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How to Write the UT Austin Essays 2023-2024

The University of Texas, Austin is a large public research university with an enrollment of over 51,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. UT Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas system, and is the home to some of the best engineering, architecture, and business programs in the nation.

Since UT Austin is a selective school, writing strong essays is essential for making your application stand out. UT Austin’s application involves one long essay and four short essay questions (one of which is optional), with additional writing requirements for students applying to these programs: Art/Art History, Architecture, Nursing, and Social Work.

Read these UT Austin essay examples from real students to inspire your own writing.

UT Austin Essay Prompts

Tell us your story. what unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today (500-700 words), short answer.

Prompt 1 : Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? (250-300 words)

Prompt 2 : Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT. (250-300 words)

Prompt 3 : The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate. (250-300 words)

Prompt 4 (Optional): Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. If your response to this question is similar to one of the Common App Personal Essays, feel free to simply copy and paste the important parts of your essay here. (250-300 words)

Art/Art History Applicants

Prompt 1 : In 500 words or less, please tell us about a time when an artwork, artist or art teacher impacted your life. How did this inspire you to pursue an education in the arts?

Architecture Applicants

Prompt 1 : Inherent in the design disciplines the capacity to impact the world around us. What does the opportunity to develop such capacity mean to you and you approach to your college education? Please limit your response to 250-300 words.

Prompt 2 : Please provide and upload three images total that demonstrate your creativity. The three images may all be of one option type, or varied amongst the two following options:

Option 1 – Either an original photograph or photographs from a camera, smart phone/mobile device, OR

Option 2 – images of an original art or design project that you have produced and authored yourself., for all, describe how the three images are representative of how you see creativity as a way to describe, reflect on, or change the world. please limit your response to 50-75 words..

Discuss the factors that have influenced your motivation and deep desire to pursue a career in Nursing. Please include any activities and/or life experiences that are related. (250-300 words).

Social Work

Discuss the reasons you chose Social Work as your first—choice major and how a Social Work degree from UT will prepare you for the future. (450-500 words)

Long Essay—All Applicants

This is Topic A of the ApplyTexas Essays . The long essay is the space to tell your story and let the admissions office know something about you that does not appear on your high school resume or transcript. The long word limit gives you time to develop and reflect on an important experience. It’s not enough to just tell a story of an opportunity or challenge; you need to dive into what aspects of your experience influenced you to be the person you are currently.

This prompt is very open-ended, so it is important to take time before you start writing to think about what subject matter you want to talk about. Make sure all elements in your essay tie together and don’t overwhelm the reader with too much information. Focus on only a few, or even just one, experiences within your essay, and dive into good detail on how your experience has shaped you as a person.

The prompt asks you to describe “unique opportunities or challenges” that you have experienced. While brainstorming ideas for your essay, don’t get too caught up in thinking that you must find something that is an obvious opportunity or challenge; think about hobbies, extracurriculars, or personal experiences that have influenced you to this day.

Here are some examples:

• A chance job opportunity that allowed you to push yourself — Maybe you grew up in a rural area and you spent part of your time in high school tending to cows and goats. You’d wake up early before school to tend to the animals, and through that you learned to be reliable and developed a passion for caring for animals. Or maybe an acquaintance runs a small business and you were given the opportunity to run their social media to promote the business. This opportunity taught you the difficulties of running a small business, and also helped you find a creative outlet through advertising design. Either of those examples, or more unique job opportunities that you may have stumbled upon in high school, requires time and dedication, and teaches responsibility.
• Creative hobbies — You like to design and sew clothing for yourself. While designing your prom dress, you came across an intricate bodice design that you wanted to emulate. Figuring out how the pattern came together was like solving a complex puzzle, and because of all of the challenges you have come across while attempting to translate a 2D idea into real life, you have become better at visualizing how different things around you come together, and it’s a skill you’ve carried through all parts of your life. It’s helped you visualize difficult math concepts, or organize your desk and closet space to optimize your productivity.

Short Answers—All Applicants

For your UT Austin application, you are required to respond to the first three prompts. There is also an additional prompt to let the committee know about any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your high school performance.

Short Answer 1—All Applicants

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major (250-300 words).

Ah, the common “Why This Major” college application essay. This essay is important to demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are passionate about the area of study you are interested in. Whatever major is your first choice, you need to take time to reflect and think about what drew you to pursue this field of study.

As detailed in CollegeVine’s article about writing the “Why This Major” essay, a couple key topics to cover are how you developed this interest, and your goals in studying this major. 

Show how you’ve looked into research or career opportunities that appeal to you, and the steps you have taken to pursue your interest, whether it be through hobbies, jobs, research opportunities, readings, etc. Do you have personal reasons for choosing this major? Detail those reasons, and explain how either a personal experience, inspirational character, or more have impacted your life and decision to study your major.

• Biology — You have been a passionate bird-watcher for most of your life. Your father would take you around to various parks and teach you how to identify various bird calls, differentiate between males and females within a species, and more. This has developed into an interest in the evolutionary and migratory behavior of birds, and you wish to pursue biology as the stepping stone to further graduate studies specializing in birds.
• Radio-Television-Film — Growing up, you’ve always had a fascination with movies and have become a huge movie buff. You’ve been especially interested in how the creative team creates and rig up the physical special effects and props. In your spare time, you and your friends make your own home films, and you are often the one who researches and creates any special effects and props with your available budget and resources. Though your home productions are not the most well-refined, you have had fun, and you want to pursue Film to get a better understanding of how to professionally create crazy shots and break into the film industry.
• Linguistics — Your family moved around a lot throughout your childhood, and in every new town or city you lived in, you were fascinated by the different slang and accents of the people around you. You’ve lived everywhere — Louisiana, Vancouver, Long Island, South Dakota, Southern California, and more, and you want to further understand how these regional quirks developed and how they affect the culture of an area today.

Short Answer 2—All Applicants

Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at ut. (250-300 words).

This is the classic Diversity Essay , which allows colleges to get to know you better and how you’ll impact their campus community.

Reflect on the things that make you truly unique. If you choose to go down the talent route, keep in mind that “talent” is a broad term that can apply to anything. It’s not just about whether or not you can juggle; perhaps your talent is your ability to lead vocal warmups before the school musical – you can write about how you’ve learned to build a sense of community using your talent.

And speaking on leadership, leadership isn’t just becoming an officer in a school organization or a captain of an athletic team. Leadership can also be demonstrated by taking charge and caring for your siblings while your parents are busy, organizing your friend group’s yearly Secret Santa, or coaching your neighborhood swim team. Even if something you did isn’t explicitly a “leadership role,” you can demonstrate guidance and management skills in other ways. 

Avoid just listing off all leadership positions you have held. This information is most likely already elsewhere in your application, and doesn’t give the admissions committee a more in-depth view of why you are passionate about the areas you have shown leadership in and what you did to better the group/environment/area around you. Pick 1-3 related experiences, and tie together how you took initiative to shape things around you. The admissions committee wants to make sure they are accepting students with initiative and determination to impact their environment. 

• Family Responsibility — Your parents had to work late hours a lot to earn enough for your family when you were younger. Though you and your siblings have always been responsible, you’ve noticed that it’s been difficult for your younger brother with special needs when your parents were away in the evenings, so you took the time to create different activities for him. You had your brother explore various hobbies that were accessible to you, such as drawing or tree climbing around your neighborhood, to keep him busy, mentally stimulated, and help your parents. This has taught you a lot of responsibility and you would love to continue to work with children who have special needs through some of UT Austin’s organizations like the Student Council for Exceptional Children.
• Friend Group Activities — You have a small group of friends who enjoy spending time with each other, but are terrible at planning larger, more ambitious activities. You decided that you were sick of just doing the same old thing, hanging out in the park or a parent’s basement. You started organizing day trips to the city nearby, Secret Santa gift exchanges, a day kayaking trip, and more to help you and your friends explore different activities. You coordinated everyone’s schedule and made sure to accommodate all your friends’ likes and dislikes, and have become the unofficial “leader” of your friend group. You now hope to take these experiences and work as an orientation advisor to help incoming freshmen find their group as well.
• School/Extracurricular Events – You stepped up to the plate this year to plan the school’s Homecoming dance, and you wanted to make sure your senior dance could be as fun, inclusive, and well-planned as possible. As such, you organized a committee, delegated responsibilities, and implemented strategies to increase attendance, emphasize safety, and organize different activities that appealed to the wider school community. You gained event planning experience and hope to bring that same passion to UT Austin and assist UT Austin’s Events + Entertainment organization with bringing student-focused events to campus.

The common thread between these three examples is that they all write about a personal experience that eventually ties to how you’ll bring your gained knowledge to UT Austin. You won’t just want to name drop organizations that you hope to join at UT Austin, rather you’ll want to explain why—particularly with a personal connection. 

Short Answer 3—All Applicants

The core purpose of the university of texas at austin is, “to transform lives for the benefit of society.” please share how you believe your experience at ut-austin will prepare you to “change the world” after you graduate. (250-300 words).

UT Austin wants its students to work for the betterment of the world. This prompt requires students to reflect on their personal goals and think about their impact on society. Your response should explain how UT Austin will help you reach those goals using the “Why This College?” essay format. 

First, consider the field of study you want to pursue and what sort of impact you want to make. Maybe you want to go into public health to improve the health outcomes of underrepresented communities. Or perhaps you want to study English and Environmental Science to become an environmental lawyer. 

Keep in mind that its impact doesn’t have to be directly related to community service or altruism. For example, computer science majors can change the world by making processes more efficient. Economics majors can become financial advisors and improve the lives of others. 

If you’re not sure how your work can impact others, see if you can find alumni stories on the website of your department. Here’s the Public Health one , for example. These real-life stories can give you some inspiration on your wide range of options after graduation.

Your goals can be both big and small, but they need to be personal. The “what” doesn’t matter if you don’t write about the “why.” 

Finally, be sure to mention specific UT Austin resources that will help you change the world. Using the public health example, that student may mention how UT Austin offers a student internship program that allows students to conduct their own semester-long research projects and how that will prepare them to conduct independent public health research on minority health outcomes in the future.

It’s also important to mention relevant extracurriculars. Continuing that example, the public health student may want to join Texas Public Health, an on-campus organization, to volunteer in the Austin community and get hands-on experience in public health initiatives. 

Short Answer 4—All Applicants (optional)

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. if your response to this question is similar to one of the common app personal essays, feel free to simply copy and paste the important parts of your essay here. (250-300 words).

This essay is optional and provides you the opportunity to explain extenuating circumstances that have affected your education during high school. This is not necessarily a space where you would include a creative essay about your passion for math or make a political statement. Rather this is room for you to let the UT Austin admissions committee know about any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your academic performance. 

Although in the near-past, the COVID-19 pandemic has and is still affecting many students across the world in various ways. This could be a situation that you may want to explain to the admissions committees.

Other non-COVID-related experiences may have also impacted you. If there is a circumstance, such as a loss of job, sickness of a close relative, mental health, or more that has affected your school performance, let UT Austin know here so the admissions committee may take it into consideration while reading your application. 

If any of these extenuating circumstances are written in your Common App personal statement, more likely from prompt 1 or prompt 2 , then you can include an excerpt here.

However, do not use this space as a way to excuse poor performances. Be direct, and let the circumstances speak for themselves. Also keep in mind that many students were disrupted by COVID-19 in similar ways, so you should only write about circumstances that went beyond those common experiences. 

There’s no need to take up the full allotted space or even really write a whole essay; just use as much space as needed to explain your situation.

Major-Specific Short Answer Questions

Certain majors at UT Austin require submitting 1-2 additional short responses. These prompts are brief and dive deeper into showing your passion for your intended area of study.

