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Sample Essay Questions for College Apps
Prepare yourself--plan your admissions essays in advance.
By Roxana Hadad
The essay: It’s one of the most important parts of your college application, and it can be the hardest. But it doesn’t have to be. Take a look at some of the most commonly asked essay questions and use them to prepare for your applications. Brainstorm ideas, do some research or create your own “stock” of application essays from the commonly used questions below.
Current Events and Social Issues
To test your skills at problem-solving and check how up-to-date you are on current
issues, many applications include questions about problems and issues facing society.
- What do you consider to be the single most important societal problem? Why?
- Pick a controversial problem on college campuses and suggest a solution.
- What do you see as the greatest threat to the environment today?
Personal Achievements
Colleges are looking for students who have achieved in some area of their lives. So you
shouldn’t be surprised to find essay topics that ask you to brag a little.
- Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school.
- Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
- Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your future goals.
Background and Influences
Who you are is closely tied to where you’ve been and who you’ve known. To learn more
about you, some admissions committees will ask you to write about your background and
major influences.
- Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.
- Who in your life has been your biggest influence and why?
- How has your family background affected the way you see the world?
- How has your education contributed to who you are today?
Future Plans and Goals
Colleges look for applicants with vision and motivation, so they might ask about your
goals and aspirations.
- Briefly describe your long- and short-term goals.
- Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
- Why do you want to get a college education?
Random Topics
Some essay questions don’t seem directly related to your education or life experience, but
committees use them to test your creativity and get a better sense of your personality.
- Choose a person or persons you admire and explain why.
- Choose a book or books and that have affected you deeply and explain why.
While you can’t predict every essay question, knowing some of the most common ones can give you a leg up on applications.
PatriciaR246
9 months ago
To whom it may concern,
‘Always gives her best’, ‘Is a positive role model’ and ‘Is a pleasure to work with.’ These are just a few comments past teachers have used to describe me. Allow me to describe myself to you. I am a hard worker who is committed to succeed. I am loving and caring; always willing to help others. My strengths are my kindness and generosity. My weakness is my reading comprehension capability. This has become quite a struggle for me. However, I have accepted that struggles are a part of life and can provide valuable lessons.
My family plays a large part in my achievements in high school and continues to be a source of motivation in my accomplishments. My family is not large; there are five of us: my father, my mother, my two sisters, and myself. I am the oldest in the family and have one more year of high school. My mother is a strong supporter of education and she urges us to work and study hard. She successfully graduated from St. Thomas University with a Masters degree in Public Management. Her achievements are yet another thing that motivates me to continue my education through college. I want be sure that my parents are very much proud to me.
I entered Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) in the fall of 2002. I hit the floor with both feet by studying hard and focusing. At the end of the first semester, I earned a 3.0 GPA and was on the honor roll. I have consistently maintained my standing on the honor roll with my GPA increasing every quarter. Currently, my GPA is 3.6; however, my goal is to attain a 3.8 GPA by the time I graduate. To complement my GPA, I have earned awards and certifications for outstanding achievement, outstanding citizenship and the FSDB Honors Program and Top Hat Club.
While we all know that maintaining a high GPA is not the only attribute to a well-rounded individual, I participated in numerous sports, social, and community activities. My athletic participation includes FSDB Outdoor Club and FSDB Dance Troupe. In addition, I have been a member of the FSDB basketball team and the cheerleading squad. I am a member of Jr. National Association of the Deaf (JrNAD) and FSDB Student Council. I participated in the 2009 FSD Pageant (3rd runner up), Writing Expo (2nd place), and the prom committee. I was involved in the Young Life Church in which I met with my peers in the church every twice a week. I participated in the Future Educators of America and volunteered with the City of Miami Police for which I was awarded the ‘You Have Done the Right Thing’ certificate by the City of Miami Police Chief.
My parents also believe it is important to be socially accepted and contribute to society. I have strived to become accustomed with the public and become a vital contributing member of society. In high school, I was chosen to be a teacher’s assistant, worked as a stock clerk in J.C. Penney, and as a hospitality assistant at Debbie’s Day Spa. I have won awards for best personality, best sense of humor, best citizenship and best dressed.
I love to help and work with children. In the past, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse, an elementary school teacher and a school counselor. However, my heart and passion is dancing. I have been dancing since I was 10 years old. I have been a member of FSDB’s dance troupe for the last three years. For me, dance is one way I can express myself in a manner that anyone can understand. It is my desire to pursue a formal education in dance. I plan to attend Gallaudet University and major in Deaf Education and Dance. My career plans is to become a dance professional followed by a choreographer/ instructor.
I sincerely hope that by sharing this information about me, it gives you a general idea of the person I am. I will be truly grateful for any assistance you are willing to provide me. Thank you for your consideration.
Yours Truly,
Patricia Rodney