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A Great Pitt Honors College Essay Example
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The University of Pittsburgh is a large public university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is known for its great academics. The David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt offers even more opportunities to a select group of talented students. Given the highly selective nature of the Pitt Honors College, you need to have strong essays to help your application stand out and gain admission. In this post, we’ll share a real essay a student submitted to the University of Pittsburgh Honors College, and outline its strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).
Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized.
Read our Pitt essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.
Prompt: If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? Explain why and how you would change it. (No word count given)
While growing up, I was constantly reminded about my health. When I would rant about my trivial problems, my mother would respond with: “the most important thing is you are healthy.” As a young and naive child, this response irritated me. I never understood the blessing of good health until I was diagnosed with migraines. Every month I was met with throbbing headaches that made me lose all sensation and control of my body.
On one New Year’s Eve, I went to visit family friends with my father and sister. The flashing lights on the television and little sleep triggered a migraine attack. Without my mother present, everyone was unfamiliar with my frightening symptoms. Out of panic, they decided to call an ambulance. That one simple call and visit resulted in a one-year battle with our insurance company. For months on end, my mother argued against the unfair and hurtful statements the insurance listed as reasons for their refusal of payment. These endless calls brought about extreme stress and frustration, but we did not have the means to pay. There was no other option but to keep on fighting.
This was my first memorable experience with healthcare and its failures. From that day forward, I associated care with payment. I became worried about affording medical treatment at an early age. And so, if I had the power to change the world, I would make healthcare more affordable. Every individual deserves to be treated without the worry of a costly bill.
While I realize that affordable healthcare is a point of debate in our nation, I maintain my stance that it is a human right. I also understand that it will take years to put into place, but this does not discourage me. I can help start the change. With Pitt Honors, I will be exposed to interactive research, a matched mentor, and personalized co-curricular activities. I will be able to become a skilled nurse with critical thinking abilities. With the development of leadership skills, I plan to make a difference. Whether it be taking a high position role at a no-cost clinic or shaping healthcare reforms, I know Pitt Honors College will help me achieve my dream. Whether it be taking a high position role at a no-cost clinic or shaping healthcare reforms, I plan to make a difference.
What the Essay Did Well
Something that makes this essay strong is how it takes time to tell a story and build an understanding for the author before we even learn what they would change about the world. The essay begins by introducing the idea of health, but because we aren’t told what they want to change yet, we are compelled to keep reading. Then, the anecdote helps us appreciate the personal connection this student has to affordable healthcare. They take the time to fully flesh out the context needed to answer the why aspect of the prompt, while at the same time building suspense for the what .
Additionally, this student went above and beyond the prompt by connecting it back to Pitt. They weren’t explicitly asked to discuss how an education from the Pitt Honors Program would help them change the world, but by including this paragraph it demonstrates genuine interest in the school. If an essay can prove that you can only accomplish your goals — especially such impressive ones like changing the world — by taking advantage of unique opportunities at that specific school, then admissions officers might feel they are denying you the chance to reach your full potential by not accepting you.
What Could Be Improved
The area that could use the most improvement in this essay is the last paragraph dedicated to Pitt. Although it’s great that this student took the extra step to include how attending the Honors College will allow them to achieve their goals, the paragraph is a bit vague. To improve it, there should be more specific details, about classes, programs, professors, etc, to show that they have done their research and think taking advantage of these offerings are the only way to change the world.
For example, the essay says, “With the development of leadership skills, I plan to make a difference.” This sentence would be far stronger if the student mentioned a specific club or volunteer program they want to be a part of and how emerging as a leader in that experience would help them become a leader in the medical field. Or, they mention the Honors College will expose them to research and match them with a mentor, but they don’t elaborate on this.
The entire paragraph could have just been dedicated to one specific professor whose research aligns with affordable healthcare and what this student hopes to learn from them. Having a more focused and detailed approach to why you want to attend a college will always make for a stronger essay than briefly touching on general opportunities offered at most schools.
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How to Write the Pitt Honors College Application Essays
UPDATE: The Pitt Honors College application essays have been updated for 2020-21. Learn all about the changes!
To win admittance to the University of Pittsburgh Honors College, you'll have to respond to two short answer questions. Like the other Pitt essays ( check out our guide here ) the Pitt Honors essays are to the point, with a recommended length of 200-300 words. The prompts give you the perfect opportunity to display two traits that are essential for any Pitt Honors College student: contribution to the public good, and intellectual curiosity.
Let's start by looking at the Pitt Honors College application essay prompts!
In lieu of an essay or personal statement, we ask interested applicants to answer short answer questions. The Admissions Committee reviews responses for quality rather than length. However, the most effective responses typically range from 200-300 words per question. Responses that are longer or shorter are acceptable.
- An important emphasis of PittHonors is working for the public good. Please describe how you have worked for the public good in the past and how you expect to continue to do so as a student at the University of Pittsburgh and after graduation.
- A hallmark of students in PittHonors is intellectual curiosity. Please describe how you have demonstrated intellectual curiosity in the past and how you expect to manifest that intellectual curiosity as a student at the University of Pittsburgh.
Step One: Past Evidence
The key to both of the Pitt Honors application essay prompts is that phrase "in the past." This tells you that Pitt wants you to describe specific incidents from your life when you have demonstrated these key qualities. That is, don't just tell them you like to give back, and that you are passionate about learning, give them the evidence!
Try a brainstorming exercise to come up with ideas. Open up a new document, or grab a notebook, and write down as many answers as you can think of to the following questions.
Public Good : What's an issue that you care about? What have you done to raise awareness of that issue? Can you think of a time where you made one or more people’s lives better? What communities are you a part of (school, neighborhood, church, clubs, etc.)? How would they be different if you weren't there? What is something you frequently do that others in your community will miss when you are in college? What in your world wouldn't exist without you, or wouldn't be the same without you?
Intellectual Curiosity : What is a subject or topic you learn just for the fun of it? Describe a time you found yourself immersed in a topic. What did you learn? How did it change how you think about the world, yourself, or others? What was your favorite school project, and how did it inspire you or affect your plans for the future?How do you seek out additional learning outside school, whether it's through programs or independent learning? Are there any barriers you have overcome to gain knowledge? How did you overcome them?
Step Two: Future Plans
Both Pitt Honor essay prompts also ask you to look to the future. This is a perfect opportunity to connect your goals to specific resources at Pitt. This time, start with research. Browse the University of Pittsburgh website (paying particular attention to the Honors College section ) and use it to help answer the following questions.
Public Good : What's the problem in the world that you would most like to solve? How would a degree from Pitt (especially a BPhil from the Honors College) equip you to solve it? What classes (especially honors classes ) or academic resources would you use to prepare yourself? How would you utilize PittServes ? Are there any community service or advocacy organizations at Pitt that you want to join? How do they connect to work you've done in the past, or work you hope to do in the future?
Intellectual Curiosity : What are some specific classes or honors classes , inside or outside your major, that relate to the topic or project you want to discuss in your essay? If you were to apply for an Honors undergraduate fellowship , what project would you use it to fund? Are there any intriguing centers or institutes at Pitt that relate to the topic you want to discuss? Are there any specific professors that interest you, or Pitt grads working in the field you are passionate about?
Remember, these essays should work together! They can complement each other, or even cover the same passion, but you don't want to repeat your specific evidence between essays. Let's take a look at an example student's brainstorming list.
Public Good
- Past evidence
- Volunteering to teach self-expression through art at a camp for children dealing with grief.
- Future plans
- Advocate for art therapy in schools
- Seminar in Composition: Service Learning
- Community research project with a local outreach group for refugees
Intellectual Curiosity
- Art history project- drawing a portrait of mom in ten different historical styles
- Honors research fellowship in art history
- Internship with Collecting Knowledge Pittsburgh consortium
- Studio Arts option in History of Art and Architecture major
As you can see, both brainstorming lists cover the student's interest in art, but mention different resources at Pitt and tell different stories from the student's life.
Step Three: Put it all Together
When you sit down to write the Pitt Honors essays, keep the structure simple and straightforward. You don't have time to set the scene! Instead, begin by summarizing the biggest, most important takeaway from the story you are telling. For example:
- "When I decided to create a Monet-style picture of my mom for her birthday, I had no idea it would lead to a year-long, ten-painting project that would cover the entire history of European art."
Aim to spend two thirds of each essay on "past evidence" (that is, a story about something you've done that shows your contribution or intellectual curiosity) and one third on "future plans" (specific resources at Pitt that connect to your interests and motivations).
Remember, the most important part of writing the Pitt Honors application essays is finding the right topics, so don't skimp on the brainstorming and research. (If you need more help figuring out what to write about, sign up for a Prompt account to get access to our free brainstorming tools .) Happy writing!
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Pitt Honors
I found the decision in the spam folder in my email. In state, 1310 SAT, 32 ACT, 3.92 unweighted GPA, balanced amount of ECs but not necessarily all of them are consistent or with leadership roles. I got accepted to Pitt Honors. Major is Public and Professional Writing. I think the strongest part of my application was the short answers and essays as well as that my mom and I publish our own community magazine, which I have been writing in since Freshman year. I am really thankful for being accepted. Good luck to those who have not found out yet or to those who are wait listed. Do not lose hope because anything is possible. And even if you are not accepted into Honors College, you will be successful no matter what!
