rpi college essay prompts

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2023-24 Application Essay Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words and 1 essay of 300 words

Supplemental Essay Type: Why , Activity

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is not going to make you jump through hoops to submit an application, in fact, RPI asks applicants to apply to two of the most common supplemental essay types out there. Let’s dive in!

Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? (250 words)

This prompt is so run-of-the-mill, but that doesn’t mean response should be. In order to impress admissions, you need to not only demonstrate a solid knowledge of what the school has to offer, but also leverage that knowledge to show that you’ve done your homework and thought your decision to apply through. Try to connect your past intellectual pursuits or extracurricular interests to those available to you at RPI. Which departments, majors, and other opportunities excite you? What do you want to learn? Bone up on the professors and notable alumni in your field—is there any research that you’d like to be a part of? Whatever you choose to focus on, make sure your choices reveal something important about who you are, what you value, and who you will become at RPI.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (300 words)

Okay, now for the second most common type of supplemental essay prompt: the activity essay. We recommend writing about an activity that you have not already addressed in depth in your application. If you wrote your Common App essay about your time scrambling eggs at the local diner, focus on a different activity or work experience that reveals a new aspect of your personality. This can be a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and any accolades you may have received. Were you elected student body president after a strenuous campaign? Were you asked to take the lead on social media marketing for your neighborhood grocer? No matter what you choose to write about, it should probably be something you’ve either been involved in for a while or put a lot of time and heart into.

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The Admissions Strategist

How to write the rensselaer polytechnic institute supplemental essays 2020-2021 (with an example).

Do you need help finding best-fit colleges or writing essays? You can sign up for a free consult here .

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a well-ranked university and has a moderately selective admissions rate at around 44%.

In order to stand out, you need to make sure that every section in your application impresses the admissions office.

This includes writing a knockout personal statement and, if applicable, a powerful program-specific essay.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts the Common Application , the Coalition Application, and the Candidate’s Choice Application. One kind of application is not preferred over the other. However, there are some restrictions on which application you can use depending on what program you are applying to. 

You cannot complete the Coalition Application if you are applying to an accelerated program in law or medicine. The Candidate’s Choice Application, on the other hand, is for students who have expressed an interest in Rensselaer and are first-year applicants only. If you are applying to the accelerated medical program, you cannot use the Candidate’s Choice Application. 

If you plan on submitting your credentials through Naviance, you can only do so by completing the Common Application.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the question and essay prompts offered in Rensselaer’s application to improve your chances of success.

Important Things to Remember For the RPI Essays

While writing your personal statement and essay, you should center your focus on your interest in Rensselaer.

Unlike other colleges, which often offer essay prompts that ask you to elaborate on an important part of your life or what you might want your future roommate to know, RPI’s essay prompts are strictly about Rensselaer or its specific programs.

• That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t inject your personality and interests into the essay.
• You should aim to make your essay personal and use previous achievements or experiences to provide evidence as to why you are interested in the university and the field of study.
• Write about something you haven’t previously mentioned in the Common App essay, or elaborate on a part of your application you’ve only briefly mentioned.

Be authentic in your essay, and let the admissions officers know you as a person and as an academic.

This will help you shine in your essay and prove to RPI that you belong there as a student.

Get personalized advice!

Rpi essays: short-answer questions.

Other than the supplemental essays and personal statement, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute asks one short question:

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

While RPI doesn’t specify a minimum or maximum word count, you should keep it at around 300 words or less.

It should be just long enough to fully articulate how the activity or work impacted your life.

Limit your description of the activity to about 100 words.

What’s more important to the university is why you chose that extracurricular and how it affected your personal or professional development.

• Make sure that your development is the focus of your answer.
• Remember, this should be personal to you.

While you may want to write about the National Honor Society or any other activity with high accolades, you should think about an extracurricular activity that has shaped and motivated you.

Writing about an activity that you are passionate about will not only be easier and faster to write but will also more accurately reflect your strengths and interests.

If you’ve started any clubs or organizations, that can be a great topic to write about. It shows ambition and leadership skills, and a drive to create and build communities for your activity.

• Demonstrating that passion for a subject to a college suggests that you will show similar initiative if you are accepted.
• Writing about any sort of leadership position in an extracurricular can also demonstrate your motivation and passion in that club, as well as obvious leadership skills. Maybe you don’t have leadership experience, but you’re at robotics club after school every day for hours.

Perhaps you’re there practicing at marching band rehearsals or doing routines at cheerleading practice.

Activities that take a lot of collaboration, teamwork, and time can be a great topic. Spending a lot of time on an activity shows your dedication and commitment to it, and if you’re part of a team, it can also reflect your interpersonal skills.

Approach it from a unique angle that shows how the skills you developed in the activity can be applied to your college or professional life. Remember that you can write about work experience and not just extracurricular clubs.

If you’ve interned for a company in your field of interest over the summer, or you had a life-changing moment at a part-time job, you can definitely write about those.

Just make sure to tie it back to your personal development and goals in life.

RPI Personal Statement

Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? (250 words or less)

Notice that Rensselaer gives a 250 word limit to this essay. This is the quintessential “ Why This College ” essay.

That means that you need to be direct, concise, and clear with your answer. The key to being successful with this essay is that it should be short, specific, and not too general. 

No need for fancy phrasings or purple prose. The admissions officers are looking for specific reasons for your interest in this university.

• You need to know why Rensselaer is one of the schools you are hoping to attend. Your essay should touch upon what makes RPI  unique and how those unique attributes can benefit you and your future career.
• First, you should make a list of these reasons, however general or applicable they may be. Once you have compiled your list, you may find that some points are generic.
• Many Rensselaer applicants will likely choose the same reason that you do, and it may be hard to stand out from the crowd. For instance, you may be interested in Rensselaer for its chemical and biological engineering program. Many students are interested in Rensselaer’s engineering programs.

However, maybe you choose to write about its polymer research program, in which scientists work to enhance heat transfer and apply polymer devolatilization (the removal of volatile substances from a solid) technology to unconventional substances.

Lately, you may have noticed news articles that state Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scientists are finding ways to enhance natural enzymes to break down plastic. If you’ve participated in environmental-related activities, you can link your passion for creating a greener earth with the research being done at Rensselaer.

• By doing a little research into the different events, research, or news coming out of RPI, you can set yourself apart from those who just want to attend Rensselaer because it’s a “good school”.

Remember, when incorporating research into your essay, you should focus on why that aspect makes you want to attend Rensselaer. Make it sound like Rensselaer’s programs support your passions and interests like no other school can.

Why RPI Supplemental Essay Example

We’ve provided this essay example to give you an idea of essay structure. Use it to create your outline. Never plagiarize, seriously. Always write with your own voice.

I am a leading member in The Women for Business, an organization that fundraises microloans to empower businesswomen in Peru. I am interested in studying computer science at RPI so I can apply the skills I learn toward improving the Internet infrastructure of villages in developing countries. My goal is to help break the cycle of poverty by connecting educators to innovators and creators. Furthermore, I want to participate in one of the study abroad programs offered at RPI so I can learn more about the benefits technology can provide in addressing global Internet infrastructure needs.

RPI Program-Specific Supplemental Essays

The first thing you should note is that none of the program essays specifies a word count, but does say the essay should be 1-2 pages long.

In other words, you should aim for about 500-700 words.

Remember, your essay should reflect why you want to attend Rensselaer’s various academic programs.

Many of these are rigorous programs; some of which require portfolios.

This means you should treat them as such and make sure that your essay is detailed but concise.

RPI Accelerated Programs in Law/Medicine Supplemental Essay

  State your reasons for aspiring to a career in law or medicine.

These bachelor-professional programs are lengthy commitments that take 6-7 years to complete.

As such, you want to prove that you are committed to the subject and are willing to study it extensively for those years. To begin your essay, you need to lay out your origin story. This essay should be no more than one or two pages in length. What is it about law or medicine that makes it so interesting that you want to pursue it as a career?

It should be personal to you, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be a tragic Batman origin story.

• For instance, maybe you saw your family go through legal trouble and felt that the justice system wasn’t fair, or maybe you like convincing people to see something in a different light during a debate team competition.
• Maybe a disease runs in your family, or maybe you learned about an illness in school and it fascinated you so much that you want to be the one to create a vaccine. Remember to focus on how that sparked a passion for law or medicine, not just the ethos of the story.

Next, write about your aspirations themselves. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, you should have already given thought into what kind of medicine or law you want to practice.

