University of Alabama
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University of Alabama’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts
Work Experience Short Response
List your work experiences. You must provide the dates (duration) of and total hours worked at each experience and indicate whether it was full-time, part-time, or for summer only.
Leadership Short Response
List any formal leadership positions and/or leadership qualities/experience you have over the last three years. Indicate the appropriate year beside each item. For example, SGA President (2020-2022).
Significant Academic Achievements Short Response
List your significant academic achievements/honors/awards over the last three years.
Note: Indicate the appropriate year beside each honor. For example, 1st Place in state Spanish convention (2022) and National Honor Society (2021-2022)
Extracurricular Short Response
List your volunteer activities over the last three years. Indicate the total hours and appropriate years of involvement beside each item. For example, Special Olympics (30 hours from 2020-2022):
Extracurricular Short Response
List your extracurricular activities, like student organizations, sports, or arts, over the last three years. Indicate the appropriate year of involvement beside each item. For example, Varsity Cheer (2021-2022):
Additional Info Short Response
List any other activities or information you would like The University of Alabama to know about.
Additional Info Short Response
Explain any extraordinary circumstances or special needs (for example: family situation, medical history, financial circumstances).
Common App Personal Essay
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
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?
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.