Daughter (IS) was accepted to Honors today 1460SAT, 4.5 UW GPA, Strong EC, but the essays must have made the difference. $5k scholarship Really excited for her.
Got my acceptance to Honors today!
DD accepted to Honors. 1550 SAT, NMSF, 4.0 unweighted GPA, 13 AP’s, work experience and strong EC’s. Does anyone know if Chancellors invitations come separately or if its is part of the Honors College decision?
According to the Pitt web page, Chancellor’s invitations appear to be going out later.
Did anyone attend an Honors info session and can explain the requirements for an Honors degree designation? I read the web page, and it does still seem to be optional.
They seem to be making changes to the program compared to past years. That’s fine. I am just not super clear on what those changes will mean. Are there new requirements for the class of 2024?
Thanks for your insight.
Just found my acceptance email under the promotions tab
@realmmom there is some info on degree options on the honors website.
https://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/degrees
You might want to reach out to the honors college to see if you can talk to an honors advisor about requirements for each of these options.
They usually offer accepted student days in the spring, some are designated for honors, maybe you can get more information there.
From what I read above, they don’t have to make decisions about these honors degree options right away.
Thanks for all the replies and inputs. My daughter got accepted, she found the email in the promotions tab(gmail). Her stats were 34ACT, 4.35 weighted GPA, strong EC and strong short answers/essays. Honored to be part of the honors family!
So wait- why do you have to “accept” Pitt Honors if you haven’t committed to Pitt yet?
@KeystoneDad I was wondering the same thing?!
You are just accepting your honors invitation, so they know who they can move up the waitlist if you decide you don’t want to pursue pitt honors. This isn’t binding, so you don’t have to attend pitt after accepting your honors decision.
I wonder if @hailtopitt1787 could answer this: if you are still waiting for your admissions decision, is Honors still an option, or are the Honors notifications that are going out all that will be sent? I think I applied in early December.
From Pitt website…
Freshman admissions Pitt Honors is competitive. We accept about 300-400 students each year into the Honors degree program.
Incoming freshmen apply to Pitt Honors during their regular University of Pittsburgh application process. If you choose to apply, you’ll answer 2 additional essay questions about your intellectual curiosity and your interest in social good. Your academic record and your essay responses all have a major impact on your application strength.
Admitted students get:
Designation on your transcript as soon as you’re admitted, and an Honors-designated degree (BA-H or BS-H) from your academic school upon completion of the Honors degree requirements Priority course registration Priority access to Honors housing communities The Pitt Honors program is flexible, so you will also get an assigned Honors Scholar-Mentor to help you tailor the most advantageous experience for your interests
****The deadline for Pitt Honors is January 15. For priority consideration, apply by November 1.
Things to consider:
Although we don’t have set SAT/ACT requirements, our average student has a 1450-1500 SAT and / or 32-33 ACT. Generally, they also have an ‘A’ (or 4.39 weighted) GPA. All first-year Honors students are guaranteed a spot in Honors housing to live together as a community. Unlike at other Honors colleges, most of our programs (like our fellowships and courses) are open to all undergraduates — so you can still participate if you aren’t admitted to the degree program. If you don’t get in your first year, you can also re-apply at the beginning of your sophomore or junior year.
@Orcus2020 you can certainly still be considered for Pitt Honors. Today is the regular consideration deadline for Pitt Honors so as long as you submit the two supplemental essays by today, you will be reviewed and notified by March 1.
-Pitt Admissions Staffer
Thank you so much, @hailtopitt1787 - appreciate your quick and informative responses throughout this forum! Got my supps completed in December, so will patiently wait to hear!
@hailtopitt1787 I recently saw in another UPitt forum that accepting honors doesn’t lock you into to accepting admission to Pitt, does this also apply to people waitlisted from honors?
@sallymar yes! that’s correct, it’ll just let us know that you want to be contacted if a spot becomes available after May 1.
Thank you for the clarification, I really appreciate it! @hailtopitt1787
Does anybody know when admitted students day for honors students is? My DS20 wants to go to the accepted students day on 2/17 but would love for him to get more info on the honors program (he got into last week) while there.
Also, does anyone know if Pitt does “stay in a dorm” while visiting? I was able to go when we toured in the fall and we got a hotel room. Not sure if I will be able to go this time. He will just turn 18 a few days prior but not sure he can get a hotel at that age. Any advice?
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Honors College Essay: Tips, Prompt examples and How to Write
Writing honors college essay
An honors college essay is an academic paper that students typically complete to establish entrance into an honors college, program, or division. An honors paper seeks to test students’ research skills and focus their analytical abilities on a subject of academic interest.
Due to the specialized focus of the paper, students benefit from serious attention to the college essay topics, which are vital in developing the essay.
An Honors College essay is unique in terms of its requirements, structure, and background. The purpose of this article is to provide advice on writing and structuring an Honors College essay.
Which Universities do Ask for Honors College Essay
1) uci (university of california irvine) .
The UCI has two programs, the Academic Honors Program and the Honors Program. Both are popular with many members. They are not mutually exclusive, but they have different requirements and different goals.
The Academic Honors Program is for students who want to get recognized by their professors for academic achievement. It does not require an essay but several letters of recommendation from faculty members.
You should not apply to either program if you are only interested in one or the other because there is no guarantee that either program will accept your application or that you will gain acceptance into either program.
2) VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University)
The applicants must complete the 500-word Essay on Honors. The essay should address the following topics:
- Your interests and goals, especially as they pertain to your intended major(s) and career path(s). How do you feel about being a lifelong learner?
- Your ideas about leadership, including h
- How you would define leadership, what your leadership style is, how you would use your abilities as a leader to positively impact your community in and out of college, and how you would lead if given the opportunity.
3) NJT (New Jersey Institute of Technology)
NJT requires you to write an essay and submit it along with your application.
These honors college essays usually focus on your intellectual interests and experiences, using specific examples to illustrate your points. It’s essential to select an area you are interested in and know about.
You should also pick something that you can write about easily; it will be evident if you are writing a research paper or other academic work instead of an honors college essay, so don’t try to fake it!
4) Purdue University
Purdue University’s Honors College focuses on scholarship, leadership, research, and engagement by integrating residential and co-curricular learning opportunities with academic classroom experiences.
Your college application essay needs to breathe life into your application. It should capture your genuine personality, explaining who you are beyond a series of grades, test scores, and after-school activities.
Take a minute and think about the college or university admission officers who will be reading your essay.
5) Stony Brook University
The Stony Brook Honors College provides an exceptional opportunity for students who want to pursue a challenging course of study in the company of talented peers. Your essay should be no longer than three double-spaced pages and should address certain questions.
It is an opportunity to explain an event that took place on any day in history; what would that event be? Discuss why you chose this particular day. Also, as this question, what do you hope to learn/experience by being present?
How to Write a Good Honors College Essay
Honors college essays follow a formal style with a clear structure. To get your honors college essay, follow these tips:
- Think about the prompt and what you want to say.
- Brainstorm.
- Organize your thoughts into a logical outline.
- Write your introduction.
- End with a conclusion that sums up the main points of your argument and connects those points back to the prompt.
Technically, the honors college essay can be a five-paragraph essay, but it should be more than that.
It should be closer to a 10-paragraph essay, with an introduction and conclusion paragraph that are each about four or five sentences long.
The introduction and conclusion paragraphs should be about the same size. The middle of the essay should be about three paragraphs long, and each of them should be about four to five sentences long.
1. Introduction
The introduction should have a hook which is a catchy sentence or two that gets the reader interested in reading your essay. Furthermore, it should have an explanation of why you want to go to Honors College: This is usually possible in one sentence.
Also, there should be a thesis statement. This is usually evident in one sentence at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement tells the reader what you plan to write about in your essay. For example: “I want to attend honors college because of their strong pre-med program.”
Write the body of your paper using transition words to connect your ideas and explain the connections between them.
The middle paragraphs should include an explanation of why you have chosen your career path and why you are interested.
3. Conclusion
End with a strong conclusion that ties together everything you discussed within your paper, providing important takeaways for readers as well as leaving them feeling satisfied with what they just read.
Takeaways
- You are writing an essay, not a text message. In other words, please use complete sentences and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If proper English is not your strong suit, enlist someone proficient at it to help edit your essay.
- Be specific about what you want to study and why. Do not just say that you want an education; tell the reader what kind of education you want and why. This is particularly important if you plan to study something that you did not find at your high school.
- The readers do not expect you to know everything about the field you plan to enter. They expect that you give serious consideration to it and explain why you want to pursue it beyond the fact that “it sounds interesting” or “it pays well.”
- Proofread your essays before sending them in. Errors will distract from whatever else is in those essays and may give us a negative impression of your abilities.
Things to Remember about Honor Essays
The honors essay is one of your best chances to stand out in a meaningful way from other applicants, so be sure to invest time in crafting a great response.
The admission office is looking for the following:
- The office wants to know that you understand what makes the honors program special. We have a diverse group of students and faculty who are passionate about learning and interacting across disciplines.
- What do you think this will mean for you? How will you take advantage of being in an environment that values interdisciplinary thinking?
