Answer one of the following questions. (150 Words)
Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your personal participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.
Emory Community Essay Slides
Q: What is this essay proving?
A:
Your personal participation made a tangible impact. Example: "I implemented a new inventory system that reduced our club's waste by 30%."
You have a clear purpose and agency.
You understand community as a two-way exchange, not a passive experience.
Q: What community should you choose?
A:
Pick a community where you had genuine influence.
Choose a group where a problem was tangible.
Avoid a large, generic community like "my school."
Focus on a specific subset, like "the high school robotics team."
Q: How do you show your impact?
A:
Start with a specific moment of conflict or a turning point.
Show the problem and your solution.
Example: I saw our club's budget being mismanaged. I created a new spreadsheet system to track expenses, which gave us enough money to fund a new project.
The essay is about the tangible result of your action.
In a scholarly community, differing ideas often collide before they converge. How do you personally navigate disagreement in a way that promotes progress and deepens meaningful dialogue?
Scholarly Disagreement Slides
Q: How do you personally promote dialogue?
A:
You seek new ideas.
You demonstrate empathy.
You build common ground.
Q: What does collision look like in your story?
A:
Tell a story about a specific conflict, not a generic one. (e.g., A debate in a history class, not a debate with a friend.)
Detail the problem. (e.g., Two sides had opposing views on a historical figure.)
Show your personal role in the disagreement.
Q: What is your process for navigation?
A:
Start by listening.
Ask clarifying questions.
Find areas of agreement.
(e.g., "I rephrased their point of view to ensure my understanding.")
Q: How will you bring this skill to Emory?
A:
Reference a specific professor. (e.g., Professor X's research on the Civil Rights Movement.)
Name a specific program or center. (e.g., The Emory Ethics and Servant Leadership Program.)
Explain how Emory's environment will help you grow.
