College Essay Prompts

College Essay Prompts have evolved over years here is a list of essay prompts and their evolution over past few years with actual essay prompts .

2023-2024

• Brown University: "What is one thing you would change about the world, and how would you go about making that change?"

• Columbia University: "Tell us about a time you encountered a different perspective that challenged your own. How did this experience impact you?"

• Emory University: "Imagine you are designing a new course at Emory. What would it be called, and what would students learn from it?"

• Stanford University: "Stanford seeks to prepare students for 'lives of meaning, service, and leadership.' Describe a time you demonstrated these qualities."

2022-2023

• University of Chicago: "The University of Chicago motto is 'Let knowledge grow from more to more.' Tell us about a time you sought to learn something new or deepen your understanding of a complex topic."

• MIT: "At MIT, we believe that 'education is a journey, not a destination.' Tell us about a time you embarked on a learning journey that took you outside your comfort zone."

• University of Pennsylvania: "Penn's motto is 'Light and Truth.' How do you see yourself bringing light and truth to the world?"

2023

• Brown University: "Tell us about an experience that has tested your assumptions about the world. How did it change you?"

• Columbia University: "Prompt optional. If you choose to submit a supplement, tell us about your intellectual curiosity. Describe a question that has captured your imagination and how you pursued or plan to pursue an answer."

• Cornell University: "We know you're more than just numbers on a page. Tell us something about yourself that wouldn't be captured in your application materials."

• Dartmouth College: "Describe a project, activity, or challenge that sparked your intellectual curiosity and shaped your thinking."

• Harvard University: "Consider the statement "What we leave behind is not things we own, but things we do." Reflect on something you have done, big or small, that you believe is meaningful and will leave a lasting impact."

• Princeton University: "Describe a problem you've encountered and your creative approach to solving it."

• University of Pennsylvania: "Tell us about a time you stood up for what you believe in, even when it was challenging."

• Yale University: "Share an essay that reflects your voice and interests. You may choose to tell a story, develop an argument, or explore a personal experience."

• Georgia Tech: "If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose and why? Describe how your skills and interests would make you a valuable member of that society."

• University of Maryland, College Park: "Describe a challenge you faced that required you to adapt or change your approach. How did this experience shape your thinking?"

• UC Berkeley: "Tell us about a time you learned from someone significantly different from you. What did you learn, and how did it impact your perspective?"

• UCLA: "Imagine you are the architect of a new college building. What would it look like and how would it function to reflect the unique values and identity of UCLA?"

2022

• Brown University: "Tell us about a time you used humor to make a difference."

• Columbia University: "Prompt optional. If you choose to submit a supplement, tell us about a topic, cause, or problem that inspires you to take action."

• Cornell University: "What is a question that keeps you up at night?"

• Dartmouth College: "Share a story that reveals something important about your values."

• Harvard University: "Describe a moment or experience that helped you understand yourself better."

• Princeton University: "Reflect on a time you disagreed with someone. What did you learn from the experience?"

• University of Pennsylvania: "Tell us about a time you were surprised by yourself."

• Yale University: "Describe a community you belong to (or would like to belong to) and what makes it meaningful to you."

• Georgia Tech: "Tell us about a time you worked with a team to achieve a goal. What was your role, and what did you learn from the experience?"

• University of Maryland, College Park: "Share a story about a time you overcame a personal or academic challenge."

• UC Berkeley: "Describe a moment when you felt truly connected to another person or culture."

• UCLA: "Tell us about a time you went against the grain. What inspired you to do so, and what was the outcome?"

2021

• Brown University: "Tell us about a time you were surprised by the world."

• Columbia University: "Prompt optional. If you choose to submit a supplement, tell us about a book, movie, or piece of art that changed your perspective on something important."

• Cornell University: "Share a story about a time you were tested and came out stronger."

• Dartmouth College: "Tell us about a challenge you set for yourself and how you overcame it."

• Harvard University: "Describe a person or experience that has been instrumental in shaping your intellectual curiosity."

• Princeton University: "Tell us about a time you questioned something you had always believed to be true."

• University of Pennsylvania: "Describe a community you belong to and what makes it special to you."

• Yale University: "Share a story about a time you learned from a mistake."