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Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University

northwestern.edu
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  • Overview
  • Cost & scholarships
  • Majors
  • Admission Requirements
  • Essay Prompts

Northwestern University's 2020-21 Essay Prompts

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Extracurricular Essay

Required

Describe any projects, special courses, jobs, or awards of yours that are related to science and mathematics.

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Integrated Science Program Essay

Not Required

How did you learn about the Integrated Science Program?

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Extracurricular Short Response

Required
200 words

Describe your extracurricular interests and activities.

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Additional Info Short Response

Not Required

Do you know any current or past students of the program?

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Why Major? Essay

Not Required

Why is the Integrated Science Program interesting to you?

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Special Program Short Response

Required
200 words

Describe your current educational and career goals.

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MMSS Program Essay

Required
200 words

How did you hear about the MMSS Program?

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Special Program Short Response

Required

Please discuss briefly your educational and career goals. Do they include graduate study?

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Why Major? Short Response

Required
200 words

Why Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences (MMSS)?

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Extracurricular Essay

Required

List your extracurricular activities. Please include the dates of participation.

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Why School? Short Response

Not Required
300 words

'Why Northwestern'' Statement: While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

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Special Program Short Response

Required
200 words

Which social science question or problem interests you most?

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Common App Personal Essay

Required
650 words

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so.


Option 1

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.


Option 2

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?


Option 3

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?


Option 4

Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.


Option 5

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.


Option 6

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?


Option 7

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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