- Your accomplishments. Let the audience know your talents. Have you excelled academically? What leadership roles have you taken on, or awards have you won? They want to discover what drives your passion for learning, leadership, and service.
- Your plans for the future. The honors program will prepare you for success beyond your skills, whether that’s graduate school or medical school, or a career in a completely different field.
Examples of Honors College Essay Topics
- Considering your lifetime goals, explain how your present and future academic activities will assist you in achieving your goals.
- Settle for an issue of importance to you, whether it is political, personal, local, or international related. Then, craft an essay to explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your community, and your generation.
When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.
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Honors College Application Essay Examples
Pasadena city college student analysis.
Currently, at Pasadena City College (PCC), I am a student who is part of the Honors program and is committed to his academics. The Honors program has enriched my learning experience through rigorous objectives and challenging assignments that undoubtedly have contributed to my knowledge, character, and drive. I have, for example, accomplished four honors English courses and done the honors assignments for each: from creating a short story to creating a poem that commemorates The Great War, I have passed the classes with A 's. However, it has been more than the grades, it is also knowledge and wisdom that I have gained in completing the classes. Moreover, at PCC, I have the opportunity to be the treasurer for the Psychology Club, which has taught me valuable lessons on how to run a club and work efficiently with team members. It has been PCC that has allowed me to explore and pursue my passion for English Literature.
Personal Statement For Honors College
By participating in Emporia’s Honors College I hope to further enrich my education by challenging myself and my abilities. I want to open myself up to the new opportunities the honors college will be able to provide to me like the leadership trainings. The honors college will better prepare me for my desired future as an elementary school teacher by making me a better leader and more open to new and harder experiences still yet to come. I am a hardworking and dedicated student who is determined to make the most and get the most out of my college experience. This program will push me to work even harder in all of my classes because more will be expected out of me. As part of this program I would be able to get more involved in my new community
College Honors Programs Benefits
The college honors programs distinctively appeal to ambitious, hard-working students rather than restrictively to the privileged and/or entitled students. Essentially, the honors programs draw the attention of those who want to go beyond the set standards and challenge themselves. It is for the students who are ready to make sacrifices and fail, but, most importantly, ready to continue until they succeed. It’s not specifically for those with talents or privileges but for the ones with great perseverance and determination. Significantly, these honors programs appeal to individuals who value education and acknowledge the limitless opportunities that it provides. To some extent, however, the entitled or privileged students have more advantages
Honors College Benefits
There are many ways that a student can benefit by participating in the Honors College, from growth in academics to development in communication and networking skills. The Honors College is a program that has a diverse amount of resources which can help me achieve my goals as I enroll into the university. For instance, an intellectual goal that I have and hope to achieve while participating in the Honors College is to expand my knowledge and wisdom beyond the classroom. Through the Honors College, I hope to be able to gain new methods of overcoming challenges and to gain the ability to think through situations and problems in a more ingenious way. The Honors College will introduce me to many intelligent and motivated people which as a result
Honor College Goals
I believe that my personality and skill set lends itself to a career in advertising and communications, but, what I really want to do is help others in getting the opportunities that they need to change their lives and the lives of others. In order to do all of these things, I hope to first work my way through my undergraduate degree and then move directly into a graduate program. The Honors College is essential in my journey through higher education because it will provide for me the supportive space that I need to be able to continue to grow and implement my longterm goals. During my time at Appalachian I am most interested in making connections globally and locally with people who are as passionate about giving back to the world and learning as I myself am. Additionally,I feel that the rigorous program offered by The Honors College will help me to grow into the student that I will need to be in order to excel not only professionally, but also in a graduate
Honors College Entry Essay
I am competitive; I look for the chance to run the extra mile. My competitive nature has aided in everything I commit myself to. Regardless if I am participating in a sporting event, competing for a solo in a musical production, or preparing for a final, I will indubitably devote my time and efforts to perform as well as possible. I take every opportunity that is presented to me and attempted to better not only myself but my community as well. I am confident that the Honors College at the College of Charleston will enable me to devote my attention to my studies, become actively involved within campus activities and academic assemblies, and offer my time and abilities to charitable events and organizations. The Honors College’s expectations
Honor College Program Benefits
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” (Jesse Owens). In other words, to accomplish our goals we must effort and push ourselves to the maximum. Forming part of the Honors College would be an excellent and invaluable opportunity for growth and learning. The benefits of the Honors College program are numerous. For instance, getting the chance to attend smaller classes will allow close contact between student-professor and among the classmates. Moreover, as an Honor College student, I will have the opportunity to participate in research opportunities that will enhance my knowledge and critical thinking. By getting accepted into the program,
Honors College Personal Statement
Joining the Honors College does not prove that I am the best student; rather, it is a way for me to share, participate, learn, and grow. English is my second language, in order to be fluent in English I have learned how to interact with other people, how to do complete tasks with enthusiasm, and perseverance. Effective teamwork and organizational skill are also developed. Mathematic proficiency, and creativity are skills that help me be confident to learn the materials quickly and efficiently. Responsibility, self-discipline, time management, multi-tasking, and patience are what I learned after completing my freshman year at Georgia State. If given the chance to be an honor
Application Essay: Key Club And National Honor Society
As an active member in both my school and community I have taken part in many extracurricular activities and received many honors. I find it to be very important to live my life in a way that I am able to reach my fullest potential while giving back to others at the same time.
Personal Narrative: My Honors College Path
The Honors College path has five different pathways which include: undergraduate research, study aboard, service learning, internships, and campus leadership. The two pathways that I will incorporate into my four years here at Western are service learning and internships. I have a love for helping the people not only in my community, but anywhere I can help. For my major, I will have to do internships and clinical rotations to obtain my degree. Even though I am only choosing two, I believe that they all may cross my path in the four years here at Western. All the Honors College pathways play a major part in making your time at Western Carolina as well as can expected.
Graduate Level Honor Program Essay Sample
Through interacting with students working toward a broad range of majors, I may find interests in things I had never thought to study before. In addition to this, I feel as if it is incredibly important to be exposed to opinions other than one’s own in order to learn and grow, and this program could provide the perfect opportunity for this through conversations inside and outside of the classroom. I appreciate the Honors Program’s push for students to have off-campus experiences, such as studying abroad (something I certainly intend on doing my junior year), as I believe these experiences are yet another wonderful opportunity for personal growth that allow students to step out of their comfort zone and develop communication skills that can be used throughout their lives. Additionally, The Honors Program would be a great way to help me prepare for graduate school. Not only would I have the opportunity to challenge myself through upper level classes, which on its own would be of benefit when applying to a graduate program, but by having an Honors Thesis or Honors Project under by belt, I would undoubtedly have an edge over other applicants as this would show the university that I’m prepared for advanced courses and the application of my
Rcc's Honors Program Analysis
“The mission of RCC’s Honors Program is to offer academically motivated and talented students an intellectually challenging environment within a supportive and inspiring community. The Honors Program blends academic excellence and adventure, allowing students to complete advanced college transfer work while collaborating with fellow students and faculty, and serving the community.” The mission of the honors program is one that reflects integrity, healthy ambition, and the desire to serve others through its membership. My high school experiences and new college experiences have prepared me for the rigorous and rewarding honors program curriculum.
Personal Narrative: My Sense Of Commitment To The National Honor Society
It is already known that I am a diligent and successful student, like all of the other nominees for the National Honor Society. What makes me different and unique from the other nominees is my my sense of commitment. At Xavier, I take part in multiple extracurricular activities including clubs and sports. Thanks to the addition of the community period, I have been able to join almost ten different clubs. A couple of these clubs, such as the Surfing, Engineering, and Student Leadership Council, were originally founded within the past two years. Furthermore, I have made a commitment to them and have worked to expand the clubs and raise their popularity and participation from the Xavier community. I have also participated in three sports
Honor Society Values
Helping the people around me is so crucial because not only does it exemplify Honor Society’s value of service, but also character and leadership. Twice a year our club picks up trash on a mile stretch of highway. We wake up early
Honors Classes Research Paper
Next year will be my freshman year at Dimond High School. To me, high school is a one chance kind of opportunity. No room for mistakes and you can’t go back. Well I guess you could, but for me that means missing my 2020 graduation class. Honors classes will help me stay ahead and keep me ahead. In honors classes you are expected to maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA, keeping my GPA encourages me to stay ahead of my grades and the entirety of my school work. My entire school career has been based around having good grades or having many of my privileges revoked. Taking Honors classes will put me ahead so I can enter AP classes further into my high school career.
More about Honors College Application Essay Examples
First-Year Student Admissions
The information which follows is for prospective students applying for admission to Pitt for Fall 2023.
The Frederick Honors College is competitive. We accept about 600 students each year into the Frederick Honors College and the Honors Degree program.
Prospective students may apply to the Frederick Honors College through the regular University of Pittsburgh application process , Common App, or Coalition App.
If you choose to apply, you'll be asked to answer the following essay question:
If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? Explain why and how you would change it. Responses should be stated in 500 words or less.
Admitted students get:
- Admission into the Honors Degree program.
- A notation on your transcript as soon as you're admitted, and a jointly-conferred degree from the Frederick Honors College and your primary academic school upon completion of the Honors Degree requirements.
