university of alabama essay

University of Alabama Secondary Application Essay Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions

The University of Alabama School of Medicine secondary application consists of several short answers. The UAB secondary essay prompts have changed in the past few years, although it did not change in the most recent 2 cycles. Therefore, tread with caution. We wouldn’t make this UAB secondary application the highest priority secondary essays to pre-write. Read our UAB secondary application tips below to get guidance per question. If you are not an Alabama resident, you must discuss your affiliations with Alabama state. 

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team can help you get accepted to the University of Alabama School of Medicine. We can help you edit your secondary essays or practice for your medical school interview . Finally, as a heads up to all Alabama residents, the University of Alabama has a rigorous Multiple Mini Interview. Learn more about MMI schools .

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University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 – 2024

• Non-Alabama Resident with Ties to Alabama: Describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center (1,500 characters max)
• New Question. If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain (1,500 characters max)
• Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 characters max)
• Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics or experiences that would add to the educational environment for your classmates. (750 characters max)
• Describe a patient interaction with the healthcare system. This could be a direct patient observation (in person or virtual) during a shadowing experience, a personal experience within the healthcare system, or a family member or friend who had a memorable interaction within the healthcare system. What did you learn from this experience? (750 characters max)
• Describe a fulfilling or challenging community service experience and how you grew personally from the experience. (750 characters max)
• New Question: UAB Medicine provides quality health care and compassionate service to every patient, every time, regardless of their individual differences or circumstances. Our academic medical center attracts patients from across the world who represent many cultures, religions, lifestyles, and economic backgrounds. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (750 characters max)
• New Question: (Optional) Describe your identity and how it has impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward individuals different from yourself and how this will impact your interactions with future colleagues and patients.  (750 characters max)
• (Optional) Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application. (750 characters max)
• (Optional) You have a separate page to add any experiences that you did not have listed on your AMCAS application  (1 page max)

Tips to Answer University of Alabama Secondary Application Essays

UAB Secondaries Pre-writing Tip: Questions for University of Alabama School of Medicine change year to year. This is NOT a good med school secondary to pre-write. 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #1: The most important points to emphasize in your UAB secondaries are any ties you have to Alabama, your commitment to improving the health of Alabama residents, and ability to work in diverse settings. At UAB, you’ll work primarily with many African Americans and caucasians – from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and the UAB admissions committee wants to make sure that you are dedicated to helping all Alabama residents regardless of their backgrounds. Many of our tips here will revolve around diversity and Alabama.

UAB Secondary Application Tip #2: Tell good stories. For example, you can discuss a story in the following questions: 

• Stories about interactions with individuals, including patient care experience, in Alabama
• Stories about interactions with individuals, including patient care experience, in Alabama + stories that exemplify your values
• Short anecdote or example that highlights 1 personal characteristic
• A patient story in a clinical experience. Ideally, this should be a patient you directly impacted
• A person you impacted in the community at a specific community service event
• A story that reflects your values
• A story about patient care. A story about leadership. A story about teamwork. 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #3: For the UAB secondaries question, “D escribe a fulfilling or challenging community service experience and how you grew personally from the experience, ” many students do not adequately answer the second half of the sentence. Make sure to explain in-depth what you gained from the experience. What did you learn? You should write at least 3 sentences describing what you learned from the experience. 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #4: For the UAB secondaries question, “ If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain, ” the University of Alabama School of Medicine Admissions Committee is trying to see whether you’ve lived in Alabama during your childhood. If you have not, you can still take advantage of answering this question and saying 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #5: Community health and community involvement are extremely important to the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Make sure to mention your community work throughout your University of Alabama secondary application responses! 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #6: Answer as many optional essays as possible.

UAB Secondary Application Tip #7: Many premedical students have trouble answering the question, “ Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application. ” Here are some topics our students have written about:

• Life experiences that have shaped the applicant.
• Other activities the applicant could not mention in the AMCAS. For example, some students have had a meaningful one-day volunteer event that did not make it to your AMCAS application. 
• Other patient encounters that were meaningful.
• What students like to do for fun.
• More specifics about why they want to attend the University of Alabama School of Medicine.
• A inspirational class, professor, or mentor. 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #8: Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below. Need editing help on your secondary? We can help you through our secondary essay packages . 

UAB Secondary Application Tip #9: If you are a resident of Alabama, start preparing for the Multiple Mini Interview through Dr. Rachel Rizal’s Mastering the Multiple Mini Interview course . It will help you for traditional interviews and the CASPer as well. 

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University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023

• Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application. (750 characters max)
• Please describe if and how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected your preparation for applying to medical school. (750 characters max)

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University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022

University of alabama school of medicine secondary application essay prompts: 2020 – 2021.

• Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 characters)
• Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application. (750 characters)
• Briefly indicate how you would add diversity to our medical school class. (750 characters)
• Please describe if and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your preparation for applying to medical school. (750 characters)
• Describe an observed patient-physician interaction, what you learned from the experience, and how those lessons will impact your approach to patient care. (750 characters)
• Describe a fulfilling or challenging community service experience and how you grew personally from the experience. (750 characters)

University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020

• Non-Alabama Resident with Ties to Alabama: Describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center. (1,500 characters max)
• If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain. (1,500 characters max)
• Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application: (750 characters max)
• Briefly indicate how you would add diversity to our medical school class. (750 characters max)

University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019

•  If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain. (1,500 characters max)

University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018

• Briefly indicate how you would add diversity to our medical school class.  (750 characters max)
• Do you consider yourself rural? If yes , describe life experiences that illustrate this. (1,500 characters max)

University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017

• Do you consider yourself rural?  If yes , describe life experiences that illustrate this.  (1,500 characters max)
• If you are a reapplicant, describe how you have improved your overall credentials for the current application year, specifically addressing any concerns raised in feedback you received from the Admissions Committee.
• Non-Alabama Resident with Ties to Alabama : Describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center.  (1,500 characters max)
• All Applicants : if the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain.  (1,500 characters max)
• Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now?  (750 characters max)
• Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application.  (750 characters max)

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The University of Alabama

Academic Programs

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Marine Biology
• Performing Arts
• Social Science
• Social Work
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Co-op/Internship Opportunities
• Disability Services
• Intramural/Club Sports
• LGBTQIA Services
• Military/Veteran Services
• On-Campus Housing
• ROTC Program
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research
• Veteran Fee Waiver

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

​​​​​​You will apply as a first-year student if you have finished, or are set to finish high school, and will be entering college as a first-time freshman. There is a $40 application fee for the first-time freshman application.  The University of Alabama will not require standardized ACT or SAT scores from students applying through the Fall 2024 Semester. Admission consideration for freshman entering through the Fall 2024 Semester will be based on a holistic review. Holistic admissions at The University of Alabama include both academic and non-academic criteria. Academic components considered include high school GPA, performance in core subjects, academic honors and standardized test scores, should a student elect to submit them. Non-academic items include leadership experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, employment and non-academic honors. All students must complete the minimum unit requirements. First-time, main-campus freshmen who submit an application and all supporting documents by January 15 will receive priority consideration for admission. After January 15, first-time, main-campus freshmen who submit an application and all supporting documents will receive consideration for admission on a space available basis. Visit admissions.ua.edu for more information regarding deadlines and policies.

Additional Information

“I've come to understand that UA is a one-of-a-kind university, and you don't just become a part of Alabama, Alabama becomes a part of you.“ Grace, Student, Public Relations and American Studies

Admissions office

203 Student Services Center , Box 870132 Tuscaloosa , AL 35487 , United States of America

Phone number

1-800-933-BAMA (2262)

For first-year students

Admissions website.

admissions.ua.edu

Financial aid website

afford.ua.edu

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University of Alabama Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Alabama college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Alabama. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by University of Alabama

Tiempo de la familia: my profound impact charles mitchell parrish, university of alabama.

A thousand miles away from home, I sat in a cramped apartment littered with Bruce Springsteen CDs, listening to my Spanish home-stay family talk about their day. Every evening, just before dinner, the four of us would gather for tiempo de la...

Being Rosalind Piper Elizabeth Hill

At the top of the page were the words “Rosalind – Piper Hill.” My head began to spin. I had been hoping for Phoebe or Celia, or even Audrey. But I was certainly not expecting the lead. A lead certainly, but the lead? No way. I was expecting a...

Connecting to Community Kaitlyn Oudt

Jessie trotted, dust plumes lifting around his hooves. I gripped the saddle’s hold bar, securing Jaidyn to the saddle with my forearm and keeping her feet in the stirrups. She flailed her arms, hurling the plastic red cup from her hand. It landed...

My favorite place Noelle Simon

When I was seven years old, I used to think my floor was made of hot lava or occasionally under siege by a pack of angry anacondas. So, at night when it was time for me to go to bed, I would have to take one giant leap to make it to the massive...

Finding Opportunities for Self-improvement in Failure Anonymous

My junior year of high school, I took Honors Biology. Although I expected to do well, as I had always had a knack for science, I immediately fell flat on my face. At the midterm, I distinctly remember looking at my grades and seeing a 74. I had a...

How my Spinal Fusion Journey Created my Personal Platform Cara Clements

A middle school girl walked quietly through the halls, pieces of hair covering her face as she watched the floor pass beneath her feet. Books clutched to her chest acted as armor to protect her from the afflictive glares and tormenting words that...

Precocity Anonymous

My heartbeat is in the broken, faux timber bookcase against my mother's bedroom wall. I am thirteen years old. Each afternoon, I return, palms moist, nerves alight, mind buzzing with the consequences of being caught. Every other sensation pales...

Intellectual Soup Arese Ediae

My hesitations fell away as I rose to speak, a singular voice of dissent in a plane of stony silence. I spoke of the Oedipus Complex, but I can hardly recall how the words I spoke were related to the ongoing English lesson. When I sank into my...

On the Road to College Anonymous

If time is money, then I am broke. My typical week involves a packed schedule from Monday to Friday with little free time between school, football practice, homework, and my commute from Murfreesboro to Nashville. I spend around 2.5 hours a day...

