MHC Sponsors Admission Essay Contest
July 28, 2010
Describe an experience that changed your life. What historical figure would you most like to meet? Tell us about your proudest accomplishment.
College-bound high school seniors are well acquainted with the standard admission essay questions on college applications, and with many colleges now using the Common Application, those questions may become mundane. While Mount Holyoke has offered use of the Common Application since 1977, it is among a growing number of institutions to also require a supplemental application that includes an additional two short essay questions.
To avoid the cliched "who do you most admire" kinds of questions, for the past several years the College has offered a contest for prospective students, inviting them to suggest an essay question they think will challenge their peers--or one they would enjoy writing about themselves. Two of the entries have been selected annually for inclusion on the supplemental application for the upcoming year.
"The purpose of the essay is to not only obtain evidence of a candidate’s writing ability, but to provide an opportunity for students to tell us about themselves, their passions, and their ambitions," said Karen Kirkpatrick Osgood, senior associate dean of admission. Having prospective students offer questions they think should be included in the school's application gives admission officers added insight about both the individual applicants and the incoming class as a whole, she noted.
"This speaks to what's on their minds, and we look for like-minded questions to identify trends," Osgood said. The additional essays "provide us with much more variety in the answers and very interesting reading. They're a better assessment tool; students are forced to give these questions a lot of thought."
One of last year's winning questions--"Complete this statement: By looking at me you would never know that…"--was not only included on the application for the class of 2014, it became the inspiration for a College video of current students. More than 1,000 questions were submitted by prospective students from all over the world this summer; they range from introspective to globally-oriented queries, such as:
• "What is the best mistake you ever made?"
• "You're a viral YouTube video. Why?"
• "Do you think the world needs saving?"
• "What is the purpose of currency?"
Assisted by her office's summer work-study students and fellows, Osgood has narrowed the entries down to ten that will now be posted on the MHC Admission Web site, where prospective students will be invited to vote for their favorite. The top two vote-getters will be included on the 2010-2011 supplemental application. Students have until August 4 to select the essay question of their choice.
Related Links:
By looking at me you would never know…
Permanent link to this story: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/news/stories/5682305
