Dealing with adversity: 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.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin, "As Much Truth as One Can Bear”
“Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” – Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
Respond to one of the above quotes in a well-organized and thoughtful essay that
1) analyzes what the quote is saying, and
2) shows how this meaning connects 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.
Knowledge in a field/creativity: 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.
The OSU Honors College would like to better understand your perspectives, contributions, qualifications, and diverse talents. Please address your experience in each category keeping in mind how what you know could contribute to the future community of excellence at OSU. Respond to the questions and limit answers to 100 words per question.
Handling systemic challenges: 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?
The OSU Honors College would like to better understand your perspectives, contributions, qualifications, and diverse talents. Please address your experience in each category keeping in mind how what you know could contribute to the future community of excellence at OSU. Respond to the questions and limit answers to 100 words per question.
Goals/task 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.
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.
