students stay on the Zoom to chat (we’re going to start holding a mid-week connection session to facilitate more of this!).  One Zoominar explored the intersection of medicine and technology in the pandemic. Doctors and healthcare workers from CT to South Africa spoke of measurable and meaningful benefits of cross-boundary and cross-sector collaboration made possible by Zoom, Teams, and Azure. Moderating our panel discussion, I was struck by the vastness over which technology supports us, despite COVID imposing geographic limitations.  Later in the session, as I facilitated smaller discussions with students in breakout rooms, I wondered if, perhaps, the silver lining of COVID is knowing that when we thoughtfully utilize technology, developing a global community, we can foster otherwise impossible progress. I hope to continue developing community in order to foster innovation.  — — —

how to write Texas A&M Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (10-250 words for Common App; max. 592 for ApplyTexas)

While this might seem like a pretty straightforward prompt, appearances can be a little deceiving. Many students take this prompt at face value, writing 250 words solely on the person who’s most impacted them and why they’ve been so influential. And while we’re thrilled that you’ve got someone in your life you can write so effusively about, don’t forget the purpose of these essays: for your readers to learn something new about you that will help you get a “yes” from admission officers. 

As great and impactful as Grandpa Fred or Coach Burns is, A&M isn’t considering them for admission. They’re considering you. So give the admissions officers what they want: insight on how this person has impacted you so much that you now exemplify the values, skills, and characteristics they’ve taught you.

In short: Make sure you’re still the main character of your essay.

The essay below, while written for another school, shows one way to successfully approach this prompt. 

When I met Bella, my ears didn’t work. I could hear, but not listen. When I conversed with friends, we were in our own universes. There was little empathy, just interruptions and distractions. And because nobody around me seemed to have the desire to listen, I gave up on it too. From the moment Bella and I were crowned co-winners of a middle-school cup-stacking competition, each winning half of a coveted cookie cake, things changed. I soon realized how perceptive Bella was to people’s feelings.  Our chats morphed into meaningful conversations and fits of laughter. She was the first friend I came out to as bi. After telling her, I waited nervously for the uncomfortable acceptance and frantic search for other conversation topics. But instead, she looked me in the eye and said she loved me no matter who I loved. Then, she asked curious questions rather than trying to ignore my identity. And I was there for Bella too. When she told me about the emotional distance she felt growing up far away from her dad who lives in South Korea, I supported her, not trivializing her pain with dismissive reassurances. Since our cup-stacking battle, we’ve been strong for each other. Bella unplugged my ears. That’s why she was the first person I interviewed for my podcast, Portraits, about people in my life. I know that as an empathetic listener, I am more vulnerable now, but, thanks to Bella, I understand how to communicate love. (246 words)  — — —

Find a balance. Yes, we want to hear about that person who impacted you—you can’t write this essay without talking about them. But as we mentioned above, that’s only part of the story. The (much) bigger part is how you’re different now because of that person. While we learn a bit about Bella in the essay above, we learn even more about the author and how she’s different because of Bella’s influence: She’s a more empathetic listener. More vulnerable. A better communicator. 

Consider the obscure. Your mom. Malala Yousafzai. Your basketball coach. Taylor Swift. All are important and relevant, but as an essay topic, they might be a little too common and make it harder for you to stand out. But what about the 5’0” basketball player on your team who taught you a lesson in overcoming obstacles? Or how a not-super-well-known character in your favorite novel changed your worldview in some meaningful way? These more obscure topics can be just as (sometimes even more) impactful than those topics making headlines.

Show, don’t tell . If you’ve read other College Essay Guy material, you already know we’re big on showing versus telling. We’ve got a great blog about it here , but here’s the TL;DR: If you’re trying to demonstrate that you’ve learned the importance of creative problem-solving, then show the reader specific examples of how you’ve taken that lesson and applied it to your real life. The student in the example above shows her improvement in listening by giving specific examples, like how she supported Bella in meaningful ways as she talked about her father.

how to write Texas A&M Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

Optional: If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about, please note them in the space below. (Max. 250 words for the Common App; max. 592 words for ApplyTexas)

If you’ve already filled out your Common App, this might sound like a familiar question. And that’s great news for your typing-weary fingers! If you’re using the Common App for your A&M application and you’ve already completed the Additional Information and COVID responses, you can leave this blank. If you’re using ApplyTexas to submit your application , you can use your same answer for this question as you’ve done on the Common App. 

And if you haven’t gotten started on either, here are our can’t-miss tips.

Resist the urge to use the whole word count. Instead, use only the space needed to say what you need to say. No more, no less. This is especially true if you’re completing this prompt for the Common App, where you’ve likely already completed responses to the COVID-19 and Additional Information sections and you can’t think of what on earth more you could possibly write about. Which brings us to …

Say something new. Don’t repeat things you’ve already included elsewhere in your application. This would be the place to explain how the lack of Wifi impacted your grades during remote learning or to add important details about the nonprofit organization you started that didn’t fit in your activities list. If you’re not sure what to include, head over to our guides on How to Use the Common App Additional Information Section and How to Write About Coronavirus/COVID-19 in Your College Essay & Application.

Don’t feel obligated to fill it out at all. This section is optional (really!). So don’t feel like you have  to write something just because there’s space there. You want to add value to your application, not empty words. Little frustrates (and bores) an admission officer more than reading a whole lot of nada.

how to write Texas A&M Supplemental Essay Prompt #5

For Engineering Applicants: Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals? It is important to spend time addressing this question as it will be considered as part of the engineering review process. (50-500 words for Common App; max. 592 for ApplyTexas)

This is a by-the-numbers “Why Major” essay , covering the events and people who led to your interest in engineering, what you’ll do at A&M to further this interest, and what you’ll do in the future.

The example below was written by a student applying to UT- Austin, and while UT’s prompt is slightly different from A&M’s, it does touch on many of the important points you’ll need to cover in your essay.

At the University of Texas, I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on preserving the environment. The Bridges to the Future Credentials Program will enable me to research sustainable energy systems under Dr. Dongmei Chen and take Energy, Technology, and Policy, where I will learn about different clean energy technologies and their positive environmental effects. I can then use what I learn in class by joining the UT Solar Vehicles team to raise awareness for solar energy. Through my previous research on lithium-ion batteries in high-school, I can help produce a hybrid vehicle with a solar-powered lithium-ion battery which can be used on days with no sunlight. In the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, I plan on bringing my previous experience coding autonomous robots, recording sensory feedback, and creating chassis to research intelligent mechanical systems utilizing AI. I plan to participate in the Engineers for a Sustainable World program by working with mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineers to invent automated devices that make workers more efficient. UT offers the Longhorn Energy Club, an organization supporting energy-related events and fundraisers. People with various STEM careers discuss their opinions and debate on current events related to energy such as renewable power generation and cost-effective fuel cell technology. Through conversations I’ve had with NASA engineers and astronauts, I offer a unique perspective on how current technology is both harming and helping society. Furthermore, through Habitat for Humanity, I have been able to construct four new houses and raise $30,000 to help fund future projects. Not only is the fundraising and building process enjoyable, but every new house gives one family a secure setting which they previously may have never had. I would like to continue giving homes to those in need through the UT Habitat for Humanity program. — — —

You’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing the "Why Major" essay here , and we strongly  recommend reading through it, because this is probably not the only essay of this kind you’ll have to write. But here’s the TL;DR version, along with analysis of how the example essay above hit the right points:

Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest, and create a simple, bullet point outline. Can you find (and describe) the unique influences that set you apart from other aspiring engineering students? Detailing how you meticulously cut out and put together a kinetic hummingbird sculpture will be far more intriguing and memorable than those connecting Legos (no pun intended) with a passion for engineering. The A&M prompt doesn’t ask for students to describe their influences, but if it had, this student could’ve expanded on his lithium battery research or told a story about his conversations with NASA scientists and how that changed the student’s course of study.

Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you (and the reader) see how your interests developed. Bonus: This structure also makes it easier to transition between paragraphs. This student keeps each experience in its own paragraph, making it easy to see his academic and future goals.

Decide if you want to include a specific thesis that explicitly states your central argument—in this case, what you want to study and why. This thesis can be at the beginning, middle, or end of your essay. This student chooses to start his essay with a clear, to-the-point declaration of his academic focus.

Write a draft! Don’t forget to address each part of the prompt (in this case, your past, present, and future with engineering). 

Another tip: If you’re applying to A&M through ApplyTexas and you select an an engineering major for your first- and second-choice majors, you’ll see this prompt twice. You may provide the same response to both questions.

Special thanks to Julia for writing this post

Julia published her first “book” on the elusive Pika in elementary school and has been writing fervently ever since. She’s thrilled to unite her quirky love of grammar and master’s in psychology to help students tell their most meaningful stories. Her favorite punctuation mark is the apostrophe because, in the words of Imagine Dragons, it’s “a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see.”

Top values: Collaboration | Family | Productivity

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Entry to a Major Essays

Instructions & guidance.

There are three essay portions to the application: “Statement of Purpose,” “Outstanding Achievements” and “Additional Information.” Although “Outstanding Achievements" and “Additional Information” are optional, it is highly recommended that you complete these essays.

This application uses plain text formatting. You are encouraged to use a word processor like Microsoft Word to compose your essays and to check your word count (250 words for each essay), spelling and grammar. You can then copy and paste your text onto the application text area. 

Do not use AI text generators such as ChatGPT to complete your ETAM application. Using AI text generators may be considered plagiarism and/or cheating according to Student Rule: 20.1.2.3. Suspected use of generative AI may constitute a violation of the Texas A&M Honor Code and will be referred to the Aggie Honor System Office for investigation. More information may be found through the Aggie Honor System Office.

The University Writing Center  is a resource available to help prepare and/or review your essays. View this brief video with ETAM essay tips and information about ETAM-related services from the University Writing Center.

Essay Topics

Additional information for each essay topic is provided below:

• Statement of Purpose:  You will write one “Statement of Purpose” for each major you select. Your statement of purpose should explain your reason for selecting this major and include academic areas of interest, future professional career goals and strengths you would bring to the department. You should clearly articulate why you are interested in a specific major. You can also write about student organizations you have joined within the major or faculty you have met from this major and include all accomplishments related to the major.
• Outstanding Achievements:  Avoid using major-specific language. All majors you apply to will have access to read this essay. Use complete sentences; do not use bullet points. This section gives you an opportunity to discuss any outstanding achievements you feel are notable for departments to consider. Outstanding achievements should include leadership roles, major projects related to engineering, work or internship experience and scholarships you have received. You may use awards from your time in high school — particularly if they are related to engineering, science, math, or any leadership or extracurricular activities such as band, UIL, etc. This is also a great space to discuss AP credit and other academic qualifications.
• Additional Information:  Avoid major-specific language. All majors you apply to will have access to read this essay. This section allows you the opportunity to give additional information you want the committee to consider. You can include extenuating circumstances or other factors influencing your academic performance.
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How to Respond to the 2024-2025 Texas A&M University Essay Prompts

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Texas A&M is located in warm and sunny College Station, Texas. If you are set on becoming an “Aggie,” then crafting winning responses to the Texas A&M supplemental essays will help your application stand out from all other applicants. Keep reading our guide to learn how to best respond to the Texas A&M prompts! 

Breaking down the Texas A&M supplemental essay prompts

The Texas A&M supplemental essays may seem overwhelming at first. There is one optional prompt as well as a prompt just for engineering majors. So, be sure to know which prompts to respond to. 

Here is a breakdown of the Texas A&M prompts : 

• Essay Prompt 1

Short answer #1

Short answer #2.

• Short answer #3 (optional) 
• Prompt for College of Engineering only 

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

This prompt is an extremely open-ended and broad question. Therefore, you can take this as an opportunity to elaborate on anything you are proud of that was not included in your Common Application or Coalition Application . 

To begin, you should create a list to brainstorm ideas. Write down the most impactful opportunities and challenges that you encountered while in high school. Once you have narrowed down your list to two or three  of the most important and influential events, it is time to write your response! 

The important thing to do when responding to this prompt is not to just simply state the events but expand on the “why” of your prompt. 

Think about the following questions to help expand upon the prompt : 

• Why is it important to share these experiences? 
• What did you learn from this experience? 
• Did you grow from this event? 
• Why were you proud of yourself during this experience? 
• How has this experience shaped you into the person you are today? 

Whatever you write, be sure that you are telling your story. You want to be truthful and true to yourself and your interests. Being authentic will help the Texas A&M admissions officers see just how unique you are.

One important thing to remember throughout your response is that you are not just listing facts and details. Rather, you should weave together your thoughts in an organized and easy-flowing way. Your perspective and interpretation of the events that quite literally changed your life is what the admissions officers are looking for. 

Before submitting your answer to this prompt be sure to ask yourself these questions : 

• Does this prompt tell a story about opportunities or challenges you face while at high school? 
• Is this prompt response told in an organized way? 
• Did you show how your experience shaped who you are today? 

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Short answer section.

With a 10 to 250 word limit , these are true “short answer” questions. Therefore, be sure to stay short and sweet with your answers! Your response can be anywhere from a few sentences to a few paragraphs .

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.

This is an extremely broad question. Therefore, try to narrow down your most influential life event. 

Consider the following questions when brainstorming for this prompt’s response:

• What challenges have you faced that have changed your life? 
• How have you overcome obstacles in your life? 
• What are your most dominant traits?
• How are you prepared to become successful in college? 
• What do you want to do in the future? 
• What skills have you developed over the years? 
• How will you thrive at Texas A&M? 
• Who has helped you through your academic and social journey in high school?

Once you have narrowed down to your most influential life event, you should then describe this event in a narrative way. After describing said event, detail how it has impacted you. What have you learned that will make your college experience more successful?

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why.

Right after reading this prompt, someone popped into your mind. Who was it? However, if you are not content with this person try brainstorming impactful people in your life. 

Think about the following to help you brainstorm people: 

• Family members
• Celebrities
• Historical figures

Once you have determined who has had the greatest impact on your life, describe them and your relationship with them. Are they a friend? Did you read their book every night? Are they still alive? Once you have introduced this person and your relationship to them, highlight how they impacted your life. 

Questions to consider: 

• Did this person teach you anything? 
• Would you be the person you are today without this person’s influence? 
• How exactly was this person impactful in your life? 

Short answer #3

If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials,  which you have not already written about , please note them in the space below.

This question is completely optional, so therefore, do not feel pressured to answer. Only answer this question if you have suffered academic or other types of hardships from COVID. 

Make sure you are not repeating anything that you have already written about in your application. This prompt is the opportunity to elaborate on circumstances that may have affected your grades, clubs, or anything else found on your application. 

If you choose to respond to this prompt, make sure that you are divulging the full truth. Do not beat around the bush and be specific with facts.  Explain any COVID-related hardships you may have experienced and how they negatively affected you. 

Engineering majors only prompt

“Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals? It is important to spend time addressing this question as it will be considered as part of the engineering review process. If you have chosen an engineering major for both your first and second choice majors, you will see the same question twice and may provide the same response to both questions.

Ultimately this question asks you to narrow down your engineering goals for a better understanding of you as an engineering student. Think about which field of engineering you specifically want to pursue and then think about what future goals you have for yourself. 

Consider the following questions:

• What career do you see yourself thriving in? 
• Why do you want to pursue this field? 
• What has influenced you to fulfill these goals? 
• Do you have any figures you look up to in this field? 
• How will your interests and talents be put to use in this field? 

After addressing the answers to a few of these questions, it is then important to address any experience you have had in this engineering field. 

Consider the following questions: 

• How did you become interested in this field? (YouTube video, teacher, parent, etc.) 
• Were you in any engineering or related clubs in high school? 
• Have you volunteered anywhere in the engineering community? 

Lastly, you should tie your response back to Texas A&M. 

Think about the following questions to help you tie your response back to Texas A&M

• What resources does Texas A&M have to help you reach your future and career goals?
• Are there any organizations you are looking to join?
• What specific classes are you excited to take? (Use the actual names of these classes!) 
• How will Texas A&M help you better than other schools? 

Final thoughts on the Texas A&M supplemental essays

The Texas A&M supplemental essays might seem a little daunting at first. However, there is no need to worry if you read every prompt carefully and outline your responses prior to writing. This will help you narrow down what to discuss in your prompt responses.

The most important thing is to be authentically you. Texas A&M is looking for unique, creative, and ambitious students to join their incoming freshman class to become part of their Aggie community. So, just be yourself!

Once you complete your Texas A&M supplemental essays, be sure to check over your writing for any mistakes and that you are answering the questions completely. Best of luck on your academic journey, and make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for!

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At Scholarships360, we offer free college admissions information at your fingertips. We understand that the college admissions process is challenging, and have tried our best to provide resources that can help you. 

Check out our following guides to help you navigate through college admissions: 

• How to write a 500 word essay
• How to answer the Common App Essay Prompts
• How to write an essay about yourself

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Texas A&M University Supplemental Essay Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the Texas A&M essay prompts? CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the Texas A&M application essays will breakdown the Texas A&M essay requirements and show you exactly how to write engaging Texas A&M essays to maximize your chances of admission. If you need help answering the Texas A&M essay prompts, create your free or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

Texas A&M Essay Guide Quick Facts

• Acceptance rate of 63.0%— U.S. News ranks Texas A&M as a more selective school. 
• Every student must submit a Texas A&M essay through ApplyTexas or The Coalition Application . If you are applying as an engineer, you must write an additional Texas A&M essay.

Does Texas A&M have any supplemental essays?

Yes, there are two Texas A&M application essays. The Essay tab of Admission’s Freshman Application Page , lists the Texas A&M essay requirements. You’ll find both Texas A&M essay prompts there. In the first essay, you’ll share a bit about your high school career. The second, is an engineering-specific short answer question.

Does Texas A&M require a supplemental essay?

Yes, the Texas A&M requirements require all applicants to write Texas A&M application essays. While there are two Texas A&M essay prompts, there is only one required Texas A&M essay. Only students applying to the College of Engineering need to answer both Texas A&M essay prompts. 

To summarize, students applying as engineers will write two Texas A&M admissions essays. All other non-engineering students will write one Texas A&M essay. Now that we have established the Texas A&M essay requirements, let’s write those Texas A&M admissions essays!

How do I write my Texas A&M supplemental essay?

After you’ve reviewed the Texas A&M essay requirements, you can begin brainstorming topics for your Texas A&M essays.  Remember, there isn’t a perfect topic or a formulaic approach to writing your essay. Your Texas A&M admissions essays are an opportunity to infuse your application with your life, personality, and voice. Rather than trying to impress Admissions with your Texas A&M essays, go for honesty! That means being true to yourself and your experiences. 

No matter what topic you end up choosing to write about in your Texas A&M essays, it is important you remember your audience. Your Texas A&M application essays are part of an application, so you need to appeal to the needs of your reader: the Admissions team. They are looking to get a sense of who you are and how you’ll add to the vibrancy of their student body.

Here are three questions you should keep in mind when writing each of your Texas A&M admissions essays:

• Have I answered the prompt in my Texas A&M essay?
• Does my Texas A&M essay reflect who I am?
• Do I show how I will be an asset to the school’s community in my Texas A&M essay?

Now that we have our essay goals in mind, let’s move on to the first step: brainstorming. We have provided the 2021-2022 Texas A&M essay prompts below. You’ll find a breakdown of how to approach each question, as well as tips for writing Texas A&M application essays that will help you stand out in admissions. 

Texas A&M essay – Question 1 (Required)

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (no word limit).

The Texas A&M essay prompts do not have specified word limits. Because there is only one required Texas A&M essay and this prompt is open-ended, we suggest sticking between approximately 500-700 words. Remember, if your essay is too short, you may not be telling a complete or detailed story. Too long, and you may not keep your reader’s attention.

Generate ideas

This Texas A&M essay is going to be about cause and effect. As you brainstorm , split your page into two columns: “Opportunities/Challenges” and “How I Was Affected.” The first column addresses the “what” part of your Texas A&M essay. The prompt asks about plural opportunities or challenges. Therefore, it is important you write down as many memories you can think of, as you’ll likely be picking more than one to include in your Texas A&M essay. Also, this prompt specifically asks about your high school career . Restrict your brainstorming to high school memories. 

The second column will be the “why” of your Texas A&M essay. Why is it important for the admissions team to hear this story? For each opportunity or challenge, write a corresponding bullet point that summarizes what you learned, how you grew, why you were proud of yourself, or why it was important to you.

Look for patterns

Once you’ve completed your brainstorm, start looking for patterns or ways to group your experiences. Was there a particular class you grew in? Perhaps there was a challenge that later reappeared as an opportunity. Or maybe there’s an aspect of your personality that shined through in multiple situations.

Whatever you settle on, be sure to refer to the three objectives before you start drafting your Texas A&M essay. This breakdown has already helped you be sure you are responding to the prompt, so you need to be sure the story you’ve outlined will reflect something about who you are and how you might positively impact Texas A&M’s community.

Tell your story

All that’s left to do is tell your story. As you begin drafting your Texas A&M application essays, be sure you aren’t simply listing facts or details. Instead, string them together with your thoughts, feelings, and interpretations. Even if the events on paper are simple, your voice is what makes will make you stand out .

Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does your Texas A&M essay tell a story about opportunities or challenges you faced in high school? 
• Did you show how your experiences helped shape who you are?
• Does your Texas A&M essay have a point of view?

Texas A&M essay – Question 2 (Required for Engineering Applicants)

Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals? (no word limit).

According to the Texas A&M essay requirements, all applicants to the School of Engineering must respond to a second prompt and write a total of two Texas A&M admissions essays. Neither of the Texas A&M essay prompts has word counts, so there is no specific word limit for your Texas A&M essays. Because this question is more straightforward, we suggest keeping your second Texas A&M essay between 300-500 words.

Although the topics are different, both Texas A&M essay prompts are cause & effect questions. For this brainstorm, split your page into two columns: “Academic and Career Goals” and “Who/What Inspires Me.” List out what you hope to learn and the kind of work and research you might want to do at college as well as the kind of positions or work you’d like to hold or be involved in post-graduation (including grad school if you’re already thinking of attending). Remember, whatever you include on your inspiration list needs to have “contributed to these goals,” so as you list people, topics, or events, also write down how they helped lead you to your goals. 

Focus on what’s important

Once you have all the information and details you’d like to include, all you need to do is write about them in a way that shows who you are and what is important to you. For example, if you already know the kind of job you’d like to have one day, you could start with your academic goals, reflect upon your inspirations, and end with your career aspirations. Or if there was one pivotal moment that has defined your path, maybe start with that moment and tell the story of how that has led you to have the goals you have today.

Everyone’s goals and inspirations will be specific to them. However, a strong Texas A&M essay should focus on your passion for engineering. Let that passion shine through in your writing, and you’ll be sure to have Texas A&M application essays that will blow the admissions team away. 

• Did you describe your academic and career goals in your Texas A&M essay? 
• Have you shown what has inspired you to reach for these goals?
• Does your Texas A&M essay reflect your passion?

What does Texas A&M look for in essays?

To begin, you should think of the Texas A&M essays as a chance to introduce yourself. They’re also an opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants. Therefore, you’ll want to write your Texas A&M application essays in your own voice and show how your unique experiences have impacted how you view the world. The admissions team cares about more than just your grades and test scores; they care about the person behind the numbers.

Although it is not specifically mentioned in the Texas A&M essay requirements, it is expected your essays have the correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. In addition to telling your story, the admissions department is looking for Texas A&M admissions essays that are clear and polished. Excellent editing and proofreading are a must. The less distracted your reader is by little mistakes, the easier it will be to focus on the story your Texas A&M essays are telling.  

Tips for writing Texas A&M essays

In addition to providing the Texas A&M essay requirements, the university has a College Readiness page with resources and tips to help you through the application process. Be sure to review these tips on the website or below.  Approaching the Texas A&M application essays can be daunting. CollegeAdvisor offers 39 Essay Tips from Admissions Experts that will you navigate the writing process.

Answer the question

Our guide has already broken down the Texas A&M essay prompts to be sure you’ve answered the question completely. As you settle on a topic, be sure to use your Texas A&M admissions essays as an opportunity to touch on something not mentioned anywhere else in your application. Although the Texas A&M essay requirements don’t specifically tell you to, providing new information will help give the admissions team a full picture of who you are and the experiences that have prepared you for college.

Be authentic

We’ve said to “use your voice,” which is just another way to say be authentic. While it is important you keep your audience in mind (and specifically use language appropriate to the formality of a college application), it is also important you stay true to who you are. There’s no need to try to sound smarter or funnier or more serious in your Texas A&M essays than you do in real life – Admissions wants you to be yourself. 

Focus on details

The details you include will make your Texas A&M application essays stand out from the rest. Even if your circumstances or experiences seem like everybody else’s, your experience of them is what makes them special and unique to you. Being specific will also help bring your story to life and help drop your reader into your shoes so they can better understand who you are and what you bring to the table. 

Proofread your essay

Proofread, proofread, proofread! Grammar or spelling mistakes aren’t the end of the world. However, they do distract your reader from what is important: your story. Whether or not you are a strong proofreader, have a second pair of eyes on your Texas A&M essays. A teacher, counselor, or guardian is a great place to start. Even a fellow peer can be a good resource. Most importantly, your reader should give feedback on both grammar and story. This will ensure your final draft is as polished as it can be. 

As you begin compiling all the information you’ll need for your application, check out the Admissions blog for prospective students. Additionally, if you’d like more tips from Texas A&M’s undergraduate admissions team on approaching your essays, check out this video on telling your story!

Texas A&M Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

If the essay requirements seem daunting to you, remember that the admissions team wants to be impressed by you. There are so many types of students and people in the world. It is impossible to know who a person is by their grades and test scores alone. Consequently, the admissions teams reads the Texas A&M admissions essays to get a better understanding of each candidate as a person. Unlike the other aspects of your application, you have complete control over your Texas A&M application essays. Take that freedom and use your Texas A&M essays to show them your best, most curious self. Start early. Then, you’ll have time to brainstorm, draft, edit, rewrite, and proofread. With a little preparation, your Texas A&M application essays can wow the admissions team.