- Priority course registration beginning with your first spring term of enrollment.
- Priority access to the first-year Honors housing community (Honors LLC). Keep in mind that Honors housing placement is not guaranteed.
- A flexible Frederick Honors College experience where you also have access to Honors Scholar Mentors to help you tailor the most advantageous path for your interests.
The deadline for first-year students to apply to the Frederick Honors College is December 1.
Things to consider:
- Although we don’t have minimum SAT/ACT requirements, our average student has a 1450-1500 SAT and/or 32-33 ACT as well as a 3.80 unweighted GPA.
- Unlike many other honors colleges, most of our programs (like our fellowships and courses) are open to all undergraduates—so you can still participate if you aren't admitted to the degree program. If you don't get in your first year, you can also re-apply at the end of your first or second year.
- The Frederick Honors College application will be test (SAT/ACT) optional.
Frederick Honors College applicants will be notified on or before March 1, 2023.
Apply now »
Frederick Honors College Virtual Info Sessions
Virtual information sessions are offered weekly with dates and times found on the Pitt Admissions website. Register here (under the Daily Visit Options registration menu.)
Interested in a 1-on-1 meeting? Contact our Assistant Director of Admissions, Matt Schultz, at [email protected]
Upper-division Admissions
The Frederick Honors College admits a limited number of upper-division Pitt students (including transfer students from a regional campus) into its degree program.
Requirements include the following:
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.50
- A minimum of 2 semesters (24 credits)
- Complete one essay prompt (PDF)
- Submit a letter of recommendation from an instructor or academic advisor
Applications for upper-division students will open in the spring for the following academic year. Follow the link below to begin the application process.
Apply as an upper-division student.
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Transfer Admissions
Transfer students from other institutions can apply for the Frederick Honors College degree program as part of their regular application to Pitt . The application will consider your academic performance, as well as your answers to additional essay questions about your interest in working for the public good, and intellectual curiosity. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
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Personal Statement
The personal statement is your opportunity to communicate directly with the Admissions Committee. Applicants are welcome to submit anything that helps tell their story, being mindful and thoughtful about the quantity and quality of information shared. Share information not included elsewhere in your application.
A personal statement or the Common Application essay is required to be considered for scholarships or if applying test-optional. It may increase the likelihood that you are considered for guaranteed admission programs or given special consideration due to extenuating circumstances.
The personal statement can be submitted with your application. This can be the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application - we do not prefer one over the other. If you have already completed the application, you may complete the personal statement here.
All international applicants are required to complete a Short Answer Question in lieu of a personal statement.
Fields marked with * are required.
You may upload a PDF containing your statement, or you may enter your statement directly on this form.
University of Pittsburgh 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide
University of pittsburgh 2020-21 application essay question explanations.
The Requirements: Up to 3 essays of 200-300 words each
Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball , Community, Activity
In lieu of an essay or personal statement, we ask interested applicants to respond to short answer questions. The Admissions Committee reviews responses for quality rather than length. However, the most effective responses typically range from 200-300 words per question. Responses that are longer or shorter are acceptable. The first question is required for PittHonors consideration.
1. if you could change anything in the world, what would it be explain why and how you would change it.
The Admissions Committee wants to accept ambitious students who want to change the world for the better. So, if you could change anything in the world, what would it be? Take some time to brainstorm and write down anything that comes to mind. Maybe, if you had the power, you would make sure that no one in your city went to bed hungry. Why is this particular issue important to you? What steps would you take to enact this change? If after reading this prompt you immediately thought of something on the sillier side (flying cars! superpowers! robot dogs!), don’t be afraid to explore how you might talk about that topic, too. So long as you are giving admissions better insight into who you are and what makes you tick, you’re on the right track. Let your imagination run wild and show the University of Pittsburgh admissions committee that you aren’t afraid to dream big.
The following questions are optional, but strongly encouraged. Your answers may increase the likelihood that you are considered for scholarships, guaranteed admission to graduate or professional school, or given special consideration due to extenuating circumstances. Please respond to two of the following short answer prompts:
1. diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to the pitt community. please identify and describe one element of your personal identity, and explain how that element would positively impact and/or progress pitt’s community..
This prompt is a spin on the classic Community essay: what do you bring with you to contribute? Consider the facets of your personal identity and ask yourself: If I had a podcast, what would it be about? Or what could I teach my new friends about over breakfast in the dining hall? More than likely, you’ll come up with an aspect of your identity that you want to share with the world. Try to think of how you can enrich the lives of your peers. Do you teach a craft? Do you strongly believe in paying it forward? What would your friends say is your “superpower”? These are all ways to break into a discussion of what you bring to the table as part of a group, and how you would promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on Pitt’s campus next fall.
2. Resumes and lists of activities provide the Admissions Committee with an overview of your accomplishments. Please use this opportunity to provide more information by identifying one of your accomplishments and explaining how it has prepared you for a transition into collegiate life.
This is a fancy version of the classic Activity essay. While most schools want to learn more about a particularly meaningful extracurricular activity or job, the University of Pittsburgh wants to know about one of your accomplishments, specifically. Start by brainstorming. What have your received accolades for? Maybe you were promoted at your after-school job, or honored with an award at school. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box either. Were you able to teach your little brother how to swim? Did you successfully crowdsource enough money for your best friend’s top surgery? Once you’ve picked the accomplishment you’d like to highlight, be sure to answer the second part of the question: How has this accomplishment prepared you for a transition into collegiate life? Maybe because of your accomplishment, you feel more confident speaking publicly, managing others, or even meeting new people. Focus on your growth and you’ll be sure to impress admissions.
3. If you could create a new product, process, business, or organization, what would this entity look like? (We especially encourage applicants interested in the College of Business Administration or the Swanson School of Engineering to respond to this question.)
Do not be overwhelmed by this prompt! You don’t have to have a detailed business plan to impress admissions here. Pitt just wants to know how you think. What kinds of problems would you like to fix? What kinds of things do you like to make, and what motivates you to make them? This prompt is as much about ingenuity and problem-solving as it is about creativity. Are you fascinated by Tiger Toilets ? Do you dream of building or creating something that helps communities in need? Odds are, if you choose to respond to this prompt, you already have something in mind. So, map it out for admissions and give them some insight into your hopes and plans.
4. With thousands of colleges and universities in the United States alone, discuss why the University of Pittsburgh is a good fit for you.
Why the University of Pittsburgh? Admissions wants to know why you are taking the time to apply (and answer all of their questions!). So, be honest. Maybe you grew up in a small town with a tiny high school, and you’ve been dreaming of attending a huge university. Maybe Pitt offers a major or academic program that most other schools in the region don’t have. Perhaps you were able to tour campus last year and felt an instant connection with the campus. Whatever your angle, make sure to tell admissions something new! And of course, be sure to go beyond the basic facts and figures listed on the school website.
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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 70+ academic honors examples for your college application.
College Admissions
College applications are all about showing off to the admissions committee, and what better way to do so than to lead with your most impressive academic awards. What are the best academic honors and awards to put on a college application?
In this guide, we give you 7 0+ academic honors examples to give you an idea of what types of achievements colleges like to see most on applications. In addition, we explain what counts as an academic honor or award, go over different impressive academic honors and awards examples you can get, and give you useful tips for effectively talking about awards on your application.
What Is an Academic Honor or Award?
First things first, what counts as an academic honor or award?
Generally speaking, an academic honor or award is any major achievement you’ve made and been recognized for in some way. The form of recognition can range from an actual object, such as a trophy or plaque, to prize money, a title, or verbal recognition.
Typically, an academic honor will fall into one of the following categories:
- Distinction, honor, or honorable mention for which you won’t usually receive a physical object or award—just the title
- A diploma or certificate indicating the completion of a program or recognizing an accomplishment in a program or other activity
- Prize or award won from a contest, competition, or tournament
- Scholarship given in recognition of an outstanding (academic) accomplishment
- Membership in a highly selective and competitive group or society
If you’ve won any awards for specific activities such as a sport you play or a club you’re part of, it’s better to list these in the extracurricular activities section of your application instead of in a separate awards section.
So what are some honors and awards to put on a college application? Up next, we'll take a look at more than 70 academic honors examples.
Academic Honors and Awards Examples
Here, we give you a list of 70+ academic honors and awards examples you could include on your own college application, from prizes won in national and international contests to school-based distinctions and awards.
All the academic honors examples below are grouped by category and listed alphabetically.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of all academic honors and awards you could possibly have, so if you have an achievement that doesn’t exactly match one of the examples below, don’t worry—you can still put it on your college application!