Let the admissions officers know if you want to be a pediatrician because you like working with the kids you babysit and want to focus on their health. Tell them how you want to be the state prosecutor to ensure guilty defendants face justice.

• Write exactly what you see yourself doing when you graduate college, and explain the kind of impact you want to make on your patients or clients.

If you can, include as much pertinent experience as possible. Any club or internship experience will show Rensselaer that you are serious about your passion in law or medicine, but also look for out-of-the-box connections.

As stated, babysitting children may be a good example for future pediatricians.

• If a cardiologist mentored you, explain how that informed your interest in treating heart disease.

For future lawyers, you could write about your experience in giving a public speech to persuade people to care about an issue.

Remember to focus on your aspirations, not your achievements. Use your past experiences as evidence of your passion and motivation to reach your goals. RPI wants to see you looking toward your future.

RPI Architecture Supplemental Essay

State your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession. 

This 5-year bachelor-professional program requires a portfolio, although Rensselaer writes that “we would prefer that you do not include architectural drafted drawings in the portfolio.”

Instead, you should demonstrate your creativity through other forms of media. Make sure that your essay reflects both your portfolio and Rensselaer’s program.

As with the law/medicine essay, writing an anecdote about an early childhood event that inspired you – seeing the Coliseum in Rome, working with your parents to build a doghouse, etc. – works as great context for your goals and aspirations.

While you may be interested in architecture just because you enjoy designing structures, think outside of yourself during the essay.

• What can your structures do for your community?
• How will your buildings improve society or the environment?
• Is there a problem you see in today’s housing and buildings that you want to change?

All colleges, including Rensselaer, are looking for those who will give back using the education they received.

Your essay should reflect on how you will better your community, your country, or even your world as an architect. Whatever the case, you should make sure that your intent is clear.

Tie in some of your art pieces from your portfolio into your essay if you want so that the admissions officers can see your visions of your work. 

Again, this essay should be no more than one or two pages in length.

RPI Electronic Arts Supplemental Essay

Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts and state how this is reflected in your portfolio.

Rensselaer’s EA program seeks students who want to use technology to create evocative art. It requires a portfolio of 10-20 pieces of your best creative work.

While they accept all forms of media, you should include at least a few pieces of art using technology. Try to make sure these pieces align with each other and ensure that it is reflected in your essay.

Write about your pieces like you have been featured in an art gallery.

How do you tie these pieces together, and how does technology enable you to amplify that message in a way that traditional mediums might be unable to?

Maybe your art is primarily of nature, but you use unnatural materials and mediums to portray that work of art. You could approach it as an environmentalist – your art doesn’t use paper or you use biodegradable materials with a 3D printer.

You may also approach it as a futurist – the future harmony of nature and technology when before, industrial technology often meant the destruction of nature.

The people reading your essay should be able to see your portfolio holistically, rather than as a collection of random pieces you have assembled.

• Guide them to the raison d’être (reason for existence) of your portfolio.

You also may want to talk about the future of electronic arts as well.

• Are there new forms of media to invent, and how might they change the way we look at art?

How have the current new forms changed the way we think and interact with art?

Use your portfolio to provide evidence for your arguments. As with the other majors, this essay should only be one to two pages in length.

RPI Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences Supplemental Essay

State your reasons for choosing the field of games and simulation arts and sciences, making reference to your portfolio if one has been submitted.

While no portfolio is required, you should submit one if you are able.

Because this is an art-related field, your application will perform much better if you can demonstrate some of your creative talents. However, if you can’t assemble a portfolio, your essay becomes that much more important.

• While video games encompass a large part of this field, it also includes a broad spectrum of training and simulation arts as well.

These forms of technology can teach people skills or show people a perspective they couldn’t experience otherwise.

Perhaps you want to build more advanced piloting or aeronautics simulations for future pilots and astronauts. Maybe you just want the chance to bring people together and tell a meaningful story through the medium of video games.

• Whatever the reason, make sure that your intent and your vision is clear.
• Include any experience you have in the field as well.

For instance, maybe you created a simple point-and-click game as a fun and innovative way for your classmates to study.

That can demonstrate your technical skills as well as a desire to use such skills to educate. The essay should be one to two pages long. 

RPI Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication Supplemental Essay

Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted.

This program synthesizes the arts with communication and media, encouraging new and unique ways to communicate and express ourselves.

Like with the gaming arts application, a portfolio is not required, but you should submit one if you can. Electronic media is an open-ended area for exploration, and it changes rapidly throughout the years.

Narrow your scope to a particular way in which you’d like to use it to communicate ideas or ways in which electronic media can be used in the future, and frame your portfolio and essay around that theme.

• In your essay, you should be striving to answer a question or solve a problem in electronic media.
• For instance, what are some new ways that people can communicate ideas through?
• Is there a way to streamline communication between people of all languages without rigorous language study, but rather through symbols such as emojis?

On the other side, are there any ramifications to the rapid spread of information? What structural changes need to happen to fix those issues?

Your essay will demonstrate your eagerness to look toward the future of electronic media and be a part of that change. It should be one to two pages long.

RPI Music Supplemental Essay

Describe your interest in the music major and your goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or completed independent projects.

Because this program’s application does not include live auditions, you have to make your essay showcase your musical talent and drive.

A portfolio is required.

• As you write this essay, picture yourself as the musician you want to become.
• Maybe you’re playing in Carnegie Hall alongside an entire symphony as a professional violinist.
• Perhaps you’re in a studio, creating new synthesized sounds to play over someone’s radio.

Maybe you’re composing a score for a new feature-length film.

Clearly state your ambitions in the music world. Include as much of your experience as possible.

Whether through private tutoring in a music store, playing in a school orchestra, performing with a band, or recording a song for download, you should demonstrate your initiative to create and perform music for others.

Tie your experiences to your future vision as a musician, and you will be on the right track. Again, the essay should be one to two pages long. 

Transfer Applicants

For students who have completed four or more semesters of college work and are applying to RPI, only a personal statement is required if you are completing the Common Application or Coalition Application. 

Conclusion: RPI Supplemental Essays

Rensselaer’s questions and program-specific essays give you the opportunity to intricately describe your future goals and plans as a professional and as an academic at RPI.

Remember to showcase your personality and potential to the admissions office.

You have to answer a short answer question on your  extracurricular activities , as well as a 100-word personal statement on your intent to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

If you are applying to a specific, rigorous program, you may also have to submit a 500-700 word essay on why you are interested in that field of study.

Whatever you write, let your essay be as specific and detailed as possible.

Your essays should reveal your personal growth and your potential for much greater at Rensselaer.

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College essay resources

How to write every rpi essay | 2022-2023, school supplements.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is known for its awesome undergraduate STEM programs and research opportunities. If you want to join their class, you’ll need to write two supplemental essays. 

Let’s take a look at the first RPI essay prompt!

Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? (250 words)

To write a strong Why RPI essay, you’ll need to provide specific examples to explain your interest in RPI. Head over to the RPI website and do some research! These brainstorming questions may help.

Experiences: What experiences can RPI offer you? Maybe you are looking for a specific type of academic experience, like the flexibility of the Arch Program curriculum. Or maybe you’re interested in research opportunities at RPI, like the Biomedical Engineering department’s research program in Tissue and Regenerative Medicine. You might also be excited about RPI’s 200+ extracurriculars and student groups, like the Rensselaer Electric Vehicle Team and the Statler & Waldorf literary magazine.

Values: Are you drawn to any of RPI’s values? If so, how do they put those values into practice? For example, you might like the way that RPI values entrepreneurship, and how the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship connects students with resources.

Traits: Do you like any specific traits of students or faculty at RPI? If so, try to include an example. For instance, you might be a future engineer who likes the fact that more than 50% of RPI freshmen are engineering students.

Visit: If you’ve visited RPI or talked to RPI staff at an admissions event, try to work that experience into your essay! What were the moments or conversations that made you really want to attend RPI?

Let’s look at an example student’s brainstorming list for this 250-word essay.

Experiences:

• Interdisciplinary learning - Biomedical Engineering and Medicine program for undergraduates
• Biomedical engineering research with the Center for Modeling, Simulation & Imaging in Medicine
• Study abroad - Nanyang Technological University in Singapore
• Competing with the Club Ski Team
• Experiential learning: the Arch program will allow me to fit a study abroad program into my Biomedical Engineering curriculum
• Intellectual curiosity: When I visited, many students were exploring subjects outside of their major and they were excited to talk about their research projects

Describe an Activity

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (300 words)

In this 300-word RPI essay, try to draw a connection between an activity and one of your values, goals, positive traits, or broader interests. For example, maybe you were drawn to an activity because it aligned with your values, or maybe a work experience inspired one of your future goals. What made this activity a really important part of your life?