Art/Art History

In 500 words or less, please tell us about a meaningful way in which an artwork, or artist, has changed your life. how has this prompted your ambitions for a life in the arts.

For the art/art history major at UT Austin, the admissions committee wants to see a commitment to the arts in your everyday life. Dive deep and think about what artists inspired you, or what specific art pieces you find yourself going back to. 

Think across various mediums of art. Painters, sculptors, cinematographers, poets, or more can serve as inspiration to you. Maybe a piece of art inspired you to create your own art and got you interested in different painting techniques across different cultures, inspired you to change habits within your life, or start a band. Whatever inspired you, make sure to relate how your inspiration directly impacted you. Don’t get caught up in just describing your favorite artist or work; tie it into your own life experiences and goals.

Architecture

Inherent in the design disciplines the capacity to impact the world around us. what does the opportunity to develop such capacity mean to you and your approach to your college education please limit your response to 250-300 words..

The admissions committee is hoping to get a sense of your goals and reasons for applying to the Architecture program at UT Austin.

While impacting the world sounds like a weighty topic, UT Austin isn’t looking for you to embellish. The admissions committee wants to hear how you would apply an education in architecture to help the world in any capacity, and that goes for anything from your local community to the globe. 

First define your reasons for pursuing architecture. This is important since the prompt asks what the capacity to impact the world means to you , so you need to reflect on how you’ll impact the world and why you want to do it in that way.

Do you want to design houses in low-income neighborhoods since you grew up in low-income housing that wasn’t efficient or livable? Or do you want to design apartments with sustainability in mind since you’re from Hawaii and have seen how construction can disrupt the environment? 

When possible, mention specific UT Austin resources that will help you achieve your goals, as the prompt asks how your goals shape your approach to your college education. For the student who wants to create sustainable architecture, they may mention courses like Modern History of Sustainable Architecture or wanting to be in one of the fastest-growing cities in the US (Austin), offering many opportunities for hands-on experience in sustainable development.

Please provide and upload three images total that demonstrate your creativity. The three images may all be of one option type, or varied amongst the two following options:

This is a short prompt! The admissions committee wants to see through your eyes and get an idea of your vision of the world. Be concise in your statement, and make sure your photos have a common thread, even if it’s not initially obvious. For example, you could submit photos of the skyline at important locations or times to you, or you could submit photos of various objects that inspire you. This is a very open-ended prompt, and you can spin it to really show the admissions committee your unique outlook on life and the environment around you.

This is also a chance to showcase your creativity and artistic skill. While the program doesn’t require you to submit a portfolio, submitting some of your artwork would give you more of an opportunity to stand out, particularly because UT Austin allows you to mix and match the format of your submissions.

Another way to make your response more cohesive and concise is to submit work with an overarching theme, whether that’s various pictures of your neighborhood at sunset, or artwork you made in response to a specific topic. Tying the three submissions together with a bow will give the admissions committee a stronger sense of how you think about the big picture.

While neither of these prompts have a defined word limit, make sure to answer the question thoroughly while also keeping it brief — remember, the admissions committee is reading many applications and you want to keep them engaged! We recommend no more than 500 words.

Discuss the factors that have influenced your desire to pursue a career in Nursing. Please include any activities and/or life experiences that are related (250-300 words)

This question allows you to discuss why you chose Nursing as your first choice program. Although you have already answered why you want to pursue your first choice major in the short answers section of the application, this extra space really allows you to dive deeper into why you decided to pursue nursing as a career and allows you to show off your work towards your goal. You can add additional anecdotes about why you chose nursing that you might not have had space to include in your short answer prompt.

Before beginning this essay, write down the qualities you feel a good nurse would have. Are they compassionate, culturally aware, patient, knowledgeable, etc.?

Then, write down the activities you did that correspond with those qualities. Did you volunteer for your local Red Cross, or organize a fundraiser for your local care facilities? Did you work in a nursing home, or at a daycare to gain experience working with people with varying needs? What academic classes did you take in high school to prepare yourself for a college nursing program? 

Maybe instead, your motivations to pursue a career in nursing are more related to your own life experiences. Is someone close to you in that occupation? Have you previously worked in a healthcare-related role? Or have you had your own medical issue where a nurse meaningfully changed your perspective on medicine?

Be specific, and dive into details on how your activities or life experiences relate to developing an interest in nursing and a nursing career. Chances are, you have already listed your activities out in another section of your application. Using anecdotes about specific instances or events is crucial in offering new information that will keep admissions officers engaged, and teach them about your passion for nursing.

Discuss the reasons you chose Social Work as your first-choice major and how a Social Work degree from UT will prepare you for the future.

Similar to the nursing prompt, the UT Austin admissions committee is looking for additional information that may not have fit into previous essay answers. How do you want to give back to your community by doing social work? What specific area of social work do you want to work in? Do you want to work with mental health, child protection, human rights, or other aspects of social work? For example, if you grew up in the foster care system and you want to help children who grew up in a similar situation to you, elaborate on that.

The second part of this question asks you how specifically an UT Austin degree can help you with your future goals and career. Make sure to show that you have researched the program itself. Name specific research institutes you may want to work in, such as the Addiction Research Institute, and elaborate what issues you want to study. Relate these to the work you want to do in your future.

If you’re unsure of the specific specialization of social work you want to do, narrow it down to 2-3 interests, and talk about how you can explore various subjects through courses or clubs at UT Austin. Show the admissions committee that you have done your research on the school and truly believe that it is the best place for you to achieve your goals. For instance, someone interested in working with seniors might want to join the research team for the project Telehealth treatments for depression with low-income homebound seniors .

Where to Get Your University of Texas at Austin Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UT Austin essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Write the UT Austin Supplemental Essays + Examples

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 6/17/24

Writing the UT Austin essays requires introspection, creativity, and time! To learn how to ace this application component, read on!

If you’re planning on applying to the University of Texas and are making your way down your application checklist, you may hit a roadblock when it comes to the supplemental essays . 

These essays often prove to be the most demanding aspect of college applications, as they call for transforming your thoughts into captivating words and leaving a lasting impression on the admissions committee. But fear not! This guide has got you covered! In it, we’ll break down each of the UT Austin essays. 

UT Austin Supplemental Essay Prompts 2024-2025

Before we delve into how to write the UT Austin supplemental essays , let’s go over the prompts. You’ll be required to answer one essay prompt and a few short answers. These essay prompts differ based on which semester you’re applying for. We’ll go over the essay prompts for Spring 2025. 

The required essay prompt should be around 500-700 words , typically two the three paragraphs. However, your responses to the short answer prompts should be no more than 40 lines or 250-300 words . 

Required Essay Prompt #1

“Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?”

Short Answer Prompt #2

“ Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

Short Answer Prompt #3

“ Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

Short Answer Prompt #4

“ The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Optional Short Answer Prompt #5

Students may also answer the following short answer if it applies to them:

“Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.”

How to Write Each Essay Prompt for UT Austin

Now, we’ll delve into how to answer each of UT Austin’s prompts to ensure your responses are original, insightful, and interesting! We’ll go through specific UT Austin essay requirements and also provide successful essay examples to begin your creative process. 

How to Write UT Austin Required Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of UT Austin’s required essay prompt : This prompt, by asking you to “tell your story,” calls for some personal reflection on your life so far. UT Austin wants to get to know you as a well-rounded person beyond your application materials. They want to know the things that have shaped and formed you in your life. 

The various opportunities and challenges you’ve experienced say a lot about who you are. By asking you to tell these anecdotes, the admissions committee wants to see you display humility, self-awareness, gratitude, and a desire to learn and grow. Think deeply about significant moments in your life and how they have made you different. 

UC Berkeley grad Brittney provides some insight into how to get started in our personal statement webinar : 

“You want to identify a central theme for your admissions essays, and I often tell students to think about themselves as a brand and a narrative - who are you, and how are you going to communicate who you are, what you've achieved, and where you're going across all of your admissions essays and across all of your application You may want to think about a particular experience, a passion, a value that shaped who you are, that has run through your academic and extracurricular experiences."

To write a strong essay for UT Austin, consider following these tips:

Tip #1: Dig into Your High School Memories

Time for a little throwback session! Sit down with a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever else floats your boat, and start digging up all those unique experiences you had during high school. For most of you, you’re likely in your senior year, so this shouldn’t be too hard!

Remember those times when life threw something special at you or maybe even knocked you off your feet? Jot all of these memories down so you can go through them and pick the most meaningful ones to talk about. 

Tip #2: Find the Common Thread

Now that you've got a bunch of high school memories in front of you, see if there's a common theme or a big idea that ties them together. It could be a passion, a challenge you faced head-on or a turning point that changed the game for you.

Tip #3: Be Descriptive!

Get creative with your writing! Paint a picture with your words. Make your essay engaging and fun to read. You want those admissions officers to be hooked from the start to the finish. 

Tip #4: Get Real and Vulnerable

No need to put on a show here to worry about what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Be yourself! 

Share your stories and feelings with authenticity. The admissions committee wants to see the genuine you, not some perfectly polished version. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, share your feelings and emotions, and demonstrate your growth.

Admissions expert Brittney expands on this point: 

“Always write from an authentic place and tell your story. Don’t try to tell the story that you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Tell the story that is true for you.” 

Tip #5: Talk About Unique Opportunities

Share those opportunities that set you apart from the crowd. Maybe it was an internship, a special extracurricular , a passion project , or a chance to travel. 

Show them how these experiences opened up new doors and helped you grow.

Tip #6: Face the Challenges, No Holding Back

Life's not always rainbows and sunshine. The admissions committee wants to hear about your struggles and your ability to overcome them. So, discuss those tough moments that you thought you’d never get through, how you pushed on, and what you learned along the way.

Show the committee how all these experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—shaped the awesome person you are today. 

Tip #7: End On a High Note

End your essay with a forward-looking approach. You’ve spent most of your essay reminiscing about high school and the lessons you learned from it. Now think about what’s next! 

Offer the admissions committee some insight into your academic and career aspirations. Talk about how you plan on fulfilling these goals at UT Austin and what you plan on contributing to this school!

Here’s what one of our admissions experts, Brittany , had to say about looking to the future: 

"It’s helpful to end your conclusion with something that’s futuristic and forward-looking. How will what the reader learned about you help prepare you for what you want to achieve and how you will succeed when you’re at a college or university?"

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #2 + Analysis and Tips

Short answer #2 analysis : The first short answer is relatively straightforward. There’s a reason you chose your intended major, and now’s your time to demonstrate your passion and explain why your selected program interests you! 

UT Austin is dedicated to making a real difference in the world, so it’s essential you take your essay beyond the realms of your immediate college career. Think about what you’ll do with your education and how you’ll impact those around you!

Keep these tips in mind to ensure you nail this short answer:

• Showcase your passion and genuine interest : Avoid essay topics that you think the committee wants to hear. Instead, ensure your sincere passion for the major you've selected is evident throughout your essay. Explain why it excites you and what specific aspects of the subject matter resonate with you.
• Connect to your background : Reflect on any relevant events, challenges, or opportunities that influenced your decision. Share one or two brief anecdotes or stories that demonstrate how your experiences have shaped your aspirations and academic path. This will make your essay personal and engaging. 
• Highlight your skills and alignment with UT Austin : Explain how your skills, strengths, and natural abilities align with the chosen major. Describe specific talents or aptitudes that you possess and how they complement the demands of your academic program and profession.
• Emphasise UT Austin's program and opportunities : Demonstrate your knowledge and interest in UT Austin's program. Research its offerings, faculty members, research opportunities, and distinctive features related to your chosen major. Explain how these aspects appeal to you and align with your goals.
• Discuss your future aspirations : Share your long-term aspirations and how pursuing this major will enable you to make a positive impact in your chosen field and beyond. Discuss how you envision using the knowledge and skills gained from this program to contribute to society or address real-world challenges. 