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Texas A&M was written by Stefanie Tedards. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Texas A&M, click here . Want help crafting your Texas A&M admissions essays? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Texas A&M University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Regular Decision Deadline: Dec 1

Texas A&M University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: Two required essays of 250 words each; one optional essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball , Additional Information

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (250 words)

This prompt is incredibly vague, which is kinda awesome because it sets you up to talk about almost anything you want. Which life event has sparked personal growth? What do you think it takes to be successful and how do you embody those qualities? Maybe a parent’s fragile health situation challenged you to take on more responsibilities than the average teenager, preparing you for the hard work ahead. Or perhaps you learned to love your football team’s playback sessions, as they forced you to routinely examine your mistakes, welcome constructive criticism, and guide you toward self-improvement. Whatever story you choose to tell, be sure to infuse it with personal details that no one else could include in their essay.

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (250 words)

Who is the first person to come to mind when you read this prompt? The person you write about can be someone in your immediate circle, larger network, or on the world stage. Remember that the person you choose is going to say a lot about what you value and respect in others. Maybe an adult in your life has served as a mentor and role model for you, or perhaps the person who has impacted you most is a close friend and confidant. Once you identify the person you’d like to write about, be sure to summarize who they are to you, how they have impacted your life, and how you’ve changed as a result of knowing them.

If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about, please note them in the space below. (250 words)

Let us start by saying: this prompt is not for everyone. If your GPA has not dramatically increased or decreased during your high school career, move along. If, on the other hand, you’re thinking, “Yes! An opportunity for me to explain!” then read on.  Your transcripts are like Garfield Minus Garfield . Sure, we can see that something’s changed from frame to frame, but we don’t know why. Grades need context. Admissions doesn’t know why or how things happened—good or bad—so ake a look at your grades and note any anomalies or odd jumps/drops. Think back to that time in your life and tell your story. Maybe your family struggled with financial instability or the loss of a loved one. Maybe you started meeting virtually with a tutor and climbed from a fall semester C in geometry to a spring semester A. No matter your story, you are not alone in your journey of ups and downs—high school is a veritable war zone of distractions and possibilities. And, remember, everyone loves a comeback. 

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Texas A&M Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Texas A&M college application essays were written by students accepted at Texas A&M. 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 Texas A&M

Maps elliott stanton, texas a&m.

Without maps, we all would be lost in life. We rely on road maps, key maps, and even Mapquest to find our way to various destinations. My 4-H career and personal life can be related to a the common Texas road map. I have traveled miles down...

El Carmen April Marie Zwerneman

This summer, I had the opportunity to escape from the routine of daily life and spend a week in Mexico. However, this week was no Acapulco vacation. I journeyed alongside several dozen members of my youth group to El Carmen, a small village on...

A Man With No Shoes Joseph Linneman Saenz

Full of innocence, I lay in my bed on a Saturday morning, relaxing after a difficult week at school. Suddenly I was awakened as the intercom in my room crackled to life. My parents often used the intercom, but calls this early in the morning were...

Tristan Joseph Linneman Saenz

On the first day of history class at Texas A&M, I took a seat in an empty row, placed my books on my desk, and watched the other students trickle into the classroom. One student in particular caught my attention. He appeared slightly...

Watch Jessica Monk

There’s no way that it’s morning already. I hear footsteps running down the hall; eight hours ago this would have been considered typical, but now, it’s completely ludicrous. The door to my dorm room swings open with a nauseating kind of reality,...

How my friend affected my life Anonymous

The crack of the shoulder pads atop two burly young men signals that the high school football season is in full swing. If not for the electric Friday nights under the lights of a shrine to hard work, there would be weeks when I simply existed and...

The Lab Ryan Esparza

The first time that science really made sense was in seventh grade, when a frog lay splayed out on the desk in front of me. While the stench of formaldehyde made others eyes water and stomachs churn, I was too fascinated to notice. I was intrigued...

The Experience that Lives On Anonymous

"Can I touch you there?" As an 8-year-old, I didn't know what to say. I was obedient. I was shy. I was afraid of speaking up and being judged. So instead of answering the question, I stayed silent and was sexually abused by a family member. He...

I Am Me Anonymous

I will never forget the look of the freshly fallen, pure-white snow that blanketed the streets just outside the car when my mother said, “I don’t even consider you my son anymore.” The white snow was suddenly blinding, glaring at me with its...

Photography Anonymous

The shutter button is released, causing a chain reaction: the lens opens and closes in the span of microseconds, and, for a moment, the world stands still to allow genius or despair to be captured.

When I was eleven years old, fresh out of...

"Question Everything" and Other Lessons From Mr. Mann Leta Rebecca Cunningham

When I was in the eighth grade, I took the infamous Gifted and Talented class taught by the even more infamous Mr. Mann. Picture my first day in this classroom: the four walls were absolutely plastered with nonsensical posters and paintings and a...

The Stack That Is My Life Leta Rebecca Cunningham

On the top shelf on the far right wall of my closet, there are stacks and stacks of dog-eared, worn-out, bent-up composition notebooks. Well, mostly composition notebooks, but there is some variety -- like a locked plastic purple diary that my...

A Lesson in Flying Anonymous

They call it free falling for a reason. There’s something liberating that comes with taking the plunge, but that sense of freedom didn’t come easily for me.

My sophomore year of high school, I joined the Durango High School’s dive team. Our...

True Belief Anonymous

I remember the first Tuesday I stepped into the hall of the church. The raucous noise of children playing was quickly quieted by Jake, our youth group leader, as he led fifty teenagers in solemn prayer. As everyone bowed their heads to pray, I...

The Invisible Bully Anonymous

The screen glowed brightly in her face as she would check her Facebook, and wonder why people did this to her. “Who would be mean enough to treat a person like this?”, she would always ask me. The cruel, menacing, and terrifying words that some of...

Hooked on Teaching Rebekka Anne Strom

A week after New Year’s in 2011, the cherry blossom tree outside my apartment’s living room erupted in pink and my best friend died. Two weeks later, I stared into the eyes of seventeen eager 9-year-olds in my first classroom. By the end of the...

Seeing the World Through a Different Lens Caroline Bridges

As I savor the rich chocolate and caramel found in my Magnum ice cream bar, I am suddenly brought back to the cobblestoned streets of Luxembourg, just one of the few places I remember eating the same delectable treat. I hear the festive Christmas...

The Mothers from Hell Noelle Simon

We have a saying at work: “Dealing with an angry mom is like dealing with a burglar; just give her what she wants, and no one gets hurt.”

I see it almost every day at the pool - a mother’s desperate desire to have everyone acknowledge her son as...

Surfacing from Stress Noelle Simon

Diving in a pool is an experience like no other. It’s like immersing yourself in a world with no sound and no communication. Underwater you can do things that would be so much more difficult to do on land, for example: a backflip or a handstand....

Lifetime goals Noelle Simon

The athlete-to-captain relationship is the lifeblood of any functioning sports team. After all, the team captain essentially acts as a mediator between the other players and the coach. Some other jobs of a team captain include, but are not limited...

One Step Back to Take Two Steps Forwards Anonymous

When I was younger, my mother attended ESL classes every Wednesday evening at our local church. When she came home, it was straight to the dining table to complete her given assignments. It would not be uncommon for her to take hours just...

Lessons from the Produce Section Hyun Chang

Monsoon season began the day after I arrived at Jeongok, a small town where the rushed lifestyle found in most Korean cities was in abundance. My grandmother, who owned a grocery store in the town, asked me to take over during a particularly rainy...

Where will I go? Anonymous

It has always been a dream of mine to travel to a Spanish speaking country, to immerse myself in the language and culture. Sadly, due to financial constraints, my family has never been able to travel out of the country, except for one trip to see...

Dads and Dough Anonymous

It’s five o’clock on a Sunday morning. Do you know where your father is? If you’re me, then you know exactly where he is: in the kitchen preparing the dough for his homemade bread. My dad spends every Sunday morning this way. It’s a process that...

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The New Texas A&M Essay Prompts

• Sasha Chada
• September 14, 2021

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Texas A&M has added three new essay prompts for students applying this fall, which is three more essays than they required last year. This change has made many students nervous, as this seems like a major shift, and may impact their chances of admission. We believe this change has come due to the decreased importance of standardized tests during the Coronavirus pandemic.

While we already created a guide to Texas A&M , we thought it would be helpful for students if we also provided analysis of the essays the school required. In this article, we’ll go over the three new essay questions, give examples of how they can be answered, and discuss what Texas A&M is looking for.

Diversity Essay Example

Texas A&M University believes that diversity is an important part of academic excellence and that it is essential to living our core values. Describe the benefits of diversity and inclusion for you and for the Texas A&M campus community. Please share any personal experiences that have shaped your views. (300 words)

An emphasis on diversity prevents a community from collapsing into dull uniformity and close-mindedness. I am deeply aware of the upshot of diversity in this respect, but making sure an abstract ideal becomes more than a mere catchphrase or empty aspiration can be tricky. Diversity has to be cultivated; it doesn’t necessarily arise by itself when a bunch of very different people are brought together. Factionalism can set in even in those places where, on paper, a diverse set of people are working together, attending school, or playing sports on a team. I think that for diversity to become a reality, there needs to be those who take it upon themselves to establish communication between separate groups. I see myself at Texas A&M – which already has a vibrant sense of community – working as a moderator between friends and classmates to effect constructive dialogue. I have experience navigating the dicey waters of diversity.

The past two elections were obviously some of the most divisive periods in our nation’s history and my school community was not spared the fallout. With friends belonging to different camps, I would frequently find myself in the midst of one of those soul-crushing shouting matches where everyone seems to be talking past each other. I have always had a strong moral compass, and, although I’m no expert when it comes to politics, I am willing to call out hypocrisy when I see it. When one day a difference of aesthetic preference regarding Trump Tower quickly degenerated into a conflict that nearly approached fisticuffs, I knew I had to do something. I decided that I should avoid partisanship and expose the hypocrisies and quandaries of both sides of the political spectrum. My intervention was effective, and, as the emotions simmered, actual constructive dialogue began.

Diversity Essay Analysis

This prompt is fairly explicit in what it is asking for, and what position it takes. It is, however, looking for two separate things in the same essay. The first is an explanation of what you believe the benefits of diversity are, both for yourself and for Texas A&M. The second is an exploration of how your personal experiences shaped your beliefs on diversity.

In answering the first part of this question, you should focus on your personal reasons for embracing diversity. You should try to create a response which is not cliched, and which does not read like a Hallmark card. In the example above, the author discusses how diversity is not a state of existence, but a process, one which must be worked at in order to be maintained.

In doing this, the author shows a deep understanding of how diversity works at an institution like Texas A&M, and demonstrates a willingness to contribute to that diversity. Colleges want to admit students who will actively participate in their communities, and contribute to the culture they have worked to build. The second half of this essay is where you can provide an example of this capability. By showing how you personally encountered diversity, you demonstrate to the university how you are able to contribute to it in the future.

In the example above, the author discusses diversity of political opinions. This can be a controversial topic, but is quite relevant in our current times. While the author does not take a political stance in this essay, that does not mean you cannot. We do, however, recommend being cautious when taking a contentious political stance. Admissions officers are people too, and if your essay comes across as combative, they may think poorly of your application.

This is a good example of how diversity can cover many different traits. You can write about race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, nationality, socio-economic status, politics, or even lighter fare. Being a female wrestler or a male ballet dancer both count as diversity, and can lead to interesting essays. Whatever you write about, you should demonstrate how you will contribute to the school’s community if you are admitted. Again, many of these topics can be quite sensitive, and we urge you to use tact and cautious editing when writing this essay.

Personal Impact Essay Example

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (300 words)

The lessons that my dad drilled into me can be condensed into the following aphorism: it isn’t how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. When serving his community and church, he has had his fair share of dealings with disgruntled or troubled people who were going through a lot. Sometimes those people would lash out at him, but my dad is unperturbable. He maintains zen-like equanimity and never lets unpleasant behavior compromise his empathy.

Life includes many frustrations and unforeseen anxieties. Keeping a level head is perhaps the most crucial skill to have nowadays. When my family was driving to Colorado during an unbelievably fierce blizzard, we suddenly realized we were low on gas. Then snow, somehow, got even worse. It looked like downy blankets of white were being thrown on the windshield. Everyone in the car was in full panic mode, except my dad. If he felt the same terror that gripped me, he didn’t show it. Rather than being annoyed at my mom’s anxiety-ridden but essentially useless vocalizations, he somehow managed to comfort her and us with reassuring words and timely humor. All the while, without being able to see two feet in front of the car, he managed to get us to a gas station.

It’s that kind of experience that has really cemented my admiration for my dad. The guy is enormously compassionate in situations where there simply isn’t time for empathy. Many people with his level of toughness tend to be rough around the edges. Not so with my dad; he never lets clouds, tantrums, mistakes, breakdowns, personal conflicts, disgruntled folks, or general bad luck, darken his heart of gold.

Personal Impact Essay Analysis

In contrast to the first prompt, this essay is far more open in regards to subject matter. While you can write about most anyone, family members are likely to be a common choice, as we see in the essay above. This is completely reasonable; it makes sense that the person who has raised you since birth would have a major impact on who you are as a person. This essay, however, merely asks about impact on you, which means there are several directions you can take this essay.

It is important to consider what the university is looking for when they ask this question. As with all other essay prompts, what Texas A&M wants to know with this is some of who you are as a person, and what your values are. The person who impacted you most, and the values they instilled, says something important about what your values are, and how you will impact others once you reach college.

In the example above, the author discusses his father, and the virtue of equanimity. The ability to face problems calmly, and deal with them in an adult manner, regardless of the challenges life presents.

This is a good value to demonstrate for colleges, and has the advantage of being uncommon. The less common a value is, the more likely your essay is to stand out, and the more likely admissions officers are to take note of what you say. You can talk about more common values, but these should be discussed in uncommon ways. For example, discussing strength in vulnerability, or patience through an uncommon past-time.

In the example above, the author uses driving through a snow storm to demonstrate calm under pressure, and show the impact of equanimity. The ability to remain calm and collected under pressure, and to spread that calm to others, is quite helpful at college, which is notoriously stressful.

Whatever you decide to write about, you should show how the person impacted you, and how those impacts have turned you into the person you are today, and how that person will be a positive impact on campus. This person can be a family member, a teacher, or even a stranger, though you would need some very persuasive writing to make the latter option make sense.

Life Event Essay Example

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (300 words)

Back before climate change habituated us to 100+ degree days as a matter of course, 95 degrees was sufficient to earn a day the label of “scorcher”. My teammates and I were preparing to run our district race for cross country, and were already dripping with sweat. When the gun went off, we rushed to the top of the pack and hoped to cement that early lead. We had put some distance between ourselves and the rest of the competitors when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my coach, arms akimbo, flailing like a madman to get our attention. We had taken a wrong turn – a 200 meter wrong turn. Not good.

At that catastrophic moment, there were two options. #1: quit in the face of a seemingly insurmountable mistake. #2: turn around and finish the race.

When we halted, seconds ticked by in indecision. I broke our paralysis with a barbaric yawp of “let’s go!” and charged in the other direction.

Once we got back on the course, we were in the back of the pack. Naturally, I was horrifically discouraged about having led my teammates the wrong way. The idea that I had potentially squandered our one chance to win our first-ever district race was devastating. But I didn’t crumble. Instead, I pushed my teammates up the last mile, catching one runner after another. The distance between us and the rest of the runners seemed to shrink. Before we knew it, I was in third place with my teammates tracking behind me, with a half a mile to go. Once we got to the final kick, I was able to push through and finished first, with my best friend and former teammate getting second. We got lucky that day; in other circumstances we might have finished last, failing to reach our goal. But it’s one thing to fail and another thing entirely to give up. I prefer the former.

Life Event Essay Analysis

This essay can be about almost anything, and we recommend you cross apply another essay you have written which fits within the prompt. This is also a good place to explore one of your extracurricular activities you have not had an opportunity to discuss yet. Whatever you write about, it should demonstrate how you are prepared for the rigors of collegiate life.

In the example above, the author discusses adversity and perseverance during a race. While this topic is a bit cliched, that does not mean you can’t write about it, merely that you have to approach such topics with care. Cliches are used so often because they are so widely applicable; they are tools like any other.

The main value expressed by the author is perseverance, especially in the face of their own mistakes. Mistakes happen; that’s a part of life. What matters is how you react to them, and what you do next. In this essay, the author shows their willingness to work to rectify their own mistakes, and to accept the responsibility for their errors.

These are both traits which colleges like to see, as this attitude indicates maturity, and a willingness to self-evaluate honestly. Perseverance in the face of adversity is also important for college, where the classes will likely be far more challenging than what you had to deal with in high school.

When you answer this prompt, you can choose any of your values to focus on. We recommend discussing values that did not get covered in your other essays, so that you give admissions officers the most complete picture of who you are possible. You should also talk about an event or experience that your other essays did not cover, for the same reason. Admissions officers only know what you tell them, so you should try to tell them as much as possible.

Final Thoughts

While the new essay requirements from Texas A&M feel jarring, they are not altogether surprising. College admissions have been changed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and now colleges are beginning to respond and react. Texas A&M is no longer able to rely as heavily on standardized test scores, and so now they have introduced mandatory essays as a metric by which to evaluate students.

Preparing for tests and writing essays are different demands, but it is entirely possible to succeed at both. If you feel overwhelmed, or want advice on writing your own Texas A&M essays, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation . We have a depth of experience helping students with every aspect of college admissions, and are always happy to hear from you.

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Home — Application Essay — University — Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University Admission Essays

Introduction to texas a&m university essays.

Texas A&M University, renowned for its academic excellence and rich traditions, offers a unique platform for students to grow and learn. As part of the application process, the Texas A&M essays play a crucial role in helping the admissions committee understand the applicant beyond academic scores. This guide will explore various aspects of writing compelling essays for Texas A&M, including Texas A&M essay examples and Texas A&M application essay examples, to help you in your application journey.

Known for its diverse and inclusive environment, Texas A&M University stands as a beacon of higher learning and research. The university values essays that reflect the applicant's character, aspirations, and alignment with the university's ethos. Understanding the culture and values of Texas A&M is vital for writing essays that resonate with the admissions committee.

Essential Tips for Crafting Texas A&M University Essays

The process of writing Texas A&M University admission essays requires thoughtful consideration and strategic execution. The first and foremost rule is authenticity. Your essay should be a true reflection of your personality and experiences. It's essential to tell your story in a way that is genuine and engaging. The admissions committee is looking to understand who you are beyond grades and test scores. They are interested in your journey, your aspirations, and how you can contribute to the Texas A&M community.

Avoid falling into the trap of clichés and overused phrases. Essays littered with these often fail to stand out and can diminish the personal touch. Instead, delve into personal anecdotes and experiences that provide a window into your life. These narratives should offer insight into your character, your values, and how you approach challenges and opportunities. This approach not only makes your essay more interesting but also showcases your individuality.

Another critical aspect of essay writing is clarity and coherence. Your essay should be well-organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Each paragraph should flow logically to the next, making your story easy to follow. Pay attention to your language and style. While creativity is encouraged, your main goal should be to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively.

Proofreading is a vital step in the essay-writing process. Grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing can detract from the quality of your essay. Take the time to review your essay multiple times and consider having it proofread by mentors, teachers, or peers. They can offer valuable feedback and help you polish your essay to perfection.

Lastly, ensure your essay aligns with the values and ethos of Texas A&M University. Research the university thoroughly and understand its culture, academic programs, and community life. Your essay should reflect why you are a good fit for Texas A&M and how the university can help you achieve your future goals.

How to Write the Texas A&M Essays

Crafting compelling essays for Texas A&M University involves a strategic approach that combines personal storytelling with structured writing. Here are five essential steps to follow in order to create an impactful and memorable essay:

• Brainstorming Personal Experiences: Begin by reflecting on your life experiences, challenges, achievements, and moments of growth. Think about instances that have significantly influenced your perspective or path. This stage is about gathering raw material for your essay – the more personal and detailed, the better.
• Identifying Key Themes: From your brainstormed experiences, identify central themes that relate to your aspirations and values. These themes should connect to what Texas A&M University stands for and what you aim to achieve in your academic and professional journey. This step is crucial in aligning your personal story with the ethos of the university.
• Structuring Your Essay: Organize your thoughts into a coherent structure. A strong essay typically has an engaging introduction, a well-developed body that elaborates on your experiences and reflections, and a conclusion that ties everything back to your aspirations and fit with Texas A&M. Ensure each part contributes meaningfully to your overall narrative.
• Writing with Clarity and Creativity: With your structure in place, start writing your essay. Aim for clarity in your expression and creativity in your storytelling. Use specific examples and vivid descriptions to bring your story to life. Remember, your goal is to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee.
• Revision and Feedback: Once your first draft is complete, revise it for clarity, coherence, and impact. Check for grammatical errors and awkward phrasings. It's also beneficial to seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers. They can provide valuable insights and suggest improvements to enhance the quality of your essay.

Writing the Texas A&M essays is an opportunity to showcase your unique personality, experiences, and suitability for the university. By following these steps, you can create essays that not only fulfill the application requirements but also capture your true self.

Texas A&M Supplemental Essay Prompts

Texas A&M University offers various supplemental essay prompts that allow students to showcase different facets of their personality and aspirations. These prompts are designed to gauge your fit with the university's culture and values. Let's explore some of these prompts and provide Texas A&M supplemental essays examples to guide you.

Sample Essay: "In my junior year, I was elected captain of the school's debate team. This role was not only about strategy and public speaking but also about nurturing a sense of team spirit and collaboration. I learned to listen, motivate, and guide my peers, which translated into our team winning the state championship. This experience shaped my goal to pursue a career in law, aspiring to be a leader who advocates for justice and change. At Texas A&M, I look forward to joining the debate team and continuing to hone my leadership skills in a collegiate setting."

Sample Essay: "The most significant challenge I faced was adapting to a new country and culture after moving from Mexico to the U.S. during high school. The language barrier and cultural differences made the transition difficult. However, I embraced the challenge, dedicating myself to learning English and understanding the new culture. I volunteered in community events to improve my language skills and engage with my new community. This experience taught me resilience and adaptability, traits I believe will be beneficial at Texas A&M as I engage with a diverse student body and face academic challenges."

Sample Essay: "My interest in environmental science began when I participated in a local river clean-up and realized the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems. I want to explore sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, and Texas A&M's cutting-edge research and community engagement initiatives make it the ideal place for my studies. The university's commitment to sustainability aligns with my aspirations to contribute to environmental conservation efforts. I am particularly excited about the hands-on research opportunities and the prospect of working with esteemed professors in this field."

Texas A&M Essay Examples

Reviewing various Texas A&M college essay examples can offer a clearer picture of what a successful application looks like. Successful essays typically showcase the writer's personal story, align with their academic and career goals, and reflect an understanding of Texas A&M's values. Below are ten hypothetical essay topics that could serve as a starting point for writing a compelling essay for Texas A&M University. While it's important to draw inspiration from these examples, remember to infuse your essays with your own unique experiences and perspectives.

• Overcoming Personal Adversity to Achieve Academic Success (narrating a journey of personal challenges and how they fueled academic aspirations)
• My Inspiration to Pursue Engineering (a story of how a childhood fascination with gadgets led to choosing an engineering major)
• Volunteering Experiences Shaping Career Goals (describing how community service experiences influenced career choices in public service or healthcare)
• Leadership in High School Sports (deflecting on the lessons learned as a team captain and how these lessons translate to future ambitions)
• Passion for Environmental Activism (discussing involvement in environmental causes and how this passion aligns with environmental studies at Texas A&M
• Cultural Exchange Experience (sharing insights gained from an exchange program or multicultural environment and its impact on personal growth
• A Family Business's Influence (exploring how growing up in a family-run business environment inspired entrepreneurial aspirations
• The Role of Technology in Modern Education (analyzing personal experiences with technology in learning and aspirations to improve educational tech solutions
• Artistic Endeavors and Personal Development (describing how involvement in the arts has shaped personal and academic goals
• Interest in Agricultural Sciences (telling a story of a rural upbringing or experiences with farming and how it led to an interest in studying agricultural sciences at Texas A&M

Remember, while these examples serve as inspiration, the most effective essays will be those that are deeply personal and reflective of your unique experiences, perspectives, and understanding of what Texas A&M University offers.

In conclusion, the Texas A&M essays are a critical component of your application. They offer an opportunity to present yourself in a way that transcends your academic achievements. Utilize these tips, examples, and insights to craft essays that truly reflect who you are and how you resonate with the values and opportunities at Texas A&M University.

Texas A&M: The Ideal Place for Academic Growth and Community Engagement

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From EduConnect to Texas A&M: Continuing the Journey

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Empowering Through Community Service: My Journey as a Leader

As I reflect on my high school years, there is one particular experience that stands out to me as a defining moment in my personal growth and development as a leader. It was during my junior year when I became involved in a community service…

Texas A&M University: My Journey Towards Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are two essential values that have shaped my personal journey. Growing up in a multicultural household, I have had the privilege of experiencing diversity firsthand. My mother is from India, and my father is from Mexico. Their unique backgrounds and perspectives have…

Discovering the Mind: My Journey into Psychology

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My Interest in the Master of Science Program at the Texas A&M University

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Application For A Master's Program In Management

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My Motivation To Pursue An MBA Program

From a tender age, curiosity has always had the better part of me. My curiosity is anchored on understanding why things work the way they do and whether there is a way around improving the same. It is for this reason that I felt really…

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How to Write the ApplyTexas Essays 2024-2025 + Examples

Born from the collaboration between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and various public and private universities around the state, ApplyTexas is a wide-spanning application that allows its users to apply to hundreds of Texan colleges. Like the Common App, it offers a platform for students—natively Texan or not—to send off the same information to many schools, although each school may require differing additional information. 