Let’s look at a few example students’ topics:

• Activity: Volunteered at the library every summer
• Connection to values: I care about giving back to the community
• Activity: Internship at biomedical research lab
• Connection to goals: I want to be an orthopedic surgeon
• Activity: Started a jewelry business on Etsy
• Connection to interests: I’m interested in entrepreneurship

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Undergraduate Admissions

You are here, let's get started, application options.

For students who decide that Rensselaer is their first choice, applying Early Decision (ED) is a great option.  Early Decision is binding - applicants who are admitted to Rensselaer under Early Decision must withdraw all applications to other colleges. Rensselaer offers two rounds of Early Decision applications, EDI and EDII.

What is the difference between EDI and EDII? The main difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II is the application deadline. The deadline for Early Decision I is November 1, with decision notification in mid-December. The deadline for Early Decision II is December 15, with decision notification in mid-January.

What about financial aid? All applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are automatically considered for merit-based aid. If you are interested in  receiving need-based financial assistance , you must submit both the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the admission application deadline. If admitted to Rensselaer, you will receive a financial aid award along with or shortly after your acceptance. International students are not eligible for financial aid.

Early Decision Agreement Form : If you submit an Early Decision application, you must also submit a signed Early Decision Agreement Form. This may be completed electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Students using the Candidate's Choice Application should complete the ED agreement form through their application status portal.

Under the Early Decision Plan, an applicant may apply to only one institution as an Early Decision Candidate. Applicants may apply to other institutions provided that none of the applications are made under an Early Decision or an applicable Early Restrictive Action Plan. The obligation stated here and as defined by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is a commitment on the part of the applicant to withdraw any other applications and to initiate no new applications if accepted under an institution’s Early Decision Plan (this commitment is binding only if the institution offers sufficient financial aid).

Apply by December 1, and receive your decision in late January (non-binding). The priority filing deadline for the CSS Profile and the FAFSA for Early Action applicants is December 1. 

The application deadline for Regular Decision has been extended to January 31.

The decision notification for Regular Decision applicants is in mid-March.

We strongly encourage families seeking  financial assistance  to submit an application for aid as soon as possible once the student submits their application. The priority filing deadline for the CSS Profile and the FAFSA is February 1.

The application deadline for Accelerated Medical Program (B.S./M.D.) is November 1.

Please review the special information section at the bottom of this page for specific information on applying to this program.

Please note that you cannot apply Early Decision or Early Action to the accelerated program, and the application is non-binding. Due to the nature of the program, students enrolled in the accelerated medical program are not able to dual or double major.

The priority filing deadline for the CSS Profile and the FAFSA is February 1 for accelerated program applicants.

Each year, we welcome applications from students who wish to transfer to Rensselaer. We consider applications from students who have attended or are attending other institutions — including international students enrolled overseas.

Rensselaer considers any student with 12 or more transferable college credits completed after high school as a transfer student.

Transfer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once we begin reviewing applications for your desired entry term, you may expect a decision approximately 3-4 weeks after your application is completed.

Learn more about transferring to Rensselaer

While a fall term start is typically recommended, a small group of first-year students begin their studies in the spring term each year for a variety of reasons. The application deadline for first-year students for a spring term (January) start is November 1.

Please note, a spring start may not be an option for all majors/programs.

Students who apply for a fall term start may be offered the opportunity to begin in the spring term (January), rather than the fall (September). Details of the start term will be clearly detailed in the acceptance letter.

Please note that Rensselaer considers any student with 12 or more transferable college credits completed after high school as a transfer student.

Spring Admission FAQs

If you have previously been enrolled at Rensselaer and are now seeking to return, please note that the process is handled by Student Success (not the Office of Admissions). Frequently Asked Questions and application information may be found on  the Student Success website . 

How to Apply

We accept any of the following applications for admission. We do not prefer one application over another, and you should submit only one of the applications below. Applications open by August 1 annually. 

We highly encourage students to create a free web-based email account (such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) to use for their college search/application process, rather than using a school-based email address. School-based addresses often have deliverability issues, and are no longer accessible after graduation.

Please note that students applying to the Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program cannot apply using the Coalition on SCOIR Application.

This streamlined application is available to students who have expressed an interest in Rensselaer (available to first-year students only).

Please note that students applying to the Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program cannot apply using the Candidate’s Choice Application.

Important note for students using the Candidate's Choice Application: Any credentials submitted through Naviance may only be received by Rensselaer if the applicant has submitted the Common Application.

In order for us to receive your documents, you must indicate inside of Naviance that you are NOT using the Common App to apply to RPI. Once you do that, your counselor should be able to choose to send your supporting documents to us electronically through Parchment. Documents may also be sent via SCOIR. 

Be sure to monitor your application portal to ensure that we receive all of your supporting documents.

Application Checklist

Here are the additional supporting documents needed to complete your application. All items are required to complete your file no matter which application you use to apply.  Rensselaer does not offer evaluative interviews as a part of the application process.

An official transcript sent by your school is required.

Early Decision & Early Action Applicants : Please have your first quarter/first trimester grades (or a mid-semester progress report) sent directly to our office as soon as they are available. You may also upload an unofficial copy of a report card or progress report through your application portal.

Regular Decision Applicants : Please have your mid-year/first semester grades sent directly to our office as soon as they are available. You may also upload an unofficial copy of a report card or progress report through your application portal.

Request a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher, preferably a math or science teacher who knows you well.

Any student who applies to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an undergraduate in the fall of 2025 will be able to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores. This is a continuation of the temporary suspension of our standardized testing requirement, and it will be re-evaluated for the fall 2026 application cycle. Test-Optional FAQs

Due to Albany Medical College requirements, students applying to the Physician-Scientist Program will be required to submit the appropriate test scores .

Report your test scores to our office. Rensselaer allows most students* to self-report test scores on the application or through their application portal (available after an application is submitted). Students who choose to enroll at Rensselaer will be required to send their official scores from the testing agency (if they have not already done so). Test scores that appear on an official high school transcript submitted by your school will be considered official test scores.  Be sure to check your online application status page to ensure that the scores are processed into your file.

• SAT Institutional Code:  2757
• ACT College Code:  2866

* Students applying to the accelerated medical program will be required to send official scores at the time of application. Also, official results of English Proficiency Exams will be required at the time of application.

Standardized Test Requirements

The general essay/personal statement submitted with your application satisfies Rensselaer’s essay requirements, except for applicants to the following programs:

• Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program (BIAM)
• Architecture (ARCH)
• Electronic Arts (EART)
• Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
• Music (MUSC)

Essay Requirements

For Fall 2024 freshman applicants, Rensselaer will waive the application fee for students who submit an application by December 1, 2023. 

The nonrefundable application processing fee is $70. Credit card payments should be made through the individual application websites (or through your application portal if you used the Candidate's Choice Application). If you do not wish to pay by credit card, please mail check or money order, payable to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, to the mailing address shown in the sidebar. Include your full name and date of birth with your payment. Do not send cash. Please note that the application fee is waived for Rensselaer Medalists.

Fee Waiver Eligibility & Instructions

If your total family income is $70,000 or less, and the application fee presents a hardship for you and your family, you may qualify for a fee waiver.

To request a fee waiver, ask your high school guidance counselor, principal, or other school official to fill out the SAT Request for Waiver of College Application Fee form or to submit an official letter on your behalf. We will also accept the ACT, College Bound, or NACAC Fee waiver forms.

You may assume the waiver has been granted unless you hear otherwise from us.  Be sure to check your online application status page to ensure that your request has been received and processed.

The form, or official letter, may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to "Fee Waiver Request" at the mailing address shown in the sidebar.

If applying for the Architecture or Music program, prepare your creative portfolio for submission.

Portfolio Requirements & Guidelines

Applicants to the Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and Electronic Arts (EART) programs may submit an optional creative portfolio.

Portfolios have the same deadlines as the application.

If you submit an Early Decision or Early Decision II application, you must also submit a signed Early Decision Agreement Form . This may be completed electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Students using the Candidate's Choice Application should complete the ED agreement form through their application status portal.