In our webinar on how to write college essays , admissions official Kayla Kirk gives insight into how to answer major-specific essay prompts: 

“This is all about what work have you done up to this point to prepare yourself for a particular major. So it could be a student who wants to study engineering. They could use this opportunity, this particular essay, to talk about their experience with their robotics club that they've been so passionate about. And through those background experiences, we’ll start to get the sense that you’re passionate, you’re an independent student who’s done work up to this point to lay the foundation for whatever your course of study will be.” 

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #3 + Analysis and Tips 

Short answer #3 analysis : With this prompt, UT Austin wants to see drive and commitment to make a difference in the university community as well as proof that you’ve made a difference in other spaces as well. 

This question should demonstrate self-awareness, passion, and motivation. UT Austin wants to know how your past experiences have brought you to where you are, and they also want to know more about your future aspirations. 

By demonstrating your potential to have a positive impact both in and out of the classroom, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who will make great contributions to the UT community!

Implement these tips into your second short answer response:

• Highlight your key qualities and experiences : Provide an overview of the experiences, perspectives, talents, and leadership activities that define you as an individual but avoid listing them without adding context and depth. Explain how they contribute to your overall character and worldview.
• Emphasize leadership skills and potential : Discuss your involvement in leadership activities. Illustrate how you have taken initiative, influenced others, or demonstrated a commitment to creating positive change. All of these traits are highly valued by UT Austin!
• Talk about your future : Demonstrate how your specific attributes and experiences will allow you to make a positive impact both in and out of the classroom at UT Austin. Explain how your perspectives and background have shaped your understanding of different issues and will enrich class discussions.
• Connect back to UT Austin : Show that you have done your research on UT Austin's values, culture, and community. Explain how your experiences, perspectives, and talents align with the university's mission and how you plan to contribute to the campus environment. 
• Be genuine and specific : Throughout your essay, be authentic and avoid any vagueness. Share specific anecdotes and examples to illustrate your points, and be descriptive! Show, don't tell, and immerse your readers into your experiences so they connect to them better.

Kayla Kirk offers some further insight into what universities are looking for in these kinds of prompts: 

They want to know that you are willing to go beyond your own experiences up to this point. They want to know that you're going to be a productive and positive contribution to their student body, that you'll be willing to engage with people whose experiences are different from your own."

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #4 + Analysis and Tips

Short answer #4 analysis : This short answer is one of the more challenging UT Austin essays. It requires students to look ahead past their college career and think critically about how they plan on bettering the world. 

While the previous questions are focused on your passions in a more general sense, this prompt asks you to think about your aspirations at UT Austin specifically. How does your desire to attend UT Austin connect to your dreams and goals? 

Here are some tips on how to approach this question:

Tip #1: Be Realistic

The admissions committee isn’t looking for any sappy or exaggerated goals. They aren’t expecting you to cure cancer or find life on Mars. 

Think about what realistic impact you want to have on the world. Whether it be changing the lives of your patients as a healthcare worker, helping address social issues, or simply being a strong advocate for the environment, any effort to better the lives of others counts!

Tip #2: Be Specific

Don’t make vague statements about your passion to change the world, healthcare, poverty, or any other broad topic. Be specific and clearly state your long-term aspirations and the specific ways you envision changing the world after graduation. 

Think about who exactly you want to help, what issue you aim to address, and the tools you’ll use to do so. 

In our college essay webinar, Tufts University Admissions Director Darryl Tiggle gives insight into how to be specific in college essays: 

"They want to know things that go deeper than the surface level of knowing about the college, especially so that when you're writing about the college, you couldn't supplant another school's name in that essay and then have the essay still ring true. You want the essay to really be tailored towards the school that you're writing about so that you're addressing those issues and writing unique-to-those-institution essays."

Tip #3: Connect UT Austin's Offerings to Your Goals

Showcase your understanding of UT Austin's unique offerings and how they align with your ambitions. Discuss specific academic programs, research opportunities, clubs, or organizations that UT Austin offers and explain how they will support your personal and professional growth towards your goal of changing the world.

Tip #4: Discuss Your Commitment to Impact

Emphasize your dedication and commitment to creating a positive impact. Demonstrate that you are not just interested in pursuing your career for personal gain, but that you genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and improving society.

Tip #5: Be Ambitious

Be ambitious in your goals, but also be realistic about the steps you'll take to achieve them. Demonstrate that you have a clear plan for how your experience at UT Austin will serve as a stepping stone to creating a lasting impact on a broader scale. Demonstrate you have direction and know what it’ll take to reach your goals.

Tip #6: Wrap Up with Confidence and Gratitude

Conclude your essay with a strong and confident statement that reinforces your commitment to changing the world and your gratitude for the opportunity to do so at UT Austin. Leave a lasting impression on the reader that highlights your passion and determination.

How to Write UT Austin Optional Essay #5

Answering the optional essay is simple; stick to the facts and be honest. There is no need to be overly descriptive or create a compelling narrative out of your circumstances. 

This essay should only help the admissions committee learn more about the extent of your circumstances, how they prevented you from achieving your best, and how you attempted to overcome them. As such, you’ll want this essay to be relatively short. It should not exceed one to two paragraphs. 

Examples of UT Austin Supplemental Essays That Worked

It can be really helpful to look at examples of successful essays for inspiration. Below, you’ll find essay examples from accepted UT Austin applicants! We’ll look at each example closely to examine what worked about it. 

Sample Essay #1

Your UT Austin essays need to be concise, captivating, and creative to effectively answer this prompt:

Take a look at this example essay:

“‘Gone but never forgotten’---the solemn inscription on the plaque dedicated to my best friend, displayed prominently in our high school. A phrase intended to offer comfort, but one that will always ring hollow for me. The reality remains stark; gone is still gone. No matter how many times I replay his infectious smile or reminisce about our sunlit summers spent surfing until sundown, he remains forever confined to the realm of memories.

Losing my best friend to cancer was a heart-wrenching blow that shattered my world. We had shared dreams, laughter, and endless plans for our future. His untimely departure left an emptiness in my heart and a void in my life that seemed impossible to fill. Grief consumed me, and the once vibrant light of my high school years dimmed significantly. Coping with the loss of such a young, budding life was a challenge unlike any other, and it tested my emotional strength to its limits.

But, In the face of this overwhelming and seemingly unending pain, I found solace in the support of my family and friends. Their unwavering presence and understanding helped me navigate through the darkest times. I realized that I was not alone in my grief and that reaching out for support was not a sign of weakness but an act of bravery. This experience taught me the power of empathy and the significance of connection, shaping my understanding of the value of relationships in life.

While the loss of my best friend left a permanent scar, it also sparked an awakening within me. I became acutely aware of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. As I struggled to regain my sense of purpose, I sought solace in volunteer work at a local cancer support center. Being able to offer comfort and empathy to patients and their families on their own journeys was a cathartic experience that helped me heal and provided me with a newfound sense of direction.

Amidst the challenges, high school also offered unique opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. I found inspiration in the arts, particularly through music and painting. These creative outlets became my refuge, allowing me to express emotions that words could not convey. Art became a powerful medium through which I could heal and explore my own emotions, and it ignited a passion that continues to fuel my aspirations.

As I delved deeper into my artistic pursuits, I discovered my ability to inspire others through storytelling. I started sharing my experiences through writing and public speaking, aiming to bring hope and awareness to those facing similar struggles. This newfound purpose motivated me to excel academically and to embrace every opportunity for growth that high school offered.

With newfound resilience, I became an active member of various clubs and organizations that focused on cancer awareness and support. I initiated fundraisers and awareness campaigns, determined to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this dreadful disease. In doing so, I found strength in unity, as we came together as a community to support a common cause.

Through the highs and lows of high school, I have evolved into a compassionate, determined, and empathetic individual. The loss of my best friend has taught me that life is fragile and unpredictable, urging me to make the most of every opportunity and to embrace challenges with unwavering resolve.

As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my journey at UT Austin, I am filled with a sense of purpose and determination. I aspire to study medicine, combining my love for the arts with my passion for healthcare to bring comfort and healing to those in need. The experiences of my high school years have shaped me into a resilient individual who values empathy, compassion, and the power of connection. I am confident that my journey through grief and self-discovery will not only enable me to excel academically but will also empower me to change lives and make a lasting impact both in and out of the classroom. So, while my best friend may be gone forever, his legacy will live on; through me, the sunsets I now surf through alone, the patients I will heal, and the grieving families I will support when all they have left to hold are intangible memories.”  

Why It Works

This essay stands out because of its deeply personal exploration of the writer's journey from grief to resilience, fueled by a passion for cancer awareness and healing. 

The unique fusion of art, medicine, and storytelling highlights the writer's distinct personality, aspirations, and well-roundedness. Their commitment to community engagement, coupled with a clear academic focus on medicine, also aligns well with the university's values. 

Short Answer #1 Example

Below, you’ll find an example essay answering the following prompt: 

“Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

Here’s another example essay to draw inspiration from:

“In 'The Alchemist,' Paulo Coelho writes, 'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.' This profound sentiment resonates deeply with my decision to pursue an English major at UT Austin. For me, the study of English is a transformative journey of self-discovery and a pursuit of understanding the interconnectedness of humanity through the written word.

Like Santiago, the protagonist in 'The Alchemist,' I believe that our desires and dreams can shape our destinies. In the enchanting world of literature, I find myself constantly drawn to the power of storytelling, where words become vessels for ideas, emotions, and shared experiences. 

Choosing UT Austin as the home for my academic pursuits was an easy decision. The English program's reputation for fostering intellectual curiosity and nurturing creativity aligns perfectly with my academic goals. The diverse range of courses, from classic literature to contemporary poetry, promises to provide a comprehensive understanding of literary traditions, nurturing my ability to critically analyze and interpret texts.

Beyond the curriculum, I am excited about the vibrant literary community at UT Austin. Engaging with like-minded peers in literary clubs, workshops, and events will undoubtedly enrich my perspective and encourage meaningful discussions on the intricacies of literature. Moreover, I envision utilizing my passion for writing to contribute to UT Austin's literary publications and participate in creative writing workshops. Embracing opportunities to share my voice, whether through poetry or prose, is essential to my growth as a writer and communicator.

Ultimately, my decision to pursue an English major at UT Austin is driven by a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, a desire to understand the complexities of human existence, and a conviction that words possess the power to change lives.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

This essay begins with an interesting quote that intrigues the reader from the very first line. Then they artfully connect this quote to their personal and academic aspirations, which reflects a thoughtful consideration of the applicant's choice of major and resonates with the transformative power of education.

The alignment of their academic interests with UT Austin's English program also showcases a well-researched understanding of the university's offerings. 

Short Answer #2 Example 

You’ll need to do some serious brainstorming and reflecting to write an essay that answers this prompt well: 

“Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

You can use the following UT Austin essay to guide you in your brainstorming process:

“My journey leading up to UT has been shaped by a tapestry of experiences: my responsibilities at home, my passion for basketball, and my commitment to community service. Balancing two part-time jobs throughout high school to ease the financial burdens at home has instilled in me a strong work ethic and a determination to excel both academically and personally.

As a devoted basketball enthusiast, the court has become my sanctuary, teaching me invaluable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. The discipline and dedication required in sports have translated into my academic pursuits, where I strive for excellence with the same fervor I bring to the game.