Unlike the Common App, ApplyTexas may be used to apply to the community colleges, public four-years, participating private schools, graduate programs, and even scholarships within Texan borders. For this article’s purposes, we will be focusing primarily on ApplyTexas’s 150+ four-year colleges and universities. Check out our full list of Texan colleges .

Read this ApplyTexas essay example to inspire your own writing.

Which Colleges Require Which Essays?

As for the ApplyTexas essays, there are three main prompts — prompts A, B, and C — but some colleges will only require some, keep others optional, or not accept certain prompts at all. They may also have additional short answer questions and supplements of their own. Even the recommended word count varies between schools.

Here’s a quick snapshot into the unique essay requirements of a few top ApplyTexas colleges:

University of Texas at Austin:

• Choose between Topic A, B or C (optional). 
• 1 short answer responses, 1 of which is optional.
• Additional major-specific materials/requirements for art/art history, architecture, nursing, and social work programs .
• Also accepts the Common App.

Southern Methodist University:

• Topic A essay required, B is optional. 
• Also accepts the Common App, Coalition Application, and its own application.

Texas A&M University, College Station:

• Topic A is required. 
• 8 additional short answers for all applicants, 1 of which is optional.
• 1 short answer for applicants to the College of Engineering.

Baylor University, Waco:

• Also accepts the Common App and its own application.

Texas Christian University:

• Any essay topic on the ApplyTexas application (optional)
• 3 additional short answer questions, 1 of which is optional.
• Any essay topic on the ApplyTexas application (optional).
• Additional major-specific essay for Architecture, Art, Art History, Design, Studio Art, and Visual Art Studies/Art Education.

Never ignore optional prompts! Taking the time to complete them shows that you truly care about the school. Ignoring them will make admissions officers wonder if you even like it enough to actually attend it if accepted.

If you are applying to any of these universities and feel you would rather use the Coalition Application or the Common Application, see our Coalition Application Essay Guide and our Common Application Essay Guide . Keep in mind that essay requirements will vary depending on which platform you use. For instance, some schools (SMU, TCU, Baylor) may have additional short essays if you use the Common App.

If you still feel ApplyTexas is the platform for you, read on!

Before You Begin

It’s important to verify that your desired schools are featured on the ApplyTexas platform. Certain private schools—Rice University, for example—use the Common Application instead of ApplyTexas.

And while all the public universities in Texas accept ApplyTexas, some of them also accept the Common Application and Coalition Application, as we’ve seen. The Common Application , Coalition Application , and ApplyTexas offer tools to determine whether a university is included in their platform. Be sure to verify which application is better suited to your college list. Many students can tackle all their schools with just the Common App, but others may have to use a couple different platforms.

Approaching the ApplyTexas Essays

So you’ve worked through the application form, requested copies of your transcript and recommendation letters, effectively described your extracurriculars, and sent in your scores, if any. All that remains now are the essays: your best shot at showing admissions officers how you think, who you are, what matters to you, and why!

As you may remember, ApplyTexas contains three essay prompts: Topics A, B, and C. Each school may have different essay requirements, so it is best to familiarize yourself with all of them. For instance, even if you’re bursting with knowledge about your future major, these essays are an opportunity to speak holistically with regards to your life and experience.

Essay-Writing Strategies

With few parameters aside from the word limit of approximately 800 words (and with each school often setting different word counts), the ApplyTexas essay may seem intimidating. Luckily, the prompts can act as a creative and procedural tether. Whereas students applying via Common Application may begin by shaping a central idea before matching it up to one of the various prompts, ApplyTexas essays grow from the prompt up . Because of this, the best brainstorming and organizational practices for each prompt are unique. The one factor that remains ubiquitously relevant is writing — good writing. Before we get into the details of ideation and organization for each prompt, we’ll review some ways to ensure your writing is clear, communicative, and evocative.

Tips for writing well:

• Show, don’t tell (you’ve heard it before, but it’s worth hearing again!)
• Use active, rather than passive, sentence construction.
• Write with precision.
• Avoid clichés

The somewhat hackneyed advice of “Show, don’t tell” is nevertheless crucial to writing a compelling application essay. The meaning of showing a reader rather than telling them is best interpreted literally. Imagine you’re outside your house and you see a dog skateboarding on it’s two front paws. You run inside, eager to { tell, show } whoever is home. You fling open the door and narrowly avoid a collision with your brother, still unlacing his shoes from basketball practice.

You tell him: “Aamir, I just saw a dog skateboarding on its two front paws!”

You show him: You grab Aamir by the corner of his Jersey. “Come quick” you squeal, and he stumbles out after you, tripping on his laces. Thankfully, the dog is still there. “Just look,” you breathe out, already mesmerized by the wind rushing through the schnauzer’s mustache. Wobbling ever so slightly, the pup remains confident as he shreds the inclined blacktop of the cul-de-sac. Then, a moment later, it’s over. Unaware of the scale of his accomplishment, the dog scratches behind his right ear. You look over at Aamir. “Whoa.”

Out of these two scenarios, we can be sure that Aamir will only remember the second. It’s much the same for admissions committees; they’re more likely to remember you if you show them what you want to communicate. Now, showing doesn’t need to be much longer than telling. In fact, succinct writing is just as important as descriptive writing. Abandoning the literal narrative of “showing,” we’re left with something like this: A schnauzer puppy from the cul-de-sac was balanced on his front paws—miraculously, on a skateboard. Man, that dog could shred.

Using active voice is another crucial component of clean, clear writing. It’s also pretty simple. Make sure your sentence’s subject performs the action indicated by the verb. For example, instead of writing “the skateboard was maneuvered by a schnauzer,” you would opt for, “the schnauzer maneuvered the skateboard.” The only exception to this rule is when you want to bring explicit attention to the person or thing affected by an action. Our story is actually a decent example. What’s more noteworthy? The skateboarding? Or the fact that a dog is doing it? An acceptable passive construction might look like this: “the skateboard—would you believe it—was being maneuvered by none other than the schnauzer from across the cul-de-sac.” In this instance, we’re able to use passive voice to create humor and suspense. That being said, the vast majority of your sentences should employ the active voice.

The active voice is also a big part of writing with precision , and word choice may also make writing precise or imprecise. For example, while “evasive” is a synonym of “oblique” in one sense, it would nevertheless be embarrassing to write that, “John sat in the armchair evasive to the television.” Rather than picturing a chair positioned diagonally (obliquely) from the television, readers are left wondering what in the world an evasive chair might be. So use your thesaurus — carefully. 

It is common for burgeoning writers to get a little too adjective-happy. Adjectives’ power correlates inversely with their use. If each of your sentences is flush with adjectives, you’re diluting their impact.

Finally, avoid any clichés, aphorisms, etc. that fail to add value to your essay. Admissions officers will read countless essays boasting “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  If you’re tempted to use a hackneyed phrase, find its seed instead. Clichés are cliché because they stem from important thoughts, universal truths, and romantic principles. In the case of “Be the change you want to see in the world,” the seed might be an individual’s ability to impact a community, or to transform outdated and unjust systems. The seed of a clichéd phrase may still be worth writing about, but it’s important that you write authentically and originally.

Dissecting the Prompts

ApplyTexas features two sets of prompts, one for incoming freshmen (both domestic and international) and one for transfer, transient, or readmit applications. In this article, we will cover the first set to help freshman applicants. Want to know your chances at an ApplyTexas school? Calculate your chances for free right now.

While different schools require different combinations of essays, most students should be prepared to deal with topics A, B, and C. Students intent on pursuing a degree related to art and design should also be ready to answer topic D. Check out this ApplyTexas database to scout out which schools will require which essays . 

Here are this year’s prompts:

• 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 (specific to majors in architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education): 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?

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

Notice how you are encouraged to speak about an opportunity or a challenge. Many students believe that they must talk about a tragedy in order to grab the attention of admissions officers, but this isn’t true. An essay can easily be thoughtful, insightful, and an engaging read without utilizing this specific emotional appeal.

Still, stories about difficult circumstances are often memorable. They are most effective when focused primarily on the student’s journey of working through the challenge instead of the challenge itself. Check out Collegevine’s article if you would like more tips on writing about challenges .

You’re trying to stand out, so beware of overused tropes like the following:

• Mental illness: It takes enormous strength to heal from and learn to manage a mental illness. Still, they may be tricky to write about. Read our article for more information on covering mental illness and disabilities within your application .
• Getting a bad grade in a class but then working hard to raise it.
• Sports stories such as winning/losing the “big game” or getting injured.
• Death of a pet or family member.
• Mission trip which made you realize how lucky and privileged you are.

Side note : Sometimes students face challenges that are outside of their control and which have negatively impacted their academic and/or extracurricular performance. If this has been your experience, and you don’t plan to explain them within this essay response, you may ask one of your recommenders to do so through their letter of recommendation.

Now, there’s no such thing as a “bad” or “good” essay topic; students have gotten into top schools with essays about Costco, pizza deliveries, and sparkling water. It often matters less so what you write about than how you write about it! 

These common essay topics are only doable when well-written, specific, and featuring a fresh take. The story of how fixing your Calculus grade taught you the value of hard work is not nearly as interesting as that of a student who is diagnosed with dyscalculia—a disability which creates a difficulty in understanding and working with math and numbers—and then opens up a dyscalculia awareness club with plans to become a special education teacher. The latter story would demonstrate the student’s ability to turn preconceived weaknesses into strengths, and admissions officers will quickly see that though he may initially struggle with long division, this student is nonetheless a creative problem-solver.

Please be aware that although it is possible to make a “common” topic interesting, it is easier to write about a situation that is unique to begin with. Also, don’t feel pressured to write about a challenge, especially if the situation has happened so recently that you haven’t fully finished processing or growing from it.

With all of this in mind, let’s get into brainstorming! Many people begin their ideation process through writing long lists or even talking into their phones in an untethered stream-of-consciousness. Do whatever it takes to get your creative juices flowing! 

As you reflect, you may consider these questions:

• Which values and skills do you hold closest to your heart? Honesty? Hard work? Clear communication? Diversity? Environmental stewardship? Activism? Where did these priorities come from?
• What are you most grateful for? What are you most proud of? What risks have you taken which have paid off?
• What do you like to do? When and how did you get into it?
• How would your family and friends say you have changed for the better over the years, and why?
• Look back at your list of extracurricular activities. Which ones were challenging and/or special opportunities? When have you tried something new?

Practice self-compassion while considering topics, and know that none are too big or too small. You can write about anything from taking a summer math class (even though you’re more of an English person) to being a camp counselor to giving your first speech in front of a crowd.

Overall, the admissions officers are looking for growth. They want to see the circumstances you turned into opportunities for improvement. You may even reflect upon a situation that initially seemed like an unpleasant challenge but later revealed itself as a hidden opportunity. For example, you may have reluctantly let your friend drag you to a business club meeting before discovering a passion for economics and rising as a club leader.

Ideally, your story will be unique and offer a fresh perspective. Be specific about the challenge or opportunity you were presented with, and think about how it changed you for the better. 

Remember, they are literally asking for you to “tell [them] your story,” so consider using a narrative format, especially if storytelling is a talent of yours. 

Here’s a general outline: 

• If you choose to go with a traditional storytelling format, we recommend beginning with a vivid anecdote featuring rich imagery to draw the reader in or an unexpected premise which makes one have to read on in order to fully understand. 
• From there, you may dive into who you were at the time, how you felt and how you acted, before moving towards your turning point—the challenge or opportunity—from which you decided to grow. 
• Explain how, exactly, the turning point influenced you. Ask yourself: How did it make you feel? Excited and ready for more, or initially anxious? How did it impact you? Perhaps you learned something new about yourself, or maybe now you’re kinder, more confident, or a harder worker. 
• To mix it up a bit, you could even play with sequencing, perhaps starting with a moment of success before reflecting on all of the growth you had to complete to get to that point.

Finally, you are human, so you don’t have to portray yourself as perfect in the end. You are using this essay to talk about what may be one of your greatest strengths or sources of pride, but make sure to stay balanced with a humble tone.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic A:

The morning of the Model United Nation conference, I walked into Committee feeling confident  about my research. We were simulating the Nuremberg Trials – a series of post-World War II  proceedings for war crimes – and my portfolio was of the Soviet Judge Major General Iona  Nikitchenko. Until that day, the infamous Nazi regime had only been a chapter in my history  textbook; however, the conference’s unveiling of each defendant’s crimes brought those horrors  to life. The previous night, I had organized my research, proofread my position paper and gone  over Judge Nikitchenko’s pertinent statements. I aimed to find the perfect balance between his  stance and my own.

As I walked into committee anticipating a battle of wits, my director abruptly called out to me.  “I’m afraid we’ve received a late confirmation from another delegate who will be representing  Judge Nikitchenko. You, on the other hand, are now the defense attorney, Otto Stahmer.”  Everyone around me buzzed around the room in excitement, coordinating with their allies and  developing strategies against their enemies, oblivious to the bomb that had just dropped on me.  I felt frozen in my tracks, and it seemed that only rage against the careless delegate who had  confirmed her presence so late could pull me out of my trance. After having spent a month  painstakingly crafting my verdicts and gathering evidence against the Nazis, I now needed to  reverse my stance only three hours before the first session.

Gradually, anger gave way to utter panic. My research was fundamental to my performance, and without it, I knew I could add little to the Trials. But confident in my ability, my director  optimistically recommended constructing an impromptu defense. Nervously, I began my  research anew. Despite feeling hopeless, as I read through the prosecution’s arguments, I  uncovered substantial loopholes. I noticed a lack of conclusive evidence against the defendants  and certain inconsistencies in testimonies.

My discovery energized me, inspiring me to revisit  the historical overview in my conference “Background Guide” and to search the web for other  relevant articles. Some Nazi prisoners had been treated as “guilty” before their court dates.  While I had brushed this information under the carpet while developing my position as a judge,  it now became the focus of my defense. I began scratching out a new argument, centered on the premise that the allied countries had violated the fundamental rule that, a defendant was “not guilty” until proven otherwise.

At the end of the three hours, I felt better prepared. The first session began, and with bravado, I  raised my placard to speak. Microphone in hand, I turned to face my audience. “Greetings  delegates. I, Otto Stahmer would like to…….” I suddenly blanked. Utter dread permeated my  body as I tried to recall my thoughts in vain. “Defence Attorney, Stahmer we’ll come back to  you,” my Committee Director broke the silence as I tottered back to my seat, flushed with  embarrassment. Despite my shame, I was undeterred. I needed to vindicate my director’s faith  in me. I pulled out my notes, refocused, and began outlining my arguments in a more clear and  direct manner. Thereafter, I spoke articulately, confidently putting forth my points. I was  overjoyed when Secretariat members congratulated me on my fine performance.

Going into the conference, I believed that preparation was the key to success. I wouldn’t say I  disagree with that statement now, but I believe adaptability is equally important. My ability to  problem-solve in the face of an unforeseen challenge proved advantageous in the art of  diplomacy. Not only did this experience transform me into a confident and eloquent delegate at  that conference, but it also helped me become a more flexible and creative thinker in a variety of other capacities. Now that I know I can adapt under pressure, I look forward to engaging in  activities that will push me to be even quicker on my feet.

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

This prompt is a more varied than the first one, and gives you more leeway in choosing what you’ll actually be talking about. Someone’s identity, talents, and interests, might be linked together but they just as easily might not. Either way, don’t worry. With regards to this prompt, there is no ideal angle. Let’s break down what it could mean to address each of these categories.

Identity can refer to any number of traits that you feel define you. This includes race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and other more community-based identities such as gamer, athlete, artist, weaver, dancer, Democrat, etc. Your identity is simply what makes you, you. Essays about identity are a great opportunity to demonstrate your critical and political acuity, personal convictions, and social history. However, they also pose certain risks. The premise of writing about identity is that you’ll demonstrate what makes you unique as a person. Even though many of us share certain identity traits, we’ve all experienced them differently. It’s especially important to focus on those details. Essays about identity that lack individual texture risk making you appear almost clone-like. That being said, there is no topic that is inherently cliché for this prompt.

Talent is a topic that will surely feel familiar to you as a prospective college applicant. Frankly, that’s what can make it tricky to write an essay about your talents—it risks echoing the several other parts of an application that are designed to draw out and display your talents for an admissions committee. Even so, if you believe that you have gained an especially insightful lesson or reflection from one of your listed activities, it may still be worth writing about. Just make sure you’re elaborating on your talents rather than reiterating them. Beyond the talents already featured in your application, many applicants have a talent that stands out from their formal talents and activities. One might be a master bird-caller, for example, but not have it listed as an extracurricular. Often times, writing about a wild-card talent is a way to introduce a facet of your personality that would otherwise remain invisible. The topic of talent also gives you the opportunity to write about certain interpersonal skills that might be especially important to you but impossible to express on a resume. For example, if you cultivate your skills as a listener and have a well-formulated political or philosophical imperative for doing so, that could make a great topic.

Interests are unique from talents in that you need not necessarily be good at them. They might not even be skills-related to begin with. For example, you might be supremely interested in pigeons but unable to include that interest in any other part of the application. Interests can make for especially unique, quirky, and fascinating essays. That being said, such essays also risk missing the whole point of the prompt. You need to tell the committee about yourself. If you choose to write about an obscure interest, it’ll be crucial to relate it back to your personality, outlook, or identity.

Now that we’ve addressed the differences between the subsections of this prompt, let’s review some ways in which you can brainstorm. While writing about identity, talents, or interests will result in slightly different essays, the goal is the same: to show the admissions committee—through your own eyes—who exactly you are.

The first step in brainstorming for this prompt is making a list of your defining characteristics. As you do this, you’ll want to prioritize characteristics that paint you in a generally positive light. While you don’t want to brag, you definitely want to be optimistic about who you are.

Second , you should make a sort of genealogy for each characteristic. How did they come to be so important to you? What experiences built up to the point where you’d consider a trait to be essential to your personality?

Finally , you’re going to need to rank your traits and their accompanying genealogies. For some students, who have a very central and defining trait, this won’t be tricky at all. But for students who are less certain what to write about, it will be important to prioritize the traits with the most interesting genealogies. Seeing as you want to show the committee rather than tell them, it’s crucial that you pick a trait that has a compelling history—that fits into a narrative or intellectual picture of yourself. This is especially essential for students intent on taking a more creative tone with this prompt. While an obscure interest can be interesting and endearing, it needs to have a compelling genesis and impact within your personal history.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic B:

In one of the side streets of Rabat, one of the many winding corridors in the Medina, a long-abandoned house is standing, dilapidated from its years of neglect. The windows have been smashed; valuable materials have been ripped out of the floor and graffiti smears peeling walls. Yet remnants of its old life still remain intact; photo albums clutch family moments as cobwebs dangle from their spines. A mini plastic basketball hoop clings to a wall and a handmade poster above it reads “Senior League: Armond – Junior: Sasha and Lucy” but the faded yellow of the net suggests that no games have been played here for a long time. Not since we left. Mom left him just as I was turning four. The relationship had been emotionally stressful for the past few years and the threat of physical danger forced her to make a secret escape with us. We left everything behind.

Thousands of miles away and thirteen years later, I have never been back. I have never met him. As young as I was, I have not been oblivious to his absence. Even now, there are moments when I experience this emptiness inside of me. A sensation so overwhelming, I can’t believe I have managed to ignore it for so long. I lie down, close my eyes and grieve. Not just for him but for the life I never had, or at least, the one I left behind and can no longer remember. As the tears stop, I slowly drift to sleep. Sometimes I dream that he has unexpectedly turned up on the doorstep of our Chicago house especially for me. I open the door and immediately recognize him. I jump into his arms, simultaneously crying and laughing. I wake up, the empty feeling has passed and I know that he will never come. But I can’t help romanticizing the first time we meet.

However, going on eighteen, reality is soon catching up with me. Four years ago at the age of eighteen my brother, Armond, travelled to Morocco to meet him. Last year my sister, Sasha, did the same. So now, it is my turn; my own rite of passage awaits me. I have been waiting for this opportunity my whole life, even imagined it ten times over. But the more I thought about it, the more I doubted it. As the youngest in the family, I have striven to emulate my siblings in many ways. I could feel the assumption that I would go to meet him just as they did. However, I know that I am not yet ready. Unlike Sasha and Armond, my memories of Rabat are just a haze. I do not know whether they are real, or dreams or stories I have been told. I don’t understand any Arabic, and his English is very broken. And most of all, I cannot remember his face. The emptiness still comes back every now and then. But I know that the hole is not father-shaped, and if I meet him now, he might think it is. What I need to do first is to find out who I am before I can know what shape that hole really is. And when I know, I will understand what it would mean to meet him. For now at least, that tired old home stays suspended; a three-dimensional snapshot of my forgotten childhood. I like to think it’s waiting for me; waiting for when I’m ready to go back.

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

Topic C stands opposed to Topics A and B in that it is almost entirely oriented towards the future. While each of your essays should demonstrate a degree of imagination, this prompt also carries the most overt call for creativity. There are two main genres of responses to prompts like this. The first genre adds to the forecasting effort found throughout your whole application. The second represents a creative departure from the path of your ambitions.

Choosing a Genre:

Forecasting is what you do when you make promises or predictions about what you’ll do with an educational opportunity. You’re forecasting when you tell UT Austin that you want to attend their engineering program in order to realize your dream of developing clean, public transportation. You’re forecasting when you draw conclusions from your past accomplishments to predict your future success. The act of applying to a school is inherently future-oriented. That being said, good applications demand cohesion and balance. An application that is too future-oriented will leave the admissions officers wondering who exactly you are . An application that is too auto-ethnographic will leave them wondering about your ambitions .

A forecast oriented answer to topic C will likely link-up with other parts of your application. For example, the engineering student from the example above might write that they’re holding a ticket for the very first 100% green, interstate transportation system—a system that they’ve spent the past 15 years building from the ground up. In this case, the essay looks back from a future point in which the student has fulfilled the ambitions they forecasted. It’s also possible to write this essay looking forward. Students that hope to attend medical school or law school might write about holding a “ticket” to their tertiary degree. These essays would go on to imagine the important, transformative work that those students would accomplish when they get to medical/law school.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic C:

I’m holding a flyer that declares the date and time—this coming Tuesday at 7:30 PM—for a meeting of the Low Carbon Emissions Workers’ Union. Twelve years ago, when I started my undergraduate degree in public policy, the union was only a flicker of a thought, housed somewhere in the back of my mind. Still, those years were crucial. With every class I took, whether in policy studies, environmental science, or history, that flicker grew stronger. Following my interest in labor, I developed a rapport with the university employees that kept things rolling on campus—the people that took care of us, really. For my senior thesis, I made it my mission to collect and present an oral history of labor on campus. Many university workers expressed a sense of relief at being employed by the university. It allowed for decent wages and preserved the dignity of it’s workforce through open dialogue and worker representation. Through this sense of relief—or rather, through its negative—my thesis became invested in the alternatives for these laborers, in what lay on the other side of their relief. Though they were specifically skilled in care work, janitorial work, landscaping, and more, most of them told me that outside the university there was little opportunity for the advancement of worker’s interests. Finding work on a free-lance basis or through predatory placement companies, these care-laborers were largely on their own.

After graduating, I stayed in touch with my contacts at the university. Throughout law school, I made time to continue coordinating with them. We were hatching a revolutionary idea. Our goal was to create a union that could unite the various forms of under-the-radar care-work that was so often left out of organized bargaining units. The plan that we finally realized was even bigger than that. Not only would it unite domestic workers, janitors, and landscapers, its umbrella would extend to cover teachers, day-care supervisors, nurses, artists, and agricultural workers. This was the Low Carbon Emissions Workers’ Union. While it contained specifically oriented compartments, each aimed at advancing the rights of a particular sub-group of laborers, its superstructure was perhaps the more significant. In the same way that my senior thesis became invested in its negative all those years ago, this union stood as a foil to the socially and environmentally destructive tendencies of so many economic giants. We mobilized and housed research regarding Green-GDP, environmentally adjusted Gini coefficients, and other methods aimed at illuminating the real cost of having an economy predicated on environmental exploitation. As a political and intellectual force, the union gained ground in reevaluating the ways in which we value certain kinds of labor over others.

I’m smiling as I tack the flyer to the community board at my old university. I step back to look at it. “I can’t believe this is where it all started,” I think to myself. “Well, see you all this Tuesday.”

The genre of creative departure allows you to focus more on your personality, imagination, and capacity for critical thought. If you feel that your application already does enough to forecast your ambitions, you may opt to write about something completely unrelated. Especially for students applying to creative programs such as theatre or studio art, this can be a good moment to demonstrate your fit. Students who pick this genre can write about almost literally anything. The ticket in your hand could be for a time-machine to the Renaissance, a one-way expedition to Mars, or a mysterious back-alley puppet show. The important thing is that you use the premise of your essay to reflect on the world in a mature and thoughtful manner.

Here’s another Example Essay for Topic C:

“Take a number” buzzes an automated voice from somewhere inside the ticket booth. I reach out and tear off a slip of blue paper. 96. “Great,” I snort, “might as well settle in for the long haul.”

Someone behind me notices my annoyance and pipes up.

“I know right? I’ve never seen the time machines so crowded in my life.”

“Me neither,” I respond, “application season I guess.”

“Must be. Damn ticket prompts.”

I turn around to address my queue-compatriot. He’s a tall guy, pretty built for our age—probably a football player or something. He looks anxiously down the line, craning his neck to see something or someone just out of view.

“What’s got your nerves up?” I ask, “where are you headed?”

