Essay Topics (’22 – ’23)

Each brief personal essay must be 250 words or less.

Question 1: Tell us about a time when you had to work with instructions/information that were in conflict with your core values.

Question 2: Connectors, according to Malcolm Gladwell, are the people in a community who know a large number of people and who are in the habit of making introductions that bring groups of people together for a common function or purpose. Gladwell attributes the social success of “Connectors” to the fact that “their ability to span many different worlds is a function of something intrinsic to their personality, some combination of curiosity, self-confidence, sociability, and energy.” Only a few of us are born “Connectors”, but all of us at one time or another have had to serve in a “Connector” role. Tell us about such a time in your life. Did it come naturally to you, and if not, how did you overcome your hesitations?

Question 3: Presenting one’s opinion in the media can be dangerous. In today’s world, instant responses via mainline media and social media can be harsh, critical and hurtful. Social media shouting at each other seems to have become the norm, rather than a thoughtful, respectful conversation. As a leader of a social advocacy group, you have to make an announcement that you know will be unpopular with some members of your group and/or members of the larger community. How would you handle an ensuing social media storm?

Question 4: Describe an instance where you were obliged to take a course or other educational activity that you would not normally have taken. What did you learn from that experience?

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Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)

Each brief personal essay must be 250 words or less.

Question 1: Tell us about a time when you had to work with instructions/information that were in conflict with your core values.

Question 2: Connectors, according to Malcolm Gladwell, are the people in a community who know a large number of people and who are in the habit of making introductions that bring groups of people together for a common function or purpose. Gladwell attributes the social success of “Connectors” to the fact that “their ability to span many different worlds is a function of something intrinsic to their personality, some combination of curiosity, self-confidence, sociability, and energy.” Only a few of us are born “Connectors”, but all of us at one time or another have had to serve in a “Connector” role. Tell us about such a time in your life. Did it come naturally to you, and if not, how did you overcome your hesitations?

Question 3: Presenting one’s opinion in the media can be dangerous. In today’s world, instant responses via mainline media and social media can be harsh, critical and hurtful. Social media shouting at each other seems to have become the norm, rather than a thoughtful, respectful conversation. As a leader of a social advocacy group, you have to make an announcement that you know will be unpopular with some members of your group and/or members of the larger community. How would you handle an ensuing social media storm?

Question 4: Describe an instance where you were obliged to take a course or other educational activity that you would not normally have taken. What did you learn from that experience?