My commitment to community service is deeply rooted in my family's legacy of veterans, who have instilled in me the importance of giving back. Volunteering at local animal shelters, soup kitchens, and hospitals and organizing charity events has allowed me to witness the transformative power of service firsthand. As such, I am driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, both in and out of the classroom.

At UT, these experiences and perspectives will serve as my compass for engagement and leadership. As a student-athlete, I intend to contribute my skills to the campus basketball team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. On the academic front, my diverse background will enrich classroom discussions, bringing unique perspectives to the table.

Outside the classroom, I aspire to collaborate with service-oriented organizations, amplifying their impact on the community. Moreover, my leadership experience, gained from organizing charity events and coordinating community initiatives, will be instrumental in rallying fellow students to join forces for common causes. I am eager to embrace the enriching opportunities that UT has to offer, using my talents to foster a nurturing environment where empathy, determination, and teamwork thrive.”

Why Essay #2 Worked

The essay effectively highlights how all of this student’s experiences have shaped their character, instilling qualities like a strong work ethic, determination, teamwork, and leadership. 

Their commitment to community service reflects a genuine desire to give back, and their intention to bring this commitment to UT's campus showcases their dedication to making a positive difference in the university community. 

Short Answer #3 Example

For UT Austin’s third short answer essay, it’s important to include meaningful details. However, remember to be concise when answering the following prompt: 

“The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Below is a sample essay to help you craft your own detailed and concise response: 

“Aspiring to become a nurse, I am driven by a profound sense of compassion and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin resonates deeply with my aspirations, and I believe my experience at UT Austin will empower me to change the world through the profession of nursing.

UT Austin's esteemed nursing program will provide me with a comprehensive and cutting-edge education, equipping me with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality care to diverse populations. The renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities will cultivate my clinical expertise, enabling me to make a tangible difference in patients' lives.

Through hands-on experiences and clinical rotations, UT Austin will offer me invaluable opportunities to work with real patients and understand their unique needs and challenges. These experiences will shape me into a compassionate and empathetic caregiver, dedicated to advocating for the well-being of each individual.

Additionally, UT Austin's commitment to community engagement and service aligns perfectly with my vision of making a difference in society. Participating in health outreach programs and volunteering at local clinics will provide me with a broader perspective on healthcare disparities and strengthen my commitment to serving underserved communities. The diverse and inclusive environment at UT Austin will enhance my cultural competence and foster my ability to provide patient-centered care to individuals from different backgrounds.

My experience at UT Austin as a nursing student will be transformative, preparing me to be a compassionate and skilled healthcare professional. Rooted in the university's core purpose of transforming lives for the benefit of society, I am confident that I will graduate as a competent nurse ready to embrace the challenges of the healthcare field and positively impact the lives of those I serve.”

Why Essay #3 Works

The student grounds their aspiration to become a nurse in a genuine compassion for others and a desire to create a positive impact, which resonates well with the university's core purpose. 

The essay also effectively outlines how UT Austin's nursing program is a perfect fit for the applicant, highlighting the comprehensive education, renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities that will prepare them to deliver high-quality care. 

These points present a strong case for how UT Austin’s program will empower this student and how she will contribute to the university’s community. 

If you’re looking for assistance on how to write the UT Austin essays, or how to apply to UT Austin in general, we can help! Our experts have helped countless students get into their dream schools, and you can be one of them. With our help, you can become a Longhorn!

Optional Essay Example

Remember, you only need to respond to this prompt if it applies to you: 

For your reference, here’s a sample essay explaining the circumstances that prevented a student from achieving the GPA they intended to:

“During my high school years, I encountered a unique set of circumstances that significantly impacted my academic performance. After my single mother was unexpectedly fired from her job and faced challenges finding another, our family's financial stability became uncertain. In order to support my mother and contribute to household expenses, I took on multiple part-time jobs, which demanded a substantial portion of my time and energy. As I juggled work commitments alongside my academic responsibilities, I found it increasingly challenging to maintain the GPA I had envisioned, a 3.8. While my determination to succeed academically remained steadfast, the added responsibilities and time constraints hindered my ability to dedicate as much time to my studies as I desired.

Despite these challenges, I persevered, ensuring that I gave my best effort in every aspect of my life. Balancing work and studies taught me invaluable time management and prioritization skills, but it also meant sacrificing some extracurricular opportunities that could have enriched my high school experience further. While my academic performance may not have reflected the 3.8 GPA I initially aimed for, I am proud of the resilience I demonstrated in the face of adversity. The experiences I gained from shouldering responsibilities beyond academics have shaped me into a diligent and empathetic individual. I believe these life lessons will undoubtedly serve me well as I embrace new challenges and opportunities in the future.”

Why This Optional Essay Works

This answer sticks to the facts and clearly articulates the circumstances the student faced, how they tried to improve their situation, and what they learned from it. The student keeps a positive tone throughout and does not place blame or try to evoke pity from the admissions committee!

Get More Sample Essays Here!

Looking at sample essays can work wonders for your own inspiration and motivation. If you want to check out more college application essays written by admitted students, take a look at our college essay database down below! 

FAQs: UT Austin Essays

Below, you’ll find the answers to any remaining questions about the UT Austin essays!

1. How Many Essays Does UT Austin Require?

UT Austin requires all of its applicants to answer one long essay and three short essays. There is an additional optional essay for students who faced circumstances that negatively affected their high school experience. 

2. Does UT Look At the Common App Essay?

Yes, the Common App essay will be considered in the admissions committee’s evaluations. 

3. Does UT Look At Coalition Essays?

No, UT Austin only uses the Common Application or the Apply Texas application . 

4. How Long Does the UT Austin Supplemental Essay Need to Be? 

The UT Austin required essay should be between 500-700 words. However, the short answer essays only need to be 250-300 words. 

5. How Important Are Essays for the University of Texas at Austin? 

According to UT Austin’s most recent common data set , the application essays are taken into consideration. This means that you’ll have to make sure your essays are stellar so that your application stands out! 

Final Thoughts

Overall, your UT Austin essays are not just about showcasing your achievements but also about how your unique journey has shaped you into the person you are today. Embrace the challenges you've faced and the lessons you've learned along the way. 

Be confident in your abilities and potential. Show them how you can make a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom at UT Austin. UT Austin is looking for a diverse array of individuals, so let your personality and potential shine brightly in your essays!

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How to Answer The UT Austin Honors Essays

• Sasha Chada
• November 12, 2021

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UT Austin offers a number of prestigious honors programs, which many students eagerly want to get into. We give an overview of these programs in another article , so in this one, we’ll focus on how you can get into these programs. Because honors programs are so competitive, they require more than the standard application materials.

UT Austin’s honors programs require separate essays, on top of the ones the school asks for from all applicants. In this article, we’ll give you examples of these essays from past Ivy Scholars students, and discuss how you should go about answering these essay questions.

Plan II Honors

The Plan II Honors Program is UT Austin’s honors college. They require a separate personal statement and a short response. Both of these are meant to get to know you better and to see how you would fit into their program.

Personal Statement

The Plan II PERSONAL STATEMENT: What do you see as the largest problem facing society today? What do you see as the negative effects of this problem and how would an interdisciplinary education in Plan II Honors give you tools to begin to solve this challenge to the greater good? (250 words)

Our country takes pride in the unbiased, democratic principles it was founded upon; in order to prosper in this nation, one must only work hard and strive for success. This founding principle has fallen to the wayside in the midst of career politician melodrama and unethical business practices.

Economic power rests in the hands of an elite few. Since the explosion of big business in the early 1900s, the government has passed antitrust laws to limit the power of corporations, but these companies quickly found loopholes that enabled them to amass exorbitant amounts of capital. Just how much action the government can take without obstructing the very freedom it seeks to preserve, however, remains an open question.

The best way to answer this question is through “multispection” (seeing from many angles). While government interference is clearly needed to curb the growing inequality gap, discovering the right approach requires extensive knowledge in a variety of fields. Modern politicians, however, regularly tout a single-minded, overly simplistic approach that favors temporary economic boosts and the associated bump in approval ratings.

The current state of the world is living proof of the need for interdisciplinary action. A just and equal world requires our leaders to engage not only with economics and political science, but with philosophy, history, psychology, government, and untold other subjects. Plan II will enable me to make cross-disciplinary connections that transcend the confines of a single perspective, preparing me to be one of the well-rounded leaders the world so desperately needs.

Personal Statement Analysis

UT Austin as a whole wants smart and capable students who will contribute to the campus community. The honors program wants students who go the extra mile, those who excel academically, and want to use their knowledge and capabilities to contribute to the world as a whole.

This question has three parts. The first is naming the problem and explaining how it negatively impacts the world. Naming the problem is the easy part, but any explanation should be based on sound reasoning and evidence. There are many contenders for the world’s biggest problem; you don’t get points for picking the “right” one, but for clearly and logically explaining your choice.

The final part of the question asks how the Plan II program specifically will give you the tools to confront this problem. Here, you may want to consider what your stated major of interest is, and how someone studying that topic may combat the problem in question. Some major and problem pairs are more difficult to write about than others. Again though, the logic and skill of argumentation you use are the most important part.

The essay above does a good job explaining why the issue they chose is dire, how it is affecting the world, and why plan II specifically will help them combat it. Notice that the essay does not dive deeply into specific classes or programs, but instead focuses on the philosophy of the honors program in their answer.

You should do the same in your response. The specific classes you will take should be discussed in your why major essay. The honors program offers benefits besides advanced courses, and it is these that you should focus on. The philosophy and spirit of the program are good to include but are not necessary for your own essay. You should discuss whichever offering of the program will help you most on your own quest to better the world.

Short Responses

Help us get to know you better. Please write five sentences (numbered 1 – 5) that give us some insight into you, your life, your interests, and your experiences. There are no right answers–feel free to be creative and think outside the box.

I have this recurring dream where I’m with Harry Styles in the woods playing Candy Crush, and after having the dream five times, I took it as a sign and got my nails painted blue and pink to match his.

I’m totally baffled by the fact that Socrates was allowed to preach his teachings for decades without objection only to be put on trial a few years before his natural death.

At home, my dad (who is a professor and teaches in English) pretends he doesn’t speak English, so my brother and I have been forced to be fluent in Hindi.

While I’ve had Tik Tok videos go viral and won Homecoming Queen this year, I secretly love math and compulsively do 1st-grade level multiplication and division worksheets when I’m stressed out.

My favorite show is Glee, not only because the music is poppin’, but because it reminds me of sitting on the couch with my mom eating Cherry Garcia ice cream as a sassy tween.

Short Responses Analysis

This question has much in common with the ones asked by institutions such as Harvard and Yale. This is not an accident, as the honors program wants to attract the same caliber of students as those schools.

The purpose of this question is to get to know you better, and they state right in the prompt that there is no single “right” answer. There are wrong answers, however. The worst way to answer this prompt is by being inauthentic, and writing what you think admissions officers want to hear, rather than being your genuine self. These responses come across as stilted and hollow and will do nothing to aid your chances of admission.

When answering, consider five interesting things about yourself. Facts you might use when forced into an icebreaker activity, or which you could share and laugh about with friends. What makes you you , rather than someone else. Paint a portrait of yourself with words and ideas. The student writing above is multilingual, something of a nerd who doesn’t take herself too seriously, enjoys attempts at humor, and asks interesting questions.

This is a lot to pack into five sentences, but information density is your friend. Don’t abuse semicolons to overly extending the sentences, but make sure each is a complete thought, able to stand on its own.

Canfield Business Honors

The Canfield Business Honors program asks for a single essay on why you need high-quality business education. They want to know why you want to make use of their program, and what benefit will come to you from it.