Rensselaer considers any student who is not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to be an international applicant (regardless of where the student currently resides or attends school). Please review the additional requirements international students need to complete their applications.

OPTIONAL: Record your Elevator Pitch – Submit a 90-second video telling us [a little more about your strengths and talents/more about yourself]. You can record it  here  and send it to RPI. We recommend submitting your Elevator Pitch within a week of your application deadline so that it is reviewed as part of your application. This is completely optional.

All U.S. citizen or permanent resident undergraduate students seeking admission are automatically considered for Rensselaer merit-based awards. Both the CSS Profile and FAFSA are required for need-based aid consideration.

There are limited merit aid awards available for international students who live and attend school in the United States. Non-citizens (with the exception of Canadian citizens) should NOT file the CSS Profile. 

To learn more, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website . 

Selecting a Major

While there is flexibility to change your major once you are here, you are encouraged to be as specific as you can when you choose a major (or school) on your application. If you are interested in the Architecture, Electronic Arts, Music, or Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences program, we recommend that you apply directly to that program. Students interested in the Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program must apply directly to that program.

• Declare  specific major
• Undeclared to a specific school (i.e., undeclared engineering)
• Undeclared general studies

You can major in almost anything at Rensselaer while preparing yourself for medical school, but most students who want to pursue medical school choose something in our  School of Science  (often biology or chemistry). Interested students may enlist the assistance of the  Pre-Health Committee , a group of professors who will guide students interested in medical school (or other health professions) through their four years, making sure they are putting themselves in the best position possible when it comes time to apply to the professional school of their choice. Questions about the advising process may be addressed to [email protected] .

Rensselaer offers several  Accelerated & Combined Programs  to give you a one- to two-year head start on your fellow professionals. 

Please note that the Physician-Scientist Program (B.S./M.D.) requires students to apply by November 1 of their senior year of high school.

If you have already submitted your application and would like to change your major, please complete the " Change in Major Form " found in the lower right-hand corner of your application status page. Our operations staff will be in touch through email once the change is confirmed.

Program-Specific Essay

The general essay/personal statement submitted with your application satisfies Rensselaer’s essay requirements, except for the following degree-specific guidelines.

• State your reasons for aspiring to a career in medicine.

You will be prompted for the appropriate essay on the Common Application writing supplement. The essay should be approximately 500-750 words. 

• State your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession.

You will be prompted for the appropriate essay on the application when you select this major. The essay should be no more than 1–2 pages.

• Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted.
• State your reasons for choosing the field of games and simulation arts and sciences, making reference to your portfolio if one has been submitted.
•  Describe your interest in the music major and your goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or completed independent projects.

Portfolio Requirements

First-year applicants to the Architecture and Music programs are required to submit a creative portfolio. First-year applicants to the Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences and Electronic Arts programs are strongly encouraged to submit a creative portfolio.

Online Portfolio Submission

*Creative portfolios are required to be submitted for transfer applicants into the Architecture (ARCH), Electronic Arts (EART), Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS), and Music (MUSC) programs.

Applicants are required to submit a creative portfolio consisting of 10-20 images of work. The work included within the portfolio may consist of a range of media: pencil, charcoal, oil stick, and water color drawings; acrylic or oil paintings; paper, chipboard, wood, metal, ceramic or mixed media models; measured drawings or digital renderings; and black and white and color photographs, music scores, video, and other creative endeavors.

Applicants may submit a creative portfolio to supplement the application.

Portfolio Information

First-year applicants are encouraged to submit a statement of intent and a portfolio that demonstrates creative excellence and preparation for interdisciplinary studies in games. Transfer applicants are required to submit a portfolio for admission to this program.

Applicants are required to submit a statement of intent, a portfolio, and a portfolio description. There are no live auditions.

Special Applicant Types:

Deadline : The annual application deadline is November 1. Please note that you cannot apply Early Decision/Early Action to the Physician-Scientist Program, and the application is non-binding. All applications must be made complete by November 10 in order to be considered. All standardized tests (ACT/SAT) must be taken by the November test date .

Application : There is no separate application for the program. You must use the Common App and select the "Regular Decision" option. You must select “Physician-Scientist Program-B.S./M.D.” as your major on your application. Students may not apply to the accelerated medical program using the Coalition Application or the Candidate’s Choice Application . Please be advised that Albany Medical College will consider applicants to only ONE of their three combined degree programs. Dual applications will not be considered - applicants who apply to more than one of Albany Medical College's joint programs will be administratively withdrawn by AMC.

Required Courses:  Applicants should meet the basic requirements for admission to Rensselaer, which include three years of science (including biology, chemistry and lab-based physics) and four years of mathematics through pre-calculus (calculus recommended). 

Essay: Students applying for this program will be prompted for a program-specific essay (state your reasons for aspiring to a career in medicine) when they complete the Common App. The essay should be approximately 500-750 words. 

Research Experience: Since this accelerated program is research-focused, it is highly recommended that applicants have some sort of research experience in high school, which should be clearly articulated on the application.

Standardized Testing Requirements:  All standardized tests must be taken by the November test date . It is recommended that students taking the November test have their scores rush sent to Rensselaer. Self-reported scores will not be accepted for applicants to this program.

• Applicants to the Physician-Scientist Program should submit official scores from EITHER the SAT or the ACT .
• The writing portion is NOT required for either exam.
• Self-reported scores will not be accepted for accelerated program applicants.
• We cannot accept test scores later than the November test date for applicants to the Physician-Scientist Program.

Application Process : Rensselaer will review the applications and refer qualified students to Albany Medical College (AMC), which will then review the applications and reach out to certain students for an interview (in January, February, or March). From that pool of students, AMC will make offers of admission to the program. The application process is lengthy and notification begins in early April. Due to the nature of the program, students enrolled in the accelerated medical program are not able to dual or double major.

* Please note — international students (including Canadian citizens) may not apply to the Physician-Scientist program.

Congratulations on being named a Rensselaer Medalist! We look forward to reviewing your application to Rensselaer. 

You may use any of the applications we accept to apply, and, as a Medalist, your application fee is waived. All other requirements are the same as for all incoming freshman applicants.

Every year, we accept hundreds of Medalists into our freshman class; however, please note that being named a Medalist is not an automatic acceptance to Rensselaer. 

To receive the Medal Scholarship, you must apply, be accepted, and enroll at Rensselaer. Please be sure to mention on your application that you are a Medalist.

Medalist Scholarship: As a Medalist, should you apply, be accepted, and enroll at Rensselaer, you will receive a merit scholarship with a value of $40,000 per year. This award is guaranteed to be applied to your tuition for each year of your undergraduate study at Rensselaer. As a Medalist, if you enroll in our School of Architecture, your scholarship will be extended to cover the fifth year of the program.

Accelerated Programs:  As a Medalist, if you enroll in our Physician-Scientist Program, your Medal Scholarship will only apply to the financial aid package you receive for the three years you are studying on Rensselaer’s campus.

Rensselaer Medallion:  As a Medalist, if you enroll at Rensselaer, you will receive your Medallion at Honors Convocation in the fall of your freshman year.

Medal Selection:  Medalists are chosen by each individual participating high school, and Rensselaer provides general guidelines for selecting a Medalist. Each high school selects their Medalist differently, so contact your guidance office to see if your high school participates and what their selection process entails.

As a home-schooled student, you’ll be treated just like any other applicant to Rensselaer.

To fulfill the transcript requirement, you should submit any official transcripts from your high school years (a recognized home school clearing house program, if you’ve attended a traditional high school program for part of your HS career, or if you’ve taken any college-level courses).

You’re encouraged to submit a detailed roster of all academic course work at the secondary level with supporting documentation attached. Also, we’ll need a recommendation from someone other than your parent(s).

Rensselaer has a strong history of collaboration with, and support of, the U.S. military. The campus hosts Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) units for the Air Force, Army, and Navy. The Institute has been educating Naval flag officers, particular in the Civil Engineer Corps, since the 1860s, and, with the exception of the United States Naval Academy, has trained more U.S. Naval Flag officers than any other school in the nation.

We are continually recognized as a top-ranked school for veterans - #26 in Best Colleges for Veterans according to U.S. News & World Report (2022). We welcome veterans and their dependents; our goal is to assist you and/or your dependent(s) as you all work toward your educational aspirations.

Below are some steps to consider as you submit your application to Rensselaer.

