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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | RPI

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  • Majors
  • Admission Requirements
  • Essay Prompts

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | RPI's 2020-21 Essay Prompts

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Why Major? Essay

Required
2 pages

Describe your interest in the music major and your goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or completed independent projects.

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Why Major? Essay

Required
2 pages

State your reasons for choosing the field of games and simulation arts and sciences, making reference to your portfolio if one has been submitted.

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Extracurricular Short Response

Required
300 words

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

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Why Major? Essay

Required
2 pages

State your reasons for aspiring to a career in medicine.

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Why School? Short Response

Required
250 words

Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

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Why Major? Essay

Required
2 pages

Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted.

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Why Major? Essay

Required

Applicants who select certain majors in the Academics section of the Common App will be required to complete an additional writing question to explain why you wish to pursue the selected major.

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Why Major? Essay

Required
2 pages

State your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession.

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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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