Discuss a single piece of business news in the last year that has affected your view on the need for a high-quality business education, and tell us why this has affected or reinforced your desire for a business education. You do not need to go into detail about this piece of business news — a quick reference to the event will suffice. It can be something that occurred in your community, in the U.S., or internationally. Spend the majority of your response on how this event affected your views. Please limit your response to no more than 250 words.

As a Professional Engineer, my dad can design, build, and install HVAC systems, but he struggled to navigate the complicated business repercussions of the recent U.S. trade war with China. Traveling to Asia repeatedly over the past six months, my father has focused on helping HVAC component suppliers move factories from China to other countries to reduce costs.

I have watched my dad take calls from China at the dinner table, then head to the airport to catch the midnight flight to Asia. Each trip has only reinforced my realization that business cuts across all professions. A seemingly small policy decision, like imposing a tariff, can have worldwide consequences – creating a chain reaction that affects consumers, suppliers, and the industries that surround them.

The Canfield Business Honors Program will give me the statistical analysis, business communication, and corporate finance skills I will need to be able to understand and navigate these global, nuanced, and multifaceted problems. As an aspiring healthcare professional, I will learn all of the knowledge and skills Canfield offers to fully prepare me to organize and direct healthcare operations at scale. In courses like Professional Development & Career Planning, for example, l will learn how to ethically run a business with leadership and integrity.

Whether as the owner of a private practice or the president of a hospital, the Canfield Business Honors Program at UT Austin will provide me with the skills and knowledge I need to ensure my healthcare team is ready to overcome any obstacle.

This is a complex question and asks for three separate but related things. The first is to briefly go over a piece of business news from this year. The second is to discuss why this particular piece of news made you want to get a business education. Finally, they want to know how their program specifically will help you fulfill that desire.

What admissions officers are looking for is thoughtful analysis. There is no single “correct” piece of business news they want to see you respond to. Whatever news article you are responding to should deliberately position your application, and tie into your personal experience. The best pieces of news are ones that impact you directly in some way, as the author does in the example above.

The final part of the essay is much more focused on the program itself. How have the new revelations you’ve had about the world of business made you want an honors education? Here, you want to directly address what Canfield can offer. This can be through philosophical views, special programs, classes, or professors. The more concrete examples you provide, the more believable and impactful this part will be. Admissions officers like to see enthusiastic students, who care about what they’re going to study, and the school they’re going to study at.

Thoughtful analysis is important. While they don’t expect you to be an expert at business before you enter the program, demonstrating the capability to analyze trends and patterns in business is valuable to them. They want to see what you know already, and how good your analysis is. Further, they want to know what you consider important, both in the business world at large, and when pursuing a business education.

Final Thoughts

UT’s honors programs ask for more than the requirements for general admissions because they want students who are higher-achieving, more ambitious, and willing to go the extra mile. High academic achievement is necessary of course, but it is the essays that truly separate the students who will thrive in an honors program from those who won’t.

If you want help with writing your own honors essays, or want to know how you can best ensure your entry into a UT Honors program, schedule a free consultation with us. We have a depth of experience with both helping students write the perfect essays, and with every stage of applications. We’re always eager to hear from you.

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• Application Process
• What We Look For
• Application Writing Prompt
• Tab Option 5
• ApplyTexas.org will open Fall 2025 Freshman admissions on August 1st. Students may also use the Common Application. UT Admissions Instructions can be found here .                                                                                                                                                                                        
• Being in the Liberal Arts Honors program at UT is not necessarily more difficult. If anything, it gives you more opportunities. We encourage applicants interested in a Liberal Arts education to apply! LAH reviews applications holistically and for ‘fit’ to the program. You can complete the honors application within the UT Admissions application, or if you aren’t ready to submit the honors portion, you can access it after you have submitted your UT application through your UT ‘MyStatus’ page. Additional information about the application can be found  here . Make sure to check your UT Status Page so that all parts of your application are marked as 'complete'.                                                                 
• October 15  - EARLY ACTION for UT AUSTIN -  This optional deadline will require UT Austin application submission by October 15, with a guaranteed decision regarding their university admission communicated to applicants by January 15.
• The regular deadline for applications will remain  December 1st , with a guaranteed decision communicated by February 15 . 
• Liberal Arts Honors will notify students of their program decision by March 1. Please note that some decisions may be delivered earlier, but not  earlier than  January 15th. 
• Students applying for Liberal Arts Honors and other honors programs at UT Austin are strongly encouraged to complete their application by October 15. 
• You may apply and be admitted to more than one honors program, but depending on the combination, you may have to choose.
• Students who apply to LAH may also be considered for an invitation to apply to the  Dedman Distinguished Scholars Scholarship for LAH or Plan II students.
• Students not admitted to UT Austin are no longer in consideration for Liberal Arts Honors.
• Complete the Common App or ApplyTexas Application
• Pay the $75 Application Fee
• Send College Transcripts if applicable
• Send SAT or ACT scores 
• Upload an Expanded Resume
• Complete UT Admissions Essay Prompts
• Complete UT Short Answer Prompts
• Complete the Liberal Arts Honors Admissions Essay Prompt and the Liberal Arts Honors Personal statement (5 sentences)
• LAH conducts a holistic review of all applications.
• A commitment to a liberal arts education is central to all students of LAH. We believe that the critical thinking and writing skills afforded to you by a liberal arts education facilitate your success. A desire for this type of education should show in your application.
• As writing is key to our program, we thoroughly read the essays submitted with the UT application. We encourage applicants to submit their best writing.
• LAH looks for students who challenge themselves academically throughout high school by taking AP/IB classes where offered and who maintain a full senior year course load.
• LAH also looks for leadership amongst its applicants. We would prefer to see that you participated in one or two organizations throughout high school and earned leadership positions instead of the "senior blitz" where you took parts in many organizations but were not committed to any of them.

Below you will find the writing prompt that LAH will ask for on the Honors Application . Because writing is key to our program, so you should carefully and thoroughly prepare your responses.

Prompt for 2025 will be posted soon!

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

June 26, 2024

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top public universities in the United States, and its ultra-elite business, engineering, and computer science programs attract brilliant teen minds from all over the world. It’s no wonder that close to 73,000 students applied for a chance to join the Longhorn Class of 2028. This enthusiasm has caused the annual acceptance rate to drop significantly. Thanks to a state policy that guarantees admission to Texas high schoolers who finish in the top 6% of their class, close to 90% of UT Austin’s 40,000+ undergraduate students placed in the top decile of their high school cohort. Additionally, the mean SAT for entering freshmen is over 1400. That brings us to the immense importance of the UT Austin supplemental essay prompts.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into UT Austin? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into UT Austin: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In a rare move, UT Austin reduced the number of supplemental essays that students need to write for the 2024-25 admissions cycle. However, the UT Austin supplemental section still affords applicants an excellent opportunity to showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the University of Texas at Austin’s three supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with advice on how to address each one.

UT Austin Supplemental Essay — 2024-25

1. 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. (500-650 words)

It doesn’t get more open-ended prompt than “topic of your choice.” Feel free to take this in whatever direction produces the most compelling and personal essay you can compose. What do you want the admissions office to know that they couldn’t possibly glean from anywhere else in your application? Don’t be afraid to share your struggles just as freely as your triumphs. An emotionally honest essay that showcases your unique personality is the desired product here.

One additional tip from an essay writing efficiency standpoint…if you are applying to a number of schools through the Common and/or Coalition App, you can “recycle” your Common App essay here (or vice versa).

UT Austin Short Answer Prompts — 2024-25

Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Share your authentic story of why you are interested in a particular discipline. For example, what books have you read on the subject? What documentaries have you watched? Which podcasts have you listened to? What subtopics most intrigue you? Did a teacher excite you about a topic or was it a parent or outside mentor? Do you know where you want to take this knowledge post-bachelor’s degree? Do you aim to one day go on to pursue a graduate/professional degree or is there an occupation you are shooting for right out of undergrad? Include as much detail as possible.

You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicling of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest or you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc.

UT Austin Essay Prompts (Continued)

 2. Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work, or a family responsibility.)

Perhaps you are the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, or the president of a club. On the other hand, you may simply be a valuable contributing member. Regardless of whether you are a leading man/woman or a still-essential bit player, make sure that you use your writing ability to show the admissions officer what type of involved team member you are and why you are proud of your contributions.

You can also discuss how you have engaged with your high school local/community. Share what you have learned from interacting with people of a different ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, etc. Draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in the context of your activity/activities. Finally, you can draw a link between your past efforts and future aims by researching and citing UT Austin organizations or initiatives. The admissions committee wants to understand precisely how you will contribute to their campus community.

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

This section functions similarly to the Additional Information section of the Common App . Feel free to use this space if you encountered any hardships that impacted your academic performance. This could be anything from dealing with a divorce to challenges faced from a learning disability.

However, this prompt is truly optional and you should only take advantage of the space if you need it. If your high school performance has not been majorly impacted by special circumstances or events, you do not need to write this essay.

How important are the essays at UT Austin?

In essence, UT Austin’s admission staff “uses an individualized, holistic review process to consider each completed freshman application. Applications from students who qualify for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admission to specific colleges, schools, and majors. Applications from students who are not eligible for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admissibility and to make decisions about admission to specific colleges, schools, and majors.”

The following items are considered during the holistic review:

• Strength of academic background
• Test scores
• Record of achievements, honors, and awards
• Special accomplishments, work, and service both in and out of school
• Special circumstances that put the applicant’s academic achievements into context, including his or her socioeconomic status, experience in a single-parent home, family responsibilities, experience overcoming adversity, cultural background, race and ethnicity, the language spoken in the applicant’s home, and other information in the applicant’s file
• Recommendations (although not required)
• Competitiveness of the major to which the student applies

UT Austin Essay Prompts – Want Personalized Assistance?

To conclude, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UT Austin supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Need more writing-related resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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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Essays & Short Answers

Summer/Fall 2025 Essay

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.

Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Spring 2025 Essays

All freshman Spring 2025 applicants must submit Topic A in ApplyTexas.

Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Spring 2025 Essay Topic

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Submitting Your Essay

You can submit your essays:

• In conjunction with your application.
• Using the Document Upload System in MyStatus.

*Students do not need to submit other Common App essays. We’ll only review what is required.

Short Answers

Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application. Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

Summer/Fall 2025 Prompts

• Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
• Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? ( Guidance for student s: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

Spring 2025 Prompts

• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Submitting Your Short Answers

You can submit your short answers with either your Common App or Apply Texas application. Short answer responses must be completed in order to submit your application.

Transfer applicants must submit one essay responding to Topic A. Applicants to the School of Architecture are required to upload Topic D in addition to Topic A. 

Essay Topics

Topic a (required).

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school/college or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and the other application information cannot convey.

Topic D (School of Architecture majors only)

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study, describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

Submitting Your Essay(s)

Ace the Application Process

We’re here to help you through applying to the Canfield Business Honors Program, as we have with countless students and parents through the years.

Application Requirements

To apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program, you must:

• Complete the steps listed in order to apply to the McCombs School of Business.
• After you start your  ApplyTexas  or  Common  application (having listed "Unspecified Business" as your first choice major), you will be able to select that you are interested in honors and answer the honors essay prompt(s).
• Answer the "Canfield Business Honors Program" essay prompt: Teamwork and community are pillars of the Canfield Business Honors Program. When reviewing your resume, is there a particular aspect that reflects these values? Tell us more about this experience and how you will bring these values to Canfield Business Honors. Limit your response to 300 words.
• Once your application is complete, you will have access to your MyStatus page after ~24 hours. Use this page to upload your resume ( Resume Tips for Canfield Business Honors ). You may also use the Common Application document upload for your expanded resume submission. 
• Apply Now via ApplyTexas
• Apply Now via Common App
• Submit your required SAT/ACT test scores (required for summer/fall 2025 admissions cycle) Early Action deadline is October 15th.