The Red Blazer Anonymous

I confess, at the age of eight, I did not know how to spell my name. I confess, at the age of twelve, I did not know how to comb my hair. I confess, at the age of sixteen, I was not ready to lead three hundred people.

A couple of weeks ago, on a...

Recent Questions about University of Alabama

The Question and Answer section for University of Alabama is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

In "When and Inspector calls", what is the dramatic value of raising doubt that Inspector Goole is indeed, a law enforcement officer?

This would add suspense both to the identity of the Inspector and Birling's not so subtle attempt at casting doubt that the Inspector is authentic.

Review and Payment

Please use the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of this page to submit your inquiry. The Q&A Forum is not related to the department looking at your submissions. 

i) Give a brief sketch of the socio-political style of the subcontinent during the time of Edmund Burke according to the description of "East India Bill".

East India Bill is proposed in the British parliament, in the section of “House of Common”, to the British queen about the misjudgments of the East India Company and the cruelty of them towards the people of Indian-subcontinent in 1783. The bill...

University of Alabama School of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

These are the secondary application essay prompts for University of Alabama School of Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page .

about University of Alabama School of Medicine

Secondary Deadline : November 15, 2024 Secondary Fee : $100 FAP Waiver : Yes PREview Required : highly recommended but not mandatory Screens Applications : Yes Accepts Application Updates : Yes

The School of Medicine is dedicated to excellence in the education of physicians and scientists in all of the disciplines of medicine and biomedical investigation for careers in practice, teaching, and research. Central to this educational mission are the provision of outstanding medical care and services and the enhancement of new knowledge through clinical and basic biomedical research. We embrace the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment that values differing perspectives and experiences. This diversity is essential to fulfilling the enduring mission of our medical school.

The School of Medicine will be recognized by its faculty, students, graduates and patients and by faculty members in other schools of medicine and research universities as one of the nation’s premier institutions for research, training and patient care. Excellence in each of its primary missions—education, clinical care, and basic, translational and clinical research—is essential to this recognition.

1. Non-Alabama Resident with Ties to Alabama: Describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center (1500 char)

2. All Applicants: if the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain (1500 char)

3. *Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 char)

4. Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application: (750 char)

5. Briefly indicate how you would add diversity to our medical school class: (750 char)

The secondary application essay prompts from this medical school application cycle are the same as above.

1. Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 Char)

2. Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application (750 Char)

3. Briefly indicate how you would add diversity to our medical school class (750 Char)

4. Do you consider yourself rural? If “yes”, describe life experiences that illustrate this (1500 Char) OPTIONAL Primary Care track:

5. The concept of community can be described as a geographic region, a demographic group, or a social group among other descriptions. Describe your interest in medicine and how you hope to impact a community or communities. (1500 Char)

1. Do you consider yourself rural? If “yes”, describe life experiences that illustrate this.

2. If you are a reapplicant, describe how you have improved your overall credentials for the current application year, specifically addressing any concerns raised in feedback you received from the Admissions Committee.

3. Briefly indicate how you would add diversity to our medical school class.

4. Non-Alabama residents: Describe any experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center.

5. All Applicants: If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain.

6. Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now?

7. Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on the medical school’s website. Med School Insiders does not guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page.

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How to Get Into the University of Alabama – Acceptance Rate & Strategies

July 22, 2024

The United States is filled with excellent schools that are extremely hard to get into. There are also a solid number of excellent schools that accept the vast majority of applicants. The University of Alabama acceptance rate is a shining example of the latter category. Students flock to Tuscaloosa for a thriving Greek life, an outrageously good football team, and strong academic offerings including engineering, nursing, business, and computer science.

In order to help you prepare for the pathway toward becoming a member of the Crimson Tide, this article will cover the following topics:

• University of Alabama acceptance rate
• SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted University of Alabama applicants
• Admissions trends

Where is the University of Alabama?

• Alabama’s system for rating applicants
• A look at the demographics of current University of Alabama undergraduates
• The percent of accepted students that attend the University of Alabama (yield rate)
• Tips for applying
• How to assess whether applying to the University of Alabama is even worth the $65 application fee (for you)

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

University of Alabama Acceptance Rate

The University of Alabama’s acceptance rate was 76% for the Class of 2027, slightly lower than previous years. They received 58,418 applications and accepted 44,295 of them.

Historical University of Alabama acceptance rates are as follows:

What GPA do you need to get into the University of Alabama?

GPA standards are high at the University of Alabama. The average GPA for enrolled 2023-24 freshmen was 3.87 and 69% earned above a 3.75 (up from 51% several years prior).

What class rank do you need to get accepted to the University of Alabama?

28% of the Class of 2027 cohort placed in the top decile of their high school class and 52% finished at least in the top quartile. Lastly, 81% were in the top half.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for the University of Alabama?

For Class of 2027 members, the mid-50% SAT was 1120-1370 while the ACT range was 22-30. Although Alabama is test-optional, 77% of enrolled freshmen submitted test scores alongside their applications.