Advanced Placement (AP) Awards
- AP International Diploma (APID)
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- AP Scholar with Honor
- DoDEA AP Scholar
- International AP Scholar
- National AP Scholar
- State AP Scholar
- IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Certificate
National Awards
- Governor’s Volunteer Award
- National Student Volunteer Award
- President’s Award for Educational Achievement
- President’s Award for Educational Excellence
- President’s National Service Award
PSAT Awards
- National Hispanic Scholar
- National Merit Commended Student
- National Merit Finalist
- National Merit Scholar
- National Merit Semifinalist
- School-based National Merit Scholarship winner
School-Based Awards
- Foreign language award
- High class rank (e.g., top 10%)
- Honor roll/GPA award
- National Honor Society membership
- Perfect Attendance Award
- School-specific award
- School subject-specific award
- Student of the Month/Term/Year
- Subject-specific Honor Society membership (e.g., Science Honor Society)
Competitions and Contests
- AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
- Academic Decathlon
- Academic Triathlon
- American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)
- B.E.S.T. Robotics Design contest
- Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship
- Doodle 4 Google
- Google Science Fair
- Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
- International BioGENEius Challenge
- International Chemistry Olympiad
- International Mathematical Olympiad
- International Photography Awards (IPA)
- Kids Philosophy Slam
- Microsoft Imagine Cup
- MIT INSPIRE
- MIT THINK Scholars Program
- National Academic League
- National Academic Quiz Tournament
- National Economics Challenge by CEE
- National Geographic Bee
- National Geographic Student Photo Contest
- National High School Mock Trial Championship
- National Science Bowl
- National Science Olympiad
- PhysicsBowl
- Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
- Regional/National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
- Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards
- University Interscholastic League (UIL)
Miscellaneous Awards
- Boy Scouts/Eagle Scouts awards
- Employee of the Month
- Girl Scouts awards
- Merit scholarships for college
- Musical performance award
- National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) winner
- National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) winner
- Publications (such as short stories, art pieces, essays, etc.)
- Volunteer award
- Work award or promotion
The Best Honors and Awards to Put on a College Application
Of the dozens of academic honors examples above, which ones will look the most impressive on a college application? Here, we explain the top four qualities a truly impressive academic honor will have.
Note that an honor doesn’t need to have all these qualities, though if it does, then it is definitely an excellent one to put on your application!
#1: It’s Highly Selective
One quality you want to highlight on your application is the selectivity of the award or honor you’ve won. In other words, the academic award will be one that a lot of students try to win, making it difficult to achieve.
For example, because national and international contests and competitions draw so many student competitors, winning an award like these would certainly impress the admissions committee.
The more selective an academic honor or award is, the more impressive it’ll look on your college application.
Academic Honors Examples of Highly Selective Awards
- Google Science Fair winner
#2: It’s Unique
Admissions committees see a lot of honor roll and National Society honors on college applications (not that these are bad — they’re just fairly common). So if you've won a particularly unique or rare award, definitely include it on your application, as this will help you stand out from the crowd.
A unique award can be highly selective; it can also be one that is less well known or that highlights something creative, surprising, or impressive about you.
For instance, maybe you won the Most Innovative Employee award at your part-time job after you pitched the idea to create and manage a social media page for the company.
Academic Honors Examples of Unique Awards
- Specific school-based awards (e.g., Most Confident Speaker in Chinese Class)
- Local or community-based awards
#3: It’s Relevant to Your Academic Interests and Strengths
Another academic award or honor that's great to include on your college application is one that’s relevant to your academic interests and strengths. These are typically subject- or field-specific awards, such as English or writing awards, math awards, etc.
For example, if you’re planning to major in engineering, you'd want to detail any awards you might have won in science, math, or engineering contests.
Relevant awards indicate to the admissions committee not only that you’re truly committed to the field you want to study, but also that you’re one of the most promising students in your field.
Academic Honors Examples of Relevant Awards
- Writing award or publication (if you’re an English or creative writing major, for example)
- STEM award (if you’re a STEM major)
- Model UN (if you’re a political science or IR major, for example)
#4: It Highlights Your Leadership Potential
An impressive academic honor or award will also emphasize your leadership potential. These are typically awards that involve group or collaborative work. S o if you ever led others to success — as a captain or president, for instance — this kind of honor would look great to potential colleges.
Just make sure that you explain on your application what kind of role you had and how your leadership specifically led your team to success.
Academic Honors Examples of Leadership/Group Awards
- Volunteer awards
- Girl Scouts or Eagle Scouts awards
How to Talk About Honors on Your College Application: 4 Tips
Since you likely won’t have a lot of room to write about academic honors and awards on your application, it's important that you present your academic achievements in an effective, impressive way. Here are some tips on how to talk about the awards you've won.
Tip 1: Open With Your Most Impressive Awards
Admissions officers don’t usually spend a lot of time with each application they get, so you want to make sure that you’re catching their eyes right away by starting with your most impressive honors and awards. These will generally be awards that are highly competitive and required a lot of work and commitment on your end.
Tip 2: Focus on Your Spike
A "spike" is a particular academic passion you have. For example, if you’re a science buff who plans to major in chemistry, you'd want to emphasize your spike on your application by focusing primarily on your chemistry- and science-related activities and awards.
Having a spike will ultimately help you stand out from other applicants. To learn more about how you can develop a spike, check out our guide on how to get into Harvard and the Ivy League .
Tip 3: Describe Awards That Are Vague or Unclear
Not all academic awards and honors are well known or obvious, especially if they’re unique to your school or area. Therefore, m ake sure that you’re using the space you have in the awards section of your application to describe any academic honors that the admissions committee is probably unfamiliar with.
The last thing you want an award to do is confuse admissions officers, so be clear about what it is, how you won it, and what makes it impressive.
Tip 4: Explain the Competitiveness of the Award
For each academic award or honor you’ve won, you want to clarify its level of competitiveness by explaining the scope of the competition. For example, was the science tournament you won a national one? A local one? A school-based one?
Note that if the award has the word "national" or "international" in it, you shouldn’t have to add much explanation to its description since it'll be obvious that the award is fairly selective.
The overall point here is to show off!
Recap: Honors and Awards to Put on a College Application
As you can see, there's a huge variety in the types of academic honors and awards examples you can put on your college application. The 70+ academic honors examples listed above are just some of the possible honors you could include.
In general, the best academic honors to include on your application will have some or all of the following qualities:
- They’re highly selective/competitive
- They’re unique
- They highlight your academic interests and strengths (your "spike," that is)
- They emphasize your leadership skills/potential
You won’t have a ton of space on your application to explain the academic awards you’ve won, so it’s important to use the room you have wisely. To reiterate, h ere are our four best tips for how to talk about your academic awards and honors on your application:
- Open with your most impressive awards and honors
- Focus on your spike —i.e., your biggest academic passion and commitment
- Describe any vague, unclear, or lesser-known awards/honors you've received
- Explain the competitiveness of the award
Now get out there and win some awards!
What’s Next?
Lots of colleges use the Common App . If you're going to be using this platform to apply to college, make sure you know what to expect with the Common App honors section .
Planning to take AP tests in the spring? If you're hoping to snag a distinguished AP award , read our guide to get tips on how you can do this.
Honors can prove that you're a serious and ambitious college applicant. Check out our expert guide to learn what high school honors is and how you can achieve honors status at your own high school.
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools .
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Academic scholarships.
Competitively awarded, Pitt merit scholarships are based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, holistic factors provided in a candidate’s personal statement or Common Application essay, and potential for scholarly contributions to the University of Pittsburgh community. Incoming first-year students who complete and submit an application for admission and all required materials by December 1 are automatically considered for University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships.
Eligibility
Incoming first-year students are considered for University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships. Continuing students are encouraged to seek potential scholarship funding through the University’s scholarship database, PittFund$Me . In addition to meeting the December 1 completed application deadline, the following criteria also apply:
- Submission of a personal statement or the Common Application essay is required for scholarship consideration.
- Some scholarships require participation in an interview prior to selection and/or may have additional requirements (see scholarship types below).
- Students admitted for the spring semester are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Detailed guidelines and requirements governing academic scholarships can be found here .
University Scholarships are the most common type of merit award and are primarily based on academic performance in high school. Criteria include weighted grade point average, rigor of curriculum (AP/IB/Honors courses), class rank (if applicable), and SAT/ACT results (if applicable). In addition, various non-numerical, holistic factors, as presented in the personal statement or Common Application essay, that describe the candidate’s background are also a part of the review process. These holistic factors allow for a diverse and multi-talented student body. Holistic criteria may include exceptional and unique talents; commitment to community service and leadership; significant family, job, or community responsibility; and contributions to cultural, economic, or racial diversity.
Number, Value, and Term of University Scholarships University Scholarships range from $2,000 per year to $20,000 per year. University Scholarships are available for four years/eight semesters of undergraduate study provided the recipient maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress and meets all other terms and conditions of the award. Learn more about requirements governing University Scholarships .
Notification of Award Due to the competitiveness of University Scholarships, most admitted students are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made. As a result, those students selected to receive an award will be notified anytime between late-October and March 1 regardless of date admitted. Only students who are selected to receive an award will be notified.
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Diversity Scholarships In line with the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, several merit-based diversity scholarships, known as Cathedral of Learning Scholarships, are offered to select students. Criteria include weighted grade point average, rigor of curriculum (AP/IB/Honors courses), class rank (if applicable), ), and SAT/ACT results (if applicable). In addition to the assessment of numerical academic requirements are those holistic factors, as presented in the personal statement or Common Application essay, which allow for a diverse and multi-talented student body. Holistic criteria may include, but are not limited to, exceptional and unique talents; commitment to community service and leadership; significant family, job, or community responsibility; and contributions to cultural, economic, racial diversity.
