We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.
If you are interested in applying to one of the Combined Degree Program, please answer the following essay prompt and limit your response to no more than 250 words.
What relevant experiences or insight have led to your interest in this particular program? Describe how Rochester’s resources: facilities, faculty, peers and research will meet your academic and personal ambitions. Describe how you see yourself contributing to the challenging field you want to enter as a Rochester graduate.
Please indicate below your siblings who have graduated from or are currently attending college, the institution they attend(ed), and their graduation year.
What field/area of study are you interested in researching? (Prompt only shows up if you click ‘yes‘ to required question: Are you interested in pursuing research while enrolled at the University of Rochester?).
As the child or grandchild of a Rochester alumnus, you reflect the true spirit of the University’s motto, Meliora (“ever better”). You have the ability to carry on a family tradition while also creating your own legacy. The Meliora Alumni Scholarship serves to recognize this unique commitment. Please note that receipt of a scholarship is not guaranteed; the application process is competitive and each student is eligible to receive only one scholarship. Please respond to one of the following prompts in 100 words or less.
What do you want to do differently as a University of Rochester undergraduate than your parent/grandparent? Why?
What does continuing your family’s legacy at the University of Rochester mean to you?
The University of Rochester motto of Meliora – or “ever better” - deeply integrates critical core values into all that we do. These core values of equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect and accountability define not only who we are, but also who we hope to become. Please use the space below to highlight a time, creative idea or research experience when you put into action one or more of these characteristics in order to make yourself, your community or the world ever better. (250 word limit)
Essay Response: Write an analytical or creative response of 250 words or less.
Upload up to three works of your own art (e.g. pictures, video, performances, literary) and use the space below to provide a brief explanation as to how the art is tied to making the world, your community and those around you “ever better.”
To upload smaller documents, such as an abstract or writing sample, submit them through your MyROC account at admissions.enrollment.rochester.edu/apply/status . Documents submitted via email will not be accepted. File size cannot exceed 800 KB and must be in PDF format. For larger files, such as music or video, please provide a URL where they can be accessed in the space provided below. Please note that you will be unable to upload documents to MyROC until after you have submitted your application.
Upload an abstract describing your own related research and use the space below to provide a brief explanation as to how the research is tied to making the world, your community and those around you “ever better.”
To upload smaller documents, such as an abstract or writing sample, submit them through your MyROC Account at admissions.enrollment.rochester.edu/apply/status . Documents submitted via email will not be accepted. File size cannot exceed 800 KB and must be in PDF format. For larger files, such as music or video, please provide a URL where they can be accessed in the space provided below. Please note that you will be unable to upload documents to MyROC until after you have submitted your application.
Please select one of the following prompts to respond to in 200 words or less.
American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass said, “Some know the value of education by having it. I knew its value by not having it.” Explain ways in which education has directly influenced you and your ability to do good in the world. How will you use the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities of the University of Rochester experience to grow and to promote positive change for yourself, your community and the world?
Dr. Donna Strickland, University of Rochester alum and 2018 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said, “There’s no point in me being anything other than me.” The University of Rochester encourages each student to embrace who they are and create their own individual curricular path and experience. How will you use the opportunities here to fully be who you are? What unique perspectives will you bring to our community?
Susan B. Anthony, champion of abolition and women’s rights, once said “Organize, agitate, educate must be our war cry.” As you look to join our community of doers and disruptors, in what ways do you envision using both the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities to invoke change for marginalized groups?
The University of Rochester benefactor entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.” Looking forward towards your college experience, what do you hope to do outside of the classroom at the University of Rochester that will enhance who you are as a person? How will specific academic and social opportunities here help you grow?
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.
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.
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?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
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?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
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?
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.