Admissions Trends & Notes

• Applications have increased by 32% over the last four years.
• The Class of 2027 included 300 National Merit Scholars. There are now 1,142 National Merit Scholars enrolled at the university.
• UA enrolled the largest freshman class in history in 2023-24.
• The number of freshmen from Alabama is the highest since 2010.
• Every Alabama county, all 50 states, and 92 countries are represented in the student body.
• Minority enrollment increased nearly 10% from 2022 to 2023; Alabama enrolls the highest number of underrepresented minority students in the state.

The University of Alabama’s main campus is located in Tuscaloosa. This city is situated in West-Central Alabama on the banks of the Black Warrior River.

How the University of Alabama Rates Applicants

The University of Alabama views three factors as “very important” to the admissions process: rigor of high school course load, GPA, and standardized test scores (despite being test-optional currently). Additionally, items that are “important” as part of the admissions process are class rank, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. Further, there are eight considered factors, including essays and recommendations.

For a slightly different look at the school’s institutional priorities, we go right to their own admissions office:

• “Holistic admissions at UA includes both academic and non-academic criteria.”
• “Non-academic items include leadership experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, employment and non-academic honors.”

For more, check out our blog entitled:  How Many Extracurricular Activities Do I Need for College?

University of Alabama Demographics

Next, let’s look at the demographics of the University of Alabama undergraduate student body.

The regional representation among the undergraduate student body is as follows:

• Alabama: 42%
• Out-of-State/International: 58%

Current students come from 92 foreign countries. Historically, the greatest percentage of international students come from the following countries:

• Saudi Arabia

In terms of ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2027 was follows:

• Hispanic: 10%
• Black or African American: 11%
• International: <1%

A look at the gender split reveals that university enrolls far more women than men:

University of Alabama Yield Rate

University of Alabama’s yield rate is 19%, slightly lower than previous years. For comparison, other top state schools have the following yields: University of Washington (26%), UCLA (52%), and Binghamton University (18%).

Tips for Applying

If you plan on joining the 58,000+ Crimson Tide hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• Firstly, we encourage you to check out the  step-by-step application directions offered by the university.
• The University of Alabama will continue to be test-optional for the 2024-25 admissions cycle.
• Make sure that you have completed the Minimum Unit Requirements .
• This school does not use interviews as part of their evaluation process.
• The University of Alabama does not judge you on your level of demonstrated interest .
• Lastly, Alabama does not require additional supplemental essays, but make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the 2023-24 Common App essay prompts required by Alabama.

 Should I apply to Alabama?

Two-fifths of teens enrolled in the University of Alabama finished in the top quartile of their high school class and 69% possessed at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. If you check those boxes, then you will be a competitive applicant and, if the school is a good fit for you, submitting an application will certainly be worth your time and $65.

University of Alabama Acceptance Rate — Final Thoughts

All students need to also have a proper mix of “target” and “safety” schools on their college list. More on creating a balanced college list can be found here .

• Should You Start College Applications in the Summer?
• What is Demonstrated Interest?
• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• College Fair Advice for High School Students
• How to Complete the Common App Activities List
• Common App Essay Prompts
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• Application Strategies

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Honors College Essay

I have a question about the essay for the honors college application. On the application web page, it states that National Merit Semifinalists will automatically be admitted to the honors college. Then there’s a spot for a “tell us about yourself” essay. That essay has a length limit of 2000 words! That’s a heck of a lot of essay about myself.

I plan to apply to the Alabama Fellows Experience as well as the CBHP. I assume both of those have essays as well (I can’t tell because until I finish the honors application I can’t see those). Will the “tell me about yourself” essay be used for admission to Fellows and/or CBHP, or can I write something pretty simple here since I’m automatically accepted to the honors college.

Sorry I meant National Merit Finalists, not Semifinalists, in the post above.

It’s a 2000 character limit. Just write something about yourself, as the HC will want to know about you. You will still be accepted. You probably have another essay you can re-use.

Both programs have different essay prompts. I believe the honors essay can be pretty basic. I know others will respond if I am not correct. Good luck to you and Roll Tide!

It’s definitely 2000 characters - and they count spaces and carriage returns lol.

My son put all of like 5 mins into the Honors essay. There was text that basically stated that admittance is based on statistics and not what you write. That was interpreted by my son as “this is a formality - don;t put effort into it”.

Honestly, 2000 characters is pretty darn short. He had two shor paragraphs for a brief 411 and then a single paragraph on his career goals. Lastly, he closed with why the concept of HC fits him (and the converse). He had to shorten it 4-5 times as the Word count and online/web character count varied a bit.

I wrote that essay extremely fast about what I want to do in my life. I quickly threw in the honors college’s four pillars and how that will help me grow. It even says they admit purely on stats.

Bonks self in head . My critical reading scores were good; you’d think I would have read that more carefully. Anyway, 2000 chars changes things a lot! I’ll knock it out and move on. Thanks all!

Community Essay Examples

When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed the personal statement is the most common college essay. However, you will also likely have to write some supplemental essays as part of your college application requirements. One of the most common supplemental essay types is the community essay. This essay type is also known as a describe the community you live in essay, cultural diversity essay, or community service essay.