Number, Value, and Term of University Scholarships Cathedral of Learning Scholarships range from $5,000 per year to those covering full tuition. Cathedral of Learning Scholarships are available for four years/eight semesters of undergraduate study provided the recipient maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress and meets all other terms and conditions of the award. Learn more about requirements governing University Scholarships .
Notification of Award Due to the competitiveness of the Cathedral of Learning Scholarships, most admitted students and their credentials are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made. As a result, those students selected to receive an award will be notified anytime between late-October and March 1 regardless of date admitted. Only students who are selected to receive an award will be notified.
In addition, Pitt also awards several academic scholarships covering tuition, mandatory fees, and room/board to talented students from underrepresented groups who demonstrate academic excellence and potential for scholarly contributions to the University community. Based on a student’s academic record and supplemental information, select candidates will be invited to interview with the Scholarship Committee for the following full scholarships:
- Donald Henderson Scholarship: students admitted to the Swanson School of Engineering
- Helen Faison Scholarship: students admitted to the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, School of Computing and Information, or School of Public Health
- Robert Lavelle Scholarship: students admitted to the College of Business Administration
- Adena Davis Scholarship: students admitted to the School of Nursing
Select Henderson, Faison, Lavelle, and Davis Scholarship candidates will receive an interview invitation by March 1. Recipients will be notified of their selection by April 1.
PittFund$Me connects you with real, relevant scholarships. As an admitted or current Pitt student, you can log into PittFund$Me – hosted on the Scholarship Universe system – and answer a series of profile questions. The adaptive matching engine will display scholarship opportunities that are tailored to you. And don’t worry – you’ll only see institutional scholarships and vetted outside scholarships so you can be confident as you submit your scholarship applications.
You’ll be able to manage all of your applications right in a personalized dashboard – and we’ll even post alerts for new scholarships that might be interesting to you.
You have to own the scholarship search process – and we know it’s important to you. That’s why we want to help make it as easy as possible for you to feel totally in control.
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the University of Pittsburgh’s most prestigious awards. Awarded to incoming first-year students admitted to Frederick Honors College, Chancellor’s Scholars receive the individualized attention of an academically demanding small college along with the scholarly advantages of a major research university.
Scholarship Details The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a four-year undergraduate award covering:
- Full tuition
- Mandatory fees
- Average room and board plan
- Guaranteed Frederick Honors College housing
- Candidates must meet the December 1 Frederick Honors College application deadline and be admitted into Frederick Honors College
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Must be an incoming first-year student
- Must maintain full-time enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus
Selection Process No more than 50 students admitted to Frederick Honors College will be invited to an on-campus interview with the Chancellor’s Scholarship Selection Committee consisting of the Frederick Honors College dean, director of advising, and academic advisors.
Selections for interviews are competitively based on a candidate’s high school academic record (submitted as part of the application for admission), results of the SAT/ACT (if applicable), and quality of the required Frederick Honors College application essay questions. In addition, the Selection Committee will also seek an interview pool fairly representing the incoming class as demonstrated by academic schools/majors and demographics, including residency, gender, ethnic diversity, etc.
Interview notifications will be sent in early-February and interviews will take place throughout the month of March. Only those candidates invited to the on-campus interviews will be notified. Those participants in the Chancellor’s Scholarship interview process are notified of their final status no later than mid-April. Each year, approximately 15 members of the incoming class are recipients of this competitive scholarship.
Scholarship Renewal Requirements The Chancellor’s Scholarship can be used for four years/eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus. To renew the scholarship on an annual basis, recipients must:
- Remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester) Satisfactory Academic Progress . See our University Scholarship Guidelines for further requirements
Scholarships for international students amount to $2,000 per year and are generally available for eight full time undergraduate terms, provided the recipient maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress and meets all of the other terms and conditions of the specific award. Learn more about requirements governing University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships .
Eligibility International freshmen who apply before February 1 will be reviewed for international student scholarships. International transfer students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
Application Procedure Students interested in being reviewed for scholarships must submit a completed application for admission and supporting credentials by February 1 at the latest. Students meeting that deadline are automatically reviewed for scholarships. The Committee makes decisions weekly on a rolling basis. Therefore, if you would like to increase your chances for scholarships, it is in your best interest to apply early.
Students who are selected to receive a scholarship will be notified by April 1.
There is not a separate scholarship application for University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships, though if you wish to be considered for scholarships you will be required to complete the Short Answer Question.
Value and Term Scholarships for international students amount to $2,000 per year and are generally available for eight full time undergraduate terms, provided the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and meets all of the other terms and conditions of the specific award. Learn more about requirements governing University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships.
What is the Tuition Exchange organization? The University of Pittsburgh is a member of The Tuition Exchange which is a reciprocal scholarship program that allows dependent children of our faculty and staff to apply for competitive scholarships to other participating member institutions. The Tuition Exchange (TE) Scholarship organization requires that participating institutions maintain a balance between the number of students enrolled at host institutions (exported) with a TE scholarship and the number of students from other member schools who are enrolled at the home institution (imported) and supported with a TE scholarship. As a member, the University of Pittsburgh agrees to abide by the national policies and practices of the organization.
More Information about Tuition Exchange
Transfer scholarships are based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership experiences, and scholarly contributions to the college/university community. All transfer students are considered for University of Pittsburgh scholarships, when they complete the Short Answer Questions.
Deadlines and Notification of Award
Incoming University of Pittsburgh transfer students should apply by July 1 for fall consideration.
Recipient Profile
Strong candidates will possess a minimum average GPA of 3.0 Due to the competitiveness of University Scholarships, most admitted students and their credentials are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Transfer and continuing students are encouraged to seek possible scholarship funding through the University’s scholarship database, PittFund$Me.
The Nordenberg Leadership Scholars Program is designed to reward the best and brightest student leaders from high schools in Pennsylvania who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills, innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and community involvement.
Nordenberg Leadership Scholars are provided with the resources for a rich collegiate experience with opportunities for academic achievement, leadership development, civic engagement, and interaction with organizations and corporations in the Pittsburgh region.
Scholarship Details Each year, up to five graduating high school seniors from Pennsylvania will be selected to participate in the four-year program. Nordenberg Leadership Scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship for eight terms which may include one international experience as well as assistance with securing internship positions throughout their time at Pitt.
- Pennsylvania residency
- Full-time enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus
- Complete the Nordenberg Leadership Scholars application process
Application Process Candidates must submit the PA Scholars application and a completed application for admission no later than December 1.
Selection Process Representatives of the University of Pittsburgh Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the Division of Student Affairs will interview a select number of semifinalists by March 1. Recipients of the Nordenberg Leadership Scholarships will be notified of their selection on or before April 1.
Scholarship Renewal Requirements The Nordenberg Leadership Scholarship can be used for four years/eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh campus. To renew the scholarship on an annual basis, recipients must:
- Remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
In partnership with the Stamps Scholars Program , the University of Pittsburgh is proud to offer the prestigious and generous Stamps Scholarship to five incoming first-year students from Pennsylvania. As a University of Pittsburgh Stamps Scholar, recipients will be provided with a comprehensive understanding of leadership from a domestic and global perspective.
Scholarship Details Valued in excess of $160,000, the Stamps Scholarship is a four year undergraduate award covering:
- Room and board
The scholarship also includes:
- An allowance for books and supplies, transportation expenses, and personal costs
- Access to an enrichment fund of up to $17,400 to be used over four years for the purpose of global experiences, unpaid internships, leadership training, research, and other academic experiences
- Demonstrated leadership, scholarship, service, perseverance and innovation
Selection Process The University of Pittsburgh will interview up to 32 Stamps Scholarship Semifinalists by March 1 . Finalists will then be interviewed by representatives of the Stamps Scholars Program who will make the final selection of five recipients. Recipients of the Stamps Scholarships will be notified of their selection on or before April 1 .
Scholarship Renewal Requirements The Stamps Scholarship can be used for four years/eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh campus. To renew the scholarship on an annual basis, recipients must:
Outside Scholarships
In addition to University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships, you may be eligible for non-University of Pittsburgh scholarships. For non-University of Pittsburgh scholarship opportunities, check out these websites:
- The Pittsburgh Promise
- National Merit Scholarship Corporation
- The College Board
- American Education Services
PLEASE NOTE: If you receive scholarship funds that are not awarded by the University of Pittsburgh, be sure to report these funds to our office by completing the Information Update Form for your campus.
Please instruct the organization awarding your scholarship to include your full name and seven-digit student ID number on the scholarship check, and mail it to:
- University of Pittsburgh Student Payment Center 139 University Place G-9 Thackeray Hall Pittsburgh PA 15260
Learn more about the process for 529 and College Savings Plan payments.
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University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate College Application Essays
These University of Pittsburgh college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Pittsburgh. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.
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College Application Essays accepted by University of Pittsburgh
How annie helped me callie elizabeth mancuso, university of pittsburgh.
Annie’s face is as vivid in my mind now as it was four years ago. I can see the passion for life that sparkled in her eyes and the crazy, intense grin that stretched across her face like a bridge across the sea. Although my experience with Annie...
Why I Will Study Engineering Scott Patrick Novick
I owe a lot to cancer. While it leaves most with feelings of fear, despair, or pain, cancer left me with a passionate interest in the cancer radiation treatment process. When my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August of 2007; however,...