1. Determine if you should apply as a transfer or first-year student.

• If you have 12 or more transferable credits after completion of high school, you should apply as a transfer student .
• If you have completed Navy Nuclear Power Training School, you are eligible for 31 credits and should apply as a transfer student .
• If you have fewer than 12 transferable credits, you should apply as a freshman .

2. Submit your application and required materials before the appropriate deadline for either transfer or freshman admission.

We encourage students to apply electronically . If you intend to use Yellow Ribbon benefits to pay for your Rensselaer education, we require you to indicate your eligibility on the application in order to include you on our list of prospective Yellow Ribbon scholarship recipients.

3. Apply for VA Educational Benefits .

Once you have applied for your benefits, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) which you will need to submit, via email, to the following:

• Tracey Dame, Assistant Director of Financial Aid: [email protected] or 518-276-6813
• Kelly Dalheim, Associate Registrar and School Certifying Official: [email protected] or 518-276-6996

If you are eligible to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits, please note that we offer a Yellow Ribbon scholarship of $35,000 per year to up to 75 students at a time. We provide this scholarship on a first-come, first-served basis on the order of enrollment deposit date for students who self-identify as being Yellow Ribbon-eligible on their application for admission. Students who do not indicate that they may be eligible will be placed on a waitlist for the scholarship. A Yellow Ribbon recipient is not eligible to receive other Rensselaer scholarship or grant aid programs.

Please note, you will not receive a financial aid award that is inclusive of any/all veteran educational benefits until the COE is received . 

If you have any questions, please contact Meg Whalen, Veterans’ Admissions Coordinator, at [email protected] .

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website .

Other Useful Resources

To assist veterans in understanding higher education costs, financial aid, and other useful information the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has developed the following tools:

• College Scorecard : A consumer planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school.
• College Navigator : Provides school information including tuition and fees, retention rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost comparison tool.
• Financial Aid Shopping Sheet : Provides a model aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school.
• Paying for College : A web page that can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed information on each one and to enter actual financial aid award information.

If you do not currently hold a B.S/B.A. degree in any field, but are interested in taking courses on a non-matriculated basis, you should complete the Non-Matriculated Undergraduate Student Application .

If you hold a B.S./B.A. degree, please visit the Graduate Admissions site for additional information. Please note that the Rensselaer computer store is not able to sell laptop computers to non-matriculated students.

There is no application fee for non-matriculated applicants. Please have most recent transcript(s) sent to the address shown in the sidebar. Transcripts being sent electronically may be addressed to [email protected] .

Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Scholarships

If you are interested in using a CTY scholarship to take courses at Rensselaer, you should complete the  Non-Matriculated Undergraduate Student Application (including an indication of the class desired) along with an uploaded copy of the CTY award letter. We will also require an official copy of your high school transcript.

Please have your transcripts sent to the address shown in the sidebar, attention Center for Talented Youth. Transcripts being sent electronically may be addressed to [email protected] .

If you have any questions, please contact Ulysses deArmas .

What's Next?

You hit submit on your application- now what happens? Please review our application checklist to see what else we need to complete your application. If you applied Early Decision , to the Physician-Scientist (B.S.-M.D) Program , or to a major that requires a portfolio , please be sure we receive the required items to complete your application. Please note there are also a few additional requirements for international students (students who are not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident).

Once we receive your application, within a few days* you will receive an email (to the email address that you provided on the application) that contains your Rensselaer ID number (RIN) and login information for your online portal where you may check the status of your application. We highly encourage students to create a free web-based email account (such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) to use for their college search/application process, rather than using a school-based email address. School-based addresses often have deliverability issues, and are no longer accessible after graduation. If necessary, you may change the email we have on file for you through your application portal.

This application portal is also where you will be able to view your admission decision when it becomes available. Please make sure that you are checking this email address and your portal regularly, and make sure that you check your spam/junk folders, as sometimes the confirmation email gets misdirected. If you need to change the email address we have in your file, you may do so through your application portal or by emailing [email protected] . Nearly all of our correspondence concerning your application will be sent through email or made available on your portal.

*Beginning early October

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How to Respond to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute supplemental essay prompts are a great opportunity to show your true self to the college admissions advisors. Using creative writing and thoughtful responses, you can “wow” the people reading your essays and to allow them to see who you are as a person and as a student. Keep reading to learn more about responding to the RPI supplemental essay prompts!

First, a little about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s oldest technological research university. RPI is located in Troy, New York on the Hudson River. The school offers  bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. With an emphasis on science and technology  (RPI’s sports’ teams are known as the “Engineers”), there are five schools (and certificate programs for working adults) broken into 37 departments. 

The five main areas of research at RPI include:

• Biotechnology and the Life Sciences
• Computational Science and Engineering
• Energy, Environment, and Smart Systems
• Media, Arts, Science, and Technology
• Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials

The above research is divided among the School of Architecture, the School of Engineering, the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the Lally School of Management & Technology, and the School of Science.

Let’s get started on breaking down the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute prompts in a way that allows you to put your best self forward! 

Question #1 (found in the “Activities” section of applciation)

“Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences” (300 words)”

This prompt is simple and straightforward, which is great, but  be mindful that it is a 300 word essay. This means that RPI is expecting you to have a lot to say about whichever extracurricular or work activity you choose to write about– so choose wisely. If it is an activity that you really enjoy doing, there should be a great deal to say about it. Speak from your heart and write what you know. 

Things to consider before you write

• What extracurricular activity did I dedicate the most time to?
• What extracurricular activity am I most passionate about?
• Do you have a part-time job that you are passionate about?
• What has your part-time job taught you to prepare you for college?

Question #2

“Why are you interested in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?” (250 words)

This is the typical “Why us?” college essay. Since you are applying to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, there is obviously a genuine reason that it sparked your interest. Maybe the majors RPI offers drew you to them, or an opportunity to work with a particular professor who is an expert in their field. Share just that! Be specific and try to connect back to facts about RPI. 

Make sure that you write clear and concisely about your interest and be honest about what drew you to the institution. Similar to Prompt #1, the limited word count here (250) means each word counts. Therefore, you might want to free-write without feeling constricted by a word count so you can fully express yourself. After,  go back and cut out words that you don’t need to make your points. 

Questions to ask yourself

• Which of the five RPI schools interests you and why?
• Do you have a field of research that you hope to pursue at RPI?
• Is there someone you know who encouraged you to apply to RPI? What is it about that person that impressed you as an RPI graduate?

Closing thoughts for students

The main thing that you want to focus on is not being repetitive in between your application and your supplemental essays. The essays are meant to be an addition to the application so that admissions professionals can learn more about you. If you are repeating yourself, there is no point in writing an essay. Try to talk about something that you didn’t write about on your application or resume. 

Additional resources

Maybe the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute isn’t for you– and that is okay! Luckily, at Scholarships360, we have tons of resources to help you find the college that is right for you. If you are hoping to stay in the New York area, we have supplemental essay resources for colleges from Barnard to Columbia . Wanting to get a little bit farther away? You can also check out Pepperdine University , or University of Texas-Austin . Whatever you choose, we have your back! Good luck with the rest of your college essays!

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How to Get Into RPI: Admissions Data and Strategies

April 18, 2022

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, most often referred to as RPI, is a private research university in Troy, New York that caters to around 6,300 undergraduate students. Future aerospace, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineers flock to RPI for its top-ranked programs, as do a good number of computer science and business students who wish to take advantage of the school’s strengths in those respective areas. With so many elite academic programs, it’s little wonder that the most recent incoming freshman cohort possessed average SAT scores above 1460 and a 3.9 high school GPA.

Given that RPI is a very selective institution, it is important for future applicants to be aware of:

• RPI’s Class of 2025 acceptance rate
• RPI’s Class of 2025 ED acceptance rate
• SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted RPI applicants
• Admissions trends at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• The demographics of current RPI undergraduates
• RPI’s yield rate
• How RPI admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• How to assess whether applying to RPI is even worth the $70 application fee (for you)

Many students applying to RPI may also find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into Carnegie Mellon
• How to Get Into Georgia Tech
• How to Get Into Cornell University

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

RPI’s Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025

This school does not release admissions-related data in as timely a fashion as we would like. At this time, the most recent official data comes from the Class of 2024 which saw 57% of the 16,661 applicants gain acceptance.

RPI Early Decision Acceptance Rate

Rensselaer is a school that gives a significant edge to those who apply via binding early decision. In the last cycle, 413 of the 588 applicants were admitted, which equates to an acceptance rate of 70%; the regular decision figure was 55%.