In this article, we will introduce several community essay examples. Most importantly, we’ll describe why they are considered college essays that worked. Specifically, we will share community essay examples from the two schools:

• Princeton University
• Columbia University

By studying these admissions essay samples, you can see what makes these college community essay examples strong and apply those same principles to your writing.

Reviewing Types of College Essays

Each school has different supplemental essay prompts for their college application requirements. However, there are a few types of essays that are most common. By becoming familiar with these essay types, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what you will write about early on. You might start as early as sophomore or junior year in high school. 

Now, let’s take a look at the most common supplementary essay questions.

Common Supplementary Essay Questions

1. why school.

A Why School essay is, as it sounds, about why you wish to attend a specific institution. The key to answering this prompt well is to be specific. You should identify examples of what you like about a school. Avoid general comments such as “it is a top school” or “it is diverse.” Share specific programs, professors, teaching approaches, cultural elements, or unique opportunities such as research or study abroad.

2. Why Major

The Why Major essay asks you to share specific reasons behind your choice of major and how it relates to your future goals. A strong response to a Why Major essay will highlight your specific motivations. But it will also connect those motivations to a school’s unique opportunities. For example, perhaps you wish to be a pre-law history major, and the school you are applying to offers law-related internships. By highlighting these specific connections, you draw a compelling connection between yourself and the school.

3. Extracurricular Activity

Many schools ask you to describe an extracurricular activity that is particularly meaningful for you. When responding to this question, do not feel limited to only talk about the most popular extracurricular activities for college applications, like clubs or sports. Consider all of the activities you do outside of school. Then choose the one that is most meaningful to you. Also, give specific examples of how you grew or made an impact within your extracurricular activities for college.

4. Community Essay

The Community Essay can have slightly different angles to it. But, the uniting factor is that the school wants to know how you engage with others around you. Some types of community essays are a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay. In recent years, the cultural diversity essay has been a more common college application requirement.

Coming up, we will share a bit more about how to break down community essay prompts. We’ll also take a look at college essays that worked. By reading these examples, you’ll know how to approach these common prompts.

How to identify a community essay?

While community essays can have slightly different focuses, they all share the goal of learning about where you come from. A supplemental essay prompt might ask you to share more about your background via a group you are part of. This is likely a community essay. Indeed, a community essay can also be called a describe the community you live in essay, or a cultural diversity essay. Other college community essay examples focus on how you will contribute to a college campus. Finally, in a describe a community you belong to essay example, you will see that students highlight any community that is meaningful to them.

You may be wondering why so many colleges have community essays as a college application requirement. For one, many colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they care about all aspects of who you are, not simply your grades and test scores. How you engage with your communities shows them your character and values. For example, a describe the community you live in essay example about visiting church every Sunday demonstrates your commitment to religion. Similarly, a cultural diversity essay helps colleges learn more about your cultural background. 

Additionally, colleges want to learn more about how you will engage with their on-campus community. You’ll notice this important factor in the college community essay examples we will share. To some degree, how you have engaged with previous communities can be an indicator of how you will show up on their campus.

How is a community essay different?

As we mentioned, community essays can have slightly different focuses. Some prompts ask you to write a describe the community you live in essay. These types of community essays are more like cultural diversity essays. 

Keep in mind that the word “community” can have many different meanings. A community can be your school, church, or neighborhood. It could also stem from your interests. For example, your dance or robotics team can form your community.

Some community essay prompts want to know specifically how you help strengthen your communities. These types of essays are considered a community service essay. Another term for community service is “civic engagement.” An example of civic engagement might be getting people in your cultural community to sign up to vote. Or, another could be helping with church fundraisers to ensure that your local community has the resources it needs to thrive. 

In sum, the keywords you might see in a community essay prompt are “civic engagement,” “community service,” “serve your community,” “contribute to your community,” or “diversity.” No matter how it’s phrased, your essay should demonstrate the impact you’ve had on your community–whichever one you choose to highlight. 

What are some examples of community essays?

In this article, we will share several community essay examples. Specifically, we will highlight Princeton essay examples and Columbia essays examples. Let’s look at these two colleges’ essay prompts. 

The first Princeton supplemental essay prompt is a part of our college community essay examples and our cultural diversity essay examples. Here is the prompt:

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity Essay and College Community Essay Examples

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. as a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. what lessons have you learned in life thus far what will your classmates learn from you in short, how has your lived experience shaped you  (please respond in 500 words or fewer.).

In this cultural diversity essay prompt, Princeton wants to know about your lived experiences. By this, they refer to any experiences that have shaped you profoundly. A lived experience can be a specific event, such as experiencing a car crash or winning an award. Or, it could be a set of experiences that resulted from life circumstances, such as being a first-generation college student or having taken a gap year .

This essay prompt will also lead to college community essay examples. Indeed Princeton wants to read about your lived experiences and how they impacted you. But, they also want to know how you will bring those lessons to the Princeton community, should you enroll . Also, note that this prompt mentions challenging ideas and beliefs via conversation. As you respond, look for ways to highlight how you have engaged in fruitful dialogue and how you would do so at Princeton.