About Phone Interviews

Canfield BHP will offer networking connections with a Canfield BHP alumnus upon admission to the program. We are no longer conducting phone interviews for students pre-admission to the program.

Consider the Texas CSB program

Texas Honors Computer Science and Business is an integrated honors degree program between the Canfield Business Honors Program and the Department of Computer Science. Texas CSB provides a rigorous four-year undergraduate curriculum aimed at preparing students for top technology careers.

To apply to Texas CSB, you must:  

• Apply to UT Austin using either the ApplyTexas or Common applications. Select Unspecified Business and Computer Science Entry Level as your first and second choice majors. Your first choice major should be the one you are most interested in.
• Indicate your interest in an honors program towards the end of the application. By selecting the Unspecified Business and Computer Science Entry Level major combination, you will be able to complete the honors prompt for Texas CSB. Depending upon your first choice major, you will also be able to apply to either the Canfield Business Honors Program or Turing Scholars.
• Complete all other requirements to apply to UT Austin.
• Submit a detailed, expanded resume through MyStatus or the CommonApp documents section. The Activities section of CommonApp does not meet the resume requirement, a separate document must be provided
• Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.). Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender a request to submit their recommendation to us directly.

Additional Texas CSB Admissions Information

Consider the Texas ECB program

Texas Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business (Texas ECB) is a new integrated honors degree program between the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Texas ECB provides a rigorous four-year undergraduate engineering and business curriculum complete with a senior capstone project.

To apply to Texas ECB, you must:

• Complete the requirements to apply for admission to UT Austin. Select Unspecified Business and ECE as your first and second choice majors (first choice major should be the one you are most interested in). Students must select a combination of Unspecified Business (McCombs School of Business) and ECE (Cockrell School of Engineering) for their major choices to be considered for Texas ECB.
• After you select in your application Unspecified Business and ECE for you majors to UT Austin, you will be able to access the honors essay prompts later in the application.
• Designate Texas ECB as one of your honors choices by replying to the provided prompt. Students may also apply to either Canfield Business Honors or ECE Honors, depending on which major is their first choice. Students must select Unspecified Business as their first choice major to be reviewed for Canfield BHP in addition to Texas ECB. Students must select ECE as their first choice major to be reviewed for ECE Honors in addition to Texas ECB. All students admitted to Texas ECB are members of  both  Canfield Business Honors and ECE Honors. 
• Once your application is complete, you will have access to your MyStatus page after ~24-48 hours. Use this page to upload your   expanded resume , required for Texas ECB consideration. Students may also upload their documents via the CommonApp. 
• Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.), required for Texas ECB consideration. Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender to submit their recommendation to us directly or provide a letter via the CommonApp recommender portal. 
• Students entering Texas ECB MUST be ready for M 408D and have M 408C credit.   This link can provide test information for M 408C credit   or credit for M 408K + M 408L (Calc I and II) at a community college/university. Proof of M 408C completion can be provided in the UT Austin application or honors materials. 

Any questions about applying? Ask us, and we’re happy to answer!

The Honors Program @ UT

Sapere aude

Honors Theses

• Thesis Guidelines
• Steps to Writing a Thesis/Deadlines/Registering for Thesis Credits

Thesis Forms

Sample theses, thesis steps.

Fall — First Monday of November 

Spring — Second Monday of April

• Step 1: Propose your project by filling out the Thesis Submittable Application
• Step 2: Confirm your thesis committee by filling out the Thesis Committee Form.
• Step 3: Complete 6 to 10 Thesis Credits via your major or through Hon 490. To “register” for Honors 490, fill out the general UT Independent Study Form . The course title is “Hon 490.” The professor is your thesis director. The chair is one of the honors directors. Submit the form to the Registrar’s office. Do not attempt to register for someone else’s Hon 490 in Workday as you would other classes. (Workday will say you aren’t eligible because you’re essentially trying to sign up for someone else’s thesis class, and you don’t want to do that.)
• Step 4: Defend your thesis. Students attempting to complete their thesis projects in the Fall must defend their projects by the second Monday of November; students attempting to complete their thesis projects in the Spring must defend their projects by the second Monday in April. When the thesis is defended, everyone on the committee signs the  Thesis Completion Form .
• Step 5: Grant the Library permission to save your thesis by filling out the Institutional Repository Form & ask your director to confirm thesis completion by uploading the Thesis Completion Form to Submittable .

Back to menu

• Thesis Proposal Form
• Thesis Committee Form
• Independent Study Form
• Thesis Completion Form
• Institutional Repository Form
• Thesis Submittable Completion Application

Sample theses can be found at the UT Institutional Repository .

Q: My major already requires a thesis and has a thesis class (such as LIT 490). Can I use that to get Honors thesis credits?

A: Yes. Write [email protected] and let us know you’re planning to substitute one for the other, and we’ll update your records accordingly.

Q: I’m trying to register for Honors 490 in Workday and it says I’m ineligible for the course. What do I need to do to be eligible?

A: You’re not supposed to register for someone else’s independent study class. To register for your own thesis credits, fill out the independent study form (above). Register for your own section of Hon 490 and give it to the registrar.

Q: I didn’t finish my thesis by the deadline. Can I have an extension?

A: The deadlines are for the purposes of graduation. You’re recognized as graduating with honors research distinction at the ceremony, and you have to have defended by the deadline to be in the program and to have your designation on your transcript. If you miss that deadline, you may not be recognized in the ceremony. Furthermore, all theses are read by the Faculty-led Honors Committee. If the semester is over, the faculty, who do not meet in winter or summer breaks, cannot review the theses. For these reasons, we cannot grant thesis extensions.

Q: How many thesis credits can I take at one time? How many should I take at one time?

A: That is up to you and your thesis director. The ideal situation is that a student has 2 years to write a thesis. That way, they can take credits in small increments (for example, 2 per semester) and gradually build the project. Others might take 3 credits the fall of their senior year and 3 the spring of their senior year. Still others might take 1 to 2 credits over the summer. How you break up your thesis credits depends on: how many hours you and your director are able / willing to meet weekly; how long you have to write your thesis; whether or not you want to or are able to register for credits over the summer; and how much work you plan to put into the thesis in any given semester.

Q: Can I get thesis credits from Oxford or via any other Honors opportunity?

A: You can use Oxford credits as thesis credits if your tutorials align with your thesis topic and your thesis director agrees. You cannot get thesis credits through any other Honors opportunity, such as Partners in the Park, Timothy M. Smith, or attending conferences, etc.

Q: How do thesis credits work? Is it a course in which everyone is enrolled, or what?

A: Thesis credits are independent study courses. That means you and your director work out what days/times to meet, how often you meet, and you create the syllabus together. The first semester of your thesis is usually a reading and proposal semester, where you familiarize yourself with the literature surrounding your research and propose a topic for your thesis. The other semesters usually involve writing, drafting, and revising. Thesis credits do not involve you enrolling in a 20-person class with other students; this is one-on-one work with you and your director (and, occasionally, your two other thesis committee members).

Q: What happens if I fail to finish my thesis?

Students who do not finish the thesis must complete 3 extra courses: one in the humanities, one in the social sciences, and one in the natural sciences (any, not just in Honors) in order to satisfy their core requirements; however, while taking these extra 3 courses will signal that their core courses are complete, they will not graduate with honors.

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Honors College Essay: Tips, Prompt Examples and How to Write

Writing honors college essay

An honors college essay is an academic paper that students typically complete to establish entrance into an honors college, program, or division. An honors paper seeks to test students’ research skills and focus their analytical abilities on a subject of academic interest. 

Due to the specialized focus of the paper, students benefit from serious attention to the college essay topics, which are vital in developing the essay.

An Honors College essay is unique in terms of its requirements, structure, and background. The purpose of this article is to provide advice on writing and structuring an Honors College essay.

People Also Read: SAT Essay Cancellation: Before College Registration Process

Which Universities do Ask for Honors College Essay

1. uci (university of california irvine) .

The UCI has two programs, the Academic Honors Program and the Honors Program. Both are popular with many members. They are not mutually exclusive, but they have different requirements and different goals.

The Academic Honors Program is for students who want to get recognized by their professors for academic achievement. It does not require an essay but several letters of recommendation from faculty members.

You should not apply to either program if you are only interested in one or the other because there is no guarantee that either program will accept your application or that you will gain acceptance into either program.

2. VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University)

The applicants must complete the 500-word Essay on Honors. The essay should address the following topics:

• Your interests and goals, especially as they pertain to your intended major(s) and career path(s). How do you feel about being a lifelong learner?
• Your ideas about leadership, including h
• How you would define leadership, what your leadership style is, how you would use your abilities as a leader to positively impact your community in and out of college, and how you would lead if given the opportunity.

3. NJT (New Jersey Institute of Technology)

NJT requires you to write an essay and submit it along with your application.

These honors college essays usually focus on your intellectual interests and experiences, using specific examples to illustrate your points. It’s essential to select an area you are interested in and know about. 

You should also pick something that you can write about easily; it will be evident if you are writing a research paper or other academic work instead of an honors college essay, so don’t try to fake it!

4. Purdue University

Purdue University’s Honors College focuses on scholarship, leadership, research, and engagement by integrating residential and co-curricular learning opportunities with academic classroom experiences.

Your college application essay needs to breathe life into your application. It should capture your genuine personality, explaining who you are beyond a series of grades, test scores, and after-school activities. 

Take a minute and think about the college or university admission officers who will be reading your essay.

5. Stony Brook University

The Stony Brook Honors College provides an exceptional opportunity for students who want to pursue a challenging course of study in the company of talented peers. Your essay should be no longer than three double-spaced pages and should address certain questions.

It is an opportunity to explain an event that took place on any day in history; what would that event be? Discuss why you chose this particular day. Also, as this question, what do you hope to learn/experience by being present?

People Also Read: AP Capstone Pros and Cons: Is it Worth It? Do colleges Care

How to Write a Good Honors College Essay

Honors college essays follow a formal style with a clear structure. To get your honors college essay, follow these tips:

• Think about the prompt and what you want to say.
• Brainstorm.
• Organize your thoughts into a logical outline.
• Write your introduction.
• End with a conclusion that sums up the main points of your argument and connects those points back to the prompt.

Technically, the honors college essay can be a five-paragraph essay, but it should be more than that.

It should be closer to a 10-paragraph essay, with an introduction and conclusion paragraph that are each about four or five sentences long.

The introduction and conclusion paragraphs should be about the same size. The middle of the essay should be about three paragraphs long, and each of them should be about four to five sentences long.

1. Introduction 

The introduction should have a hook which is a catchy sentence or two that gets the reader interested in reading your essay. Furthermore, it should have an explanation of why you want to go to Honors College: This is usually possible in one sentence. 

Also, there should be a thesis statement. This is usually evident in one sentence at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement tells the reader what you plan to write about in your essay. For example: “I want to attend honors college because of their strong pre-med program.”

Write the body of your paper using transition words to connect your ideas and explain the connections between them.

The middle paragraphs should include an explanation of why you have chosen your career path and why you are interested. 

3. Conclusion

End with a strong conclusion that ties together everything you discussed within your paper, providing important takeaways for readers as well as leaving them feeling satisfied with what they just read.