“You know,” he shrugged, “the usual. Off to 1904 to encourage Hitler to pursue his passion for painting. I’m just worried she’s gonna get there first.” I stepped out of line to see where he was looking. Fourth in line was a girl decked out in all black, determination etched into her features.

“Is she carrying a rail-gun?” I ask, stepping back into line. Football nods. “Yeesh…that’s a bit extreme but to each their own I guess. Wonder how the AdComms are gonna feel about that.”

Football fidgets for a few minutes before asking, “And you? What’s your plan?”

“Way back. Off to the early fifth-century to help Pelagius argue against St. Augustine.”

“Pelagius. He was an early theologian that rallied against Augustine’s notion of original sin.”

Football nods. “So all that with Eve and the apple, yeah?”

“Exactly. The doctrine of original sin says that because Adam and Eve had the apple, every human from then on was infected with their sin. That’s one of the reasons babies are baptized, to cleanse them. It’s behind a whole host of other things too. All the indulgences that people paid into the church, our long-standing association of sexuality with guilt and impurity, not to mention most of the pessimistic philosophies surrounding human depravity.”

Football chuckles. “So let’s say you win” he proposes, “then what? Babies don’t get baptized? There are still nineteen people ahead of us. You might want to change plans.”

My brow furrows a bit as I consider his suggestion. “I don’t know,” I say, “Pelagius argued for a whole lot of things. He was a big proponent of free will and accountability. He thought we should do good for the sake of good, not for salvation. He even countered a lot of hang-ups that endure to this day—bedroom stuff, bathroom stuff, all of it. Where Augustine saw sin and depravity, Pelagius saw beauty and Grace.” I continue. “I mean, I’m not even religious. I just think we could use a sort of ‘reset’ for our collective psyche. People are too caught up in hating themselves. We’re subconsciously misanthropic and it hurts. It hurts when a corporation takes advantage of a mining community because profit is the only legitimate motive in a world that seems like a lost cause. It hurts all the young people who hate their bodies and strive for an unrealistic ‘cleanliness’ from deformity and irregularity. It hurts women who get told they’ll be ‘second-hand stock’ if they have sex before marriage. It hurts when the police open fire in a neighborhood because they’re scared a kid might do it first.”

“Yeah” he nods, “hey, do you mind if I tag along? Mine might be a lost cause anyways—that girl was scary.”

Just then my number comes up on the time machine’s display. I look up at Football. “Sure. Why not. Oh, and I don’t think I caught your name.”

“It’s Bryan.”

“Well Bryan, we’re off.”

(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 affected 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?”

Topic D is a situational prompt for students looking to engage with art, design, and image. Unlike topics A and B, topic D is specifically asking you to tell a story. Regardless of the mode of narrative you employ, your essay should start with a moment of confrontation, observation, and reaction. Whether you engage with a piece of art or a lecture from design class, this step is crucial. It is here that you will demonstrate your ability to sift through your feelings about art, pulling out the concrete variables and specific vocabularies to describe why the art made you feel that way in the first place. It’s unsurprising that the prompt is so intent on drawing this out from you—understanding how art has impacted you is the first step towards creating art to impact others.

The second part of this process should move you beyond the moment of interaction detailed in step one, either to the present or the future. In this section, you’ll want to set your compass, so to speak. Using the lessons from part one, you should forecast the ways in which your future ambitions will be uniquely impactful. This can include anything from aperture to allegory. Whether technical or philosophical, your art is largely a product of your inspiration—being able to trace and predict this link demonstrates your maturity as a budding artist or designer.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic D:

Standing in the Musée de l’Orangerie, surrounded on all sides by Monet’s Water Lilies, I felt myself melt away. The noise of the room seemed to dim, even as my perception heightened. I was somewhere else. The water lilies had swallowed me whole. They were beautiful, certainly, but also tense. One of the lesser-known iterations, flush with the purples, golds, and oranges of autumn, reminded me of the fluttering dance of falling leaves. And yet, its leaves were static—not because they weren’t real; they were real to me in that moment—but because of the water’s tension. Tethered to the surface of the pond, equally unable to float up or down, the leaves were trapped in a planar prison. The painting was practically bursting with the energy of an infinite autumn, but the water held it all together with its sticky buoyancy. Surface tension is far crueler than gravity, I thought to myself. My throat tightened and I felt paralyzed, peacefully imprisoned along with the lilies and leaves.

“Huh.” My brother stepped up beside me. “Look, you can see the canvas poking through,” he whispered, nudging me. He was right. As my eyes latched onto those bare fibers I felt a gust of release; I was back in the room.

To this day, that remains one of my most intense experiences with art. While it wasn’t exactly euphoric, it was transformative. Spanning the whole wall, the water lilies are all you can see; they colonize your reality. It was that quality—the quality of transportation out of time and space—that has stayed with me most. Monet’s techniques, brushstrokes that infuse the canvas with texture and momentum, allowed for a sort of virtual reality. VR before VR. It was the power of that experience that prompted me to combine my art with contemporary VR techniques. My first VR project pays homage to the water lilies. Putting on the headset, you find yourself in a blue green film, replete with flowers of every kind. It’s peaceful but when you try to move you find that the further you stray, the slower you get. A few feet out and you’re snapped back to the start. The piece explores movement and energy through anxiety and ensnarement.

As I continue my education in fine art, I’m primed to explore the range of possibilities allowed by VR technology. I’m eager to create landscape experiences that more directly implicate art and embodiment. My current project also takes inspiration from Monet’s impressionism. Entering the reality, one finds oneself on the top of flower-freckled hillside, umbrella in hand despite the blue skies. It is windy and the grasses sway around you. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, you begin to blow away, to disperse, until there’s nothing left. The viewer is utterly gone, yet utterly present.

Want to learn more about how to write the ApplyTexas essays? Check out one of our popular recorded live streams on this topic.

Where to Get Your ApplyTexas Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your ApplyTexas essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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How to Write Perfect ApplyTexas Essays

College Essays

The ApplyTexas college application contains many essay prompts, and each of the most popular colleges in Texas has different requirements for which essays they expect applicants to answer.

So how do you get advice on writing your best ApplyTexas essays, no matter which school you're applying to? Look no further than this article, which completely unpacks all possible ApplyTexas essay prompts. We'll explain what each prompt is looking for and what admissions officers are hoping to learn about you. In addition, we'll give you our top strategies for ensuring that your essay meets all these expectations and help you come up with your best essay topics.

To help you navigate this long guide, here is an overview of what we'll be talking about:

What Are the ApplyTexas Essays?

Comparing applytexas essay prompts a, b, and c, dissecting applytexas essay topic a, dissecting applytexas essay topic b, dissecting applytexas essay topic c, dissecting applytexas essay topic d.

• Dissecting the UT and Texas A&M Short Answer Prompts
• Briefly: ApplyTexas Essay Topic E (Transfer Students Only)

The ApplyTexas application is basically the Texas version of the Common Application , which many US colleges use. It's a unified college application process that's accepted by all Texas public universities and many private ones. (Note that some schools that accept ApplyTexas also accept the Common App.)

The ApplyTexas website is a good source for figuring out whether your target college accepts the ApplyTexas application. That said, the best way to confirm exactly what your school expects is to go to its admissions website.

Why Do Colleges Want You to Write Essays?

Admissions officers are trying to put together classes full of interesting, vibrant students who have different backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, goals, and dreams. One tool colleges use to identify a diverse set of perspectives is the college essay .

These essays are a chance for you to show admissions officers those sides of yourself that aren’t reflected in the rest of your application. This is where you describe where you've come from, what you believe in, what you value, and what has shaped you.

This is also where you make yourself sound mature and insightful—two key qualities that colleges are looking for in applicants . These are important because colleges want to enroll students who will ultimately thrive when faced with the independence of college life .

Admissions staff want to enroll a diverse incoming class of motivated and thoughtful students.

ApplyTexas Essay Requirements

There are four essay prompts on the ApplyTexas application for first-year admission (Topics A, B, C, and D). For Topics A, B, and C, there are slight variations on the prompt for transfer students or those looking to be readmitted. We’ll cover each variation just below the main topic breakdown. There are also several short-answer prompts for UT Austin and Texas A&M , as well as Topic D for art and architecture majors and  Topic E for transfer students only . Although there are no strict word limits, colleges usually suggest keeping the essays somewhere between one and one and a half pages long.

All Texas colleges and universities have different application requirements, including which essay or essays they want. Some schools require essays, some list them as optional, and others use a combination of required and optional essays. Several schools use the essays to determine scholarship awards, honors program eligibility, or admission to specific majors.

Here are some essay submission requirement examples from a range of Texas schools:

• You are required to write an essay on Topic A .
• You also have to answer three short-answer prompts (250–300 words each) .
• If you're applying for a studio art, art education, art history, architecture, or visual art studies major, you'll have to write a short answer specific to your major .
• UT Austin also accepts the Common App.

Texas A&M

• If you're an engineering major, you'll have to respond to  a short-answer prompt .
• Texas A&M also accepts the Common App .

Southern Methodist University

• You must write an essay on Topic A .
• You may (but do not have to) write an essay on Topic B .
• You also have to answer two short-answer prompts .
• SMU also accepts the Common App and Coalition App and has its own online application, so you have the option to pick and choose the application you want to fill out .

Texas Christian University

• You must write an essay on any of the topics (A, B, or C) .
• TCU also accepts the Common App and Coalition App has its own online application, so it's another school for which you can choose the application you want to use.

The essays required as part of each admissions application differ from college to college. Check each institution's website for the most up-to-date instructions.

Three of the ApplyTexas essay topics try to get to the heart of what makes you the person you are. But since Topics A, B, and C all focus on things that are essential to you as a person, coming up with a totally unique idea for each can be difficult—especially since on a first read-through, these prompts can sound really similar .

Before I dissect all of the ApplyTexas essay prompts, let's see how A, B, and C differ from one another. You can then keep these differences in mind as you try to think of topics to write about.

ApplyTexas Prompts

Here are the most recent prompts for Topics A, B, and C on the ApplyTexas application.

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

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

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

How to Tell Topics A, B, and C Apart

One helpful way to keep these topics separate in your mind is to create a big-picture category for each one: Topic A is outside, Topic B is inside, and Topic C is the future .

In other words, Topic A is asking about the impact of challenges or opportunities on you and how you handled that impact. Topic B is asking about your inner passions and how these define you. Finally, Topic C wants to know where you're going from here. These very broad categories will help as you brainstorm ideas and life experiences you can use for your essay .

Although many of the stories you think of can be shaped to fit each of these prompts, think about what the experience most reveals about you. If it’s about how your external community shaped you, that'd probably be a good fit for Topic A. If it’s a story about the causes or interests that you're most passionate about, save it for Topic B. If it’s primarily about an event that you think predicts your future, it'll likely work well for Topic C.

(Note: if you are a transfer student writing the essay variation for Topics A, B, or C, keep in mind that these variations still ask you about the outside, inside, or future respectively.)

Your years-long passion for performing in theater productions is an appropriate subject for ApplyTexas Topic B essays.

Now, we'll thoroughly deconstruct everything you need to know about Topic A, the first ApplyTexas essay prompt.

What’s the Prompt Asking, and How Should You Answer It?

This prompt wants to see how a particular external experience as a high school student has shaped you . The prompt uses the phrase "your story," signaling that admissions staff want to know what you believe has had the biggest impact on you.

Step 1: Describe Your Experience

The first part of the prompt is about identifying and describing specific experiences you've had as a high school student. You don't want your essay coming across too vague, so make sure you're focusing on one or two specific experiences, whether they've been positive or negative. The prompt suggests zeroing in on something "unique," or something that has affected you in a way it hasn't impacted anyone else.

You'll want to choose an opportunity or challenge that you can describe vividly and that's really important to you. In other words, it   needs to have had a significant impact on your personal development.

It should also be an experience that has been part of your life for a while . You're describing something that's affected you "throughout your high school career," after all.

Step 2: Explain How This Experience Shaped You

You shouldn't just describe your experience—you also need to discuss how that experience affected you as a person . How did this particular opportunity or difficulty turn you into the person you are today?

It's best if you can think of one or two concrete anecdotes or stories about how your chosen experience(s) helped shape you. For example, don't just say that a public piano recital made you a hard-working person— describe in detail how practicing diligently each day, even when you weren't feeling motivated, got frustrated by particular parts of the piece you were performing, and experienced stage fright showed you that working toward your goals is worthwhile, even when it's hard.

Elaborating on how a specific challenge or obstacle that you faced during your high school career helped shape your current perspective and personality is one option for Topic A essays.

What Are Readers Hoping to Learn About You?

Admission staff are looking for two main things. First, they want to see that you can be mature and thoughtful about your surroundings and events in your life . Are you curious about the world around you? If you've really reflected on your experience, you'll be able to describe the people, places, and events that have impacted you as a high school student in a nuanced, insightful way.

Second, they want to see how you stand out from other applicants . This can be accomplished in one of two ways: (1) you can emphasize how you are somehow different because of your experience and how it impacted you, or (2) you can emphasize how you learned positive qualities from the event that differentiate you from other students. Basically, how did your experience turn you into a special, interesting person?

How Can Your Essay Give Them What They Want?

How can you make sure your essay is really answering the prompt? Here are some key strategies.

#1: Pick a Specific Experience

You'll need to select a particular opportunity or obstacle to zero in on. Opportunities include travel, internships, volunteer or paid jobs, academic events, and awards. Challenges might include competitions, performances, illnesses, injuries, or learning something new. Remember, you'll want to focus on one or two particular events or experiences that have truly contributed to your personal growth .

As you're choosing the experiences you want to write about, think about significant things that happened to you in connection with those events. Remember, you'll need to get beyond just describing how the opportunity or challenge is important to you to show how its impact on you is so significant .

#2: How Did This Experience Shape You?

You then need to consider what about your experience turned you into a person who stands out . Again, this can be about how you overcame the difficulty or how the opportunity fostered positive qualities or traits in you that would make you an appealing member of the college's student body. You want to make sure you have a clear message that links your experience to one, two, or three special traits you have.

Try to think of specific stories and anecdotes related to the event. Then, thoughtfully analyze these to reveal what they show about you. Important adults in your life can help you brainstorm potential ideas.

#3: Think of the Essay Like a Movie

Like a good movie script, a college essay needs characters, some action, and a poignant but ultimately happy ending . When you’re planning out your personal statement, try to think of the story you’re telling in movie terms. Ensure that your essay has the following features:

• Setting: As you're describing your experience, taking time to give a vivid sense of place is key. You can accomplish this by describing the actual physical surroundings, the main "characters" in your community, or a combination of both.
• Stakes: Movies propel the action forward by giving characters high stakes: win or lose, life or death. Even if you are describing your experience in positive terms, there needs to be a sense of conflict or dynamic change. In the anecdote(s) you've selected to write about, what did you stand to gain or lose?
• External conflict resolution: If there's an external conflict of some kind (e.g., with a neighbor, a family member, a friend, or a city council), you need to show some level of resolution.
• Internal conflict resolution: Inner conflict is essentially about how you changed in response to the event or experience. You'll need to clearly lay out what happened within you and how those changes have carried you forward as a person.

Describing your feelings before, during, and after the opportunity or challenge is a crucial element of a Topic A college essay.

#4: Add Details, Description, and Examples

Your essay will really stand out if you add effective examples and descriptions.

For example, imagine Karima decides to describe how learning to navigate public transit as a high school first-year student made her resourceful and helped her explore the city she grew up in. She also discusses how exploring the city ultimately changed her perspective. How should she frame her experience? Here are some options:

I was nervous about taking the El by myself for the first time. At the station, there were lots of commuters and adults who seemed impatient but confident. At first, I was very afraid of getting lost, but over time, I became as confident as those commuters.

I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement walking up the Howard red line turnstile for the first time. What if I got lost on my way to the museum? I was worried that I would just seem like a nuisance to all of the frowning commuters who crowded the platform. If I needed help, would they help me? Was I even brave enough to ask? When the metal doors opened, I pressed my nails into my palms and rushed in after a woman with a red briefcase. Success! At least for the first step. I found a sideways-facing seat and clutched my macrame bag with my notebook and sketching supplies. A map hung above my seat. Pressing my finger to the colorful grid, I found my stop and counted how many I still had to go. I spent the entire train ride staring at that map, straining my ears for everything the conductor said. Now, when I think about the first time I rode the El by myself, I smile. What seemed so scary at the time is just an everyday way to get around now. But I always look around on the platform to see if any nervous kids linger at the edges of the commuter crowds and offer them a smile.

Both versions set up the same story plotwise, but the second makes the train ride (and therefore the author) come alive through the addition of specific, individualizing details , such as the following:

• Visual cues: The reader "sees" what the author sees through descriptions such as "frowning commuters who crowded the platform," "woman with a red briefcase," and "colorful grid."
• Emotional responses: We experience the author’s feelings: she "felt a mixture of nerves and excitement." She wonders if she's brave enough to ask for help. The train ride was "so scary at the time" but feels "everyday" now.
• Differentiation: Even though the commuters are mostly a monolithic group, we get to see some individuals, such as the woman with a red briefcase.

ApplyTexas Topic A Essay Ideas

There's no one best topic for this essay prompt (or any other), but I've included some potential ideas below to help you get started with your own brainstorming:

• Describe a time you organized the people around you to advocate a common local cause.
• Hone in on a particular trip with one or more family members.
• Identify a time when you were no longer in your comfort zone. Describe how you adapted and learned from that experience.
• Discuss being a minority in your school or neighborhood.
• Describe going through a cultural or religious rite of passage as a high school student.
• Elaborate on how you moved from one place to somewhere totally different and handled your culture shock.

ApplyTexas Topic A for Transfer, Transient, or Readmit Students

If you are applying to transfer or to be readmitted, you likely already have some college experience. So in this case, ApplyTexas offers a personal statement option that allows you to write about your life beyond your high school years. This option still asks you to demonstrate what in your experience has turned you into a unique individual. But if, for instance, you left college and now are reapplying, you’ll want to address how some aspect of that experience made an impact on who you are now. Otherwise, follow the advice above for the standard Topic A prompt.

Here’s the current Essay Topic A prompt for transfer applicants:

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admissions committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and other application information cannot convey.

Next up, let's go through the same process for ApplyTexas Topic B, taking it apart brick by brick and putting it back together again.

What’s the Prompt Asking?

At first glance, this prompt seems pretty vague. "Tell us about yourself" is not exactly the most detailed set of instructions. But if we dig a little deeper, we can see that there are actually two pretty specific things this question is asking.

#1: What Defines You?

This prompts posits that "most students"—which likely includes you!—have some kind of defining trait . This could be "an identity, an interest, or a talent," so you need to express what that defining trait is for you specifically.

For instance, are you an amazing knitter? Do you spend your free time researching cephalopods? Are you a connoisseur of indie movies or mystery novels? Or maybe you have a religious, cultural, ethnic, or LGBTQIA+ identity that's very important to you. Any of these things could plausibly be the main, framing theme of your essay.

#2: How Does That Defining Trait Fit Into "You" Overall?

Even though you have some kind of defining trait, that's not the entirety of you. Essentially, you need to contextualize your defining trait within your broader personality and identity. This is where the "tell us about yourself" part comes in. What does your defining trait say about you as a person? And how does it fit into your overall personality, values, and dreams?

In a Topic B college essay, you could potentially describe your knowledge of chess and how it exemplifies your talent for thinking several steps ahead.

Admissions staff are hoping to learn two main things:

#1: What You're Passionate About

It's essential that this essay communicates genuine passion for whatever you write about. College is a lot of work, and passion is an important driving force when things get busy. Therefore, readers are looking for students who are really engaged in the world around them and excited about specific causes and activities!

#2: How You View Yourself (and How Successfully You Can Communicate That)

A strong, well-developed sense of self goes a long way toward helping you weather all the changes you're going to experience when you attend college. Even though you'll change and grow a lot as a person during your college years, having a sense of your own core traits and values will help those changes be exciting as opposed to scary .

Colleges are looking for a developed sense of self. Additionally, they are looking for students who can communicate messages about themselves in a clear, confident, and cohesive way .

The challenge with this prompt is giving a complete picture of you as a person while still staying on message about your defining trait. You need to be focused yet comprehensive. Let's explore the best ways to show off your passion and frame your identity.

#1: Define the Core Message

First, you need to select that defining trait . This could be pretty much anything, just as long as you're genuinely invested in this trait and feel that it represents some core aspect of you.

It should also be something you can describe through stories and anecdotes . Just saying, "I'm a redhead, and that defines me" makes for a pretty boring essay! However, a story about how you started a photography project that consists of portraits of redheads like you and what you learned about yourself from this experience is much more interesting.

Be careful to select something that presents you in a broadly positive light . If you choose a trait that doesn't seem very serious, such as your enduring and eternal love of onion rings, you risk seeming at best immature and at worst outright disrespectful.

You also want to pick something realistic —don't claim you're the greatest mathematician who ever lived unless you are, in fact, the greatest mathematician who ever lived (and you probably aren't). Otherwise, you'll seem out of touch.

#2: Fit Your Message into the Larger Picture

Next, consider how you can use this trait to paint a more complete picture of you as a person . It's great that you're passionate about skiing and are a member of a ski team, but what else does this say about you? Are you an adventurous daredevil who loves to take (reasonable) risks? Are you a nature lover with a taste for exploration? Do you love being part of a team?

Select at least two or three positive messages you want to communicate about yourself in your essay about your key trait.

In a Topic B essay, a student could connect their long-time passion for cooking to their penchant for adding their unique touch to every project they take on.

#3: Show, Don't Tell

It's much more interesting to read about things you do that demonstrate your key traits than it is to hear you list them. Don't just say, "Everyone asks me for advice because I'm level-headed and reasonable." Instead, actually describe situations that show people asking you for advice and you offering that level-headed, reasonable advice.

#4: Watch Your Tone

It's important to watch your tone as you write an essay that's (pretty overtly) about how great you are. You want to demonstrate your own special qualities without seeming glib, staid, self-aggrandizing, or narcissistic .

Let’s say Andrew wants to write about figuring out how to grow a garden, despite his yard being in full shade, and how this desire turned into a passion for horticulture. He could launch into a rant about the garden store employees not knowing which plants are right for which light, the previous house owner’s terrible habit of using the yard as a pet bathroom, or the achy knee that prevented him from proper weeding posture.

Alternatively, he could describe doing research on the complex gardens of royal palaces, planning his garden based on plant color and height, using the process of trial and error to see which plants would flourish, and getting so involved with this work that he often lost track of time.

One of these approaches makes him sound whiny and self-centered, whereas  the other makes him sound like someone who can take charge of a difficult situation .

ApplyTexas Topic B Essay Ideas

Again, there's no single best approach here, but I've outlined some potential topics below:

• Are you known for being really good at something or an expert on a particular topic? How does this impact your identity?
• Discuss how you got involved in a certain extracurricular activity and what it means to you. What have you learned from participating in it?
• Describe something you've done lots of research on in your free time. How did you discover that interest? What have you learned as a result?
• What's your most evident personality trait? How has that trait impacted your life? (You can ask friends and relatives for help with this one.)
• Relate the importance of your LGBTQIA+ identity.
• Discuss your religious or cultural background and how this defines you.
• Describe your experience as a member of a specific community.

ApplyTexas Topic B for Transfer, Transient, or Readmit Students

The ApplyTexas variation on Topic B is specifically designed for two different possible application situations. The first is for people who are applying as nondegree-seeking or postbaccalaureate students (aka “transient students”). In this case, they ask you to discuss the courses you want to take and what you hope to accomplish if you are admitted. That means they still want you to focus this essay on what you are passionate about, as mentioned above, but they expect that passion to be based on courses the university offers more directly.  

The second is for students who are reapplying after being suspended for academic reasons. In this situation, they ask you to describe any actions you have taken to improve your academic performance and to give them a reason why you should be readmitted. You’ll still need to focus on your positive traits in this variation, so this can be a tricky task. As in the example above, you’ll need to watch your tone and not come across as whiny. Instead, confront the cause of your academic suspension and what you learned from that experience; then, turn it into a newfound strength. Maybe you learned new study habits you can describe for them. Maybe working full-time while you were suspended improved your work ethic. Whatever you choose, show how a negative situation changed into a positive learning experience for you, and focus on the better person you are now because of it. 

Here’s the current prompt for Essay Topic B for transfer applicants:

If you are applying as a former student and were suspended for academic reasons, describe briefly any actions you have taken to improve your academic abilities and give reason why you should be readmitted. If you are applying as a nondegree-seeking or postbaccalaureate application, briefly describe the specific objectives you wish to accomplish if admitted, including the courses in which you would like to enroll.

Now, we can take apart Topic C to get a good handle on how to tackle this future-facing essay.

You've got a ticket in your hand—where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

If ApplyTexas Topic A and Topic B were all about your past experiences, Topic C wants you to give readers a glimpse of your imagined possibilities .

There are basically two potential approaches to this question. We'll break them down here.

Option 1: Describe Your Long-Term Goals

One approach to this prompt is to use your essay as a chance to describe your long-term goals for your career and life .

For some students, this will be a straightforward endeavor. For example, say you’ve always wanted to be a doctor. You spend your time volunteering at hospitals, helping out at your mom’s practice, and studying biology. You could easily frame your "ticket" as a ticket to medical school. Just pick a few of the most gripping moments from these past experiences and discuss the overall trajectory of your interests, and your essay would likely be a winner!

But what if you’re not sure about your long-term goals yet? Or what if you feel like you really don't know where you're going next week, let alone next year or 10 years from now? Read on for Option 2.

Option 2: Demonstrate Thoughtful Imagination

Although you can certainly interpret this as a straightforward question about your future, you can also use it as a chance to be more imaginative.

Note that this entire question rests on the metaphor of the ticket. The ticket can take you anywhere; you decide. It could be to a real place, such as your grandmother's house or the Scottish Highlands or the Metropolitan Museum. Or it could be somewhere fantastical, such as a time machine to the Paleolithic.

