Applications & exam practice
Models for application questions and published examination assignments.
Common App Intellectual Curiosity Essay: A Topic That Captivates You
An illustrative model essay about how curiosity about maps can grow from a classroom topic into independent learning, supported by books, public resources, and conversations.
GRE Argument: Can Contemporaries Judge an Individual’s Greatness?
An argument that people living in an individual’s time can judge visible achievements and conduct, while later generations can revise that judgment by evaluating consequences and historical context.
Family Financial Background and Preparation for Adult Life
Family finances can shape young people’s access to education, technology and time to develop adult skills, without determining their character or future.
Common App Challenge Essay: What a Setback Taught You
An illustrative personal narrative about a failed attempt to lead a school event, the choices that followed, and a more useful approach to later goals.
Corporate Responsibility Beyond Making a Profit
An evidence-based argument that corporations should pursue profit within the law while also taking reasonable responsibility for the social and environmental effects of their operations.
Common App Background or Identity Essay: A Meaningful Part of Your Story
An illustrative personal essay shows how a sustained interest in repairing objects can shape everyday choices and a writer’s perspective, followed by notes on its structure.
GRE Practice: Are Human Minds Superior to Machines?
An argumentative essay distinguishing machine performance on particular tasks from human responsibility for choosing goals, interpreting outputs, and managing risks.
Common App Personal Growth Essay: A Moment That Changed Your Perspective
An illustrative personal-growth essay about learning to listen during a collaborative project, followed by a concise explanation of its structure and a practice exercise.
Commonplace Interests and the Source of Good Ideas: GRE Issue Essay
An argumentative essay that defends a qualified case for attentive observation of familiar subjects while showing how unfamiliar questions and specialized knowledge can also generate valuable ideas.
Common App Essay on Any Topic: A Self-Chosen Personal Story
An illustrative personal essay about learning to treat uncertainty as a reason to investigate rather than a reason to withdraw.
UC PIQ 6: Pursuing an Academic Subject That Inspires You
An illustrative response about developing an interest in astronomy through observation, reading, and explaining scientific ideas.
UC PIQ 4: An Educational Opportunity or Barrier
An illustrative personal essay about turning difficulty with algebra into a deliberate, self-directed learning routine.