To answer this prompt effectively, share specific examples. Additionally, be sure to answer all parts of the prompt. 

Princeton has a second supplemental essay prompt that focuses on how you engage with your community outside of the classroom. The prompt is as follows: 

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #2: Civic Engagement

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer) .

To answer this prompt well, you must highlight specific examples of how you have positively impacted your community. As a starting point, consider which of your communities you have most engaged with. How have you done so and what results did you have?

The Columbia Community Essay Prompt is another of our college community essay examples. It is a cultural diversity essay, as well. Here is the prompt: 

Columbia Community Essay Prompt: A Cultural Diversity Essay

A hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer).

While this prompt is similar to Princeton’s, it also references perspectives and viewpoints. In doing so, the prompt opens you up to share opinions or values that are important to you. You might consider highlighting values in your family or community that you either hold close or disagree with. 

Note that Columbia also highlights the word “collaborative” in this prompt. This indicates that your cultural diversity essay should also show how you collaborate with others.

Which schools require a community essay?

In addition to Princeton and Columbia, many other schools have community essays as part of their college application requirements. Here are some other examples of community essay prompts:

In this UNC-Chapel Hill prompt , you must describe a specific example of how you made an impact on a community. The prompt reads:

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: A Community Service Essay Prompt

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. this could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (250-word limit).

In responding, be sure to highlight what community you are referencing, the specific impact you made, and what personal quality helped you do so.

This prompt from UMichigan is a describe a community you belong to essay example, as well as a cultural diversity essay:

The University of Michigan: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (required for all applicants. 1,500 character limit.).

In addition to describing the community, make sure to share how you engage with it and what it has taught you. Remember that community is a broad term. So, for this prompt you can respond with any type of community in mind, whether physical or cultural. In contrast to the describe the community you live in essay, you do not have to be geographically close to the community you describe here.

Duke University: Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Duke offers students five supplemental prompts to choose from, of which they can reply to two. Of these supplemental prompts, four are examples of cultural diversity essays:

1. We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2. we believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about, 3. duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community., 4. we recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity..

Each of these prompts is a slightly different type of cultural diversity essay, from sharing a range of opinions to not fitting in within a community. Choose the essay prompts that most resonate with you. And share specific examples that bring your cultural diversity essay to life.

In this Yale University supplemental prompt , you must choose a community that you feel connected to and describe why it is meaningful. Here’s the prompt:

Yale University: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. why is this community meaningful to you you may define community however you like. (400-word limit).

When responding, be sure to highlight what you have learned or how you have grown from this community. In contrast to a describe the community you live in essay, this essay can be about any community, near or far, that resonates with you. Indeed, the prompt gives you plenty of leeway in what you consider community. 

When responding to the UC system prompts , you must choose four of the eight available personal insight questions. One of the PIQs is a community service essay prompt:

The University of California Personal Insight Question: A Community Service Prompt

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place, things to consider: think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. you can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community, why were you inspired to act what did you learn from your effort how did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community.

Similar to many of the other prompts, when answering this question, be sure to identify the specific impact you made on your community.

Now that we have looked at various examples of community essay prompts, we can explore community essay examples. Reading essay examples is a great way to get inspired to write your own college essays. 

In each of the highlighted college essays that worked, note what the author did expertly. Rather than trying to copy their responses, topics, or ideas, consider how you can apply those same skills to your writing. 

Princeton Community Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Princeton essay examples that respond to their two community essay prompts: a cultural diversity essay and a community service essay. 

The first of our Princeton essay examples responds to the following Princeton prompt: 

Princeton Essay Examples #1: Cultural Diversity Essay

Now, let’s take a look at a student’s response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town of 1.8 square miles called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values.

In the face of distinct cultures and customs, we forge a single identity as Highland Parkers and come together to organize large community events. The most prevalent example is our highly touted annual Memorial Day parade, where we join together with neighboring New Brunswick to invite military service members, family members of our fallen war heroes, our legislative and congressional representatives, and our townspeople. Moreover, as our high school band’s vice president, I help organize and lead our ensemble into these performances with a positive and uplifting spirit. We communicate with the town government and arrange the performances every year to perform at the parade. The parade is an example of many of our large community events that serve as a unifying force for our diverse community, reminding us that we are fundamentally connected as one cohesive group, despite our differences. 

As someone deeply interested in historical and political matters, I am well aware of the consequences that arise from dictatorial protocols that limit the freedom of speech and diversity of voices. From my experiences debating in Model UN conferences, I have grown accustomed to being able to present viewpoints from both sides of the argument, and I have learned to incorporate and respect the viewpoints of all sides of an issue before making up my own mind. For example, in a Model Congress debate, I found myself advocating for the interests of a state heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. While researching and articulating that perspective, I gained insights into the economic challenges faced by the states that are reliant on these resources. This experience not only broadened my understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental policies but also highlighted the necessity of considering diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making. 