The important point is that you use the destination you select—and what you plan to do there—to prove you're a thoughtful person who is excited about and actively engaged with the world around you .

The destination you choose to write about, whether realistic or fantastical, should be clearly linked to a specific goal or set of goals that you wish to pursue or are currently pursuing.

If you're on a direct path to a specific field of study or career, admissions officers definitely want to know this. Having driven, goal-oriented, and passionate students is a huge plus for any college. If this sounds like you, be sure your essay conveys not just your interest but also your deep love of the subject, as well as any related clubs, activities, or hobbies you’ve done during high school.

If you take the more creative approach to this prompt, however, realize that in this essay (as in all the other ApplyTexas essays),  the how matters much more than the what . Don't worry that you don't have a specific goal in mind yet. No matter where your eventual academic, career, or other pursuits might lie, every activity you've done up to now has taught you something, whether that be developing your work ethic, mastering a skill, learning from a mentor, interacting with peers, dealing with setbacks, understanding your own learning style, or persevering through hardship. Your essay is a chance to show off that knowledge and maturity.

So no matter what destination you choose for your ticket (the what ), you want to communicate that you can think about future (and imagined!) possibilities in a compelling way based on your past experiences (the how ).

Whether you take the ideas of "where you are going" and "what you are doing" in a more literal or more abstract direction, the admissions committee wants to make sure that no matter what you study, you'll be able to get something meaningful out of it . They want to see that you’re not simply floating through life on the surface but are actively absorbing the qualities, skills, and know-how you'll need to succeed in the world.

Here are some ideas for how to show that you have thoughtful and compelling visions of possible futures.

#1: Pick Where You're Going

Is this going to be a more direct interpretation of your goals (my ticket is to the judge's bench) or a more creative one (my ticket is to Narnia)? Whichever one you choose, make sure that you choose a destination that is genuinely compelling to you . The last thing you want is to come off sounding bored or disingenuous.

#2: Don’t Overreach or Underreach

Another key point is to avoid overreaching or underreaching. For instance, it’s fine to say that you’d like to get involved in politics, but it’s a little too self-aggrandizing to say that you’re definitely going to be president of the United States. Be sure that whatever destination you select for your ticket, it doesn’t come off as unnecessary bragging rather than simple aspiration .

At the same time, make sure the destination you've chosen is one that makes sense in the context of a college essay. Maybe what you really want is a ticket to the potato chip factory; however, this essay might not be the best place to elaborate on this imagined possibility.

While you can of course choose a whimsical location, you need to be able to ground it in a real vision of the kind of person you want to become . Don't forget who your audience is! College admissions officers want to find students who are eager to learn . They also want to be exposed to new thoughts and ideas.

#3: Flesh It Out

Once you've picked a destination, it's time to consider the other components of the question: What are you going to do once you reach your destination? What will happen there? Try to think of some key messages that relate back to you, your talents, and your goals .

#4: Ground Your "Journey" in Specific Anecdotes and Examples

The way this question is framed is very abstract, so ground your thoughts about your destination (whether it's more straightforward or more creative) in concrete anecdotes and examples that show you're thoughtful, engaged, passionate, and driven.

This is even more important if you go the creative route and are writing about an unusual location. If you don't keep things somewhat grounded in reality, your essay could come across as frivolous. Make sure you make the most of this chance to share real-life examples of your desirable qualities.

Imagine Eleanor’s essay is about how she wants a ticket to Starfleet Academy (for the uninitiated, this is the fictional school in the Star Trek universe where people train to be Starfleet officers). Which essay below conveys more about her potential as a student?

My ticket is to Starfleet Academy. There, I would train to become part of the Command division so I could command a starship. Once I was captain of my own starship, I would explore the deepest reaches of space to interact with alien life and learn more about the universe.

I've loved Star Trek since my dad started playing copies of old episodes for me in our ancient DVD player. So if I could have a ticket to anywhere, it would be to Starfleet Academy to train in the command division. I know I would make a superb command officer. My ten years of experience in hapkido have taught me discipline and how to think on my feet. Working as a hapkido instructor in my dojo the past two years has honed my leadership and teaching qualities, which are essential for any starship commander. Additionally, I have the curiosity and sense of adventure necessary for a long career in the unknown reaches of space. Right now, I exercise my thirst for exploration through my photography blog. Using my DSLR camera, I track down and photograph obscure and hidden places I find in my town, on family trips, and even on day trips to nearby cities. I carefully catalogue the locations so other people can follow in my footsteps. Documentation, after all, is another important part of exploring space in a starship.

Both versions communicate the same things about the imagined destination, but the second essay does a much better job showing who Eleanor is as a person. All we really learn from the first excerpt is that Eleanor must like Star Trek .

We can also infer from version 1 that she probably likes leadership, exploration, and adventure because she wants to captain a starship, but we don't really know that for sure. Admissions officers shouldn't have to guess who you are from your essay; your essay should lay it out for them explicitly and articulately.

In the second essay, by contrast, Eleanor clearly lays out the qualities that would make her a great command officer and provides examples of how she exemplifies these qualities . She ties the abstract destination to concrete activities from her life, such as hapkido and photography. This provides a much more well-rounded picture of what Eleanor could bring to the student body and the school at large.

Eleanor's essay about her desire to explore the final frontier creatively illustrates her curiosity and leadership potential .

ApplyTexas Topic C Essay Ideas

I've come up with some sample essay ideas for the two different approaches to this prompt.

Possibility 1: Your Concrete Goals

• Describe your goal to pursue a particular academic field or career and discuss how specific classes or extracurricular activities ignited that passion
• Discuss how your plans to pursue politics, project management, or another leadership role were fostered by a first experience of leadership (this could be a straightforward leadership position in a club or job or a more indirect or unplanned leadership experience, such as suddenly having to take charge of a group).
• Discuss how your desire to teach or train in the future was sparked by an experience of teaching someone to do something (e.g., by being a tutor or by helping a sibling deal with a particularly challenging class or learning issue).
• Describe your goal to perform on stage, and discuss how your past experiences of public creativity (e.g., being in a play, staging an art show, performing an orchestra, or being involved in dance,.) led you to this goal

Possibility 2: Creative/Abstract Destination

• What would you do if you could visit the world of a favorite childhood book, movie, or TV series? What qualities does that show about you?
• Is there a relative or friend you would like to visit with your ticket?
• Is there a particular historical period you would like to time travel to?
• Is there a destination you've always wanted to go to that you've read about, heard about, or only conjured up in dreams or in a moment of creativity?

Remember to tie your imaginative destination to concrete details about your special qualities!

Topic C for Transfer, Transient, or Readmit Students

ApplyTexas offers a Topic C alternative in case there is personal information you want them to consider along with your application, such as why you are transferring to a new school. They still want you to focus on the future, but they encourage discussing any hardships, challenges, extenuating circumstances, or opportunities that have affected your abilities and academic credentials (in a positive way). They also want you to discuss how these circumstances can help you contribute to a diverse college community. In this case, this variation is not fundamentally different from the ticket question; it just asks for a more specific focus. So if this variation applies to you, use the advice above for question C option one. 

Here’s the current prompt for Essay Topic C for transfer applicants:

There may be personal information that you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

Would you use your ticket to visit Renaissance Italy, a journey you metaphorically hope to take as a history major?

If you're applying to one of several fine arts fields, you might have 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?

If you’re applying to study architecture, art, or art history, one of the essays you will likely have to write is this one. This essay topic is trying to ask as broadly as possible about an experience with art that has moved you in some way. This means that your options for answering the question are quite varied. So what are the two different parts of this prompt? Let's take a look.

Part 1: Observation and Reaction

Think of a time you experienced that blown-away feeling when looking at something human made. This is the reaction and situation the first part of the essay wants you to recreate. The prompt is primarily interested in your ability to describe and pinpoint exactly what quality made you stop in your tracks. The huge set of inspiring object options the prompt offers tells us that your taste level won't be judged here.

You can focus on a learning experience, which includes both classes and extracurricular activities, or you can focus on a direct experience in which you encountered an object or space without the mediation of a class or teacher. The only limit to your focus object is that it is something made by someone other than you. Your reaction should be in conversation with the original artist, not a form of navel-gazing.

The key for this part of the essay is that your description needs to segue into a story of change and transformation . What the essay topic is asking you to show isn’t just that you were struck by something you saw or learned about, but that you also absorbed something from this experience that impacted your own art going forward.

Did seeing the Angkor Wat Temple during a trip abroad with your family foster your intellectual passion for Southeast Asian art or religious monuments?

Part 2: Absorption

This brings us to the second part of the essay prompt: this is where you need to move from the past into the present — and then at least gesture meaningfully toward the future.

It’s one thing to look at a piece of art, such as a sculpture or architectural form, and feel moved by its grace, boldness, or vision. But it’s a sign of a mature, creative mind to be able to take to heart what is meaningful to you about this work and then transmute this experience into your own art or your interpretation of others' creative works.

This essay wants to see that developing maturity in you ; therefore, you should explain exactly how your own vision has changed after this meaningful encounter you've described. What qualities, philosophy, or themes do you now try to infuse into what you create or how you analyze art?

More importantly, this essay prompt asserts that being affected by something once isn’t enough. That’s why in this second part of the essay,  you also need to explain what you’ve been doing to keep having similarly moving encounters with other creative works .

You have some choice, too, when it comes to answering, "What have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?" For example, you could describe how you’ve sought out other works by the same artist who moved you the first time. Or you could describe investigating new media or techniques to emulate something you saw. Or you could discuss learning about the period, genre, school, or philosophical theory that the original piece of art comes from to give yourself a more contextualized understanding.

If you’re planning an academic career in the visual arts or architecture, then you’re entering a long conversation started by our cave-painting ancestors and continuing through every human culture and society since.

This essay wants to make sure that you aren’t creating or interpreting art in a vacuum and that you have had enough education and awareness to be inspired by others. By demonstrating how you react to works that move you—not with jealousy or dismissal but with appreciation and recognition of another’s talent and ability—you're proving that you're ready to participate in this ongoing conversation.

At the same time, this essay is asking you to show your own creative readiness.  For example, describe not only the work you have produced but also your ability to introduce new elements into that work—in this case, inspired by the piece you described. This way, you can demonstrate that you aren’t a one-note artist but are mature enough to alter and develop what you make. Or if you want to major in art history or art education, relate how your perspective on a particular piece of art or architecture is shaped by your unique perspective, based on your experiences, education, and cultural identity.

A student might write their Topic D essay on how Michelangelo's Madonna della Pietà   has influenced their own artistic renderings of youth and beauty in grief.

What are some best practices for teasing out the complexities of art in written form? Here are some helpful tips as you brainstorm and write your essay.

#1: Pick One Piece of Art or Learning Experience

Once you’ve chosen between these two contexts, narrow down your selection even further . If you're writing about an educational encounter, don’t forget that it can come from an informal situation as well. For example, you could write about something you learned on your own from a documentary, a museum visit, or an art book.

If you're writing about a direct experience with art, don't necessarily fixate on a classic piece . Alternatively, you could discuss a little-known public sculpture, a particularly striking building or bridge you saw while traveling, or a gallery exhibition.

Whatever you end up writing about, make sure you know some of the identifying details . You don’t need to know the answers to all the following questions, but do your best to research so you can answer at least two or three of them:

• Who is the artist?
• Where is the piece on display?
• What kind of work is it?
• With what materials was it made?
• When was it made?

#2: Figure Out Why You Were Struck by This Particular Work

The make-it-or-break-it moment in this essay will be your ability to explain what affected you in the object you're writing about . Why is it different from other works you’ve seen? Were you in the right place and time to be moved by it, or would it have affected you the same way no matter where or when you saw it? Did it speak to you because it shares some of your ideals, philosophies, or tastes—or because it was so different from them?

Be careful with your explanation because it can easily get so vague as to be meaningless or so obscure and "deep" that you lose your reader. Before you start trying to put it down on paper, try to talk out what you plan to say either with a friend, parent, or teacher. Do they understand what you’re saying, and do they believe you?

#3: Make a Timeline of Your Own Creative Works

When you think about what you've been making or thinking about making during your high school career, what is the trajectory of your ideas? How has your understanding of the materials you want to work with or study changed? What message do you want your works to convey, or what message in others' works most resonate with you? How do you want your works to be seen or engaged with by others? What is the reason you feel compelled to be creative or involved in the arts?

Now that you’ve come up with this timeline, see whether your changes in thought overlap with the art experience you're planning on describing . Is there a way you can combine what was so exciting to you about this work with the way you’ve seen your own ideas about art evolve?

#4: Use a Mix of Concreteness and Comparisons in Your Description

Just as nothing ruins a joke like explaining it, nothing ruins the wordless experience of looking at art as talking it to death does. Still, you need to find a way to use words to give the reader a sense of what the piece that moved you actually looks like —particularly if the reader isn't familiar with the work or the artist that created it.

Here is my suggested trick for writing well about art. First, be specific about the object. Discuss its colors, size, what it appears to be made of, what your eye goes to first (e.g., bright colors versus darker, more muted ones), what it represents (if it’s figurative), where it is in relation to the viewer, whether or not you can see marks of the tools used (e.g., brush strokes or scrapes from sculpting tools).

Second, step away from the concrete, and get creative with language by using techniques such as comparative description. Use your imagination to create emotionally resonant similes. Is there a form of movement (e.g., flying, crawling, or tumbling) that this piece feels like? Does it remind you of something from the natural world (e.g., a falling leaf, a forest canopy being moved by wind, waves, or sand dunes shifting)?

If the work is figurative, imagine what has been happening just before the moment in time it captures. What happened just after this point? Using these kinds of nonliteral descriptors will let your reader understand both the actual physical object and its aesthetic appeal.

Dissecting the UT and Texas A&M Short-Answer Prompts

Both UT Austin and Texas A&M require short answers as part of their first-year applications. For both schools, some prompts are required by all applicants, whereas others are required by those applying to certain majors or departments.

We'll go over the UT Austin prompts, followed by the Texas A&M prompt.

UT Austin Short-Answer Prompts

UT Austin requires three short answers from all first-year applicants and also offers an optional prompt. Each short answer should be approximately 250–300 words , or one paragraph.

Short Answer 1: Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Short Answer 2: Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

Short Answer 3: The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Optional Short Answer: Please share background on events or special circumstances that may have impacted your high school academic performance.

What Are These UT Austin Short-Answer Prompts Asking?

Obviously, these short-answer prompts are asking four different things, but they do have some similarities in terms of their overall goals.

These prompts basically want to know what you can offer UT Austin and why you'd be a great fit as a student there . They also want to know why you chose UT Austin and your specific major.

In other words, all these prompts essentially work together as a "Why This College?" essay .

How Can You Give UT Austin What They Want?

Admissions officers will be looking for evidence that you're genuinely interested in the school, the major you've chosen, and the career you want to pursue . Make sure to identify features of the program that appeal to you. In other words, why UT Austin? What makes you a good fit here?

Be as specific as possible in your responses. Since you won't have much room to write a lot, try to focus on a particular anecdote, skill, or goal you have.

Admissions officers also want to see that you have an aptitude for your chosen career path , so if you have any relevant work, research, or volunteer experience, they definitely want to know this! It's OK to take a broad view of what's relevant here.

Finally, they're looking for individuals who have clear goals as well as a general idea of what they want to do with their degree . Are you interested in working with a specific population or specialty? Why? What led you to this conclusion?

Texas A&M Engineering Prompt

All engineering applicants to Texas A&M must submit an esssay responding to the following prompt:

Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals?

What Is This Texas A&M Engineering Prompt Asking?

The engineering prompt wants to know two essential things:

• What are your future goals for your specific field of interest (i.e., the kind of engineering field you want to go into or are considering going into)?
• What environmental or external factors (e.g., a person, a mentor, a volunteer experience, or a paper or book you read) contributed to your development of these goals?

How Can You Give Texas A&M What They Want?

Be as specific as possible in your response. For the engineering prompt, what admissions officers want to know is simply what your biggest engineering ambition is and how you came to have this goal.

You'll want to be as specific as possible. Admissions officers want to see that you have a clear future in mind for what you want to do with your engineering degree. For example, do you plan to go on to a PhD program? Why? Do you have a particular career in mind?

In addition, make sure to specify the main inspiration for or motivation behind this goal. For instance, did you have a high school teacher who encouraged you to study engineering? Or perhaps you decided on a whim to take a computer science class, which you ended up loving.

Remember that the inspiration for your engineering goals doesn't have to be limited to something school-related. If you get stuck, think broadly about what initially got you interested in the field.

Briefly: ApplyTexas Essay Topic E (Transfer Students)

US transfer students and international transfer students must typically submit an additional essay responding to the following prompt (or must submit an essay on one of the topic variations listed above ).

Choose an issue of importance to you—the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope⁠—and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

What's the Prompt Asking?

This prompt, which is intended for transfer students, essentially wants to know what hardship, challenge, or social issue has affected you on a personal level (or a larger group you're part of) and why you think this particular issue is so important to you .

For example, maybe you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have personally experienced discrimination in your local community because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. Or perhaps you grew up in a wealthy family but have begun to see recently how widespread the issue of homelessness really is and now are making a more conscious effort to find ways to remedy this problem in your own community.

The issue you choose doesn't have to relate to a wider social issue; it could be a learning disability you have, for instance, or the fact that you no longer share the same religious beliefs as your  family.

The most important part of this question is the connection between the issue and yourself . In other words, why is this issue so important to you ? How has it affected your life, your goals, your experiences, etc.?

This essay is a way for admissions officers to get to know you and what matters to you personally on a much deeper level than what some of the other essay topics allow, so don't be afraid to dive into topics that are very emotional, personal, or special to you .

Furthermore, be sure to clearly explain why this particular issue—especially if it's a broader social issue that affects many people—is meaningful to you . Admissions officers want to know about any challenges you've faced and how these have positively contributed to your own growth as a person.

The Bottom Line: Tips for Writing ApplyTexas Essays

The ApplyTexas application contains four essay prompts (Topics A, B, C, and D), with different schools requiring different combinations of mandatory and optional essays . There are also short-answer prompts for UT Austin, as well as a Topic E only for transfer students.

One way to keep these three similar-sounding essay topics (A, B, and C) separate in your mind is to create a big-picture category for each one:

• Topic A is about your outside .
• Topic B is your inside .
• Topic C is about your future .

Now, let's briefly summarize each essay topic:

Essay Topic A

• Overview:  Describe any unique experiences you've had as a high school student and how these have shaped who you are as a person.
• Pick a specific aspect of your experience.
• Describe how it made you special.
• Describe the setting, stakes, and conflict resolution.
• Add details, description, and examples.

Essay Topic B

• Overview:  Describe a defining trait and how it fits into the larger vision of you.
• Define the core message.
• Fit that core message of yourself into the larger picture.
• Show things about yourself; don’t tell.
• Watch your tone to make sure that you show your great qualities without seeming narcissistic, boring, glib, or self-aggrandizing.

Essay Topic C

• Overview:  Describe "where you are going" in either a literal, goal-oriented sense or a more imaginative sense.
• Pick where you’re going, but don’t over- or underreach.
• Flesh out your destination. How does it relate back to you?
• Ground your “journey” in specific anecdotes and examples.

Essay Topic D

• Overview:  Describe being affected by a work of art or an artistic experience to make sure that you are ready to enter a fine arts field.
• Pick one piece of art or one specific experience of learning about art.
• Figure out exactly why this work or event struck you.
• Examine your own work to see how this artwork has affected your creativity or engagement with art or art history.
• Use a mix of concrete descriptions and comparisons when writing about the piece of art.

Short-Answer Prompts

• Overview: Specific to UT Austin applicants
• Describe your relevant experiences and interests up to this point.
• Describe what about the program appeals to you and how you will use your degree (i.e., your future goals).
• Treat the prompts as parts of a "Why This College?" essay.

Essay Topic E (Transfer Students)

• Overview: Specific to US and international transfer applicants
• Pick an issue that means a lot to you and has had a clear effect on how you see yourself.
• Emphasize how this issue or how you've treated this issue has ultimately had a positive impact on your personal growth.

What's Next?

Curious about the other college essay choices out there? If your target college also accepts the Common Application, check out our guide to the Common App essay prompts to see whether they would be a better fit for you.

Interested to see how other people tackled this part of the application? We have a roundup of 100+ accepted essays from tons of colleges .

Stuck on what to write about? Read our suggestions for how to come up with great essay ideas .

Working on the rest of your college applications? We have great advice on how to find the right college for you , how to write about your extracurricular activities , and how to ask teachers for letters of recommendation .

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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College Readiness

Freshman student resources.

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

• Answer the question.

Your essay shouldn’t be a complete autobiography. Instead, it should use a specific instance to answer the question and reveal more about your unique personality. Be sure your essay doesn’t repeat things listed elsewhere on the application. Do more than recount the experience, explain how it changed or impacted you.

• Be authentic.

Your writing style should match your personality. If you’re an outgoing, spunky person, your essay shouldn’t be stiff and super formal. At the same time, remember your audience and avoid using terminology that only teenagers would understand. Make sure your writing is natural (no thesaurus necessary).

• Be detailed.

Essay topics are generally broad, but your response should be specific.  Focus on details that set you apart. Your essay should highlight that uniqueness and how you’ll be an asset to the university.

• Proofread your essay.

Check your essay for grammatical errors. Run a spellcheck and then proofread it again. Ask a teacher or counselor to read your essay as well.

College Fairs

A college fair is an event where recruiters from different universities present information about their schools. Whether you’re early in your college search or have a specific question for your dream school, this is a great opportunity to talk to recruiters with first-hand knowledge. Follow these tips to stand out at your next college fair!

• Find out which colleges are attending the fair and research them beforehand. Having prior knowledge about a school shows you’re interested. Some colleges consider interest an important part of the admissions process.
• Ask questions that can’t be answered by the college’s website. What is the best dorm? Which majors are most popular? Leave the fair knowing something you didn’t know before.
• Take the initiative and introduce yourself to recruiters. Standing face-to-face with a college rep allows you to go beyond general inquiries — you can ask questions that are unique to your circumstances. These answers help narrow down your college options.
• Jot down your impressions of different colleges. Taking notes is a good active listening skill to learn and will be useful later when choosing which schools to apply to.
• Some fairs offer additional information sessions on specific topics like financial aid, scholarships, admissions essays, etc. These sessions are opportunities to hear from the admissions office and gather more information about certain programs.

Visit Campus

Most students apply to as many as 12 colleges and visit a majority of those. Visiting a large campus (like Texas A&M’s 5,200 acres) can be daunting and the colleges you visit might run together. We’ve put together some tips to help you keep track of your touring process:

• Schedule your visit while school is in session. Choose a date that allows you to get a realistic idea of student life.
• No one knows campus better than current students. Ask students at the next table or sitting on a nearby bench what they like best about the college or what they like best about being in college in general.
• In addition to the guided campus tour, wander around campus. If there are any facilities that are important to you, find them and have a look for yourself. Make sure you visit the library and the freshman dorms.
• School newspapers highlight issues that students consider important and give you an idea of the campus culture. Texas A&M’s student newspaper is The Battalion, and it was started in 1893.
• Keep track of the details you like and don't like from your visit. What did you see that excited you? Can you imagine staying in the school’s dorms? The answers to these questions can help narrow down your college options.

Schedule a visit today!

Keeping Up with Your Accomplishments

The college admissions process relies heavily on what accomplishments you report. Academic awards, community service, student organizations and more can all look great on a college application. But what should go on and what shouldn’t?

• Be sure to list organizations you’re heavily involved in. It’s better to have a major impact on a few organizations than minimal involvement in several organizations.
• Highlight times you’ve been a leader or shown initiative. Universities like students who arrive on campus ready to lead clubs and organizations.
• Include your characteristics that will contribute to a diverse and unique student body. Texas A&M seeks to enroll students with different geographic, cultural, political and economic backgrounds.
• Let us know what unique skills you will bring to campus and how they’ll add value to the student body.
• If you’re active in the community, we want to know about it. This includes work, community service, youth organizations, religious groups, reading clubs, etc.

Application Tips

Prospective students should apply using the  Common App . Students may also apply through ApplyTexas. The application you choose will not affect your admission decision. Only one application per student.

• Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.
• Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why.
• If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about , please note them in the space below.
• Check the college website for deadlines and plan to complete your essays and forms a few weeks before they’re required. Mark these earlier deadlines on your calendar and don’t miss them.
• In addition to thoroughly proofreading your essay, check your entire application for grammatical errors before submitting it. Save your application, put it aside for a day and then check it over again for errors. If you can, have a teacher or parent proofread it as well.
• Make a copy of each piece of your application. Save personal identification numbers, passwords and notes or emails from admission officers. This documentation can save you if a problem arises with your application.
• Anything that needs to be mailed, including your application itself, should be sent in several weeks before it is due. This allows time for delivery and processing. You should also take required admissions tests well in advance in case you don’t earn a qualifying score the first time you take them.
• The Applicant Information System (AIS) offers you access to view the status of your admissions application at all stages of the process, from application receipt through display of the final decision. You will gain access once your application is received and processed. AIS can be accessed via the Applicant tab .

Test-Optional Admissions

SAT and/or ACT scores are not required to complete an admission file. Students are encouraged to continue to submit standardized test scores to help satisfy TSI requirements if admitted. Submission of tests scores will not create any unfair advantage or disadvantage for those students who provide them.

Test-Optional FAQs

Does Texas A&M require SAT and/or ACT scores?

Freshman applicants are not required to provide test scores to complete their admission file.

What does it mean to be “Test Optional?”

Test optional means that you are not required to provide SAT and/or ACT scores to the university as part of your admission file.

Does Texas A&M prefer that I provide test scores?

