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Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa

uiowa.edu
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  • Overview
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  • Majors
  • Admission requirements
  • Essay prompts

Want to see your chances of admission at University of Iowa?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Iowa's 2022-23 Essay Prompts

Read our essay guide

Misconduct Short Response

Not Required
600 Words

If you respond yes to: Have you ever been charged with or subject to disciplinary action for scholastic or any other type of misconduct at any educational institution?

Please explain in the space provided below. If circumstances arise in the future (until the time you begin taking classes at the University) that make your answer inaccurate, misleading or incomplete, you must provide the Office of Admissions with the updated information.

Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

Criminal Record Short Response

Not Required
200 Words

This prompt comes up if you respond yes to: Do you have a pending criminal charge OR have you ever been convicted of a crime, made a plea of guilty or no contest, accepted a deferred judgement, or been required to register your name and home address with a local or state law enforcement agency? (Misdemeanor traffic offenses and charges which have been expunged pursuant to applicable law are exempt.)

Please explain in the space provided below. If circumstances arise in the future (until the time you begin taking classes at the University) that make your answer inaccurate, misleading or incomplete, you must provide the Office of Admissions with the updated information.

Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

Disciplinary Violation Essay

Not Required
600 Words

Please explain in the space provided below. If circumstances arise in the future (until the time you begin taking classes at the University) that make your answer inaccurate, misleading or incomplete, you must provide the Office of Admissions with the updated information.

Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

Criminal History Short Response

Not Required
200 Words

Please explain in the space provided below. If circumstances arise in the future (until the time you begin taking classes at the University) that make your answer inaccurate, misleading or incomplete, you must provide the Office of Admissions with the updated information.

Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

Select-A-Prompt Essay

Not Required
650 Words

If a student does not provide an ACT or SAT test score at the time of application, they may be required to submit additional academic documents, transcripts, or a personal statement to receive an admission decision. Students will be contacted via email if any additional documents are required.

If a personal statement is requested, applicants should use this opportunity for the admission committee to get to know the student beyond what is supplied in the application or on a transcript. Applicants may meet the personal statement requirement by submitting ONE of the following:


Option 1

An existing/previously prepared personal statement


Option 2

A response to any of the essay prompts on the Common application


Option 3

A response to this prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

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

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.

Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

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