My Invisible Army Anonymous
Here’s a sob story for you: my father died when I was four. My mother has always been legally blind, but shortly after my father’s death, when I was six, she fell and broke her back. Two years later, she had a brain hemotoma and nearly passed...
Young Entrepreneur Michael Magnotto
Throughout my younger years, wearing a blazer, collared shirt, and nice pants to preschool always set me apart from my classmates. As I got older, selling pencils to kids who needed them right before a test sparked my business interest. That...
Annie Callie Mancuso
Asking why not robert nogay.
One year ago, on a muggy summer morning, I boarded a plane with some of my classmates and teachers, headed for Ecuador. The trip was intended to reveal a different world to us, as well as aid a local elementary school in a state of disrepair. A...
The Gift of Translation Anonymous
One of the most important books in the world is The Records of the Grand Historian. Written by Sima Qian in the first century B.C., it elucidates more than two thousand years’ worth of Chinese history. The story behind Qian’s masterpiece is...
My Greek Roots Anonymous
I am convinced that I only have friends because of my mother’s cooking. Friends always seem to come through the door when spanakopita, tiropita, baklava, and other ethnic Greek foods are on the table. Watching others become infatuated with the...
Exploring New Territory Anonymous
I am an explorer. At 10 months old, my travels began with my family’s first move. Over the years, we have been relocated because of my father’s company, gradually bringing a family of five from East to West. Five states, five homes, and five...
The Job That Changed My Life Anonymous
I work in one of the most loved, yet most hated industries in the world. Criticism comes from all angles in the fast food business – whether the guests' food is not prepared to their liking, their table isn’t as clean as they would like it to be,...
"Really? You want to be an engineer?" Anonymous
Today there is a common misconception that gender inequality no longer exists. Yet Stephanie Coontz of the New York Times has analyzed the data and, for me at least, put this misconception to rest in her article “The Myth of Male Decline.” She...
The Innocence of Child Anonymous
I stood there holding my stethoscope, listening to a five year-old child’s back, nervously searching for any abnormality, trying to control my nerves and focus on my work. I shifted my stethoscope to another spot, the sweat on my back now beading...
The Peak of Scouting Max B Grove
"Mr. Grove, you can come back in the room now." Wiping pints of sweat off my forehead, my heart racing, I reenter the room containing four people: the four people whose sole job is to challenge everything I have done for the past six years. Maybe...
Overcoming Failure Anonymous
Even as a kid, I always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I tried making a neighborhood newspaper, crafting homemade walking sticks, and even selling my Pokemon cards. One of my biggest business endeavors featured 11-year-old me digging out a...
A Wilderness Canoe Trip Goes Downhill Anonymous
This morning, day seventeen, my blueish lips burned in the freezing wind and my soaked hair clung to my face. In what seemed like moments, however, I was in the canoe, watching the sun begin to rise above the calm Canadian river. Cicadas serenaded...
The Van Ride Home Nolan Raghu
The van was parked on the third floor of the parking garage, meaning the team had to walk almost 15 minutes together in near silence. Mark was raving, twirling his fingers and vitriolically murmuring something to himself. Devon and Tristan moved...
Art Destroys Silence Claire Margaret Pilcher
Every single time I step onto a stage, I feel as though I could faint. The only noise that breaks through the silent auditorium is the stepping of heels against the hardwood floor as I approach the middle of the stage. I take a deep breath as I...
How a horse taught me partnership Anne Ward
The first ride I had on Gnocchi was awful. He was a project horse who didn’t “listen” to my leg, seat, or hand; aids that help me communicate with a horse. He wouldn’t stand still for me to tack him up or mount him. When I actually rode him, he...
Why I Perform Magic Joseph Galante
At the start of every show, I always have faith that the wave of applause will drown out any feelings of doubt. As I see the crowd focus on me, I get a rush of energy and a smile overtakes my face. “Thank you for having me! To get started, I need...
Liberating Beats Anonymous
Before I open my laptop I can hear it. Every beat, every base drop comes to life faster than my hands can sort it into sound. Melodies weave together and I can tell the stuffed animals on my shelf are in for a show. Now in the headspace to create,...
Uninvent Your Camera Anonymous
Photos freeze the world in place for just a moment. In the rapidly moving world, it’s refreshing to look at a photo, stop the earth’s spin, and live in the past for a few minutes. Photos are sentiments—souvenirs of a time and place that has...
Saxophone Colossus Anonymous
I remember in kindergarten, during my troubled sleeps, my mother would come in and sing the Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday”. I didn’t know what the lyrics meant then, but I do know that in her voice I found a universe of meaning. By first grade I was...
Following My Family into Medicine Anonymous
One day, they finally let me see an X-ray machine. The week after, they told me about the anatomy of the body as they treated a patient. Every week, I would see my mother work as a doctor at her workplace. All her coworkers knew me. Every time I...
A Brown Christmas Anonymous
“I’m so excited! Tomorrow is Eid!”
“Eid? What are you talking about?”
I was flabbergasted. Eid was my whole life, what I eagerly anticipated all year long, and yet my classmate didn’t even know what it was! My 7-year-old mind couldn’t comprehend...
Recent Questions about University of Pittsburgh
The Question and Answer section for University of Pittsburgh is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Essay titles
I'm sorry, we don't have that information for you on the Q&A Forum. You will need to contact Gradesaver directly for this information. You can use the link at the top of the page, which is entitled "College Application Essays", or send an...
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Give the short description of the four stages of acculturation ?
You are too funny! Those may be the four stages of SOMETHING, but it's not acculturation.
The challenge of learning a new language and the
culture that goes with it is one that all LEP students face.
They require a period of adjustment to the...
The Admissions Strategist
How to write the purdue university essays 2020-2021: your complete guide.
Purdue University is a byproduct of President Lincoln’s signing of the Morrill Land Grant Act in 1862. A decade later, the doors were open to students, and Purdue’s legacy began.
Today the university hosts over 40,000 students and has educated innovators and inventors who will have an impact on our society for many years to come.
- Purdue has an acceptance rate of 57%.
Holding fast to ethics and integrity on the journey to innovation lies at the heart of Purdue University’s mission. The school further believes that “ Our responsibilities and obligations toward the advancement of learning, discovery, and engagement in the University and in Indiana extend to our nation and the world.”
This mission can be seen woven into the fabric of university culture.
What Are the Purdue Essay Requirements?
Purdue University gives prospective students two different options to apply for admission. You may choose to apply via the Coalition for College Access, Affordability, and Success Application or through the Common App.
Check out our advice for the Coalition App and the Common App .
In this guide, we will focus on the supplemental writing prompts that are nearly identical on both application platforms.
Click above to watch a video on how to write Purdue Supplemental Essay.
- These responses are short – each 100 words or less.
Before you get started, it’s important to know that Purdue University is well known for their Online Writing Lab. In fact, you have probably used this website at some point in your high school career.
On their admissions page, Purdue notes that they expect your essay to demonstrate “your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and… [to] distinguish yourself in your own voice.”
Additionally, they are looking for what “you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores”. They even suggest you seek out writing help from their Online Writing Lab .
Clearly, Purdue values writing as a skill and, therefore, the admissions committee will be looking for much more than content in your essays.
Below, we will outline advice for writing these specific supplemental responses, as well as general writing advice that will help you to tighten up the style and form of your writing.
The two standard prompts are as follows:
How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.) Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected.(Respond in 100 words or fewer.)
For reference, the first two paragraphs of this blog post are roughly 115 words.
While you may have a lot to say about each topic, you will be forced to be brief, as the online application will not allow you to break the word count limit.
If you choose a second major, then you will have to answer a prompt that is similar to the second one:
Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the second choice major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)
There is an honors prompt , which we will address toward the end of this guide:
Explain your vision, ideas, or goals for how you hope to shape your honors experience while at Purdue. Please put this in the context of the four pillars which are the foundation of the Honors College. (500 word maximum)
Purdue Supplemental Essay 1: Your Interests & Purdue
How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?
The first writing supplement question is the type of essay prompt that you will see asked in a similar fashion on many college applications. It’s the quintessential “ Why This College ” essay prompt.
Purdue opens your response up to elements in and out of the classroom. Since the second prompt asks specifically about your intended major, you should probably only quickly mention this in your essay in order to conserve your word count.
- First, explore Purdue’s website to learn more about the many opportunities the school provides, such as study abroad options, intramural sports, and clubs.
- Look over the activities you have listed on your admission application.
- What activities, sports, clubs, etc. interrelate?
- Are there activities that you have always wanted to try but never had the chance to? Perhaps they are offered at the university.
- For example, maybe you pursued swimming or diving throughout high school because you did not have the opportunity to pursue sailing.
- There are many activities in college, such as sailing, archery, and rifle club, which you would not usually be exposed to as a high school student.
Connect us to your school's principal!
Next, perform the same process with researching academic programs and activities at the university.
- Are there any particular research fellowships that you are interested in?
- Did you do research in a lab during your summer breaks that got you interested in a particular field? For example, you might have competed in a science fair based upon your research in a biology research lab.
- You might be interested in pursuing similar research further with the intent of publishing, or you might be interested in pursuing something completely orthogonal. The main point here is to explain your motivations and where they are coming from.