There are two rounds of Early Decision at RPI. The ED I deadline is November 1 and the ED II deadline is December 15.

RPI Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank

Those who enrolled in the Class of 2024 (again, most recent data available) had an average high school GPA of 3.6. Fifty-five percent placed in the top decile of their high school class, 87% were in the top 25%, and 95% were in the top 50%. The median SAT score for enrolled students was 1380 and the median ACT composite score was 31. The school did announce that the Class of 2025 sported an average SAT of 1463, the highest in school history.

Admissions Trends & Notes

• RPI has renewed their temporary test-optional policy for those applying in the fall of 2023.
• 154 entering Class of 2025 freshmen received the Rensselaer medal, a merit scholarship offered to outstanding math and science students.
• Incoming 2021-22 students hailed from 41 states and 12 countries.
• The acceptance rate was only 47% prior the onset of the pandemic for the Class of 2023.

Who Attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

Let’s look at the demographics of current RPI undergraduates, beginning with which U.S. states have the greatest representation on campus:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania

As at any selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you hail from a less populated state like Hawaii, the Dakotas, or Montana, your location is more likely to  provide a boost  to your admissions chances.

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of current undergrads was as follows:

• Asian American: 17%
• Hispanic: 11%
• African American: 5%
• Two or more races: 5%
• International: 16%

The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates is notably split in favor of men:

• Female: 31%

With female students at RPI being somewhat of an endangered species, one would assume that it is easier to get into the school as a female applicant. Yet, for the Class of 2024, the male and female acceptance rates were an identical 57%.

International students make up 16% of the degree-seeking population at RPI. The greatest number of students hail from the following countries:

• Saudi Arabia

RPI’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was an extremely low 15% last year. This is due, in part, to the fact that RPI is competing with the same pool of students as many other elite STEM-oriented institutions. As such, the university considers “demonstrated interest” (more on that in a moment). For comparison, other comparable private institutions have the following yield rates: Purdue (23%), Georgia Tech (38%), and Carnegie Mellon (37%).

How RPI Rates Applicants

There are four factors that RPI ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores. The next tier of “important” factors includes: the essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities.

Straight from the RPI admissions staff:

• “While there is flexibility to change your major once you are here, you are encouraged to be as specific as you can when you choose a major (or school) on your application. If you are interested in the Architecture, Electronic Arts, Music, or Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences program, we recommend that you apply directly to that program. Students interested in the Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program must apply directly to that program. ”
• “Rensselaer strives to create an inclusive environment that develops true intellectual, geographic, gender, and ethnic diversity in its students, faculty, and staff. Its commitment to diversity is focused on engaging the best talent available and preparing students to work, communicate across cultural boundaries, and emerge as leaders in the global community.”

Additional Tips for Applying to RPI

If you plan on joining the roughly 17,000 RPI hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• RPI weighs “ demonstrated interest ” as “considered” in the admissions process. Therefore, you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit (in non-pandemic times), contacted an admissions officer, etc.
• A teacher recommendation is required. For tips on requesting a letter of recommendation, check out  this blog .
• RPI will be asking you for a  mid-year report , so make sure to keep your grades up throughout senior year of high school.
• Certain majors require applicants to submit portfolios through Slideroom .
• Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by RPI. In the 2021-22 cycle, there were 2-3 prompts for each applicant:

1) Why are you interested in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? (250 words)

2) Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (300 words)

3) Those looking to study Architecture, Electronic Arts, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences, Music, or Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication will have to pen an additional essay, stating their reasons for selecting that program of study.

  Should I Apply to RPI?

For a school with a 50-60% acceptance rate, RPI is extremely selective. If RPI is your aim and you don’t have grades and test scores in their 75th percentile range (if electing to submit test scores), make sure to also have a rock-solid backup plan. All students need to make sure that they formulate an  appropriate college list , containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to do this in conjunction with an admissions professional.

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CollegeVine's essay prompt database

Find your college’s application essay prompts for 2023-24

Latest essay prompts for the top 100 schools.

At CollegeVine, our goal is to make the college application process a little less stressful, so we’ve compiled the latest essay prompts for the top 100 schools in one easy, searchable database.

Also, every year we create free guides on “ How to Write X School’s Essays ” for the top 100 schools. In these guides, we give you tips and tricks on how to approach each prompt. As such, our prompt database also contains a link to each school's Essay Breakdown.

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, college essay prompts: complete list, analysis, and advice.

College Admissions , College Essays

When talking about college essays, we tend to focus on the Common Application prompts , and it's true that many students will need to write a Common App essay. However, there are actually quite a few schools, including both public and private universities, that don't use the Common App and instead ask applicants to respond to their own college essay prompts.

Luckily, college essay prompts tend to be pretty similar to each other. In this guide, I'll list all the college essay questions for popular schools in the US (and a few abroad) and then break down the patterns to help you brainstorm topics and plan how to approach multiple essays efficiently. After reading this guide, you'll be able to strategize which essays you'll write for which colleges.

Feature image: Mayr /Flickr

Why Do Colleges Ask For an Essay?

The short answer: the essay gives admissions committees a sense of your personality beyond the statistics on the rest of your application. The essay is your chance to show the committee your unique perspective and impress them with your maturity and insight.

College application essay prompts are written with this goal in mind. Admissions officers want to give you the chance to share your interests, aspirations, and views on the world, so most prompts ask about how your experiences have shaped you or what you're excited about studying or doing in college. I've collected a ton of examples below and provided some analysis to help you begin planning and crafting your own essays.

Keep in mind that the personal statement alone won't be enough to get you in— your grades and test scores are still the most important factors in your application . That being said, a stellar essay can help bring a borderline applicant over the top or give an excellent but not extraordinary student the opportunity to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

As such, the essay tends to matter most for very competitive schools. Non-competitive schools generally don't ask you to submit an essay.

Complete List of College Essay Prompts

This list collects the 2022 college essay prompts for major state universities, top-50 schools, and other popular schools which have their own unique questions. They're divided by region, with all optional essays listed at the end.

I left off the Common App supplements, as those often require a substantially different approach. I also stuck to four-year schools, meaning I didn't include special two-year programs, such as Deep Springs College or Miami Dade College's Honors Program (both of which require essays).

Finally, note that these prompts are for freshman applicants, so the requirements might be different for transfer students .

General Applications

There are three general applications you can use to apply to many different schools at once:

Common Application

Universal college application, coalition application.

Each application has its own personal statement requirement. Some schools will ask for additional supplemental essays.

Many more schools accept the Common App than they do the UCA or Coalition Application , though some will accept more than one of these applications.

For the Common App essay, you pick one of the prompts and write 250-650 words about it. Here are the prompts for the 2022-2023 school year:

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The UCA essay prompt is completely open ended and has a 650-word limit. Here is the 2022-2023 prompt:

Please write an essay that demonstrates your ability to develop and communicate your thoughts. Some ideas include: a person you admire; a life-changing experience; or your viewpoint on a particular current event.

For the Coalition Application, you'll pick one of five prompts listed below. While there is no hard word limit, the range guidelines are 500-650 words. Here are the prompts for 2022-2023:

What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?

Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?

Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?

What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?

Now that you know the essay requirements for the three general applications, let’s look at the application essays for specific schools . To keep things organized, we’ve grouped schools based on the region of the US in which they’re located.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic

The Great Dome at MIT

Georgetown University

Georgetown asks applicants to write one short essay (about half a single-spaced page) and two longer essays (approximately one single-spaced page each). Each applicant must respond to the first two prompts and can choose among the other four based on the specific program she's interested in.

Short Essay: Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

All Applicants: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

Applicants to Georgetown College: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study).

Applicants to the School of Nursing & Health Studies: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service: The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?

Applicants to the McDonough School of Business: The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

For more Georgetown application tips, check out our articles on the Georgetown essays and how to get into Georgetown .

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT doesn't ask for a single personal statement but rather asks applicants to respond to a series of questions with just a paragraph or two of about 200 words each .

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.

Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.

Tell us about a significant challenge you've faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

For more details on how to get into MIT , read our other articles on the MIT application process , tips for MIT essays , and an example of a real MIT acceptance letter !

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Indiana University Bloomington

IU asks for 200-400 words on your plans and interests.

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. If you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. Please note that this essay may be used in scholarship consideration.

University of Illinois

The University of Illinois asks for two essays (or three only if you selected a second-choice major other than what's noted on your application). All responses should be approximately 150 words.

