Wednesday, September 10, 2008

University of Pennsylvania essay questions

1)First experiences can be defining. Cite a first experience that you have had and explain its impact on you. ?

2)Recall an occasion when you took a risk that you now know was the right thing to do.?

3)What characteristics of Penn, and yourself, make the University a particularly good match for you? Briefly describe how you envision your first year in college. How will your presence be known on campus? 

4)What is the best advice you ever received? Why? And did you follow it? 

Thursday, September 4, 2008

University of Michigan essay "English 101"

  • Use mature professional writing skills. Avoid contractions, slang, and “you.” If you have questions, talk to your English teacher.
  • Avoid funny fonts, big margins, large font size, etc... We were once in school too, and we know all the tricks of the trade for making things appear longer than they really are! Work with a standard font (such as Times) and a standard size (such as 12).
  • Explain any abbreviations. Sure, we know the obvious ones (NHS, anyone?), but talking about the B.O.B. award that you won for participating in the F.D.R. may not make sense to someone who doesn’t go to your high school.
  • If making an argument, back it up with consistent facts. Have an opinion about global warming? Affirmative action? Think that capital punishment is evil? Why? Your argument should be supported by facts, not the opinions of others.
  • Use spell-check and proofread your essay. Look at this slightly different (from actual essays) spelling of a, um, common word – that spell-check wouldn’t flag.
    “My work as a Candy Striper has really influenced me to become a nurse”
    vs.
    “My work as a Candy Stripper has really influenced me to become a nurse”
    Didn’t catch it? Here’s a hint – there’s an extra “p” in the second sentence...
    Please have at least 2 people read your essay to check for major errors. Bonus if you use people who don’t have a massively vested interest in your college education.
Source:university website

University of Michigan essay "what we’re looking for"


  • Tell us what is unique about you. Why would you stand out among our 20,000+ applicants? Is there something different about your personal experiences? Your response should provide us with an opportunity to get to know you on a more personal level, beyond your GPA, test scores, and curriculum.
  • Use recent examples. It’s always best to focus on issues that occurred while you were in high school, since we’re only reviewing your high school performance when determining if you’ll be admitted. If something happened when you were younger that has significantly affected you, talk about it, but then put the focus on how this event has affected you in recent years.
  • Watch your tone. There’s a big difference in focusing your essay on “U of M needs me as a student because...” versus “please please please admit me!”
  • Don’t make excuses. If you’ve had a poor or inconsistent grade performance due to unusual or stressful circumstances, feel free to share that information with us; it can be useful. But don’t strain credibilitiy by making up false excuses. Be honest – we’ll respect that.
  • Be truthful, but make sure you’re comfortable with your potential audience. Students often feel compelled to share extremely personal and even traumatic experiences in their responses – health issues, death of a family member, abuse, etc. We will absolutely keep your information confidential; however, if you decide to reveal something deeply personal, be aware that a number of people will potentially be reading your essay.
  • Tell us why we’re great. Talk about campus programs you’ve attended. Tell us why you’re a great fit for Michigan. Remember that athletics can bea reason, but should not be the only reason you want to come to Ann Arbor!

University of Michigan essay tips General


  • Read and answer the question asked. You’d be amazed how many essays we receive that don’t relate at all to the question we were asking!
  • There is no “right” answer. Don’t think you know what we want to hear. Whatever you have to say about the topic is of interest to us.
  • Be authentic. We want to hear your voice in your response – the experiences, opinions and values that have shaped you. Feel free to write on something you are passionate about so we can get to know you better.
  • Be proactive! Each year, we talk to students who have everything ready but their essays – if they could just get them finished, their application would be complete. Get started on your essays soon, and don’t spend months agonizing over whether they’re perfect. We don’t read through them with a red pen in hand!
  • Avoid re-writing your accomplishments in paragraph form. You’ve already given us that information in your application.
  • Re-use essays (or portions of essays) when possible, especially when applying to a lot of schools. However, make sure to re-read before hitting the submit button or mailing them in! The worst possible way to finish your essay to U-M is to say, “And I just can’t wait to be a Spartan!” This happens. Seriously.
  • A research paper is different from an admissions essay. If you are re-using something you’ve previously written, make sure it directly answers our question – and not one that a teacher posed to you for an assignment.