Texas A&M encourages you to send your test scores if you have them. Test scores will only be used to benefit you in the admission process. You will not be penalized for low test scores or no test scores.

Will it benefit me to provide test scores?

Submitting tests scores will provide additional information with respect to your academics and can be used to satisfy TSI requirements if admitted.

Will I be penalized if I provide low test scores?

No. Low test scores will not disadvantage you or make you less competitive in the review process.

If I have several test scores, will you super score?

No. Texas A&M does not super score.

Will I be penalized if I don’t take the test?

No. You will not be penalized in the admission process if you choose not to take the SAT or ACT.

If I don’t provide test scores, what will you look at?

All academic factors will be considered as part of the holistic review of your admission file.

I’m a home-schooled student, do I have to provide test scores?

No. Freshman applicants are not required to submit test scores.

I’m a home-schooled student and don’t take the test, how will you assign my rank?

Your class rank will be assigned using all academic factors provided as part of your admissions file.

Will this policy stay in place all year?

Yes.  This policy is in place all year and the foreseeable future.

Will subject tests be considered now?

No. Subject test scores will not be used in place of traditional SAT or ACT scores for admission purposes.

Do my scores have to be submitted through the testing agency or will you take them off my high school transcript?

Test scores must be provided to us directly from the testing agency.

If test scores are removed from the equation, how will holistic review work?

We will consider all academic and non-academic factors you provide as part of your admission file.

What is the last date I can take the SAT or ACT and still have it considered as part of my admission file?

Due to recent SAT and ACT scheduling issues, we will accept December test scores as part of your admission file. You should request scores to be sent to us at the time of testing. We must receive your December test scores by December 15 for consideration.

Fee Waivers

Freshman students who qualify for a fee waiver will be able to certify their eligibility on the ApplyTexas application. Additional documentation may be required upon request.    Transfer students requesting a fee waiver must provide a copy of an award letter from the current institution showing a Pell Grant was awarded or a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) found within a current FAFSA. The information shown in the SAR will be reviewed to determine eligibility for a waiver. Checking the fee waiver box on the application will not satisfy the fee waiver requirement. The award letter or SAR may be uploaded through the Applicant Information System (AIS) or sent by mail.

High School Coursework

Texas a&m university’s recommended coursework includes:.

• 4 years of English 
• 4 years of Mathematics - Three of the courses should be Algebra I, II and Geometry 
• 4 years of Science - Two courses should come from Biology I, Chemistry I or Physics I
• 2 years of the same foreign language 

You may earn credit at Texas A&M from the following exams:

• Advanced Placement (AP) SAT subject tests International Baccalaureate (IB) program

Dual Credit and Early College High Schools

College coursework completed prior to high school graduation:

• Students with more than 40 hours cannot be admitted to Blinn TEAM or Gateway .
• You should choose courses that match your major. Degree plans are available in the Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog .

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Texas Am Admission Essay Writing Guide

Application Guide

Essay examples, texas application letters and application process.

Texas A&M university has taught students since 1876, becoming the first high education institution in the state. For now its main campus harbors almost 70 000 students. The university offers 133 programs for bachelors and 175 programs for master degrees. Its five programs for professors are considered one of the best in the country.

If you're applying to Texas A&M University and find yourself under time constraints to produce a high-quality essay , StudyMoose offers a fast and dependable academic writing service tailored to your specific needs.

Despite being such a renowned university, Texas A&M has a relatively simple admission process. All you need to do is to gather your documents and write one short paper if you are applying via Common Application with its standard “Why Texas A&M” essay. You also can apply via the local ApplyTexas portal with a broader essay prompts choice. But generally, all the Texas A&M admission essays are relatively easy compared to most of the other universities. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get enrolled: the university of such a level has a very high demand for your grades and education level. Still, if you prefer to show off your practical skills, not your essay-writing mastery, it’s one of the best variants for you.

You may use a wide collection of our Texas A&M essay examples to get inspired by their stories. Or, if you don’t have time to write essays, you may focus on gathering other documents and let our professional writers make a perfect Texas A&M admissions essay using the information you provide. Texas A&M university asks for only one general essay to be written, but it doesn’t mean that you may not take it seriously. The personal essay seems easy, but if you remember the high competition between the applicants, you’d understand that your admission essay should be polished to perfection.

University Admission Documents

To enter this university you need to gather the following documents:

Obligatory ones:

• ApplyTexas or Coalition Texas A&M application essay
• $75 application fee (the e-mail or receipt that proves that you paid the fee). Keep in mind that the fee is non-refundable even if you aren’t enrolled.
• Self-reported academic record. Each applicant shall prepare it by themselves. The SRAR should be based on high school transcripts and contain all the courses (obligatory and facultative) with corresponding grades and credit score. It is the most important document, so we highly recommend to check the accuracy twice before submitting your SRAR. Corrections may rob you of the precious time and heavily influence your chances for application. Please check the specific requirements to SRAR at the Texas A&M site.
• Official SAT or ACT scores sent through the agency. You may use the highest total score, so try all the options possible to raise your chances. You may also use the scores from the previous year, because the tests expire after 5 years only.

Desirable ones:

• A copy of the high school transcript for the application committee to check the accuracy of your SRAR. This document may speed up the process greatly.
• Engineering short answer question. It’s a kind of extremely short Texas A&M engineering essay that describes your experience in the field of engineering, your academic plans and career goals. It has a very small word limit, so try to be as specific as possible here.
• High school curriculum requirements. Only for students of Texas private high schools. All the other students should provide Exemption Form 3.
• Permanent Resident Card for non-US citizens.
• Letters of recommendation. A maximum of two letters is allowed. They are not very important for the application process, but if you have a valuable recommendation it may play its part when you have an equal total score with the other applicant.

ApplyTexas and Common Application admission essays

The ApplyTexas app is the local version of the Common Application portal. The main difference between them is thaa CA allows you to apply to the universities all over the USA, and AT is state-specific. Usually you have the one essay prompt for the Texas A&M Common App version and several prompts for the AppTexas application. The Common Application essay theme is always the same: “Why this university?” You are supposed to write a personalized paper describing the benefits of the university chosen. This essay is required to prove that you do care, not just applying to any university available. The Common App Texas apply essay should be no more less than 250 and no more than 650 words. It may seem like a lot of space, but you don’t have to use all the words up to the limit. Actually, some admission committee members prefer shorter essays and give you more points for your ability to express yourself precisely and laconically.

The minimum word limit is obligatory though, the system just won’t accept the papers that are shorter than 250 words. ApplyTexas, on the contrary, has four prompts for the first-time admissions and three topics for transfer admissions. All the different universities have different requirements, so they may specifically ask you to work with A, B, C or D prompt if you are a freshmen or with a slightly changed variation for transferred students.

It’s tricky to understand the system for the first time, but usually the Texas A&M essay prompts are mentioned at the university site. The Texas A&M applicants need to write an essay on Topic A. The future engineers should also write a short discipline-specific answer. They are usually easy and change only slightly from year to year. You may check our Texas A&M engineering essay examples on our site to get the idea of what the admission committee wants to hear from you. The Topic A is usually the most specific of all. It doesn’t require lots of imagination and is focused on your own story, your background and choice of the particular university. This is the case when TexasApp and Common App essays do have a lot in common. Actually, they are pretty similar, so you may choose any application portal, the essay writing task will be equally easy.

Writing a perfect entrance essay

Despite being a simple topic, this broad range of variants make this paper one of the hardest to write properly. You should carefully balance facts and emotions, show that you did your research and learned a fact or two about Texas A&M university. Also, the uniform topic means that the admission committee members will read plenty of similar essays. So you have to make yours truly outstanding. Here are some simple tips that will help your paper shine:

Use unconventional knowledge sources

Everyone can open the university’s site and read the general information about it. Show that you spent a bit more time to decide that it’s the best place for you to be next years. Mention reading the open university forums, talking to the alumni community, attending open lectures and events or reading the professors’ works. You don’t have to, if you never did that, but if you have something to show off, do it! This essay isn’t for your logical thinking and writing evaluation only. It also shows your motivation, and motivated students are always the first to get enrolled.

Don’t try to use all the word limit

The admission officers are people, too, and they may get tired of reading long papers. You never know when they’d get your paper: in the morning or later, when they are reading them inattentively. Try to make each sentence as sharp as possible. It’s your presentation, the first impression of you as a student-to-be, so take it seriously. Ask someone to read your essay (bonus points for asking someone who was an admission officer themselves, or at least was an author of one of the Texas A&M essays that worked. Check if your paper is specific enough to not look like a general application insert-name-here text. A good test is to change the university’s name to the other one and check if the paper still can be sent as a valid application essay.

Use standard structure and the non-standard approach

Usually the admission committee expects to see the answers to such questions:

• What areas of study are appealing to you? What do you truly want to learn in university?
• What is the difference between the chosen university and others with the same major programs?
• What extracurricular activities you love and want to see in the university? What will you participate in?
• What are your goals in the university? What do you plan to do as a bachelor? Possibly, get a job in your dream company or stay a bit longer to get a master’s degree or become a postgraduate? Are you more interested in science or practical reasons?

Do not try to get a “right” answer

The admission officers will see enough of the perfectly polished application essays that show only the bright sides bordering with flattery. Don’t create the image of a wide-eyed idealist if you just want to make a decent career and provide a comfortable lifestyle for you and your family. Honesty is your best option here: the admission committee wants to see real people they would work and live with, not the images these people pretend to be.

Be realistic

It’s okay to set high and challenging goals, but they still should be practical and realistic enough. You can choose to work on a scientific frontier, offer a bold interdisciplinary project or plan to establish a successful startup as a sophomore. But winning a Nobel Prize doesn’t sound like a mature goal and, moreover, doesn’t sound like a goal that can be achieved with the help of your university (at least not for the bachelor). Be university-specific. It isn’t enough to just say you love biology or science.

Try to explain why you want to achieve your goals here

Take a more narrow approach, talk about the courses that are particularly strong and effective, and plan your progress. The more your plan corresponds with the university’s curriculum, the more chances you have to get noticed as a promising student.

Mention the university’s core values. It’s all about people and perspectives. If your ethics and mindset is aligned with the university’s principles, don’t forget to tell the admission officers about it. There are plenty of talented young people, but each university tries to pick the ones who will get along with the rest. Show yourself as a friendly and tolerant person and you’ll possibly win some extra points in the admission committee’s eyes.

Wrapping Up

We gathered a broad collection of Texas A&M essay examples for you, both general and engineering ones. We do hope that they will help you to create your own perfect paper with a personal touch and ambitious plans. If you are struggling or hesitating, our authors are here to help. They have dozens of “Why Texas A&M” essays written and successfully used, so they will write that exact paper that will make your credits and grades shine even brighter.

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FAQ about Texas Am

Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi

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Want to see your chances of admission at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi?

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Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

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?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Thirteen New Apply Texas Essay A Tell Us Your Story Examples

High School Senior Year Government Leadership Day

Everyone has a story. What’s yours? I was elected Mayor for our senior year Government for a Day at City Hall. My friend Jay and I brought a piece of our demolished elementary school playground inside the Mayor’s hall to make a point.

UT-Austin requires first-time freshman applicants beginning with Spring/Fall 2021 to submit the following Apply Texas Essay A. It can be longer than the recommended 700 words as I cover in this post.

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

I provide helpful tips and general ways to approach this new prompt in this post. It may help to review real examples to get a better idea of the varied ways you can address this topic.

The thirteen examples below take many different approaches in sharing a story unique to them. Some relate to their first choice majors while others have no relation to college or their future goals. A few stretch over long periods of time and some focus on a specific experience or moment. They deal with themes of identity, culture, leadership, family, art, volunteering, animal welfare, recovering from injuries, moving cities, and founding an organization among others.

Interested in working together? Need help sharing your story? Complete my questionnaire for a free consultation.

Exploring Cultural Identity through Food

“Ammi, paneer is ready!” my mom hollered.  Paneer makhani /pa nir muh kuh nee/. Dictionary’s definition: Rich cheese blocks coated with buttery, creamy makhani with a hint of tomato and cashews.  Amrita’s definition: the best Indian dish, a reward from my mom each Saturday night; at first, my absolute favorite, and later, my nemesis. I loved food, especially paneer; so much so that my family called me a bhuka —one who devours food as if starved.  “Coming!” I replied. Eyes wide and mouth watering, I sat at the table. With the restraint of a toddler gripping cake, I started devouring my mom’s sublime paneer makhani. Since I couldn’t eat them, I didn’t initially notice papers folded in my mom’s hand. “Wuf er dose?” I mumbled through cheesy mouthfuls.  My mom hesitated, “They’re your glucose and blood test results. Ammi…”  I raised my eyebrows, mouth open cheese half-chewed, waiting for a reply.  “They said you have borderline diabetes and hypothyroid. There’s a diet that they want you to try so that you don’t have these for the rest of your life. No cheese, ghee…” my mom trailed off.  Panic set in. I stopped listening. I sat paralyzed. The list of forbidden, unhealthy foods consisted of Indian food ingredients. And now, I had to fix my diet? FIX MY DIET? ALL I EAT IS INDIAN FOOD!  I felt fine! But what was I to do, ditch my favorites? Who goes on a diet at fourteen? I couldn’t look at rajma and butter chicken without feeling bitterness and guilt. Before, paneer symbolized comfort and love; now, it teased me with reminders of my evidently poor health. I took it personally; there must be something wrong with me.  Our family meals connected me, a young girl immersed in American culture, to my heritage. Rejecting Indian food felt like shedding my brown skin. By extension, distanced from my favorite foods, I criticized Indian culture and overcorrected my embrace of American culture.  I bought all six Taylor Swift albums. I begged for Mac n Cheese and avoided paneer—the dish that became my enemy, unaware of the irony of consuming an equally fatty food. I wore jeans and a shirt to Diwali parties and complained that Indian clothes were “too itchy.” I had become a true ABCD—American Born Confused Desi.  Though American born, I’ve visited India 18 times. I’m all-too-familiar with the low-pitched “tuk-tuk” of Mumbai’s three-wheeled taxis and my extended family’s temperamental, sputtering air conditioners. Stray dogs meander in the middle of the streets, ambivalent to their potential semi-truck destruction. I perk up when the mango man chants “ apane aam le aao ”—“get your mangoes”—every morning. Mumbai is my second home, as part of me as Taylor Swift and macaroni. My visit to India two years ago brought clarity to my identity crisis. I was traveling from my grandmother’s to my cousin’s house with our family’s driver, Mohan Chacha, as it’s common for Indian families to hire drivers to navigate the hectic roads. He asks me, “Kya ham yahaan dopahar ke bhojan ke lie jaldee se ruk sakate hain?” He wanted to stop quickly for lunch. “Haan theek hai,” I responded, signaling that was fine. He stopped for a hamburger at the most traditional of Indian restaurants: McDonald’s. I’ve seen Mohan Chacha for my entire life, but I never took the time to really look at him. He’s older, wiry, and likely poverty-stricken. We were polar opposites, yet we each ate hamburgers.  When I saw Mohan Chacha eating McDonald’s, I realized my culture wasn’t the culprit of my poor health. He was of the same heritage eating the same foods—without diabetes or hypothyroid. I deflected blame for my health problems onto my ethnicity, alienating me from my background when the real issue was my own insecurity. I wasted time and energy misdirecting fights against my heritage while my health issues persisted. From that moment, I promised myself that I would take care of my body: eating fruits, vegetables, no processed food, and working out an hour each day.  I’m happy that my lifestyle changes leave me feeling more whole. Now, my dietary restrictions aren’t punishment, but an exercise in discipline and moderation. I’m not too hardcore, though. I allow myself paneer once in a while, and sometimes I go a few days without working out.  Lack of acceptance is like a hungry pit in your stomach; acceptance is like rich paneer. And I choose paneer. 

I love this example because they incorporate a storytelling mode throughout while shifting from an anecdote at home about not being able to eat their favorite traditional food to a connection they make during a visit to India. Originally, this essay had been two separate essays that we put together. Their process is an excellent example of how drafting a few different stories that might seem unrelated at first can integrate into later versions.

Discussing their identity and cross-cultural identity through the symbol of food elevates this essay from strong to outstanding. Instead of merely telling their reviewer about their inner conflicts, they illustrate through specific examples. Sticking with one symbol - food - rather than trying to do too much and spreading word resources too thin allows them to fully develop their ideas and bring an internal structure to their Essay A.

Content-wise, the themes they share are directly relevant to the prompt by sharing experiences in high school and opportunities to visit India each year. They supply a thoughtful discussion about their self-image and habits, something we all struggle with and that her reviewer will almost certainly relate with. They resolve their conflicts later on by engaging with how they’ve reformed their diet and wellness habits by using specific examples.

Arguably the strongest area in their essay is the style. It’s witty and relateable without trying too hard. Having spoken on video with this applicant, their personality translates almost perfectly in their written word. They’re not afraid to showcase their charm and write how they want rather than trying to fit into some rigid style that doesn’t match who they are. Sometimes, creative students with unorthodox ideas feel constrained by college admissions topics. They’re merely an invitation to write. If you have a charming and clever side, let it shine.

Check out my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness and Youtube Channel

Non-Conformity and Band Leadership

I laid gazing at the brilliant rural night sky enveloping my great grandmother’s house in Roby, Texas. I had just finished my long division worksheet from Friday. I probably should have kept quiet and enjoyed the tranquility, yet my dad patiently whispered answers to my questions. “If aliens existed, would they want us to find them?” He thought before answering, “It’s almost certain that they are out there, so probably not.” Our family had long retired to bed. I pointed upwards. “Why is the milky way cloudy?” Together, we wondered about life beyond Earth. We stayed out for one last shooting star (agreeing that they're merely falling space rocks on fire). My dad is an encyclopedia of obscure knowledge. Especially in my elementary years, he never passed up an opportunity to explain a computer or mathematical concept. I’m a little bit of a loner and a contrarian, so my dad and I relate. He’s math and science-oriented and worked as a computer programmer before becoming disillusioned with creating programs and algorithms that made stockbrokers and day traders rich. We spend hours discussing science, religion, and the human psyche. We compare perspectives about the origins of life and existence. Our conversations help keep me grounded when I’m struggling in school or questioning why I remain in band. I continued playing tuba after middle school because I sort of liked playing. Band is McNeil’s tightest knit community, so I figured a built-in group would force me to socialize and find my place among 2700+ students. I auditioned freshman year and made bottom band. We weren’t expected to audition for region, so opportunities for improvement slipped away. What few friends I had freshman year auditioned, made region band, received close instruction, and refined their musicianship. It embarrassed me to be left behind, so I made it a point to improve and practice every day. I wanted to prove to myself and others that I was better than a bottom band tuba player. December freshman year, I called my mom. “They noticed!” My band directors had decided to move me up to Wind Symphony for my second semester in high school. Pulled into the orbits of competent musicians, I learned and practiced my audition music, improving rapidly. I loved playing in my free time. I made top band, advanced to Area, and was soon recognized as the first chair tuba at McNiel. Junior year, I earned 1st in the region, number one in area, and eventually 15th in Texas. Receiving these accolades meant a lot to me, but not as much as the voice music gave me to express my ability to invest in something I enjoy. I feel loyal to music for it’s gifts of expression and community, so I struggled with my decision to leave marching band. I prefer concert band because it focuses more on performing beautiful pieces and less about how we look. Competitive marching band is all about how well the directors can teach a set of dots and power chords that were cut and pasted from last year’s winning show by expensive consultants. Section leader felt more like section servant. Rather than leading individuals, my role was confined to streamlining a superficial process. I found ways to subvert a system I viewed as corrupt and lacking purpose and focused on reaching out to motivated freshmen interested in improving their skills. Denied region auditions during my first year, I helped a few of them fine-tune their pieces despite the chaos of marching season. I’ve since determined it isn’t worth the struggle, so even though I’m one of our band’s top players, I decided playing tuba in the marching band for senior year isn’t in my best interest. I convinced the directors to give me a nominal role in marching band so I could still participate, have my band period, and focus on what I love - playing concert music. I’m grateful that we found a compromise. Adam Grant’s book, Originals, suggests that non-conformists and creatives disrupt systems and produce innovation and meaningful change. I’ll never apologize for asking questions or going against the grain. I’ve grown a lot in the ten years since that starry night at my great grandmother’s house. My dad introduced me to math and science and continues to inspire wonder. I only recently realized his response about aliens certainly being “out there” references Fermi’s Paradox. What I admire most is his walking away from lucrative programming roles and sticking to his principles. Sharing contrarian views and standing by my convictions keeps me true to myself.

I also really like this essay example as a different approach to storytelling. While our first example moves rapidly and features heavy dialog throughout with a few twists and turns, this Essay A communicates directly with the reader. There is a predictable order of events, so there is little chance that the reader could get lost or confused.

Analytically-minded and logical students can absolutely craft interesting essays worth reading. Not every essay needs to be witty and charming. Just as it isn’t optimal to fit your ideas into narrow expectations of what you think admissions reviewers want to read, it’s important to not try and be something you’re not.

Their introduction and conclusion are effective because they supply a common theme and line of reasoning that runs throughout the essay. Sometimes, students write killer, attention-getting introductions, and don’t fully develop it throughout their essay. They often write conclusions that sputter and linger when it’s often preferable to give a nod to the introduction in your conclusion.

Effective conclusions also add new information rather than simply restating or repeating what’s already been shared. Two places they did that are citing Adam Grant’s Originals and learning that their childhood question wondering if aliens are “out there” have perplexed scientists for decades, summed up in the Fermi Paradox.

They’ve also weaved a discussion and interest in science with their experiences in band, so they’re covering a few different dimensions to their identity without underdeveloping any particular area. I think “balanced” when I read essays like this. Moreover, their resume read many band accomplishments including all-state, but Essay A supplies a lot more context and details to provide nuance to their journey. It isn’t all about success and accolades. Inquiring about their school’s band structure and questioning their role in the organization provides a rare nuance and maturity that suggests to reviewers that the applicant is a critical thinker and one willing to go against the tide. Plan II honors must have appreciated this essay in particular.

Visiting Vietnamese Extended Family

The heat bombarded us as soon as we stepped off the plane. Crossing the tarmac, I couldn’t believe the intensity of radiating heat waves, unmatched even by Houston’s summers. We cleared immigration and exited the airport. The sun felt on top of us. I coughed from farmers burning their fields following harvest. Even the humidity felt foreign. In Vietnamese, my mother began asking for help. Although it’s a familiar language that I’ve heard countless times back home, somehow even here it sounded unfamiliar. My father is Italian American, and my mother is Vietnamese. We celebrate the Lunar New Year, Tet. We attend family gatherings for observing anniversaries of our ancestors who have passed away. I followed traditions from habit yet felt relatively disconnected from my Vietnamese identity until visiting Hanoi the summer following eighth grade, my first-time leaving America. It also was my mother’s first trip to her homeland since escaping by boat in 1979. I looked at the journey as a fun experience, but when the plane landed, I realized this trip would hold tremendous influence in my life. Communist propaganda posters and densely concentrated housing blocks contrasted with life in Houston. Buildings seem haphazardly piled on top of one another with hundreds of precarious electrical wires crisscrossing rooftops and intersections. It surprised me how life there seemed completely different. People sat on stools on every street corner, drinking, eating, and talking. Stray dogs ruled the streets at night. Crowds thronged to cramped and noisy outdoor markets. Despite initial, jarring, unfamiliar experiences, I started connecting Vietnam to my upbringing. I picked up Vietnamese phrases in the street that I hear at home. The food even tasted the same, just a bit better. With a local family, we cooked and ate my favorite dish, banh xeo, a Vietnamese savory crepe packed with shrimp, pork, and beansprouts. Importantly, and maybe surprisingly, the people were warm and welcoming, especially towards Americans. I couldn’t believe the country experienced catastrophic wars just a few decades ago. Their faces lit up when we shared that we’re American. They loved asking about what we thought about their country, culture, and food. For my mother, visiting Vietnam seemed bitter-sweet. She described how it felt great to see her home and remember her childhood. It also troubled her to see the remnants of the war that disrupted her life. My mother is usually reserved, but during the trip, she shared how she has recurring nightmares. By the end of the trip, I became curious in my mother’s story, and this otherwise neglected aspect of my identity. We made a return trip last year to volunteer in a rural community in central Vietnam. We served the Raglai, an indigenous minority marginalized because of their different language, lack of education, and lingering discrimination. My family and I traveled with the Catalyst Foundation to provide access to education and help prevent human trafficking. Life in the countryside contrasts substantially with Hanoi. Small Vietnamese women carried their body weight in rice sacks on their backs. Teenage girls acted as mothers towards their little sisters. Once the surprises and novelty wore off, I started looking for similarities rather than differences. The boys and I loved running around and playing basketball. Mothers yelled at their children to come inside or do their homework. The kids spent hours playing on the slides and swings. It surprised me how much we have in common. Just days after my time in Vietnam, I returned to school and went out with friends. I felt more aware of our superficial differences, but my time in Vietnam makes me appreciate more what we have in common. My classmates and friends are Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and come from almost every corner of our planet. Some of my basketball teammates have only one parent at home and struggle to cover the AAU team fees. I’ve been surprised so many times that I’ve learned to not be overconfident in my assumptions about anyone based on their culture, family situation, or religion. We are much more than labels. My trips to Vietnam provided me with opportunities to explore the unknown as well as a part of myself. If I could relate with a seventy-year-old grandmother living in rural Vietnam, it seems foolish to write a classmate off because they’re from the “bad part of town.” Exposure to foreign places makes me appreciate where I come from and not fear others because of where they come from. I acknowledge that people and cultures have differences, which makes me the open-minded and curious person that I am today.

Thematically, this essay is similar in some ways to the initial example, but there are a few key differences. They are mixed-race, and their mother fled Vietnam during the war, so there was a loss of continuity and connection with their culture and extended family. Many applicants with roots in China or India, for example, regularly visit their family homeland. There are a wide variety of immigrant stories, however, and this applicant’s choice to share theirs provides a vehicle to discuss their personal development, sense of self, and lays a foundation for their short answers and BHP essay.

