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University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, Virginia4-yearPublic

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University of Mary Washington’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Passion & Expertise Short Response

Required
250 Words

We all have distinctive topics for which we have developed passion or expertise. If you were to give a 15-minute speech or a TED talk, what would your topic be and what would you most want your audience to take away? In your essay, you may either describe the speech you would give or convey your message by writing the introduction you would deliver in such an address. In either case, be as specific as possible about your topic. Your essay must be your own work. Do not use another writer‘s work, and do not use Artificial Intelligence software (Chat GPT, Bard, etc.) to write your essay."(250 words).

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Required
650 Words

The Student Transition Program (STP) at the University of Mary Washington is an exclusive community for selected first-year students that provides early and ongoing support for new Eagles beginning with a pre-college summer program. The benefits of STP include access to campus resources and programming that aid in the familiarization with the academic expectations and co-curricular opportunities within the UMW experience. Please respond to one of the questions below. Your essay must be your own work. Do not use another writer‘s work, and do not use Artificial Intelligence software (Chat GPT, Bard, etc.) to write your essay.


Option 1

How do you feel STP can be beneficial to you in your transition to and throughout your student experience at UMW?


Option 2

What academic and/or non-academic challenges did you experience in high school that impacted your educational experience? How do you feel these experiences may create challenge during your collegiate journey?

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.

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