by Kathleen M. Beware! This is a tricky question hiding in plain sight. You think – oh, I got this – my coach has done so much good in the community, and I could easily write 350 words about all the good she has done. Wrong! Whenever you are responding to a question for an application, the answer should be about you. So how do you answer a prompt when
by Kathleen M. For the University of California system, students will need to choose four of eight Personal Insight Questions. The UC admissions webpage provides a welcome video and a breakdown of the eight questions. Additionally, there is a handout on the webpage which breaks the process down into steps. If you would like more info on the UC PIQs, this blog has a number of posts that would be
by Molly R. Previous Essay Narwhal blogs have shared tips and tricks for Common App Prompts #1 and #2. This week, we’re pleased to share some insights for lucky #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? As with other Common App questions, it’s best to be specific and share positive growth. Admission officers want to
by Lillie W. If you’re a rising high school senior, at this point in your life your experience with job interviews is probably limited. But you’ll find out soon enough, once you hit the job market, that there’s no more paralyzing moment at the start of an interview than a company executive’s unexpectedly trumpeting “So, tell me about yourself!” across a big desk. Most of us suffer instant brain freeze
by Michelle One popular prompt that pops up often for college essays would be a question like ‘Describe a community you are a part of’ or ‘Describe how you have contributed to your community.’ These prompts can prove puzzling to many students, who may be unsure how to describe a community. Beyond the TV-perfect image of a community being made up of a group of friends in a fancy New
by Albert L. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? In many cultures, we honor the wisdom of our elders. We do so not necessarily because they are inherently smarter, but because their formative years have left indelible memories
