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SchoolEssays RequiredThis year or last year's prompt?Word LimitTopic ChosenTarget dates
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Common AppMain Personal Statement650Family life/challenges
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Common App Activities List150 char per
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Add'l Info, if needed.650
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UCs
Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
Last year350California Scholarship Federation (CSF)
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Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
350
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What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
350
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Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
350
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Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
350
(Shortened version of) Family/life challenges personal statement
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Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
350Math!
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What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
350
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What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
350Construction
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Pomona1. Choose one of the following two prompts:
 1. Tell us about an experience when you dealt with disagreement or conflict around different perspectives within a community. (200 words)
2. Tell us about one of the communities you belong to and what it means to bring that shared belief and/or perspective to Pomona. (200 words)
Last year200Parts of construction, then segue to "Why Engineering"
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2. Helen Keller once said, “The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.” Whether you aspire to be a hero or an honest worker, what impact do you want to have in the Pomona community, your community back home, or any new community? (200 words or less)*200
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Claremont McKennaWhy do you want to attend CMC?Last year250"Why us" (adapt USC one)
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Harvey Mudd1. What influenced you to apply to Harvey Mudd College? What about the HMC curriculum and community appeals to you? Please limit your response to 500 words.*Last year500"Why us" (adapt and expand on USC one)
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2. Many students choose HMC because they don’t want to give up their interests in the Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts – or HSA as we call it at HMC. Briefly (in 100 words or less) describe what you'd like to learn about in your dream HSA class.*100
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University of RedlandsConsidering the institutions to which you are applying, please explain why you have included the University of Redlands.Last year500"Why us" (adapt and expand on USC one)
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University of Redlands values diversity in many ways. We aim to educate the hearts and minds of our students and to create a welcoming space for all, recognizing that the unique experiences and perspectives of all members of our community enhance our living and learning environments. How do you see yourself contributing to our community?500Montage of UC PIQs
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HarvardPlease briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.Last year150California Scholarship Federation (CSF)
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[Additional essay -- up to 650 words]Construction + 150 words on "Why Engineering"
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StanfordBriefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.Last year50
(Shortened version of) California Scholarship Federation (CSF)
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What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?*50
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How did you spend your last two summers?*50
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What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?*
50
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Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.*
50
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Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford.*
50
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1. The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.250Math!
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Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better.250Roommate essay
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3. Tell us about something that is meaningful to you, and why?250Adapted construction essay
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USC
Please respond to one of the prompts below. (250 word limit)*
1. USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on you.
2. USC faculty place an emphasis on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning.
3. What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you?
250Math!
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Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)*
250
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(Optional) Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break. (250 words)
250
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3. Answer all:
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Describe yourself in three words
25 characters each
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What is your favorite snack?100 characters
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Dream Job:100 characters
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If your life had a theme song, what would it be?100 characters
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Dream Trip:100 characters
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What TV show will you binge watch next?100 characters
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which well-known person or fictional character would your ideal roomate be?
100 characters
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Favorite book:100 characters
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If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?100 characters
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Engineering & Computer Science Applicants:
1. Engineering and Computer Science students are sometimes assumed to have personalities with shared traits or characteristics. What is a trait or characteristic you believe you share with other engineering and computer science students and another where you differ? Please tell us about these two traits and why you chose them. (250 word limit)*

2. At USC Viterbi, we endeavor to engineer a better world for all humanity. This vision goes hand-in-hand with the objectives of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges. Engineers and Computer Scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 word limit)*		250
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USC Dornsife Applicants: Please select one of the essay prompts below.

1. The word “education” can take on a variety of meanings. To some, receiving a high school or college diploma is the ultimate mark of being “educated,” while others take a different view. Looking past receiving a diploma, what does it mean to you personally to be “educated”? What standards will you put in place to define whether or not you’ve obtained a great education?

2. Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about?
100 characters
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CalStatesN/A
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Univ. of La Verne
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GrinnellN/A
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