Takeaways 

• You are writing an essay, not a text message. In other words, please use complete sentences and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If proper English is not your strong suit, enlist someone proficient at it to help edit your essay.
• Be specific about what you want to study and why. Do not just say that you want an education; tell the reader what kind of education you want and why. This is particularly important if you plan to study something that you did not find at your high school. 
• The readers do not expect you to know everything about the field you plan to enter. They expect that you give serious consideration to it and explain why you want to pursue it beyond the fact that “it sounds interesting” or “it pays well.”
• Proofread your essays before sending them in. Errors will distract from whatever else is in those essays and may give us a negative impression of your abilities.

Things to Remember about Honor Essays

The honors essay is one of your best chances to stand out in a meaningful way from other applicants, so be sure to invest time in crafting a great response.

The admission office is looking for the following:

• The office wants to know that you understand what makes the honors program special. We have a diverse group of students and faculty who are passionate about learning and interacting across disciplines.
• What do you think this will mean for you? How will you take advantage of being in an environment that values interdisciplinary thinking?
• Your accomplishments. Let the audience know your talents. Have you excelled academically? What leadership roles have you taken on, or awards have you won? They want to discover what drives your passion for learning, leadership, and service.
• Your plans for the future. The honors program will prepare you for success beyond your skills, whether that’s graduate school or medical school, or a career in a completely different field. 

People Also Read: NJHS Essay: How to Write a Winning Piece from Ideas to end

Examples of Honors College Essay Topics

• Considering your lifetime goals, explain how your present and future academic activities will assist you in achieving your goals. 
• Settle for an issue of importance to you, whether it is political, personal, local, or international related. Then, craft an essay to explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your community, and your generation. 

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN APPLICATION

Tackling the ut austin short answer essay prompts.

UT requires students to write two short answer essays as part of their application. These essays are a wonderful opportunity to help UT understand why a student is a fit for UT and their first-choice major.

A student's expanded resume provides the “data” on their achievements and experiences. Their essay and short answers, in contrast, show that they're a living, thinking, feeling human being, someone who cares about what they do and has big dreams for their future. No admissions committee expects a student to have their life 100% planned out right now—the whole point of college is to give students time, space, and resources to learn and explore. But they do want to know that if they admit someone, that student is going to take advantage of everything they offer.

GENERAL TIPS FOR THE UT AUSTIN SHORT ANSWER APPLICATION ESSAYS

• Just answer the question. Seems simple, but it's important to keep in mind: these are not trick questions. UT Admissions is asking students exactly what they want to know. Students should read the question carefully and be sure they're addressing it directly.
• Be succinct. Students should absolutely use illustrative examples where appropriate, but they can save their creative juices for the long essay - the personal statement (also known as the Common App essay). The short answers are more about providing extra information to the admissions committee.
• Always keep first-choice major in mind. The short answers are a great place to provide additional evidence for why a student is a good fit for their first-choice major.

The short answers on the UT application fit together to create the perfect opportunity for a student showcase themselves as an active, engaged future member of the UT community. Here, we'll walk you through each short answer question and offer some tips on how to tackle them.

Need help with your UT Austin Application?

You might be interested in our 1:1 Coaching Program for Students Applying to the University Of Texas at Austin

REQUIRED SHORT ANSWER 1: FIRST-CHOICE MAJOR

Short Answer Prompt

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

300 Word Maximum

How to Approach This Question

In this short answer response, students need to communicate to the admissions committee what they personally find engaging and exciting about their proposed field of study. The admissions committee does not expect student to already be an expert in their field or to have their future career in this field planned out. But they do want to know that the student didn't just open the course catalog and pick a major at random. 

Remember, the student should demonstrate how they specifically—not just a generic student—will take advantage of the opportunities available to them. 

So rather than writing a dry sentence like “I plan to apply for Department X's summer research grant,” a student should write a sentence or two describing a burning question they hope to answer through their research: “With the support of Department X's summer research grants, I could deepen my understanding of [ insert specific topic you're passionate about ] and finally discover an answer to [ burning question ]—something I've been fascinated by since my sophomore year internship at [ relevant workplace ].” The first sentence could just as easily apply to a thousand different applicants. The second is focused, detailed, and could only have been written by—and about—one student. 

Students' responses to this question should demonstrate the following: 

• They have already begun exploring this subject on their own, independently and/or through organized opportunities (e.g., classes, summer programs, internships). 
• They have a sense of how this major fits into their long-term goals.
• They have thought about why UT would be an excellent place to study this subject. 

Questions for Reflection and Freewriting 

Students should be careful not to simply relist classes, activities, and awards from their resume. Instead, they can highlight two or three experiences they found especially meaningful, and reflect on how those experiences shaped their interest in their major. Here are some questions they can ask themselves as they brainstorm: 

• How did this learning experience change the way you understand the world? Did you learn about new problems you hadn't been aware of? Gain a new perspective on your own life, culture, or community? Learn new skills or methods for solving problems? 
• How did you grow from this learning experience? Did it spark new realizations or spark you to take action in some way? Give you new creative outlets for expressing yourself? Open doors to careers or fields of study you hadn't previously considered? 

Personalizing the Answer

If a student hasn't had the opportunity to participate in summer programs or take coursework directly related to their first-choice major, they might need to get a little more creative here. Remember: learning experiences don't have to be formally organized. Taking the initiative to explore a topic independently can demonstrate to colleges that a student is self-motivated and intellectually curious. Here are some ways students might independently explore their interests: 

• Reading books and other publications related to their interests
• Watching relevant lectures on YouTube or listening to podcasts
• Starting conversations with friends, family, or classmates about what they're learning
• Finding ways to incorporate interests into assignments (e.g., researching famous social psychology experiments for an AP U.S. History project)
• Talking with a teacher or reaching out to a professional in their field to learn more
• Gathering information from real world experiences, even if they don't seem directly connected to the major. (For example, if a student is an aspiring accounting major who currently works a retail job, they might pay close attention to how a small business handles expenses compared to a large chain. Or, if they're an aspiring education major who cares for younger siblings, they might help their siblings with their homework assignments and come up with creative ideas to teach them difficult concepts.) 

Bottom line: Students should be sure that their answer to this question doesn't regurgitate information from their resume and instead offers new insight into their personal connection with their first-choice major.

The college essay & resume for UT Austin process can feel overwhelming. Our program provides an experienced coach and a proven framework, working one-on-one to reduce the stress so the student can tell a compelling story.

Our program for students applying to UT Austin includes:

• Guiding students through the UT expanded resume development process
• Managing your student’s essay timeline for one long essay and four school-specific supplemental essays
• Coaching students through a targeted set of college essays, including one long essay  and four school-specific supplemental essays
• Providing students with suggested edits and proofing for this targeted set of college essays
• Review of essays and application by our internal admissions committee

Your student will be carefully matched with a coach based on personality, working style, and first-choice major—it’s just one of the many ways we modify our proven process to meet individual student needs.

REQUIRED SHORT ANSWER 2: MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY

Think of all the activities—both in and outside of school—that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

For this essay, students should choose an activity that holds personal significance: one that has had a meaningful impact on their personal growth, skill development, or understanding of the world around them. Here are some tips for how they can approach it.

1. Explain their role and contributions. Students should clearly describe their involvement in the activity, highlighting any leadership positions, initiatives they took, or projects they completed. They should discuss how they contributed to the success of the activity, the impact they made on others, and why they're proud of this activity. This essay is also a great place for students to write about their leadership experiences, even if it's not leadership in the traditional sense. 

2. Showcase their personal growth. Students should reflect on how this activity has shaped their character, values, and goals. They should consider discussing any lessons they learned, skills they developed, or insights they gained through their participation.

3. Be succinct. While it's important for students to use illustrative examples where appropriate, they should remember that the short answers are primarily about providing extra information to the admissions committee. Students should be concise and focused in their responses.

4. Always keep their first-choice major in mind. If possible, students should choose an activity that provides additional evidence of their fit for their first-choice major — ideally highlighting something they didn't mention in their short answer essay about their major. They should demonstrate how the skills, experiences, or insights gained through this activity relate to their intended field of study.

5. Diversify. Students should make sure to choose a topic they didn’t already talk about in their other essays, and they should go deeper than what’s on their expanded resume. For example, a student applying as a communication major might talk about their job at a restaurant and describe how they were able to diffuse a tense situation with a customer resulting in praise from a supervisor. The student could delve into what they learned about themselves in this situation and how they can see themselves using their skills in their career.

Questions for Reflection and Freewriting

When choosing an activity to write about, students should reflect on experiences that have had a significant impact on their personal growth, skill development, or understanding of the world around them. Here are some questions they can ask themselves as they brainstorm:

• What activity are you most proud of and why? Consider extracurricular activities, clubs/organizations, volunteer work, jobs, or family responsibilities.
• How did your involvement in this activity contribute to its success? Did you take on any leadership roles, initiate projects, or make a meaningful impact on others?
• In what ways did this activity help you grow as a person? Did you develop new skills, gain valuable insights, or learn important lessons that have shaped your character, values, or goals?
• How has this activity prepared you for your chosen major or future career? Have you acquired skills, experiences, or knowledge that relate to your intended field of study?
• Did this activity expose you to new perspectives, challenges, or opportunities that have influenced your academic or professional interests? How has it made you more excited or committed to pursuing your chosen major?

By reflecting on these questions, students can identify an activity that showcases their personal growth, highlights their strengths and contributions, and demonstrates their fit for their chosen major.

When writing about their chosen activity, students should focus on their unique experiences and perspectives, using specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate their contributions. Then, by reflecting on how the activity has shaped their values, goals, and understanding of themselves and the world around them, students can create a response that is authentic, meaningful, and truly showcases who they are as individuals.

Remember, the goal here isn't for students to rattle off a list of achievements from their resume. Instead, they should demonstrate that they've reflected thoughtfully on their past experiences, and that they've learned something from those experiences that will help them be a good member of the UT community.

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Choosing the right major is super important because it's the biggest part of your application. UT Austin wants to see that you understand why you picked your major and how it fits with what you want to do in the future.

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

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As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

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University of Florida 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Activity

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

What would your life be mundane without? Elaborate on an activity, responsibility, or passion that is meaningful to you. Unlike an activities resume entry, this should be expanded to reflect your priorities, worldview, and sense of purpose. Do you babysit your cousins when your aunt gets called into work? How does it feel to support your family members in this way and what does the phrase, “it takes a village,” mean to you? Do you foster rescue cats until they find their forever homes? What does this hobby mean to you? Maybe you inherited your animal love from your dad who used to work as a farmhand. Use your experiences to tell admissions something about you they wouldn’t already know from your list of extracurriculars. What gives your life meaning? Why do you wake up in the morning? What are you working toward?

Honors College Only:

As albert einstein once said, “the important thing is not to stop questioning. curiosity has its own reason for existing.” reflecting on this, what academic subjects, learning opportunities, or extracurricular activities are you most excited to engage in during your college experience how do you imagine or hope the uf honors program will help feed your curiosity and help you achieve your aspirations (400 words).

This is a classic Why Essay even if it’s not incredibly obvious, although rather than asking only about your interest in the university in general, UF also wants to know why you are applying for the Honors Program. This essay calls for—say it with us now—research! Block off a solid hour or two to noodle around UF’s website , looking at the courses, clubs, research opportunities, study abroad experiences, musical ensembles, intramural sports teams, or anything else about the school that attracts you. The prompt focuses on curiosity, so mention every aspect that appeals to you in a college experience, even if they don’t connect elegantly into one major or focus. Take some time to learn about the Honors Program in particular, noting which courses, student activities, teaching assistantships, or retreats will help quench your thirst for discovery and prime you to reach your personal, academic, and professional goals. How does UF in general and the Honors Program in particular fit your hopes, dreams, and expectations for your college experience and beyond?