Spending the first half of their essay establishing and developing the setting - what they’re seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, observing, smelling - makes for an interesting read that maintains the reader’s attention. Establishing the setting provides context to the various actions and scenes in their narrative like eating with a local family and volunteering on a return trip.

Since their mother is the reason they’re visiting Vietnam, it’s effective to share a few sentences about her experience. Doing so provides nuance, maturity, and empathy to make the essay and their journey not exclusively about themselves. Many adults can relate to reframing and shifting their relationship with their parents as they get older or situations in life change.

Establishing the setting early on also allows the student to make similarities and comparisons later. Many essays fall flat because they don’t adequately illustrate what they’re seeing and feeling, so it reads like “I visited this other culture, I changed some beliefs, and now I see life differently” with little context or detail. The order of operations in this essay is similar, but their use of detail elevates their essay from strong to outstanding and offers credibility to the applicant that they really are seeing things in Houston a bit differently on their return home.

Art and Mental Health

“I love you mom.” I handed over my Crayon stick-figure family drawing like a proud, preening peacock. Dad stood tallest in my blended family portrait. I pointed here and there and jabbered to my parents who, I have to imagine, had better things to do than listen to my kindergarten, artistic nonsense for an hour.  Crayons and Crayola Markers may not be the cleanest or most efficient tools, but I miss my turkey handprints and the fairy tales doodled on my hand during math class daydreams. Often, I came home from school with wrists and forearms dotted with hot pinks and laced with electric blues. My parents always told me I had something special, but what parent doesn’t think their child is the most special in the world? Once in second-grade art class, I refused to follow directions. I glued my construction paper leaves falling off the tree rather than remaining on the branches like everyone else. My teacher smiled when I turned in my project. Bending the rules had earned my piece’s place the Principal’s selection, displayed with my name in big letters underneath. Growing older shifted my artistic style from sidewalk chalk and fantasy to a brooding, looming mist. My best friend Becca and I were a package deal. Losing her to a cross-country move shattered me like a porcelain vase tumbling to concrete. I felt like the chaotic greens and reds of an incoming squall line on the local news weather radar. After some time, the storm and my shock passed. Left in its wake were toppled trees and discarded roofs of my heart. Junior year was my hardest, and navigating it alone without my partner in crime overwhelmed me. Classes that once came easily and were fun because of her only reminded me of my loss. I didn’t know how to make new friends. My grades and mental health had begun to decline, and I had no interest in therapy. I still hadn’t accepted that she’d gone, but painting helped. It was my emotional outlet. My canvas is my safe place to explore my depression without judgment. I don’t want to answer a million questions about what I’m feeling and why. I want to be left alone with my color palette and canvas, so I painted. I painted a lot. My first pieces featured muted blues and smooth strokes that symbolized the pain and sadness of losing someone close to you. As my emotions evolved, so did my visual expressions. I experimented with abstract expressionism to communicate my convictions and values. My most significant work was a self-portrait. I framed my face with a blue and teal base, a nod to my previous works and a somber undertone without detracting from the emotional center: anger. I’m wearing dark clothes covered head-to-toe, signifying my refusal to be vulnerable or ask for help. I’m holding an extinguished match, a symbol of my social and academic burnout. What catches most reader’s eye upon initial inspection is a number 1 over my left eye. The “1” is the only clear aspect amongst the wild, angry strokes. Without Becca, I felt alone in my depression. My self-portrait is haunting, and it’s my pride. I dedicated around 30 foreground layers over many months, offering contrast that distinguishes it from other components. I deployed watered down paint, palette knife scratches, spatter paint techniques, and paint brushes to create a chaotic, but visually pleasing piece. I made the difficult choice to compete in the Texas VASE competition. My painting is extremely private, but I recognized that showcasing my self-portrait as an opportunity to “come out” about my feelings and struggles. I made VASE State sophomore year with a less expressive piece, so I feared the extensive interview with art professionals. On competition day, I entered, trembling, painting in hand. I felt intimidated yet undeterred. I stood firm, looked her in her eyes, and spoke directly about my recent depression. To my surprise, she remarked my piece was beautiful and encapsulated everything she was looking for. Rattling off my composition choices and inspirations made me slowly realize that maybe my darkest emotions produced something brilliant. Days passed until my art teacher emailed me. My jaw dropped; I qualified for state in the highest division. Emboldened, I wasn’t afraid to share my journey and encourage other students to express their emotions through art. I eventually received all-state honors, so I used my platform to demonstrate that it's okay to embrace and share your darkest sides. My piece now hangs prominently at school as a reminder to my classmates and teachers that we can transform dark, painful experiences into beautiful and inspiring works of art.

 Originally, this applicant was going to write about something totally different. On our phone call, they shared “sure, my first draft is okay, but what I really want to write about is…” and out came this story about their best friend moving and using art as a method for introspection, self-expression, and advocacy. It went through many drafts and was initially twice as long as the final copy.

They did an excellent job of supplying as much content as possible early on so we could figure out how to fit the pieces together in the most optimal way. Their drafting process is also a perfect example of writing what’s important to them rather than being overly concerned with what they think admissions reviewers want to read. There is also an unconventional and non-conformity streak that we also saw in the second Essay A example about band.

The most challenging part of their essay was illustrating their state-winning self-portrait knowing that the reviewer won’t ever see the painting (unless they clicked on an image link in the resume). Their approach is a variation on the old Apply Texas Essay D required of Fine Arts applicants to discuss an art piece or object and how it shapes their view of the world. Developing not just the image itself but the design process suggests to the reviewer that they’re willing to put in the work to convert their ideas into creative output.

They’re unafraid to share their emotional oscillations as they confront each step in their journey: their friend moving, early attempts at their final work, having to discuss their piece in an initially intimidating-seeming interview, and finally showcasing their piece in a highly visible place at school. Despite ranking outside of the top 10%, this applicant eventually gained admission to Plan II certainly due in part to their authentic and sincere Essay A.

Kitten Rescue and Fostering

It was 3 a.m. I knew that we needed to start the protocol. I held the tiny kitten’s limp body as he struggled to breathe. I rolled him into a small towel, and every three minutes, I dripped sugar water into his mouth. I refused to give up on Otis. I believed that, as long as I held him, there was a chance he would keep breathing. It wasn’t the first time I needed to follow the Fading Kitten Syndrome Protocol, but it never gets easier. Tears rolled down my face. Otis writhed and spread the sugar-water paste in my hands. Eventually, he stopped moving. I couldn’t help but feel I had given up and that this was my fault. His mom, Chickpea, looked at me. I desperately wished I could comfort her. I left Otis with Chickpea and searched our garage for a box. When I walked into Austin Pets Alive (APA) the next morning, the clinic technician recognized the “dreaded box.” She comforted and reassured me. Kittens are fragile creatures. She shared that even the most experienced fosters sometimes lose little ones and reminded me that I had a nursing mom at home with healthy babies who still needed care. Years earlier, my mom brought home four, hours-old rescue kittens. I couldn’t believe something living could be so tiny and helpless. Of course, I begged to keep them all, but orphaned neonatal kittens require exhausting medical care. For example, I’ve since learned that they cannot pass their waste and need belly rubbing to help them go. It's a messy, delicate, and time-consuming process. With our four kittens, we drove from shelter to shelter until one referred us to APA. I didn’t know there were kitten foster programs, so I pleaded with my mom to let us foster adolescents. I promised to help, and so began my APA journey. Throughout high school, I assumed complete responsibility for our fosters. I mixed ground cat food with hot water to make a fine gruel. I fed kittens through syringes every 4-6 hours. I weighed them twice daily and plotted their weight gain. I tried my hardest to save the sickest ones. My favorite cats are pregnant ones. Frankie, an expecting mother, loved to sleep in my room—a rare privilege. She was so sweet and followed me everywhere. Birthing is an incredibly joyous and anxious process. It’s wonderful to witness little blind babies squirming toward their exhausted mom. It amazes me every time how the moms clean them tirelessly despite spending hours in labor. Letting the kittens go is an entirely different experience. Some friends ask if it’s sad to send them away. It’s actually the opposite. APA screens prospective adopting families who we also interview. Matching kittens with caring owners and “forever homes” is one of the most rewarding parts of the process. There were, of course, a few kittens that were hard to say goodbye to, but there are always more foster animals in need of a temporary home. However, after nine years of resisting the urge to keep adorable kittens, we experienced our first “foster fail,” and I now have my own little black cat named Louis. I also started volunteering onsite at the APA shelter as soon as I was old enough, and I naively thought volunteering would involve playing with cute animals all day. Cleaning cages and emptying litter boxes was a less-fun reality. But it’s the important, behind-the-scenes work that makes shelters function. Since my freshman year, I’ve contributed over 1,700 hours fostering and volunteering. For three years in a row, I was honored to receive the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award and recognition for having the most volunteer hours at my high school. I’ve learned that APA is almost single-handedly responsible for making Austin a No-Kill city (a city that saves 90% or more of animals brought into shelters). I intend to continue volunteering with APA as a UT student to help keep it that way. I have also learned that the well-being of all living creatures contributes to biodiversity and humanity. I don’t eat meat, I make efforts to consume responsibly to lessen habitat loss from factory farming, I try to minimize my carbon footprint, and I constantly advocate for others to adopt these habits. The biggest impact has been from staring into those animals’ faces at APA: it inspires me to offer a voice for those who can’t speak up for themselves.

This applicant touches on pretty much all of the emotional heartstrings. They open with a harrowing story attempting to rescue a kitten life. Chickpea’s personality comes through, and the reader empathizes with the grieving mother. They switch gears a few times sharing heartwarming and cute stories about Frankie and Louis while discussing broader themes related to animal welfare and no-kill shelters.

I’ve never had a kitten or fostered cats, so early on, I encouraged her to share anecdotes and specific examples of cats that have passed through their house and a few who have stayed for longer. Naming each cat enriches the story and also limits the potential for the reader to lose track of which cat is who. If, for example, you share about multiple friends or teammates in an essay, it helps organize your ideas if you name which friends you’re talking about even if they’re pseudonyms. Compiling a list of experiences and stories prior to making a formal first draft helped us see how the pieces might fit together. Starting with the story you want to tell makes weaving in related themes later on a little bit easier.

They’re applying for Sustainability Studies, so their Essay A relates directly to their major. They also utilize this opportunity to discuss their extensive volunteering experiences and other lifestyle changes they’ve made from having a broader awareness of individual behaviors that influence society. It sets up their Major and Leadership short answers where they continue elaborating on their activism and advocacy efforts. Maybe most importantly, the applicant had a lot of fun navigating the writing process because they were writing on a topic close to their hearts and directly relevant to their daily lives.

Multiple Setbacks/Injuries

I went down hard, tumbling across the court. I skinned my knees and elbow as the basketball flew out of my hands towards the other fifth graders. The Sun Devils were our fiercest competitors. Facing them in the first round of the playoffs was tough enough. Tripping over another player and face-planting in front of everyone made our day even more difficult. I heard shouting from the bleachers and looked up. “Get up, you’re okay, keep going!” With my parents’ encouragement, I peeled myself off the court and kept playing. Growing up, I loved to play basketball; I dreamed of making my high school team. I worked hard enough to join and eventually start for an AAU team. I also started for my middle school team, leading each in three-point shooting and scoring. At the end of eighth grade, however, I started experiencing severe knee pain. A specialist diagnosed me with osteochondritis dissecans. Repetitive knee trauma from playing basketball created blood flow loss in the joints and caused dead spots on my bones.  For six months, I lived with debilitating knee inflammation because fluid surrounded my joints. I couldn’t walk up a single flight of stairs without pain. Fearing re-injury or surgery, my parents decided that my basketball days were over. I would never realize my dream of playing in high school. My recovery took over a year until I could finally play a little bit of pickup basketball with friends. Unfortunately, I've been no stranger to pain or life-changing conditions. By age five, I received a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, ethmoidectomy, and yet another surgery when a life-threatening mastoid sinus infection compressed my brain stem. When I was seven, I was diagnosed with slight scoliosis, which wasn’t an issue until the beginning of ninth grade. My spine specialist informed us that my spine’s curve had worsened. I had to wear a back brace that spanned from just below my waist to near the top of my chest for fourteen hours a day, every day. Breathing, and especially eating, felt unimaginably uncomfortable, like a giant squeezing me in a bear hug yet never letting go. My spine stopped curving by the end of my junior year, and thankfully, I avoided surgery, barely. I live with visible scars around my ribs from the brace’s rubbing. During my junior year, a surgeon removed a large aggressive cyst in my jaw that required bone grafting. This cancer scare severely affected my parents. I often watched them whispering to each other, faces painted with worry. I appreciated that they kept me focused on school or my volunteer work so that I didn’t internalize their fear.  My parents give me courage. They come from low-income families and continuously strive to create a better life for us. They are self-employed and work long hours, evenings, and weekends to support us. I witnessed my mom overcome an injury of her own. For over two months, she grimaced while strapping on a knee brace to stabilize her torn ACL so that she could work. I realize now how much they influence my recoveries. I follow their “never give in, never give up” attitude.  I may have a few scars, but they don’t define me. They serve as reminders that life often takes unexpected turns. How we handle them shapes our true selves. I didn’t let my limitations prevent me from finding new ways to be active and give back to my community.  When my basketball career ended, I returned to the court as a volunteer wheelchair basketball referee. Since my back brace prevented me from my usual volunteer work loading food trucks at our local food bank, I started the first-ever virtual food drive for my FBLA school club. We collected $4,200 in donations for the local food bank. While researching poets for my English class this year, I learned about the poet Khalil Gibran.   He wrote, “out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” I wear my scars with pride. 

The introduction of this student’s first draft read, “I went down hard, tumbling across the hardwood floor, the basketball flying out of my hands, skinning both of my knees and one elbow in the process.  “Get up, you’re okay, keep going” I could hear my parents shouting from the bleachers.  No matter what I’ve done, my parents have always been there to push me through the struggles and the pain.  I would take a few more spills and collect a few scars along the way, but they were always there for me.”

Compared with the final introduction, the reviewer has a much clearer idea of the setting that also grabs their attention. The intro had been underdeveloped, and there was so much potential here to expand both the original anecdote and other questions left unanswered that, although the core themes and experiences remained similar throughout each round of revisions, they developed their ideas and illustrated details substantially by the final version. Describing a scrape sets up their much more serious and varied ailments and injuries later on.

Some students are self-conscious to discuss accidents, disabilities, impairments, or hardship. It’s an understandable concern, that they don’t want to be perceived as “whiny” or playing up an otherwise minor injury too dramatically. In reality, though, admissions reviewers want to reward students and not penalize them.

In instances of genuine hardship, I encourage students to share their experiences with their admissions reviewers. It puts your transcript and resume into a much different light compared with the more typical applications from able-bodied and consistently healthy students. Confronting adversity and overcoming obstacles makes your commitments and accomplishments all the more impressive, especially if you can demonstrate with specific examples how you’ve made the most of your troubles, like when the student pivots to being a ref in a wheelchair basketball league after having to retire from competitive play.

Much of our revision work was to supply as many details as possible. A good essay might say “we raised money for charity” and a better one elaborates “we raised $4,200 for our local food bank.” Making dozens of small substitutions and supplying minor details adds up over time to a more sophisticated and nuanced essay. With each sentence, ask yourself: are there any details I can provide? It’s preferable to provide as much information as possible and trim/cut stuff later than to leave ideas, anecdotes, and themes underdeveloped.

Dubai and Chicago

It’s midnight in Dubai. I sat opposite the Burj Khalifa with tears streaming down my face. My family and I had just moved a few days before. My senior year at my new school started soon. I’m thousands of miles away from my community barbershop in Chicago, a modern-looking studio in which familiar faces smile and laugh and hip-hop beats blast from bass-boosted speakers. I’ve got a curly top faded on the sides; my hair needs that subtle touch. I needed a haircut, and I don’t trust just anyone to trim around my ears and clip my curls just right. After a long night at the mall, I took a gamble and walked into the barbershop. I tried not to look in the mirror as he chopped here, shaved there. Unless inside a nice restaurant or mall, there’s sand everywhere in Dubai. I foot-doodled the dust, but gusts of wind kept blowing it away. The barber waved the mirror waving in front of my face. It wasn’t a Chicago fade but not half bad, either. I sat a little dazed, unaware that my barber was digging around in a small wooden drawer. He approached me with a long string. I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes, expecting him to remove the apron, blow away trimmings, clean up my neck, and send me on my way. Staccato zipping sounds ripped apart my thoughts and, it turned out, my eyebrows. My eyes flare open. A sharp pain registered from my sinuses. I realized that the barber had started threading my eyebrows, unannounced and with vigor. I understood only later that eyebrow threadings are the norm in the kind of barbershop I entered. I went with it. I figured when in Dubai, do as the Arabs. I settled into the pain and discomfort and embraced the change. Part of me wanted it to happen, maybe because I also realized there was no turning back. The barber ripping my tiny hairs reminded me of my abrupt uprooting from Chicago to Dubai. My family relocated as quickly as the barber’s decision to thread me. I’m moving cities and threading my eyebrows, whether I like it or not — nothing to do but go with the flow. I find excitement in the uncertainty. Confronting challenges comes with new experiences that expand my worldview and sense of self beyond Chicago and the US. In a sense, eyebrow threading was a kind of character building. Can I remain stoic and look tough when my eyes want to well up? If nothing else, I’ve got a story for my barber brothers back home. It wasn’t my first time in Dubai. We spent my seventh grade here and the next four years in Chicago. I remember a lot from that year and even adopted a few customs: I ate on the floor, with my right hand and no silverware. I’m half North African, so in a way, I enjoyed connecting with my father’s Tunisian side, where men have finely sculpted eye hedges. I didn’t always live in the same part of Chicago, either. I loved living in the suburbs: block parties, neighborhood holiday barbeques, and even a community golf tournament. We then moved to the inner city, real Chicago, where my neighbors didn’t talk to each other. To visit my old friends, I needed to take two trains and a bus. Over time, we lost touch. Urban life felt cramped, but it wasn’t all bad. It’s where I got my first fade. I’m still assimilating my suburban, urban, and ex-pat lives with my Arab-American upbringing. My broccoli-style fade and loose thrift-store clothes reflect my inner-city barbershop. I feel most at home with my friends in the suburbs, but I have no issues laying roots and making friends here in Dubai. I’ve got something of a swagger that my Dubai friends call “American ego.” I take it as a compliment; I’m not afraid to speak my mind. Nobody would mistake me for an American after getting my eyebrows done. I realized that there will always be something new and exciting in my environment, no matter how stagnant it might seem. As a citizen of the world, I can belong anywhere, adapting to any changes in my life. On my walk home from the barber, I sniffled my tears in and gazed across the beautiful Dubai skyline. Blood and sweat were mixing and dripping off my chin onto my white tee; I felt hopeful and excited for the new experiences of the year to come.

Many students change schools, cities, and sometimes countries. This applicant has a lot going on. They moved to different neighborhoods and schools within Chicago and also spent their senior year in Dubai. They’re also part Arab, so they navigate these varied geographic and identity intersections through entertaining anecdotes and attention-grabbing details.

Like with the first essay in this post, their personality and character shine through this time with hair and haircuts as the symbol for cultural assimilation and identity exploration. It’s also a metaphor for risk-taking and going with the flow. With never meeting the student, an admissions reviewer will be left with a favorable impression. Admissions people read dozens and sometimes over a hundred essays each day. Applicants should avoid being forgettable.

One hypothetical exercise I sometimes assign to parents is: if your son/daughter’s essay was put into a pile with ten of their classmates with their information disguised, could you select your students among the pile with confidence? The average college admissions essay often reads like a Wikipedia entry devoid of personality with little story development or idea arch. I’m fairly certain if either parent read this essay among ten of their Dubai classmates, they’d know by the second paragraph it belongs to their son.

This essay is intrinsically interesting because they’ve lived a varied life in different environments. Living in many places isn’t a requirement for writing interesting essays that stand out, however, and with each example I supply here, every student has at least one story or moment that is unique and worth sharing. It’s also okay to write a little more informally if rigid grammar and a stuffy style doesn’t suit you.

Sibling Rivalry

My brother, Brock, was sitting on the floor playing with his Gameboy. I should have seen what was coming next as I ran past. He saw his chance and, being his sneaky self, he took it. My left foot hit the ground and found his outstretched legs. I flew into a cabinet and split my head open. He looked over at me and, instead of asking if I was okay, he said what any brother would, “Please don’t tell Mom!” I spent the rest of the day with my mom in the doctor’s office holding a cold soda can and a dishrag over my head while he went to the zoo with his friend. From the moment I was born, my very presence aggravated Brock. My mom tells stories of making dinner with me next to her playing and minding my business in the ExerSaucer when Brock, who’d been contently playing in another room, would stealthily appear. He timed his bops on my head the very second my mom turned away from me. I swear I’m being objective here, but 95% of the time, Brock instigated our fights. We’d be playing nicely when out of nowhere, he would clench his jaws, grab whatever was in my hand, and wallop me for good measure. His antagonism continued until he was in eighth grade and me in sixth. Almost overnight, it seemed that his attitude changed. I cannot pinpoint exactly why our dynamic shifted. Maybe growing faster than him and starting to beat him at video games tipped the scales. I was taller and weighed more. Maybe he just started maturing. Whatever the case, him not picking on me gave me more space to grow and develop my identity and interests. Starting in middle school, we became really close, and he started actually wanting to hang out with me. My first year of high school, I wasn’t very outgoing. I felt out of sorts in a new environment attending a school much larger than the small one I’d attended for ten years. I spent most of my weekends at home alone, maybe seeing a friend every few weeks. It wasn’t until my brother started encouraging me to go out more and socialize that I realized how much more enjoyable life is when you can share experiences with others. Time heals all wounds, even forehead scars. Nowadays, my brother, a current Longhorn, feels like my closest friend and mentor. I look up to and try to emulate him and his friends, for better or worse as my parent say. My brother has probably taught me more about myself and the world than anyone else. He’s confident almost to a fault. Self-assurance seems to come easily for him, which is a gift in one way, but working through my insecurities and developing self-esteem helps me not take any relationships or opportunities for granted. I remember my lonely days. I’ve realized recently that, if I want to do great things, having faith in myself will instill confidence in others. I struggled at first to put myself out there, but I listened to his advice and began by inviting people over and planning gatherings and activities. Now, I’m quite social, and I’m proud to have friends from a variety of social circles at school. I’ve also made friends through lifeguarding job and mutual friends at other schools. One reason I want to study business is to network with thought leaders and continue taking myself out of my comfort zone. I admit that I’m still not as adventurous or outgoing as I would hope, but thanks to my brother, I see the world in a different light. College will help me expand my horizons. I have spent more of my life beside my brother than I have anyone else. For that, I’m infinitely thankful. In times of joy or my darkest hours, there is nothing else that can brighten my days like a call or a visit to Austin. No one else has put me through more hell nor given me as much guidance as my big brother Brock.

I like this essay because it provides a straightforward discussion of their relationship with their older brother. Siblings, especially if they’re close in age, often leave lasting marks on our beliefs, character, and interests. Certainly, any admissions reviewer who has an older sibling can probably relate to their stories, including me with an older brother six years my senior.

Originally, the essay opened with a generalization about his older brother making life difficult. I suggested: why not illustrate a specific experience that illustrates this broader sibling rivalry theme? Out came the tripping and head injury story along with more backstory about his brother’s seeming nuisance. Their story is also believable in that their relationship matured and strengthened over time from one of annoyance to mentorship. Side note, I worked with the older brother two years prior, so it was entertaining for me to read this essay and hear the younger brother’s thoughts.

They back up their points about their brother’s support with specific examples of how they’ve moved out of their comfort zone or study business in the future. They also balance well a discussion of their brother with how it’s helped their personal development and sense of self. Particularly with essays about grandparents and parents, the applicant spends way too much time discussing their influence and too little about the applicant’s interests and identities. Universities are admitting you, the student, and not your favorite aunt.

