We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.
Describe any special interests and how you have developed knowledge in these areas. Give examples of your creativity- the ability to see alternatives; take diverse perspectives; come up with many, varied, or original ideas; or willingness to try new things.
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge. Include whether you turned to anyone in facing the challenge, the role the person played, and what you learned about yourself.
OSU remains committed to creating an inclusive environment and dismantling systems that perpetuate discrimination at various levels. How, specifically, will you contribute to furthering this commitment?
Articulate the goals you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish these. Give at least one specific example that demonstrates your work ethic/diligence.
Choose one of the below quotes and write a well-organized and thoughtful essay that analyzes the meaning of the quote and connects it to something specific that‘s important to you, such as an academic subject, profession, current event, concept, activity, or a passion of yours. Be sure to support your points with examples — and remember to identify the quote you’ve selected!
All Honors College applicants must respond directly to the prompt above in 450-500 words. Your essay is an important part of the HC application and should represent your best writing. This essay should demonstrate how effectively you organize and communicate your thoughts. We will evaluate your writing skills and ability to think deeply and creatively. Successful responses will offer a unique and specific perspective that will stand out among the many essays the admissions committee will review.
“It‘s in the act of having to do things that you don‘t want to that you learn something about moving past the self.” – bell hooks, Lion’s Roar interview with John Perry Barlow
“One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?’” – Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder
“There can be no growth without curiosity and no adaptability without being able to explore, through trial and error, who you are and what matters to you.” – Bessel Van Der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score
“Silence’s importance is increasing as I’m getting older… we need it for balance, to get our brains empty. Just eating information makes you unable to move.” – Ryuichi Sakamoto, interview in Kinfolk
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.
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.
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?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
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?
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.