- Any professors that you have heard about and would like to take a class with?
- How do these match up with the classes you completed in high school or topics that you are interested in moving forward?
Be specific in describing how your academic and non-academic interests align with Purdue’s opportunities.
- For example, let’s say that you have been a strong student in high school taking mostly honors and Advanced Placement/IB courses when available.
- You could have taken AP Computer Science A and then developed your own web apps or games. You could be interested in taking this further and going into software engineering principles, something you could pursue through class offerings at Purdue.
- You might be particularly drawn to the leadership opportunities available to students who are members of Purdue University’s Honors College.
- Perhaps you were in a leadership position of a service such as Beta Club in high school. You could be interested in further developing your academic and service leadership experience through similar organizations at Purdue.
In your response, link your high school experience in rigorous classes with your expectations of yourself as a college student.
- You might write about how taking classes in the Honors College would allow you to branch out of your major classes, collaborate together with other students on a team, and work on gaining leadership skills, which are important to you as an aspiring professional.
When describing your out-of-classroom interests, you might write about Purdue’s theatre program.
- In high school, you may have worked on many school plays on the technical side rigging lights.
- However, you’re excited about the opportunity to volunteer in other avenues of production, such as costume design and makeup.
- In your actual response, focus on activities that either further your current interests or allow you to try something new.
In both of the above scenarios, we chose specific examples of opportunities actually offered by Purdue University. You should do the same.
Not only will it reflect well in your essay, but it will also allow you to gain a better understanding of whether this university is the right home for you.
Purdue Supplemental Essay 2: Your Major(s) at Purdue
Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. Optional: Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the second choice major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)
This prompt is also fairly standard in the college application realm. The admissions committee is interested in understanding how your experiences led you to choose this particular major.
You do not randomly select crop science as a major; rather, you are drawn to it.
- There are many different reasons you could list for choosing the major that you have, but you should avoid simply listing money or status as your intention.
- While there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to make a decent living, you should push yourself to list more intrinsic motivations for your choice.
Just like the previous question, you should make an effort to be specific.
- Being interested in crop science because you think farming is interesting and you took one horticulture class isn’t going to cut it.
- Instead, describe what it is about farming that specifically interests you – the ability to cultivate living plants, providing food for people, watching the process of farm to table, etc.
- You might personally know some farmers or been involved in your high school’s FFA (Future Farmers of America) club in high school. There are a lot of innovations being applied to agriculture, from IoT to crop growth simulation and forecasts.
- By focusing on the specifics of what interests you, you will be able to convince the reader that you are engaged in what you would like to pursue at Purdue.
- You could definitely write about that horticulture class but, instead of mentioning it in passing, add detail about what you learned , how it changed the way you think about plants, and how it opened your eyes to careers you had never even heard of.
If you are unsure of your major, you can still address this prompt.
Choose a field that you could see yourself working in. Remember, this is not a contract you are bound to for the rest of your life, so it doesn’t hurt to explore one of your “maybe” options.
Let’s say that you might be interested in pursuing a degree in an English-related field. In high school, you took three years of creative writing and joined a tutoring club, where you helped students whose first language isn’t English.
- In your essay, you could describe how much you enjoy writing and imagining landscapes but also that you felt rewarded by working with your peers.
- You could see yourself working full-time in a writing field or maybe even becoming an ESL teacher.
- Explain how you plan to explore these interests while taking introductory-level English classes at Purdue.
- You might even mention specific programs, clubs, and activities you are interested in.
It’s common to not know exactly what you want to major in during your freshman year of college. However, don’t let this be a weakness in your essay when it could be a strength.
If approached correctly, this essay could show that you are passionate and motivated to find a career that you will thrive in.
This journey, you believe, will benefit you the most if traveled at Purdue University.
Purdue Honors Essay
Now that you have more of a word count to work with, take the liberty to brainstorm a story or anecdote that connects to your desire to engage in rigorous learning and the pillars of the Purdue Honors College.
The pillars of the Purdue Honors College are leadership development, undergraduate research, community and global experiences, and interdisciplinary academics
- Perhaps you are an immigrant who appreciates the opportunity to learn more during your formative years. You want to learn more because your home country had much fewer resources for students.
- You have a secondary goal to build bionic arms and legs for kids is in Laos who’ve stepped on landmines and lost limbs. You firmly believe that an honors education at Purdue would give you the knowledge and practical expertise to jumpstart this dream.
Once you’ve found your story, connect it to how you’d take action as a Purdue honors student. In the same case as the standard two Purdue essays, do your research and list how you’d become a proactive student:
- Do you want to start a club, nonprofit, or charity on campus?
- Perhaps you want to organize town halls to discuss solutions to economic inequality.
- Is there a program or fellowship you want to take advantage of?
- Do you want to apply for a tech grant and perform research in the artificial intelligence field?
- Perhaps you want to join a study-abroad program in Guatemala that promotes the building of Internet infrastructure in villages.
Pick one or two of these actions. Then, explain their significance to you and how you’d build momentum to make a difference in the Purdue community or world at large.
Whatever you choose, focus on action. Tell the reader how you’d use Purdue’s resources and values to improve the world around you.
A good way to structure this essay is to use an example from your past – perhaps a volunteer or leadership experience – and connect it to what you want to accomplish as a Purdue Honors student.
This is what the structure of your essay could look like:
- Flashback anecdote that tells us a quick story about your past
- Tell us how your past inspired you
- Discuss what you want to do in the future and how this relates to the Purdue Honors Pillars
- State what you want to do at Purdue Honors and how you will take advantage of its resources
Conclusion: The Purdue Supplemental Essays
Once you have written a draft of your responses, it’s time to revise . At a most basic level of revision, you should:
- Spell Check
- Grammar Check (use your best judgment, since not every suggestion will be accurate)
- Ask a Peer/Adult to Review
For further impact, analyze your word choice. Have you chosen words that carefully express your ideas? In a 100-word (or less) response, this is particularly important since there is not much room for explanation.
- For example, instead of writing that “I really liked horticulture class and learned a lot of new stuff,” you might instead say, “I enjoyed horticulture and the opportunity to explore new concepts through experimentation.”
Both of these sentences are 12 words in length, but the latter is much more effective in its message.
As you can see, specific word choice is not about choosing long and difficult words to sound “smarter.” In fact, this strategy often backfires and “your voice” disappears from your essay.
Varying sentence structure is another way you can increase the effectiveness of your responses.
Avoid writing that sounds like a list or opens with the same structure.
For example:
- “I would like to become an English teacher. I think tutoring was a great experience in high school. I will be majoring in English and Education. I want to graduate and then teach at a private school.”
Instead, you should vary your sentence structure by writing:
- “I would like to become an English teacher. As a tutor, I learned about the relationship between student and teacher. It was a great experience and has led me to believe that teaching at a small private school would be ideal. Therefore, I intend to major in both English and Education at Purdue.”
The second example captures the reader’s attention. This is unlike the first example, which is boring and difficult to take seriously at an academic level.
Finally, read your responses while looking for a clear progression of ideas. Do you jump from topic to topic, or do you wrap up one idea before transitioning to the next? Consider reorganizing your sentences so that similar topics are together. Use transition words such as “additionally” and “also” to bridge your writing.
Purdue University’s advice is solid, so it is worthwhile to check out their Online Writing Lab . It has many resources that could help you to write their supplements as well as essays for other college applications (shh, we won’t tell).
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The Frederick Honors College essay can be submitted with your application. This can be the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application -we accept both and do not prefer one over the other. If you have already completed the application, you may complete the Frederick Honors College essay online.
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The Frederick Honors College admits a limited number of upper-division Pitt students (including transfer students from a regional campus) into its degree program. Requirements include the following: Must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 A minimum of 2 semesters (24 credits) Complete one essay prompt (PDF)
PERSONAL STATEMENT OR ESSAY "Students are the curators of their own life stories. As such, applicants are welcome to submit anything that helps tell their story—being mindful and thoughtful about the quantity and quality of information shared." — Kellie Kane, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and Executive Director of Admissions
If you have already completed the application, you may complete the personal statement here. All international applicants are required to complete a Short Answer Question in lieu of a personal statement. Fields marked with * are required. First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Email Birthdate Entry Term Choose an entry term...
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Honors College Essay Example I will contribute to the UIC Honors College with my strong work ethic, which will help set an example for the students around me. Since reaching high school and maturing, my academics have improved dramatically as a result of my hard work and determination, and I believe anyone can do the same with hard work.
University of Pittsburgh 2020-21 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: Up to 3 essays of 200-300 words each. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Oddball, Community, Activity. In lieu of an essay or personal statement, we ask interested applicants to respond to short answer questions. The Admissions Committee reviews responses for ...
Academic Honors and Awards Examples. Here, we give you a list of 70+ academic honors and awards examples you could include on your own college application, from prizes won in national and international contests to school-based distinctions and awards. All the academic honors examples below are grouped by category and listed alphabetically.
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A good way to structure this essay is to use an example from your past - perhaps a volunteer or leadership experience - and connect it to what you want to accomplish as a Purdue Honors student. This is what the structure of your essay could look like: Flashback anecdote that tells us a quick story about your past.