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• Honors Humanities Major

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Study Honors Humanities at Azusa Pacific University

You’ll graduate as a scholarly disciple who is dedicated to loving God and neighbor, devoted to civic engagement, and committed to seeking truth, beauty, and goodness. You’ll learn about good leadership, moral and intellectual virtue, and the Christian tradition as a high-achieving, academically motivated undergraduate student.

See Admission Requirements

Program at a Glance

The Honors College educates the next generation of high-achieving academically motivated Christian leaders through a curriculum cultivating moral and intellectual virtue.

Upcoming Events

APU One Day

• March 8, 2024

Application Deadline

For priority consideration, applications must be submitted by November 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be accepted until the regular decision deadline of February 15, 2024; after this deadline, applications will be considered based on available space.

Program Information

• Program Units: 48
• Azusa (Main Campus)

Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

Gain Hands-on Experience

• Experience in-depth learning in small, discussion-based, intellectually stimulating classes.
• Study the humanities in a unique close-knit community alongside a second major of your choice.
• Explore a storehouse of wisdom from great books in reading- and writing-intensive courses with no exams.
• Refine skills essential in all vocational pursuits: reading, writing, listening, arguing, public speaking, teamwork.

By the Numbers

Get started.

The Journey of Discovering Ourselves (Honors College)

Clifford Young III ‘23, shares about how students in the Honors College read Great Texts on a journey of discovering themselves and how God works in humanity through loving one another. 

Watch Clifford's Story

Program Details

Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the  Student Services Center  page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.

The Honors College at Azusa Pacific University is a tight-knit community of scholars grappling with life’s most important questions. It is a highly selective program, attracting students from among the top 10 percent of high school graduates. Students interested in joining the Honors College community are invited to complete the application at the bottom of this page.

Admission Requirements

Students who have a high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are not required to submit test scores for Fall 2024, but if applicants are able to submit test scores, they are encouraged to do so—on average, students accepted into the Honors College have a weighted GPA of 4.2 and an SAT score of 1320, ACT of 29, or CLT of 86.

Application Requirements

The Honors College application requires the following additional materials, which should be prepared before starting the form at the bottom of this page. Note: Only students who have applied for general admission to Azusa Pacific University will be considered for admission to the Honors College.

• Names and email addresses for two academic references

Abigail Adams wrote, “These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues.”

Write an essay in which you explore Abigail Adams’ contention that hard times are ideal for shaping good character. Recount how that observation might apply to you and to challenges of our time.

The essay should be typed and submitted as a .doc or .pdf file. The text should be double spaced with one-inch margins on all sides. The preferred font size is 10- or 12-point. Essays should not exceed three pages. Essays will be evaluated based on thoughtfulness and clarity of written expression.

If you are a   Trustees’ Scholarship   applicant, your Honors College application is simplified and will not require you to submit another essay or additional references.

Online Application

The Honors College online application cannot be saved, so please be prepared to finish the entire application at one time.

Honors College Online Application

You might think that a private college education is beyond your reach, but  there are many financial resources available to help make an Azusa Pacific education a reality . APU students may take advantage of three basic types of financial aid: scholarships and grants, education loans, and student employment.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships   and   grants   are considered “gift aid” and do not require repayment. They can come from federal, state, or private sources. Scholarships are typically merit-based, meaning they are awarded depending on demonstrated academic ability or other specific talents.

Scholarships are often available from sources outside of APU. You can search for these scholarships through websites such as   finaid.org   or   fastweb.com . The Student Services Center is sometimes notified of scholarships available through APU departments or local organizations, and can provide information about any available scholarships on request.

Education Loans

Education loans   are usually repaid after graduation, may be deferred until after graduate school, and often have very low interest rates.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for   financial assistance   covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Student Employment

On-campus   student employment   is available for students needing additional income to pay for education-related expenses. APU students also find work off campus in the surrounding community.

Net Price Calculator

We’re committed to helping families understand early in the college search process the value of the APU experience and options for affordable financing of a top-tier Christian university education.

Now that you’re familiar with the financial aid opportunities available to APU students, it’s time to estimate what your true cost may be to attend Azusa Pacific. Remember, estimations are only as accurate as the information you provide. Click on the Net Price Calculator button below to begin.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

The Honors College   telos —its aim, purpose, end—is to liberally educate the next generation of high-achieving, academically motivated Christian leaders. The curriculum starts with the premise that good leadership requires the cultivation of moral and intellectual virtue—the habits of the heart and of the mind that enable one to determine what ought to be done and how best to do it.

Students in the Honors College at APU have the opportunity to study their primary major alongside Honors Humanities, equipping them with wisdom and virtue to enrich their careers and lives. Those who understand and develop this vocational combination graduate as scholarly disciples dedicated to loving God and their neighbor, devoted to civic engagement, and committed to seeking truth, beauty, and goodness.

Eight Vocational Spheres of Influence and Domains of Leadership

It is beneficial to address the nuances of the different Honors Humanities major combinations by looking at them through the lens of eight vocational spheres of influence and domains of leadership. This connects the study of the humanities to other areas of study. Each major combination will help you become a better leader, citizen, disciple, and scholar.

Arts and Entertainment

Behavioral sciences, communication and media relations, government and law, science and technology, theology and religion.

Reflective questions:   What am I called to? What are my strengths? Where can I make the most impact in society? How can I engage society across multiple disciplines?

Honors students pursuing majors in the arts and entertainment sphere discover how creativity and beauty connect with people in the world around us. This sphere consists of musicians, filmmakers, producers, social media strategists, performers, artists, and more. Their vast knowledge of history and expression imprinted in this field enhances creativity and innovation for our culture and times.

As well-rounded professionals, they engage in their sphere of storytelling, creatively driven by the philosophical depth nurtured in Honors Humanities courses. These students’ ability to perform, critically think, and intentionally communicate provides a dynamic perspective of the content consumed and produced in arts and entertainment, achieved through this combination of majors.

Learn more about each Arts and Entertainment major:

• Acting for the Stage and Screen Major (BFA)
• Animation and Visual Effects
• Cinematic Arts
• Cinematic Arts Production (BFA)
• Commercial Music
• Design Studies
• Games and Interactive Media
• Music Composition
• Music Performance
• Screenwriting
• Theater Arts

Honors students pursuing majors in the behavioral sciences sphere discover how communities and people thrive in society. Consisting of counselors, therapists, psychologists, social workers, law enforcement, government officials, and others, their multifaceted perspective engages the history of humanity through a philosophical lens, providing insight into the challenges that impact human flourishing.

As advocates in culture and society, they impact their sphere of behavioral sciences by deeply understanding various theories and disciplines of the mind in relation to the world around them. When these students lead, they impact their community with integrity and virtue,influencing ethical decision-making for transformative hope.

Learn more about each Behavioral Sciences major:

• Criminal Justice
• Social Work

These Honors Humanities majors specialize in learning how leaders ethically grow the prosperity and purpose of their business. Consisting of leaders, managers, investors, strategists, entrepreneurs, and more, their creativity and innovation are driven by their ability to think critically and lead purposefully.

As leaders who understand the power of philosophical, intrinsic motivation, they impact the sphere of business by critically applying professional and organizational values through ethical overarching systems. In addition, when leading in a global economy, they energize their teams through their ability to engage multicultural perspectives and worldviews with strong moral integrity for maximum impact.

Learn more about each Business major:

• Business Analytics
• Business Economics
• Business Management
• Digital Marketing and Design Major
• Entrepreneurship
• International Business

These Honors Humanities majors learn how to eliminate confusion by communicating with clarity and integrity. Consisting of communicators, storytellers, journalists, human resource professionals, organizational strategists, and public relations specialists, their blend of critical thinking, rhetorical effectiveness, and interpersonal skills in speaking and writing is proven by their published Oxbridge books.

They impact the sphere of communication and media relations by understanding the philosophy and humanity of their global audience, aiding in their ability to connect moral convictions with habits of the heart and mind. When they lead, they understand the importance of value-driven leadership that emphasizes the impact that belief systems have on engaging their audience, adapting language, asking questions, and applying knowledge for any organization.

Learn more about each Communication and Media Relations major:

• Communication Management
• Public Relations

These honors students focus on how to educate and empower the next generation of leaders, disciples, citizens, and scholars. Consisting of educators, researchers, historians, translators/linguists, writers, and others, their educational background informs their ability to engage with diverse vocations, cultures, experiences, languages, and circumstances.

They impact their sphere of education by creating a space that emphasizes the   telos   (mission) of education and informs their pedagogy’s   ethos   (values/habits). When they lead, their influence transforms their content into character development, leaving a lasting impact in every sphere of society locally and globally.

Learn more about each Education major:

• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Liberal Studies
• Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certification)
• Social Science

These Honors Humanities majors learn how to effectively engage political challenges through peaceful interactions. Consisting of politicians, lawyers, diplomats, lobbyists, law enforcement agents, congressional affairs professionals, and more, their strong ethical foundation and knowledge of history inform the way in which they approach diverse perspectives and complex ideas.

They impact their sphere of government and law through the combination of classical and modern political thought. Their teams rely on them, expecting their critical approaches and analysis of various topics to play a leading role in the political affairs of their community, country, and even the entire world.

Learn more about each Government and Law major:

• International Relations
• Political Science

Honors students pursuing majors in science and technology determine how to ethically engage in scientific discovery and technological advancement while understanding the needs of humanity. Consisting of doctors, nurses, researchers, engineers, mathematicians, data analysts, physical therapists, and more, their ethical and virtuous leadership allows them to engage any challenge with integrity. Through this major combination, they are able to foundationally understand, analyze, and deduce from dense text to effectively understand essential details across their various disciplines.

These students impact the sphere of science and technology through their strong holistic understanding of human interaction. This informs their deductive reasoning, inquisitive engagement, data integrity, and patient care. They impact their teams with their qualitative, philosophical, and ethical integration in a predominantly quantitative profession.

Learn more about each Science and Technology major:

• Allied Health
• Applied Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Kinesiology
• Mathematics

These Honors Humanities majors learn how to explore truth and goodness in an ever-changing world. Consisting of theologians, pastors, philosophers, educators, leaders, and more, examples of their versatility include engaging with Scripture, understanding philosophical perspectives, synthesizing themes, and thinking critically.

Their ministry impacts the sphere of theology and religion with a compassionate understanding of humanity that connects various backgrounds and experiences. As they seek to establish a Biblical foundation in the pursuit of truth and goodness, they lead in a passionate, persevering, and inquisitive way, engaging with challenging questions while grappling with classical texts.

Learn more about the Theology and Religion majors:

• Biblical Studies
• Christian Ministries
• Music and Worship
• Youth and Family Ministries

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Featured Faculty

Diana Pavlac Glyer

Professor, Honors College

Christine Kern

Associate Professor, Honors College

Professor of Philosophy, Honors College

See All Faculty

Career Outlooks and Outcomes

The Freshmen Honors Experience: Transforming Together

A group of freshmen reflect on how they’ve been transformed throughout their first semester in the Honors College, sharing what they’ve learned from great texts and how they’ve grown closer together.

Read the Article

Related Programs

Philosophy major, english major.

Available Concentrations:

English Education

History Major

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APU’s life-changing education develops you into a disciple and scholar, equipping you to succeed in your field and make a difference in the world.

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The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head

Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, displayed some … unique moves as she competed in a field with breakers half her age. The judges and the internet were underwhelmed.

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By Dodai Stewart and Talya Minsberg

Reporting from Paris

Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in just about every way.

By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.

During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.

The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.

Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.

“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”

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