You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you've selected a second choice. Each response should be approximately 150 words. If You're Applying to a Major: 1.  Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else. 2.  Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies: 1.  What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. 2.  What are your future academic or career goals? If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared): Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

If you're applying to UIUC, check out our UIUC essay tips article as well!

University of Wisconsin–Madison

All applicants must complete two essays for UW–Madison. The essays should be 250-650 words in length and may be used for scholarship and campus program review.

If you apply through the Common Application, you’ll be asked to reply to one of the freshman Common Application essays in lieu of the first essay prompt below, but you’ll be required to respond to the second prompt below. 

If you apply through the UW System Application, the following two essays are required:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you've done — academically or personally — and what you've learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

Kyle Field at Texas A&M ( Ed Schipul /Flickr)

The ApplyTexas application is used by all Texas public universities and some private colleges. There are four ApplyTexas essay prompts. Which ones you need to respond to will depend on where you're applying. UT Austin, for example, requires applicants to submit at least one essay responding to Topic A on the ApplyTexas application. .

While there's no set word limit, the online application will cut off each essay at 120 lines (~1000 words).

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

Topic B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

Topic C: You've got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Topic D: Please Note: The essay in this section is specific to certain college majors and is not required by all colleges/universities that accept the Apply Texas Application. If you are not applying for a major in Architecture, Art, Art History, Design, Studio Art, Visual Art Studies/Art Education , you are not required to write this essay.

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 (architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education), 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?

We go into all the ApplyTexas prompts in detail here !

University of Georgia

For UGA, applicants must write two essays, one 200-300 words and one 250-650 words . Both essays are required for all applicants. The longer personal essay uses the Common Application prompts for 2023 ; the prompt for the shorter essay is as follows:

The c ollege admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.

For a more detailed discussion of the UGA essays, read this article .

The Campanile at UC Berkeley

University of California

Students applying to the UC system must respond to four out of eight short personal insight questions. The maximum word count for each response is 350 words.

• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
• Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
• Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
• What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
• Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Learn more about the UC essays , the UC application , and how to choose which UC schools to apply to with our complete guides .

University of Oregon

Applicants to the University of Oregon are required to submit one essay of 650 words or fewer. You also have the option to write a second essay (maximum of 500 words), but it’s not required.

The essay prompts are as follows:

The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO's Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

Optional second essay: As you've looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you've hopefully learned what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of these two options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting the Equity and Inclusion website . Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.

University of Washington

In addition to its specific prompts, the University of Washington gives specific advice about what its admissions officers consider to be good writing before the prompts:

"At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Essay Prompt (Required): Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped shape it. Maximum length: 650 words.

Short Response (Required): Our families and our communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. Maximum length: 300 words

You can also find more tips on the University of Washington essays in this blog article .

International

Generally speaking, international schools are less likely to ask for an essay, since admission tends to be heavily focused on grades and test results. However, a few popular international schools do ask for a personal statement as part of their application.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UK Schools)

UCAS is a general application for UK schools (similar to the Common App in the US). There's no specific prompt for the personal statement—instead, applicants are required to write an essay describing what they want to study, why they want to study it, and what they bring to the table. There is a 4,000-character/47-line limit.

University of British Columbia

UBC asks applicants to fill out a personal profile consisting of five to seven short-answer questions that vary depending on the program you're applying to. Answers should be 50-200 words.

Depending on which degree program you apply to, you’ll be asked to answer some or all of the following questions on the UBC application:

• Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why.
• What is important to you? And why?
• Family/community responsibilities
• Creative or performing arts
• Work/employment
• Service to others
• Tell us more about one or two activities listed above that are most important to you. Please explain the role you played and what you learned in the process. You will be asked for a reference who can speak to your response.
• Additional information: You may wish to use the space below to provide UBC with more information on your academic history to date and/or your future academic plans. For example: How did you choose your courses in secondary school? Are there life circumstances that have affected your academic decisions to date? What have you done to prepare yourself specifically for your intended area of study at UBC?
• Please submit the names of two referees who know you well and can comment on your preparedness for study at UBC. Examples of referees include an employer, a community member, a coach, a teacher/instructor, or anyone who knows you well. One of the referees you select must be able to speak to one of the activities/experiences described in one of your long-answer responses above. For applicants who are currently attending a high school, one of your referees must be a school official (e.g., Grade 12 or senior year counsellor, teacher, or IB coordinator). Neither referee should be a friend, family member, or paid agent.

Some programs of study may ask applicants to respond to the questions above and some additional, program-specific questions when completing the personal profile.

University of Cambridge

Optional Essays

Some schools don't require an essay from all applicants but do recommend or require an essay for certain programs. I've listed a selection of those prompts below.

Arizona State University

Students applying to the Barrett Honors College at ASU must submit one essay of 300 to 500 words in response to one of the following prompts (your response may be critical or creative):

Prompt 1 Discuss how a specific piece of art (painting, literature, photograph, etc.) or popular culture (song, comic book, etc.) helped you realize something new about yourself or the world. What was that realization, and how did the piece of art or pop culture bring about this change in your thinking? Do not simply describe the piece of art or pop culture; instead, focus on its effect on you and how it makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience. Prompt 2 Tell us about a habit or way of thinking that others would recognize as “uniquely you.” This is something you value and would hesitate to give up because it is a distinct part of who you are or what makes you different - why is it so? Be sure to share how this aspect of your identity makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience.

City University of New York

Applicants to Macaulay Honors College must write two essays: an “about you” essay, and an essay describing your plans for college. Each response should be around 500 words, give or take a few within reason.

Essay 1: About you. (Select one of the options below.) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. OR Tell us about an area or activity, outside of academics, in which you have invested a lot of time and effort. Tell us why. What did you learn? How was it meaningful?

Essay 2: About your plans for college. Please discuss all points below. Why do you want to go to an honors college ? There are many benefits of being a Macaulay student, such as the Macaulay community, special courses, Honors advisement, cultural passport, opportunities funds, and other financial benefits. Please describe how these features will shape you and your college experience, including, what you expect to bring to the college community and what you expect to get out of your college experience.

Florida International University

Only applicants who don't meet the criteria for automatic admissions and whose applications undergo holistic review will need to submit a 500-word essay:

Students requesting appeal or additional review of their admission status must submit a written statement including:

Your goals and educational or professional objectives

A summary/explanation of past academic performance

Information and/or circumstances that may have affected past academic performance

• Any other information the student wishes to have considered

Ohio University

For the Ohio University application, students who've been out of school for more than a year must submit an essay explaining what they've done in their time off from school.

Applicants who have been out of high school for more than one year must submit an essay detailing activities since graduation.

Additionally, applicants to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism are encouraged, though not required, to submit an essay detailing how they want to help shape the future of journalism.

For all other applicants, submitting an essay here is optional; however, if you do wish to write an essay, the application suggests that you describe any academic challenges you’ve faced, academic and career objectives, or involvement in community affairs (recommended length is 250-500 words).

Those interested in Ohio University's OHIO Honors Program (including the Cutler Scholars Program) are required to answer the following essay prompt (limit 250 words):

Students in the OHIO Honors Program represent all majors on campus and take engaging honors courses while applying what they learn outside of the classroom. Students choose from classes and experiences across three pathways: community engagement, research and creative activity, and leadership . Students in OHP can move among the three pathways as their interests evolve and they develop their goals. What pathway is most exciting to you right now, and why?

Finally, those interested in the Honors Tutorial College are must answer the following two essay prompts (in about 500 words each):

HTC Question 1: Please explain why you have chosen your particular program(s) of study.

HTC Question 2: We expect that one reason you seek a tutorial education is for the one-on-one interaction with faculty, but other than that, what interests you about pursuing a tutorial-based undergraduate education? What aspects of your education and life experience have prepared you for a tutorial education with its emphasis on research and creative activity?

Type 1: Questions About a Meaningful Experience

This type of college essay question is the most common. The exact focus of these prompts can vary quite a bit, but they all ask you to reflect on an important experience. Some questions specify a type of experience whereas others don't, simply opting to have applicants write about whatever matters to them.

There are three basic sub-types that you'll see when dealing with these prompts. Let's look at an example of each.

#1: Overcoming a Challenge

These prompts ask about how you dealt with a particular challenge or solved a problem. Below is a typical example of this question type from the MIT application:

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

To address a question like this, you need a topic that has real stakes —that is, something that you genuinely struggled with. Even though it can seem as though you should only discuss positive experiences and feelings in your college essay (you want to impress your readers with how awesome you are!), unwavering positivity actually hurts your essay because it makes you seem fake.

