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Colchester, Vermont

St. Michael's College

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

St. Michael's College's 2020-21 Essay Prompts

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Change in Perspective Essay

Required
500 words

At Saint Michael's College, our values and our Vision Statement call us to recognize the power of empathy. We acknowledge the shared dignity of each person and foster respect for the differing views of others. Often, empathy begins with simple acts of listening to others. Think about a time when a conversation, a book, a film, the wisdom of a role model, or an encounter with someone in your community opened your eyes to a new perspective – whether it was a major world issue or a seemingly small part of daily life. Tell us briefly about this experience.

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Why School? Short Response

Required
250 words

Why are you interested in Saint Michael's College?

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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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