Sample Long Outline for Question #1 ( One of the slower runs on track/cross country, but still one of the leaders )
• Hook: “As the track bends, past 200-meter mark, I glance behind me and see a pack of 17- runners at my heels. I’m one of the slowest of the bunch, and yet I’m in front. My race times are slower than most of my teammates behind me, but they all follow me as we warm-up for our league finals, one of the most important races of the season.”
• Unfortunately, my body did not have natural speed—not in my control. However, what I could control was how hard I worked o I was one of the runners who trained the hardest, and led by example in doing so o Always came to practices at 6:30am every day over the summer, ran over 100 consecutive days without a day off, etc o Organized extra weekend practices with other runners
• Teammates did not really judge me based on my times but instead by my work ethic, perseverance, and determination—and I began to judge myself this way too o I was a role model to others to show them how to apply yourself and to become passionate about something. o At the same time, I was learning this myself
• Overall, I am walking away from my high school running career realizing: o Achievement is not always the only way to lead by example—one can lead through hard work and dedication o Leaders may not have all the skills and expertise when they begin, but can grow into their role (important to keep in mind as I grow in college blah blah bullshit)
• Unfortunately, my body did not have natural speed—not in my control. However, what I could control was how hard I worked o I was one of the runners who trained the hardest, and led by example in doing so o Always came to practices at 6:30am every day over the summer, ran over 100 consecutive days without a day off, etc o Organized extra weekend practices with other runners
• Teammates did not really judge me based on my times but instead by my work ethic, perseverance, and determination—and I began to judge myself this way too o I was a role model to others to show them how to apply yourself and to become passionate about something. o At the same time, I was learning this myself
• Overall, I am walking away from my high school running career realizing: o Achievement is not always the only way to lead by example—one can lead through hard work and dedication o Leaders may not have all the skills and expertise when they begin, but can grow into their role (important to keep in mind as I grow in college blah blah bullshit)
Sample Medium-Length Outline for Question #2 ( Solving pre-calculus “verify” problems )
• Hook: “I feel like a sculptor—I’m given a giant, ugly trigonometric expression and I need to use my toolbox and turn it into something beautiful. Except my toolbox is full of half-angle, powerreducing, and sum-to-product formulas”
• Briefly explain what a “verify” problem is
• Some of the problems are extremely challenging (which I enjoy)
o Can require application of several different techniques and formulas
o Just as some people spend hours painting or sculpting, hours can be spent on a single problem and perseverance is necessary
• Very enjoyable to come to math class with a completed assignment and to see I solved a problem in a way unlike anyone else in the room—even different than the teacher would expect. It’s my way of marveling at my own work of art (corny)
• Choosing math as a major so I can have this creative outlet that will continue to challenge me in a way that I enjoy
• Briefly explain what a “verify” problem is
• Some of the problems are extremely challenging (which I enjoy)
o Can require application of several different techniques and formulas
o Just as some people spend hours painting or sculpting, hours can be spent on a single problem and perseverance is necessary
• Very enjoyable to come to math class with a completed assignment and to see I solved a problem in a way unlike anyone else in the room—even different than the teacher would expect. It’s my way of marveling at my own work of art (corny)
• Choosing math as a major so I can have this creative outlet that will continue to challenge me in a way that I enjoy
Sample Short Outline for Question #3 (The talent of finding the right gifts for people (complete bullshit, but whatever) )
• I always get the right gifts for friends
• I really enjoy giving gifts that people don’t really want but need—very satisfying for myself and also get to help others
• Realize that I might want to pursue this for a living as a high school math teacher
• I really enjoy giving gifts that people don’t really want but need—very satisfying for myself and also get to help others
• Realize that I might want to pursue this for a living as a high school math teacher
Sample Very Short Outline for Question #5
Kids used to call me “Jeremiah Ova-diarrhea” and it made me not want to go to school. Hated it at first, then I proudly began to embrace it, as tough as it was to overcome. Now, I’m becoming more confident in myself and beginning to overcome other insecurities
Sample Very, Very Short Outline for Question #6
Physics—horrible teacher required me to spend more time than other subjects and ended up being interested in it (I prefer to see more than this, but whatever helps you)
Sample Very, Very, Very Short Outline for Question #7
Family stuff (I prefer to see more than this, but whatever helps you)
Sample Very Short Outline for Question #8
Hook: “I’m writing this essay to tell you I don’t want to be a doctor. How do I know this? It was my time volunteering in a hospital on weekends that ended my aspirations to work in medicine.” I have many academic and career interests. I will make the most of my opportunities to explore different areas/careers (like medicine) to find the right one while in college.
No matter if you are a transfer student, or an upcoming freshman...
- If you have doubts on how to express your exceptional background concisely
- If you have written a draft, but would like to PERFECT it
- If you are not sure which of the 8 questions you ought to pick
- No idea where and how to begin with