University of Michigan essay question 2009

ALL APPLICANTS must answer the following question.
Type or print your answer on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure your name and the question text are on each sheet of paper you include.
(approximately 250 words)
[A] “We know that diversity makes us a better university – better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research.”
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)
Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment
on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.
STEP 4: Write your two short answers and one essay
PART 2 ALL APPLICANTS must answer one of the following questions.
Please answer only the question for the school or college to which you are applying. Type or print your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Make sure your name and the question text are on each sheet of paper you include. (approximately 250 words)
DUAL UNIT APPLICANTS must answer two of the following questions.
Please answer only the questions for the schools or colleges to which you are applying. Type or print your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Make sure your name and the question text are on each sheet of paper you include. (approximately 250 words each)
[A] School of Art & Design What experiences and aspirations have influenced
your decision to apply to the University of Michigan School of Art
& Design? Discuss the attributes of this particular BFA program which
make it the best choice for you.
[B] College of Engineering Please describe your interests and aspirations
in engineering. What experiences have influenced you?
[C] Interarts Performance What experiences and aspirations have influenced
your decision to apply to the University of Michigan's Interarts
Performance program? Discuss the attributes of this interdisciplinary
program which make it the best choice for you.
[D] Kinesiology Why is kinesiology the right choice for you? What do you
plan to study and how does that tie in with your career aspirations?
[E] College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) What led you to
choose the area(s) of academic interest that you have listed in your
application to the University of Michigan? If you are undecided, what
areas are you most interested in, and why?
[F] School of Music, Theatre & Dance As you prepare to pursue a career
in music, theatre or dance, what are your thoughts on the relationship
between the arts and today’s society? How relevant has your art been
to your community and to you?
[G] School of Nursing Describe why you want to be a nurse. Include your
specific experiences and abilities related to health care that will make
you a good candidate for the nursing profession. Also describe your
understanding of nursing's role in health care and how you see yourself
embodying these roles.
ESSAY
ALL APPLICANTS must answer one of the following questions, either [A], [B], or [C].
Type or print your answers on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure your name and the question text are on each sheet of paper you include.
(approximately 500 words)
[A] Describe a setback that you have faced.How
did you resolve it? How did the outcome affect
you? If something similar happened in
the future, how would you react?
[B] Discuss an issue of local concern. Why is this
issue important to you? How do you think it
should be addressed?
[C] Tell us about a book you have read that you
found especially challenging, stimulating, or
provocative. Explain why it made an impact
on you.

PREFERRED ADMISSION SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY
ONLY FOR APPLICANTS who have applied for a PREFERRED ADMISSION PROGRAM
In addition to the essay above, please answer only the question for the school or college to which you are applying. Type or print your answers
on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure your name and the question text are on each sheet of paper you include. (approximately 500 words)
For more information on Preferred Admission Programs, please see STEP 1.
[A] Taubman College of Architecture
+ Urban Planning, School of Education,
School of Information, College of Pharmacy,
and School of Social Work
For what reasons do you wish to be considered
for Preferred Admission to your
school or college of interest? What are
your career goals and how will Preferred
Admission to your school or college help
you achieve these goals?
[B] Stephen M. Ross School of Business
Based on your accomplishments, experiences,
and goals, tell us why you want
to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration
(BBA) degree at the Ross
School of Business and how all that you
describe will contribute to your success
in the program.
SOurce:University websitw

Monday, September 1, 2008

Indiana essays question example

Mandatory:

1. Please discuss your post-MBA short- and long-term professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals?

Choose two of the next three:

2. What is the most significant change or improvement you have made to an organization with which you have recently been affiliated? Describe the process you went through to identify the need for change and manage the process of implementing change. What were the results?

3. Suppose you had to choose three people—people alive now or people from another era—to travel with you on a cross-country automobile trip. Who would you choose and why? What would you hope to learn from them? (Think carefully about the company you want on those long stretches through Nebraska or Kansas.)

4. Describe what there is about your background and your experiences that will contribute to the diversity of the entering class and enhance the educational experience of other students.

Optional:

5. Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question.

Cornell essays question example

1. Required - (400 words)
Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization.

2. Required - (400 words)
What career do you plan to pursue upon completing the MBA and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal?

3. Optional Essay - (400 words)
Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) do(es) not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School.

4. Required for Park Applicants - (400 words)
Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows are an outstanding group by all measures -- work experience, community service, leadership, and past academic achievement. Describe why you believe you would make a good Park Leadership Fellow.

5. Re-Applicant Essay
Describe the measures you have taken to strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School.


Maryland Essays question example

Required Essay

Please discuss your short-term and long-term career goals. How will your academic background and prior work history, coupled with a Smith MBA degree, aid you in achieving those goals? Please limit response to two pages.

In addition, please respond to two of the following essays. Please limit responses to one page.

1. You are planning the course schedule for next year's curriculum. You have the opportunity to choose any individual (living or deceased) to teach one course in any subject matter during your first semester. Which individual would you choose? What would be the subject matter? Why? (Please limit response to one page.)

2. If you could be on the cover of any magazine, which magazine would you choose? What would be the headline associated with your photo and why? (Please limit response to one page.)

3. Please describe how your past accomplishments and mistakes will enhance the experience of your future Smith classmates.

Optional Essay

Please use this essay to provide the admissions committee with additional information that will assist us in evaluating your candidacy (for example, an explanation for gaps in employment history or an undergraduate grade point average that is less than 3.0).


Source:http://www.mbaapplicant.com