As a student who has always wanted to challenge himself, I enrolled in AP Human Geography in ninth grade—my first AP class. I had never needed to study or truly apply myself before high school, and I had the belief that I could have success in high school and achieve my goals without any extracurricular effort. When the first test was given, I had not studied; instead, I had spent the night before watching football—better known here as...

Prompt: What single activity listed in the activity section of your Common Application are you most proud of and why? (150 words or less) Words: 149 As an academically-gifted student, I have always been the best, or at least one of the best, in my competitions. I have also been one of the better saxophonists at my school. Beginning in tenth grade, I decided to join the swim team. First practice: I finished dead last in every single lap. It was a...

Prompt: Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why. (300 words or less) Words: 233 The motto of millions of real estate agents around the country is a very simple one: location, location, location. Several schools offer a similar education to Columbia; however, what makes Columbia unique is its location in the city of New York. Thousands of domestic and international corporations call New York City home; it is a place filled with corporations under which to learn...

Prompt: For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have an interest at this time. (300 words or less) Words: 253 Economics has always been a field of study that has interested me. Being from Peru, I...

Prompt: Beyond rankings, location, and athletics, why are you interested in attending Georgia Tech? (150 words or less) Words: 150 Georgia Tech leads in globalization, making the world smaller through technology. We must expand our horizons internationally. The school’s programs are diverse for this: France, first-world country; Costa Rica, under-developed nation in Central America; Singapore, highly-developed Asian Tigers; and Peking, capital of one of the fastest-growing economies. By doing this, Tech guarantees that its students receive diversified educations from every corner...

Prompt: Georgia Tech's motto is: "Progress and Service." What does that mean to you? The first part is “progress.” This means that we can never be content with the status quo. If we become satisfied, our progress stops, and we cease to strive for bigger and better things. As a matter of fact, our abilities never stay constant: we either progress or regress. It is good to have that hunger, that drive and motivation, to get better. For example, in...

Prompt: How do you hope to use your college education? Students who graduate with an economics major have a plethora of uses for their degrees. Some will choose to work in banking firms such as JPMorgan, some will manage finances for petroleum giants like Exxon-Mobil, but very few will truly impact the economic development of second and third-world countries. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are havens for economists and financiers: they invest heavily like Goldman Sachs and...

Prompt: Northwestern Statement: What are the unique qualities of Northwestern— and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying— that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified? (300 word maximum) Unlike other schools, Northwestern is in a prime location: Evanston, Illinois, right outside of Chicago, one of America’s economic centers. Chicago is home to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in addition to...

The University of Georgia consistently ranks in the top percentile of public schools in the country; its Honor’s Program rates as one of the best. The Honor’s Program combines the university’s top-tier education with a more personal and familiar atmosphere for its best and brightest students. Smaller and personal classes appeal to me much more than large auditoria simply because it would allow me to inquire more during the period. In a lecture hall, I am simply...

Prompt: The Admissions Committee would like to learn why you are a good fit for your undergraduate school choice (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, The Wharton School, or Penn Engineering). Please tell us about specific academic, service, and/or research opportunities at the University of Pennsylvania that resonate with your background, interests, and goals. (400-650 words) Words: 433 I believe I would fit perfectly at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The Wharton School emphasizes leadership...

Interviews are the most crucial thing. If your school offers an interview, that means the application process is very competitive; however, it's the opportunity for you to jump off the page. Refine your speaking skills. This is crucial. Communication and ease will set you apart from the rest. When you use a filler word, make sure to stray away...