My background and experiences have fostered in me a profound appreciation for the value of diversity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. At Princeton University, I will seek to contribute as an active participant in the community, actively provide unique perspectives and insights, and respect and learn from others’ perspectives even if there are disagreements. I wish to partake in student government, which has like-minded peers who want to make a substantive impact, and also participate in service programs like the Civic Leadership Council. Also, I hope to increase my impact from the leadership positions I currently hold on the Red Cross club and teen mayoral advisory council using the platforms in Princeton. I look forward to making a positive impact on both the campus and the broader community. 

Why This Cultural Diversity Essay Worked

In the first of our Princeton essay examples, the student successfully responds to all parts of the Princeton prompt. They begin by describing their community and sharing some details about its makeup. Indeed, the first sentence hooks the reader–it is unique and compelling. 

Then, the student illustrates how they specifically contribute to their community each year by leading the high school band in the Memorial Day parade. They also highlight how their experience in Model UN shaped their appreciation for diverse perspectives. In sharing these two examples, the student demonstrates their leadership and open-minded thinking. Finally, the student ends by highlighting how they would use these values to contribute to Princeton’s community– by partaking in student government and Civic Leadership Council, among other activities.

In the second of our Princeton essay examples, the student responds to the second Princeton prompt which is: 

Princeton Essay Examples #2: A Community Service Essay

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer).

And, here is a student’s response:

Princeton Essay Examples #2 Student Response

My first experience with the Red Cross was when my older sister was desperately trying to recruit people to join the club during the harsh COVID year. Things were so bad for the club that I, as a freshman, ran for the position of treasurer unopposed. My first blood drive experience was marked by masks, social distancing, and low turnout among blood donors. Even many donors who showed up ended up being turned away due to health-related issues. Needless to say, it was not the greatest first high school service experience, and I admittedly started to doubt if the time I spent on this front was worth it. 

However, as we returned in person, things quickly turned around. As the vice president of the club, I helped recruit more than twice the club membership compared to the previous year, and our blood drives started to regain momentum; our blood targets have been exceeded every time since. Organizing and participating in blood drives has become a passion. It’s fulfilling, especially when I personally donate, to know that I’m actively serving the community and saving lives. I have realized that, despite my relatively young age, I am capable of making an impact through public service. I plan to continue my commitment to the Red Cross’s adult program and participate in service programs like Community Action at Princeton to serve the Princeton community and abroad.

Why This Essay Worked

In this admissions essay sample, we learn about a student’s volunteerism with the Red Cross as an example of civic engagement. This essay works for several reasons. First, it provides a specific example of the student’s civic engagement and demonstrates their impact by becoming vice president and increasing membership. Secondly, the essay provides an honest take on the struggles of this service experience, which lends credibility and authenticity to the story. 

The student also demonstrates an important lesson learned. This aligns with Princeton’s values– that students can have a positive impact on society. 

Columbia University Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Columbia essays examples that landed students admission to the prestigious Ivy League university. The first of our Columbia essays examples is written by the same student who responded to the first Princeton prompt above. Here’s a reminder of the Columbia prompt: 

As you read the example below, notice how the student edited their Princeton cultural diversity essay to meet the prompt and lower word count for Columbia:

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values. 

HP has convinced me that we can build institutions that are strong and united while embracing a wide variety of voices and perspectives. It has shaped my core values of diversity and inclusion. An English teacher used to encourage me to talk in front of the class by saying even if I believed my thoughts were “dumb,” I could only enrich the conversation.

At Columbia University, I will seek to continue my contributions as an active participant in the community and look to actively provide unique perspectives and insights. Actively engaging in student groups such as ColumbiaVotes will be a big part of my experience. 

The Columbia essay prompt only allows for a 150-word response. This could pose a challenge for many students. What makes this essay among the Columbia essays examples that worked is how succinctly it completely answers the prompt. 

The response begins by hooking the reader with a relevant detail of the student’s community. Then, the student shares how this community shaped them by influencing their values of diversity and inclusion. Finally, the student shares how they would engage with a Columbia organization that also supports diverse viewpoints. Though short and sweet, this response clearly answers all parts of the Columbia prompt. 

More Community Essay Examples

The final of our community essay examples is a community service essay. Let’s look at how student framed their service experience:

“I don’t believe that’s the best way to do this.” 

The moment I thought this the first time I volunteered at my local soup kitchen was one that resulted in a drastic change. When I was informed of the way the food was being served to the public, the initial excitement that I had felt diminished. We were told that the plates would be served before anyone arrived and would remain in an area where people could pick it up and seat themselves. I felt that this method was impersonal and inconsiderate, and disappointment washed over me. 

I turned to the people that were around me and discovered that they shared the same disapproval I felt. When we agreed that a change must be made, we exchanged ideas on how to present this to the woman in charge of the program. I suggested that we should serve each person one-by-one, and only give them the food if they wanted to/could eat it. They suggested multiple ideas, including that we should offer to seat them, hold their plates for them, continue to check in on them, and dispose of their plates once they finish their meal. We believed that this way would genuinely make them feel better and would allow us to get to know some of them personally. A simple smile and conversation could be enough to improve their day. 

