Panic. That’s what he did. It put his life at risk. And mine. Who was he? My dive partner, though I didn’t even know his name. Our object: the Black Bart, a sunken supply ship off the south Florida coast lying 85 feet below us. Everything pointed to a flawless day of diving: sky the color of blue never seen in pencil, pen, or paint, the sun floating lazily above, a mere breath of breeze playing with the tips...

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.) I must confess: I admired Steve Jobs. I think Google is a fantastic company. I think Mark Zuckerberg has a great job. I want to be an entrepreneur. Here is my big dream: I want to be the founder of a very successful technology company. In my view, you must learn to crawl before you can walk. Similarly, if one wants to be a...

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (100 to 250 words) Dear Roommate, Can you believe we are going to Stanford? Congratulations! What can I tell you about myself? I like to play guitar. I like to work out and watch college sports. I like to read and listen to all kinds of music. I'm not...

What matters to you, and why? (100 to 250 words) Recently, a golden retriever named Percy joined our family. As a puppy, nothing excites Percy more than new objects, no matter how mundane or boring. The mere appearance of a cardboard box in our kitchen sets Percy in a frenzy. His ears perk up, his tail begins to wag, and he immediately sets to work inspecting every inch of this unexplored piece of household clutter. In fact, I have never encountered someone...

What will be the best breakthrough - whether scientific, social, economic, or other - between now and 2025? Every three seconds, an automobile accident occurs. Worldwide, automobile accidents kill almost 1.3 million people every year, and have earned a spot in the CDC's top ten leading causes of death every year for the past two decades. Fortunately, change is coming that will almost eliminate this needless carnage. Between now and 2025, the advancement in technology of autonomous cars will see a new era...

Tell us about a small goal you hope to achieve, whether in the next 10 days, 10 months, or 10 years. Within the next few years, I hope to become completely fluent in Spanish. As a freshman, I immediately fell in love with this language. I continued to study Spanish throughout my four years of high school. During the summer before my junior year, I was fortunate enough to travel with fellow students to Belgium, France, and Spain while studying World War I...

SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit) SMU offers a multitude of exciting experiences that are appealing me. Most importantly, I have heard about SMU's prestigious business school on numerous occasions. Though many schools have successful business programs, the idea of being immersed in the Cox School of Business in the heart of Dallas is extremely alluring, especially...

Think about when you first meet people. What is a common first impression they might have of you? Is it a perception you want to change or what else do you want them to know about you? If you're one to judge a book by its cover, here's what mine might look like: friendly guy with an easy smile, dark curly hair, khaki pants and collared shirt as required by my school, and a comfortable, worn pair of shoes. Flip...

How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying. (400-650 words) The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business is the undisputed school of my dreams. It is my desire to study at a world-class, internationally renowned institution, and Wharton is exactly that. In particular, I am interested in the Operations, Information, and Decisions Program. The process of using data analysis...

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit) USC's flexible engineering program will cater perfectly to my academic interests. Because I am interested in both engineering and business, the Computer Science and Business Administration Program will allow me to combine classes from the Marshall School of Business and the Viterbi School of Engineering for a perfect undergraduate study. USC's undergraduate research programs will provide...

While scientists yearn to discover the world that exists, Engineers and Computer Scientists seek to create the world that never was. Our faculty and students believe collaborative teams are the key to great accomplishments. Please describe a time in your life (academic, co-curricular, or otherwise) where you had to collaborate to accomplish more than you could alone. (250 word limit) When I was eleven years old, I began volunteering for the Salvation Army. As I continued to serve, I became cognizant...

Your browser history says a lot about you. Take a moment to think about the time you spend online. Whether it’s browsing an Instagram account, listening to your favorite podcast, subscribing to the best web series on YouTube, or even addressing questions on tech-help forums, we want to know where you spend the most time online, and why. Please share your favorite online destination (via a web address, specific app, social network, etc.) - and describe why in a...

If you were given funding for a small engineering project that would make everyday life better for one friend or family member, what would you do? For the past ten years, my grandfather has suffered from Parkinson's Disease. He is a brilliant man who graduated with degrees in both Civil Engineering and Architecture. Later, he went on to Stanford to earn a masters degree in business and has always impressed others with his seemingly endless knowledge and command of writing....

Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the U.Va. culture. In her fourth year at U.Va., Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why? Today, an astounding 62% of modern Americans are in favor of replacing our traditional electoral college system with a direct popular vote. For many,...

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150-400 words) During the past two years, I have participated in two scientific research projects. From a young age, I have always had a thirst to discover more about the world around me, and this work has been very gratifying. My involvement in this research has helped me to become a more disciplined person, and has furthered my curiosity about the scientific world. During the summer before my...