Essay Questions

The essay is just one of the 26 factors we use as part of our holistic application review for prospective freshmen.

The essay provides you with the opportunity to showcase aspects of your personality and experiences that fit well with the University of Maryland community. When considering your approach to the following essay questions, think deeply about your answer, making it creative and succinct. Use this opportunity as a time for self-reflection and intellectual meditation. You can review some helpful essay writing tips provided by The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success.

Instructions

Please answer one of the following essay questions in your application. Make sure to include the question itself at the start of your essay. Your essay should be no more than 550 words; the question will not be included in the essay total word count.

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?
Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

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