Instead, be honest : if you're writing about a negative experience, acknowledge that it was unpleasant or hard and explain why. Doing so will just make your overcoming it that much more impressive.

#2: Engaging With Diversity

Questions about diversity ask how you interact with those who are different from you . See an example below from the Common Application:

When approaching this type of question, you need to show that you're thoughtful about new ideas and perspectives. Colleges are full of students from all kinds of backgrounds, and admissions officers want to know that you'll be accepting of the diversity of other students, even if you don't necessarily agree with them.

Also, make sure to pick a specific instance to focus on. Writing a general essay about how you accept others won't impress admissions officers—you need to show them an example of a time that you did so.

#3: Growing Up

Finally, this type of prompt asks about a transitional experience or rite of passage that made you feel like an adult. I've reprinted another example from the Common App:

For these types of prompts, you want to show personal growth. Explain to the reader not just who you are but also how you've changed . (Really, this is a good idea no matter which prompt you're addressing!)

College can be challenging, so admissions officers want to know that you have the maturity to deal with (likely) living on your own, managing your own life, and planning for your future.

Regardless of the exact prompt, the key to this type of college essay is to show what you've learned from the experience. Admissions officers don't care that much about what happened to you—they care about what you think and feel about that event. That's what will give them a sense of who you are and what kind of college student you'll make.

Once you write a first draft, put it in a drawer for a week. Taking some time away from it will allow you to come back to it with fresh eyes. Then, try to read your essay from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about you. Would they be able to understand the story? Do you explain clearly what you learned? Does your intro grab the reader's attention?

It can also be helpful to ask someone you trust, such as a parent, teacher, or peer, to read your essay and give you feedback. Really listen to what they say and think about how you can improve your writing.

Finally, try reading your essay aloud. This will help you catch any weird or awkward phrasings.

What's Next?

If you're struggling with how to approach your personal statement, consider looking at some college essay examples .

The essay is just one part of the college application process. Check out our guide to applying to college for a step-by-step breakdown of what you'll need to do.

Finally, if you're planning to take the SAT or ACT , consider taking a look at our expert test-prep guides for some helpful advice on whatever you might be struggling with.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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60+ College Essay Prompts From Actual 2023-2024 Applications

Ideas to inspire every college applicant.

Writing a college application essay can be a stressful task for a lot of students. The more practice they get in advance, the better! This roundup of college essay prompts gives applicants a chance to explore their thinking, polish their writing, and prepare to make the best possible impression on selection committees. Every one of these questions is taken from real college applications for the 2023-2024 season, so they’re meaningful and applicable to today’s high school seniors.

Common App 2023-2024 College Essay Prompts

2023-2024 coalition for college essay prompts, life experiences college essay prompts, personal college essay prompts, academics college essay prompts, creative college essay prompts.

Hundreds of colleges and universities use the Common App process . For many schools, this includes responding to one of several college essay topics, which can change each year. Here are the essay prompts for the current application cycle (check with your chosen school/s to see if an essay is required).

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

More than 150 colleges and universities use the Coalition for College process . Here are their essay prompts for 2023-2024.

• Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

• What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?
• Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?
• Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?
• What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?

• Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

Answer these questions by sharing specific examples from your own experience.

• Who is your favorite conversation partner? What do you discuss with that person?
• Discuss a time when reflection or introspection led to clarity or understanding of an issue that is important to you.
• Share an example of how you have used your own critical-thinking skills on a specific subject, project, idea, or interest.

• Describe a time when you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond?
• What are the best words of advice you have received? Who shared them, and how have you applied them in your own life?
• Elaborate on an activity or experience you have had that made an impact on a community that is important to you.
• Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you.
• Who do you agree with on the big, important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?
• Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
• When was the last time you questioned something you had thought to be true?
• Discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.
• Reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty.
• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

• Describe a time you did not meet expectations and what impact the experience had on you.

These essay topics give schools a better sense of who you are, what you value, and the kind of student citizen you might be.

• What drives you to create, and what do you hope to make or have you made?
• Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or nonfiction) seems made for you? Why?
• What would you want your future college roommate to know about you?
• How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve, the people you want to work with, and the impact you hope your work can have?

• Describe any meaningful travel experiences you’ve had.
• What would you want to be different in your own country or community to further principles of equality, equity, or social justice?
• What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?
• If you could live your life fighting for one cause, what would it be and why?
• What gives meaning to your life?
• If you wrote a letter to yourself to be opened in 20 years, what would it say?
• If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why?

• Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.
• What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?
• Explain how a text you’ve read—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literature of any kind—has helped you to understand the world’s complexity.

Topics like these show your academic interests and demonstrate your commitment to learning and discovery.

• What does it mean to you to be educated?
• What is your motivation for pursuing higher education?
• Describe your reasons for wanting to attend the specific school you’re applying to. Who or what factored into your decision?
• Academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited, and why do they interest you?

• What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?
• If you decide to take a “gap year” between high school and college, what would you do during that time?
• Many schools place a high value on diverse student populations. How can you contribute to and support a diverse and inclusive student population at your chosen school?
• Imagine you were just awarded a research grant for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?
• What do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.

• Describe a time when you’ve felt empowered or represented by an educator.
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Use these college essay topics to show off your creativity and innovative thinking.

• You are tasked with creating a new category for the Nobel Prize. Explain what it would be, why you chose your specific category, and the criteria necessary to achieve this accomplishment.

• Pick one person—a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual—to converse with for an hour, and explain your choice.
• If you could witness a historic event (past, present, or future) firsthand, what would it be and why?
• If you could have a theme song, what would it be and why?
• Discuss a book that you would call a “great book.” What makes the book great in your view?
• If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together?
• If I could travel anywhere, I would go to …
• My favorite thing about last Tuesday was …
• Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
• If you had 10 minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your TED Talk be about?
• What are your three favorite words in the English language? Explain what they mean to you.
• Imagine that you could have one superpower. What would it be and how would you use it? What would be your kryptonite?

• Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?
• If you could create a college course that all students would take, what would it be about and why?
• What website is the internet missing?

How do you help your students prepare their college application essays? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out  the ultimate guide to college scholarships.

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RPI essay prompts

How to Write the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Essays 2018-2019 12th Grade , College Essays , Essay Breakdowns , Grades 9 min read

How to Write the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Essays 2017-2018 College Essays , Essay Breakdowns 7 min read

RPI common app "required" essay supplement

<p>So, if I’m not taking any of the three degrees mentioned, (Seeking a degree in biomedical engineering)</p>

<p>■LAW AND MEDICAL: State your reasons for aspiring to a career in law or medicine. ■ARCHITECTURE: State your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession. ■ELECTRONIC ARTS: Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts and state how this is reflected in your portfolio.</p>

<p>I don’t have to write one?</p>

<p>Actually, if you go on their website and the instructions for freshmen applicants, it says that if you are applying to any other programs you still have to write an essay. </p>

<p><a href=“ http://www.rpi.edu/dept/admissions/forms/Freshman_App_Instructions.pdf[/url] ”> http://www.rpi.edu/dept/admissions/forms/Freshman_App_Instructions.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt ;

<p>From their website:</p>

</code></pre>

<p>Good luck with your application!</p>

<p>nooooo!!! please tell me this isn’t true! rory i saw the thing you mentioned on rpi’s website, and i thought the additional essay was only for those applying with the rpi application, not common app. ):</p>

<p>can someone confirm? thank you</p>

<p>That essay is just your common app essay</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure the questions listed on their website are only to be answered if you’re using their regular application. The common app essay is all they want, you’re fine.</p>

<p>What if one were, like arkarain, seeking a degree in biomedical engineering, but also an aspiring premed? Would this merit a “LAW AND MEDICAL” essay?</p>

<p>The law and physician scientist program have nothing to do with bme or pre-med. The physician scientist program is a 7 year program between rpi and amc, not the typical 4 year rpi degree.</p>

<p>Wait, so if we are using the Common App, and if we are not applying to any other special programs we don’t need any extra essays, correct?</p>

<p>I’m also confused. Why do they list required essay topics for “all other programs” on their own site but not on the CommonApp supplement or the Universal supplement?</p>

<p>I too am confused. Can anyone confirm anything?</p>

<p>My email from october:</p>

<p>Should clear everything up.</p>

<p>-Doom</p>

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