From this day on, the way in which the local soup kitchen serves our community has changed dramatically. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up for what you believe in. In a group setting, it is likely that there will be others who share the same end goal and are willing to contribute different ideas to achieve the goal. These different perspectives can allow you to see situations in ways that you previously hadn’t, and can result in better outcomes. It also showed me the importance of leadership.

If I had never spoken up about the way the food was being served, a change might have never happened. When you work in the group, the end goal may not be for the benefit of anyone in the group, but for others who are in need. This experience also showed me the beauty in doing good for others and making others happy, even through small things such as serving them food to their liking.

In this community service essay, the student shares their experience volunteering at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is not necessarily unique in the list of extracurricular activities for college applications. However, the student highlights several aspects of the experience that make it meaningful to them. 

To start, the student shares their experience challenging the way that food was served. The student suggested that food be served directly to attendees in order to better connect with community members. Through this experience, the student learns about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. This specific example demonstrates the student’s collaborative values and compassionate way of thinking, both of which are great attributes to highlight in college applications.

How To Write A Community Essay

As we saw in the community essay examples, there are several hallmarks of college essays that worked. To write a good community essay, whether it be a community service essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a describe the community you live in essay, you must start by understanding the prompt. Once you have carefully read through the prompt, brainstorm examples from your own life that relate to it. Sharing specific details and examples will make your response stronger and more unique. 

Additionally, showcase how you grew throughout your response. In each of the community essay examples we shared, the student discussed a skill or perspective they developed through their experiences. Finally, connect your response to the school you are applying to. If you are writing a cultural diversity essay, for example, demonstrate how you would contribute to the cultural diversity at that school, both inside the classroom and in your extracurricular activities for college.  

Topics To Avoid In Your Community Essay

When writing community essays, there is technically no topic that you cannot discuss. However, how you discuss certain topics is important. 

For example, in a community service essay, it is important to not come off as a savior of a community with less privilege than yourself. Similarly, if you are writing a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay, you will want to avoid stereotyping any community. Speaking from your own personal experience as a member of a community is fine. However, generalizing your experience to the community at large can come across as insensitive to that community’s diversity. To avoid these pitfalls, have a variety of people read your community essay examples and look for these dynamics.

Additional Tips for Community Essays

We’ve highlighted the strengths in the community essay examples above. Now we will now share some more tips for making your community essays a strong part of your college applications:

Tips for Writing Community Essays

1. research the college.

When reviewing our college community essay examples, you will notice that students highlight specific clubs, programs, or groups on campus to which they will contribute. If you are specific, you demonstrate real interest in the school which adds strength to your college applications.

2. Tell a story

In each of the college essays that worked, students gave details that told a full story . This story incorporated where they come from and what they learned through their experiences. Rather than telling us who they were, the students used this particular story to show us.

As the college admissions landscape gets ever more competitive, students are sometimes tempted to read other students’ essays and copy ideas. Or, more recently, they may even want to use artificial intelligence to write their essays. However, AI and other students’ experiences won’t show admissions who you really are. Don’t worry about whether you have the best extracurricular activities for college or the most unique cultural diversity essay. Instead, talk about the experiences that truly matter to you. By being honest, you are more likely to come across as convincing and interesting. In each of our college community essay examples, students presented a true and well-thought-out response to the prompts.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore 

As you work on your college applications, you might be in search of additional resources. CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of webinars and articles that can help you navigate writing your essays. Here are a few:

More CollegeAdvisor Resources for Essays

1. short essay examples.

Some of the cultural diversity essays you may write will be short, meaning that they are 150 words or less. This article with short essay examples can help you understand how to write short and sweet cultural diversity essays.

2. Cultural Diversity Essay Examples

In this article , you will find additional examples of cultural diversity essays. Many community essays are also cultural diversity essays. As such, becoming familiar with how students write about their cultures is useful.

3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays

In this webinar , CollegeAdvisor experts provide a rundown of how to write strong supplemental essays for your college applications. In particular, this webinar will help you decode essay prompts and make sure you answer each prompt fully.

4. Editing Your Supplemental Essays

Once you have read up on college community essay examples and written your cultural diversity essays, you might need help editing them. This webinar will provide tips for how to edit your supplemental essays effectively.

Community Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

Completing your college applications can be a daunting task, especially when you must write multiple essays. For some students, writing cultural diversity essays is challenging. These prompts ask you to dig deep and reflect upon your life influences.

In this guide to community essays, we provided an overview of what a community essay is and how to respond to the different types of community essay prompts. We shared cultural diversity essay examples and describe the community you live in essay examples. We also described what makes these essays strong and how they meet college application requirements. 

In short, the key to writing stand-out essays is to be authentic and thorough in your responses. If you need additional help writing your cultural diversity essay, seek out the support of a trusted resource like CollegeAdvisor. We are here to help you craft the best college applications that could gain you admissions to the school of your dreams!

This article was written by Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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University of Alabama at Birmingham | UAB’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

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.

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?