Hurricane Harvey Cleanup and Open Source Technology

I looked around and couldn’t believe my eyes. Molded clothes rested on frayed couches. Abandoned toys sat next to damaged compressors. Damp letters seeped through mailbox doors. It surprised me how quickly appliances rust. Two weeks after Hurricane Harvey departed, homeowners still milled about in shocked disbelief. We drove past the lives of so many families, contained in trash bags at the end of their driveways, waiting to be picked up and dumped in a landfill. When Harvey hit two years ago, we were fortunately spared. I still shudder at tornado warnings and fear the next big one, but my best friend Davis’s life would never be the same. He lost his house, not in the initial deluge, but when the army corps of engineers released a levy by his neighborhood that was overflowing with storm surge. His family didn’t have flood insurance, but I was thankful that FEMA eventually awarded them about $40,000 to help rebuild. Davis and I played club and high school lacrosse together since we were ten, and our parents are close friends. During the two weeks it took for all the water to recede, the police blocked entry to his subdivision to prevent looting and theft. As soon as possible, our lacrosse teammates and I mobilized and went to his house. Harvey poured problems on hundreds of thousands of families. Our efforts were hardly a drop in the bucket compared to the overall catastrophe, but an accumulation of individual effort eventually filled buckets for Davis and his family. We removed everything from the first floor: drywall, insulation, flooring, appliances, furniture, and memorabilia. It took our team of thirty over ten hours to finish the demolition and sort the debris into piles on the front lawn for eventual removal. We were all a little nervous about talking to Davis because we thought that we’d struggle to find words that would provide emotional support. In reality, sincerity and support came naturally. It’s surreal how we talked about new plays for the upcoming season while shattering tile and ripping out drywall. We took turns straining ourselves to smash the water-soaked floor tiles, making sure no-one got too exhausted. Our parents found it just as natural to support Justin’s. What can you do besides make small talk about Houston sports and the heat and humidity? For most of my life, sports began and ended with proving I was the best, winning championships, or earning a college scholarship. I competed in Division 1 showcases before breaking my wrist twice, limiting my future athletic opportunities. After Harvey, I realized that teamwork and camaraderie go beyond the field, and our relationships mean more than state rankings. Although it felt great to be there with my team helping Davis, I couldn’t help but think of the other 30,000 displaced peoples, many of whom lacked flood insurance. Our 300-man hours merely demolished a home they still needed to rebuild. Witnessing nature’s power made me feel smaller and weaker than I ever had before, but it’s clear I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. Harvey inspired a team of computer scientists to found Organization, Whereabouts, and Logistics (OWL) to aid with natural disasters. They won IBM’s inaugural Call for Code challenge. OWL offers a hardware/software solution that provides first responders with a simple interface for managing natural disasters. Their system could have provided better information to the Army Corps of Engineers to better inform whether flooding Davis’s neighborhood was necessary. Even as the next lacrosse season started and Davis, along with our other displaced friends, returned home after almost a year of rebuilding and renovating, I didn’t forget about project OWL. It’s open-source, meaning anyone can visit with and modify the code. I started to try and contribute to the project but felt too intimidated to do much because I didn’t understand most of the code, let alone have the competence to improve it. Throughout junior year, I focused on personal projects to improve my skills. I finally developed the confidence to contact the project OWL founders. It turns out one of them lives a few minutes drive away. We connected, and he gave me complete access to the source code and hardware challenges. I’ve been both working on the user-interface part of the software and creating new enclosures for the hardware. Wherever my college journey or career takes me, using technology to help society will remain at my forefront.

Hurricane Harvey essays have been understandably very common since the disaster a few years ago. Usually, a good rule of thumb is to dedicate an essay to Harvey only if your family was directly affected like losing your home or a parent’s job. This essay, however, is less about the direct effects of Harvey on the applicant and more as a critical junction in the applicant’s life. The reader gets the impression that having a close friend and lacrosse teammate losing their house is almost the same as if it were their own.

Dedicating the first half of their essay to sharing their experiences of he and their teammates helping their friend’s family illustrates some of their character traits and their outlook on the world. One way to discuss an event is to describe your expectations prior and how they may have changed or evolved after the event passes. For example, they share how the experience is a lot less straightforward than they expected. “We were all a little nervous about talking to Davis because we thought that we’d struggle to find words that would provide emotional support.”

I think if they spent the entire essay discussing Davis and the cleanup effort, it would fall into the trap of focusing too much on someone else when admissions reviewers are admitting the applicant, not their friend. Developing the first half of their essay with the undercurrent of service helps establish the framework for the second half where they identify an opportunity to contribute to an open-source project. This signals to their reviewer that the applicant is considering wider disaster management and relief efforts beyond demolishing a house. Nobody presumably told the student they needed to reach out to a local startup. Demonstrating initiative like this is one way to convey to reviewers that you’re someone who goes beyond expectations and seeks out opportunities that interest you.

Helping the Family Business

My mom has an online gift store business called Zip’s Bazaar, that has approximately fifty brands, encompassing hundreds of different products. During my freshman and sophomore years, I grew increasingly interested in how she interacts with customers, procures products, and manages balance sheets. Once, I identified an efficiency issue with her inventory management. She manually tracked inventory levels, a tedious process that impeded her ability to maximize product delivery and customer satisfaction. I considered different solutions, but nothing seemed obvious until my school counselor recommended a specialized online research and product development course sponsored by our school district. As an inventory and sourcing analyst for Zip’s Bazaar, I’m responsible for evaluating potential product lines and brands to sell. I also reconcile the quantity and pricing of incoming goods from suppliers. The specialized course would teach me organizational skills and how to rectify inventory issues and improve the efficiency of our family business. I enrolled just in time because my mom’s business was continuing to expand out of the garage and living room. I even amusingly worried that inventory might find its way into my bedroom. I mused, “Mom will inevitably expand her sprawling, overflowing inventory from the garage to my bedroom – certainly, a hostile takeover.” At the course orientation, they instructed us to work with a mentor to build a product with real-world implications in preparation of the school district-wide Spring Exposition. I connected with a local professional programmer. After researching the automated alternatives to managing a diversifying inventory, I learned that the Radio Frequency (RF) scanner implementation in warehouses was too expensive and intensive. I realized that I had a year to fill the void in maximizing the efficiencies of businesses like my mom’s. Although I struggled with designing an affordable and functional product, I thought about how saving my mom time would allow her to spend more time with us. Even better, I developed my product in secret. My mom knew that I was enrolled in a business research class, but she was unaware that she would be my inspiration for the product development stage. After a few months, I conceived the Smart Container idea. It could effortlessly track the quantity of an assigned inventory item rather than manual inputs. It consisted of a concealed circuitry system that stored and recorded pieces of a single time, providing easy accessibility to each product line. Product weight is critical to my mom’s business; so, I utilized the Arduino microcontroller kit instead of Raspberry Pi, which lacked the required accuracy of a built-in weight tracking functionality. Arduino is an electronics platform for digital projects that would automate my mom’s manual inventory processing. I formulated a mathematical approach that displays the number of items in the container at any moment by dividing the total weight of items in the container by the weight of a single known item. Simple arithmetic ensured a structured method of maintaining accurate and acceptable inventory levels. I solved the software problem, but the hardware proved more concerning. I scrambled for a load cell, which converts applied pressure into an electrical signal. I also found an HX711 amplifier module that intensifies the signal for output as physical weight. I finally completed the invention and subsequent product testing a mere week before the unveiling at the Project Exposition in April. At the spring showcase concluding the course, my father, course mentor, and I planned the surprise for my mom. I stood in front of the audience while mom sat in the front row. She was utterly oblivious as she encouraged me to uncover my inventory tracking product. When I finally revealed my creation at the product demonstration, she inspected the functionality and design. “How thoughtful!” she exclaimed. I grinned sheepishly, slightly embarrassed by the glowing mom-praise. An established business professional in the audience advised me to file a patent and pitch it to nearby emerging companies. The real test is whether mom would use it. She loves the Smart Container because it saves her tedious Excel inputs and automates her re-ordering invoices from suppliers. I am proud of my technical achievement, but ensuring that my mom and I can spend more quality time together before her only child leaves for college fills me with satisfaction. It turns out that my mom is indeed planning a hostile takeover of my bedroom when I move away next year.

This essay is an excellent example of how you can dedicate an entire essay to identifying issues and proposing solutions similar to Common App number 3 “Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve.” One great thing about Apply Texas Essay A is you can discuss and share nearly anything, and almost any Essay A has the potential to fit Common Application essays or the U California Insight Questions. If you’re applying to nationwide universities in addition to UT, it can be a good idea to start with Apply Texas. Such a broad topic allows you to easily repurpose it for other universities whereas some Common App essay topics may not fit as nicely with Essay A.

Some of the essays exhibited in this post change timeframes or shift the chronology where something in the middle of the essay happens before something introduced in the beginning. This is a great example of how you can effectively share your story in a linear way: A thing happened, B event occurred next, and C presented obstacles. The reviewer knows exactly where the student is, and there isn’t any confusion about what is happening when. It can be very effective if executed well to move between different times, but sometimes, students err by shifting too quickly between examples and not adequately signaling to their reviewer the timeline of their experiences.

They’re also applying to the Business Honors Program, so they understand how honors reviewers will look for signs of business savvy and creative problem-solving. Their chosen content and story match their future goals and lays the foundation for their other essays. I especially like the two paragraphs beginning with “Product weight is critical to my mom’s business….” and ending at “….I finally completed the invention and subsequent product testing….” because they detail exactly what issues they confronted and how they trial and errored their way to two workable solutions. It’s also a neat conclusion that their mom actually used the Smart Container and it wasn’t just a “proof of concept” tucked away and forgotten in the garage somewhere.

Rural Private School, Serving Abroad, NASA

I hiked up the steep dirt road to a one-room church. I shouldered a black box containing a Cajon, my box-like percussion instrument. Sweating under the load, we reached the hill’s crest. I entered the church first while the rest of my team followed. Stucco walls and nearly two dozen cheerful Hondurans greeted us. None of the locals spoke English, and our classroom Spanish had limited use, so my friend brought out his guitar. A guitar they recognized as an instrument; it wasn’t obvious that my wooden box was meant for playing and not sitting. Cajons are popular in Cuba and Peru. You sit on top and drum on the front with your hands, so it’s perfect for jamming and traveling because you can beat different sounds without lugging an entire drum kit. We played a few songs. Afterward, our translator told me that the pastor wanted to learn how to play. I agreed! We spent the afternoon providing beats for worship music familiar in the United States and Honduras sung in both English and Spanish. Common tunes and the language of music brought us together despite some communication barriers. I live in a small town where everybody knows everybody. We help our neighbors out. My parents teach me important lessons about connecting with people and serving others. I remember joining them for the annual Thanksgiving meal provided by the local food pantries. We served awesome turkey dinners. My parents also anonymously assist some of my classmates to help pay their private school tuition. Their influence shapes my views on service and humility, whether it’s mission work abroad or helping in my hometown. Regardless of where I go to college, I will always feel a responsibility to my community. When I was eight, I played in a neighborhood flag football league. During one game, I accidentally head-butted another kid. I came out unscathed, but he walked away with a giant goose egg on his forehead. I apologized, and he introduced himself as Sean. He’s one of my closest childhood friends, and he even comes on family vacations. His mom Kathy Rose raised him without a father. I didn’t know until later that Kathy was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer right before our football field collision. Kathy held the hearts of so many in our community with her compassion and cheerful attitude. Her life and death, in 2018, have irrevocably changed me for the better. My school has less than thirty students per grade. We only have one AP and few dual credit courses, but we emphasize service. For the past few years, we’ve sent student teams to help build a children’s home in Costa Rica. I joined for freshman and sophomore year. Although it’s a lot of tiring manual labor, my favorite part is playing with the children. We played soccer with the kids and had cut-throat duck-duck-goose competitions. I became an expert in the game Ninja thanks to a seven-year-old boy who often cheated. It’s easier to participate in many more things than if I attended a large public school. I try to make the most of small-town life and take advantage of the available opportunities. I play varsity baseball, basketball, and golf. I’ve played the drums for my church’s youth band for three years now. I served as class President and Chaplain, and I’ve volunteered for hundreds of hours. Extracurriculars give me the chance to make friends across the Hill Country and across the state who are some of my closest. Even though I attend a small school, I received a competitive and prestigious internship at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Nine other students and I designed a manned-drilling vehicle for a future Mars mission. I quickly connected with my team as I had something in common with everyone. All of us were great at math, but success required diverse ideas. We contributed our thoughts about the vehicle’s look, performance, and functions. My primary responsibility was staying within our multi-million-dollar simulated budget. We all had a dream and creative ideas, but keeping our vehicle grounded on Earth before sending it to Mars was my unpopular job. We combined our strengths to overcome individual weaknesses. We completed our project on time and under budget. Regardless of what I study or do professionally, I will remain true to my ethics of compromise and making connections like with my Cajon in Honduras or NASA budget-slashing.

Similar to the second essay regarding band and non-conformity, this applicant does an excellent job illustrating an attention-grabbing introduction that provides a foundation throughout the body paragraphs and ties their various themes together nicely in the concluding sentences. Their conclusion also provides new information all the way until the final sentence. So often conclusions are just restatements of the obvious and multiple sentence fluff that surrenders the opportunity to communicate meaningful information to your reviewer. In more essays than not, when I reviewed for UT, I skipped the conclusion entirely if it began with some generalization about the things you’ve already told me. Every single paragraph and sentence needs to contribute to the argument of why you deserve a space at the university.

They’re also a fairly unique applicant. Their high school sends very few students to UT-Austin and has less than 40 students in each class, which they elaborate more in their Leadership short answer. It’s pretty uncommon for a student from rural Texas attending a Christian school with few or no APs to score very high on the SAT. They’re a textbook example of a diverse student UT wants to enroll even though they’re white and from a well-off and educated family. Diversity means so much more than skin color and socioeconomics.

I’m not usually a big fan of service-oriented essays. They can come off as privileged and lacking in nuance, especially if it’s a short mission trip or project in a developing country. They avoid some of these pitfalls by not embellishing their work. It’s enough to have a cool experience playing a unique instrument with people from different languages and cultures. As the Hurricane Harvey example a few essays before, this response is less about service and more about their mission trip experiences as a vehicle for a broader discussion of their biography and interests. If you’re going to write about service, maybe save it for a short answer or not dedicate your entire Essay A to it.

It’s also impressive that they pursued a rigorous NASA internship despite coming from a community where presumably their teachers and classmates are much less familiar or connected with elite opportunities than students living in wealthy suburbs. Their rural context puts their internship into a brighter light because they had to really work to apply and subsequently explore their goals. Sharing their experiences and observations sets up well their argument that they deserve a space in their first-choice major, Mechanical Engineering.

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Ne8!!, Kxe8 a8=Q# My knight sacrifice to e8 to block the opposing king’s path set up the decisive move. I moved my pawn from the seventh to the final row, promoting it to a queen and securing the checkmate. This wasn’t just any victory; my team was confronting a must-win situation at the last stage of the regional tournament. I was paired against the opposing team’s strongest player. He had beaten me in our last two encounters. Team chess requires an accumulation of points across many matches, so I planned to play defensively and hold him to a draw. Opening play progressed uneventfully. Fifteen moves in, he played an unusual pawn move blockading my center. He leaned back confidently. Like our earlier encounters, he offered me a tempting yet puzzling trap, but this time rather than tilting emotionally and reacting impulsively, I kept my focus and stayed true to the process. Pushed to the corner, I dug deep and clawed back into the game. The next hour felt like forever. My lowly pawn marched steadily up the far left-hand a-column. I stared at a potential draw before deploying a novel sequence of moves. The crowd murmured. My counterintuitive knight sacrifice “Ne8!!” captured the victory and the pivotal match in our team championship. Our win meant that we represent Kuwait at the prestigious Chess Nationals of Indian Schools in New Delhi. It felt especially meaningful when a much younger player called me her hero. My journey with chess began unexpectedly. I was waiting in the lobby of the Kuwait Chess Federation for my dad to finish his chess game. The towering teenagers in the crowded lobby bantered incomprehensibly. The coach, a chess Grandmaster, came by and trooped all the kids to their chess class. Before I knew it, he roped me in, too. Noting that I was the smallest kid in the group and the only girl, he sat me in the corner of his class, handed me a thick Russian puzzle book, and told me to solve puzzles for the next hour. I protested, but nobody listened. With nothing better to do, I dived in as I recalled the basics my father had taught me in passing. I found the puzzles fun. Reviewing my work, the coach raised an eyebrow, “I like the way you think. Attend chess classes, and I will assess you within the next six months.” Playing with stronger students was humbling yet incredibly liberating. As a novice free from expectations, my continued practice expanded the boundaries for what I thought possible. Learning each opening sequence or a clever middle-game bishop positioning presented a myriad of new possibilities. It’s like reading great non-fiction and realizing that I must explore five more related but previously unfamiliar works. I began thinking differently about winning and losing. Disciplined play resulting in a close loss to a highly-rated opponent is sometimes preferable to a flashy one-off win. As I absorb stratagems from my opponents, I also touch the incredible diversity and the underlying humanity behind their distinct backgrounds. Like learning a second language, chess forces me to dissect my reasoning process. I’ve gotten more attentive to recognizing patterns in school and my daily life. My chess style requires delayed gratification and the gritting through prolonged endgames or grueling swim practices. I also don’t hesitate to play dramatically. My favorite piece is the knight because it provides boundless innovation opportunities. Knight play strategies help me counter my opponents’ sometimes timely knight maneuvers, not unlike responding with patience and persistence to life’s occasional curveballs. Chess makes me a better person and a more thoughtful student away from the board. As I look back at my chess adventure, I see myself as a patiently advancing yet persistent pawn that will metamorphose into a powerful queen when I continue my studies in the United States.

Leading with a chess notation signals straightaway to their reviewer that something is different about their response even if the reader doesn’t know what chess notation is. I like this example because the applicant “leads with the action.” Often, essays have these forgettably vague and generalized introductions about the importance of family or problem solving or overcoming adversity. Like conclusions, students frequently do themselves few favors by opening their essays with flat introductions that don’t grab the reader’s attention.

Even chess, which to some readers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when recalling what grabs their interest, can be communicated in ways that are dramatic, interesting, and compelling to non-chess players. Instead of spending a ton of time establishing the preceding plays and final moves, they get straight to the point that the opening notation signals victory over their opponent, so even if the reviewer has no idea what’s going on, anyone can understand the feelings that accompany a hard-fought victory.

Circling back to the middle game and how they arrived at the conclusion is a more effective timeline because this game offers an example of how the applicant perceives themselves as a younger female player relative to older the older boys at competitions. Unlike some essays that take a linear chronology where each event follows predictably from the one before, sharing their most memorable match estblishes the context to revisit how they began the sport. If they began their essay with how they started playing chess, it’s less likely to maintain their reader’s attention. Athlete’s memoirs, like Andre Agassi’s Open, rarely start with their first time hitting a tennis ball. Rather, they often lead with the most pivotal moment in their career whether it’s a victory or injury.

Finally, I appreciate how the applicant shares their views on competition. They see the bigger picture beyond winning and losing. It complements their resume by showcasing how they’re more than their accomplishments. Chess strategy and some of the pieces also serve as a metaphor for their personality and values. Even if the student has no interest in playing chess at the college level, focusing on a specific activity and developing it fully helps communicate to your reviewers who you are and what you consider important.  

MATHCOUNTS and Number Ninjas Summer Camps

Everybody knows that the Apollo missions launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Fewer people know where the rocket boosters originated. A visitor can’t spend more than a few days in Huntsville, Alabama, without reminders that Wernher von Braun settled there in the 50s and led the development team for the Saturn V moon rockets. He laid the foundations for America’s first Space Camp, opened in 1982 in Huntsville, not Houston or Florida. Rocket City had everything I needed. We lived in the same house for eight years. I excelled in math and had a close-knit group of friends. I participated and medaled in several regional and state-level competitions year after year. As I entered middle school, I had my eyes set on national competitions. To prepare, I attended the summer math camp, Eat Pie. Promising elementary and middle school students learned competitive math competitions like MATHCOUNTS and the US Mathematical Olympiad. I began as a student before quickly receiving promotion to intern. I eventually became an Eat Pie instructor, one of my most exciting experiences. Just before 8th grade, my parents announced our move from Alabama to Austin. I loved my life and constantly argued against moving. What seemed at first like a strike-out turned into a grand slam. Instead of fretting, I saw our move as an opportunity. I brought my experiences from Eat Pie and wanted to found my own version of the math camp, Number Ninjas, in Austin. I floated the idea to my friend, Rushil, and convinced my 8th-grade math teacher, Ms. Jones, to be our adult sponsor. Together, our team hosted our first camp in the summer of 2016 with one level and ten students. In our fourth summer, we expanded to three distinct levels - pre-introduction, introduction, and intermediate - and 45 students. Our growth attracted the attention of Eat Pie, who officially sponsored with curriculum support and mentorship. Concerned about the continuation of the camp after we graduate, we created an internship program to train new teachers who can expand the camp and ensure its legacy. This past year, we had ten interns. We’ve confronted challenges along the way. Hosting a summer camp requires preparing in the early spring while studying for AP exams and fulfilling our extracurricular responsibilities. Our first decisions involve identifying the site, date, and instructors. For the first two years, we hosted Number Ninjas in the Middle School facility. Our growth, however, caused logistical issues at school, so we found a local church that allowed us to host for a fee. Growth also meant rising costs, so we transitioned from a free volunteering event to a small business. Expenses meant we needed a minimum number of students. We leveraged our association with our school’s MATHCOUNTS chapter and other academic competitions like the North South Foundation to promote our camp. We invited elementary school teachers to visit our camp and elicit buy-in. Our primary goal was teaching children challenging math problems, but summer camps also need to be fun. Math can be especially dry to learners with short attention spans. We introduced some ice breaker activities like “Would you Rather?” to begin camp. We developed a scavenger hunt and used the outdoor labyrinth. We added student’s names in the problems to make them more appealing. One of our biggest challenges involved our wide range of students. For example, when we teach Algebra, we always have some students who don’t recognize the coordinate plane while others plot parabolas. Some pick up new concepts almost automatically and finish the worksheets before we end the lecture. Others need hands-on attention to grasp the concepts. For the hares, we’ve conceived challenging questions that relate to the curriculum yet introduce unfamiliar concepts. For the tortoises that want to get things right, I attempt different approaches and provide one-on-one attention. I workshop on the whiteboards, geometry nets, and online visualizations to see whether they’re auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners. Tortoises eventually get it, and they encourage me to have patience and think quickly on my feet. They’ve become some of our best students. We want to generate excitement for math, so it’s essential that all of our students feel that they belong and have valuable contributions to share. Now that we have multiple levels, it’s great that we have excited students returning for the next year for higher-level classes. Founding Number Ninjas and working through logistical and teaching challenges taught me lessons about organization, collaboration, communication, instruction, and budgeting. I’m not yet sending rockets to the moon like Wernher von Braun, but introducing students to advanced mathematics and competitions may inspire the next Mars-mission rocket scientist.

Like the essay about helping with the family business, this applicant takes a linear approach to sharing their story. It’s cool how they provide some backstory about Huntsville and it’s origins in the US Space Program. I didn’t know about its influence on the space race, and it’s highly likely their admissions reader also associate space with Houston and, to a lesser extent, Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Without dwelling too much on the city’s history, they move promptly to a brief discussion of their early interests in math beginning in elementary school. It also demonstrates a deep level of commitment to their interests and how they’ve developed their math abilities through extracurricular competitions. It’s obvious that the student as a sincere interest in higher math concepts and also sharing their knowledge with others.

Walking through the steps of how they developed their school’s MATHCOUNTS chapter before founding their own summer camp provides sufficient context to their progression. Their essay also complements their resume well. Many students work for tutoring companies and some might tutor privately. There are very few who established a summer program or camp early on and expanded their operations. Dedicating most of their essay to their varied teaching and mentorship commitments also provides an excellent opportunity to discuss bumps and challenges they encountered along the way. Their response is an effective blend of demonstrating their fit for studying business, showcasing their interests, and illustrating their leadership potential.

Losing Your Best Friend

I shook off my anxiety, reassuring myself, “I can do this.” I strode through my morning practice run. I felt the pressure of competing in my first meet after earning a spot on the Varsity cross country at age fourteen. Coach Steve approached our team, interrupted roll call, and snapped me out of my worry. August 29th, 2016, was a Monday.  Coach pulled me aside. He knew that Thomas and I were best friends since childhood. I don’t remember what he said, only that I felt punched in the gut, unable to breathe, as his head seems to bob in slow motion. Instantly, I knew my life wouldn’t be the same. Once I calmed down, I understood that Thomas collapsed near the track. The trainer attempted CPR before an ambulance rushed him to the hospital. I felt numb, in disbelief, unable to process. I continued to first period as usual.  Later that morning, the school counselor pulled me out of class. Gossip had already started. She didn’t want me to hear the news from the hallways, but it was true that Thomas’s condition was severe.  My mom had already been at the hospital with Thomas and his family when she rushed to get me from school. She remained expressionless on the drive home, but her pink, swollen eyes told me everything wasn’t okay. I was quiet. In our living room, my parents broke the news - Thomas was on life support. Doctors released him free from the tubes and monitors early the next morning.   His sudden passing left us with so many unanswered questions. All that I knew was my best friend was gone. The next few days became very real; I couldn’t function.  His bedroom window faces my house. His lights left off after dark reminded me daily he wasn’t returning.  How could this happen to him, to me? I felt a tremendous void filled almost immediately by loneliness and devastation.  Each day was harder than the next. School and class wouldn’t wait for me to process my feelings and grief. I missed my entire second week of school. Other days that year, I couldn’t get out of bed. I felt a complete loss of control over my life. I started worrying about not living up to my potential. I felt I was letting my coaches, teammates, and teachers down.  I try not to be too hard on myself about my freshman year grades. I’ve since improved significantly. I also realize that life can be too short to worry about grades. I completed the 12 week Daring Way course that covers topics popular in Brené Brown’s boo ks like vulnerability, shame, empathy, and resilience.  My mom and I have practiced yoga together, and these help me process my trauma and channel my energies in constructive ways. I’m thankful for my encouraging teammates and close friends and family. Thomas’s mom visits a lot, and she never fails to make me laugh, reminiscing about his humor.  She also shared what happened. He lived with undiagnosed Sickle Cell Disease, causing him to have a Sickle Cell Crisis. His condition led me to take courses in health and anatomy. During my sophomore and junior years, my health, medical terminology, pre-AP pre-calculus, and AP Physics teachers reached out to my parents and me. They write notes and commending me on my natural ability, work ethic, and joy in their classes. My teachers were the “just right” push I needed to boost my self-confidence and determination.   I channeled my loss into purposeful activities. My hobbies involve creating, building, tinkering, and serving others. I’m starting to explore ways I can honor Thomas’s legacy. Last summer, I completed a paid internship with the orthodontist Dr. Akash. He invited me to work with him this summer as a full-time employee.  He trusts me with equipment, sterilization, managing molds/models, and making oral retainers for his patients. I’m also being trained to perform oral x-rays and manage them digitally for viewing. Seeing patients complete their treatments and leave with confident smiles reminds me of Thomas’s sense of humor. It is fulfilling to know that I have a part in these types of positive changes. I miss Thomas every day. I want to work with engineering and medical teams to design the next generation of equipment and procedures that will address preventable adolescent deaths like my best friend’s. 

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