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Bristol, Rhode Island

Roger Williams University | RWU

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  • Overview
  • Cost & scholarships
  • Majors
  • Admission Requirements
  • Essay Prompts

Roger Williams University | RWU's 2020-21 Essay Prompts

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Why School? Short Response

Required
250 words

At RWU, the Honors Community is an essential part of the Honors First Year Experience. Please describe what you hope to gain from this collaborative, interdisciplinary learning environment

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Extracurricular Short Response

Not Required
250 words

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

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Culture & Diversity Short Response

Required
250 words

What does being a global citizen mean to you? What are some ways that you can be globally engaged within your own local community?

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Honors College Short Response

Required
250 words

Please describe a specific anecdote that exemplifies who you are and/or something you will bring to the RWU Honors Program community.

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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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