One required essay (300 words or fewer).Choose at least one, no more than two, optional essays (fewer than 200 words per question).
Required Essay Prompt:
What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?
Northwestern Background & Engagement Q&A Slides
Q: What background aspect to pick?
A:
Choose one specific identity, setting, or community.
Example: Growing up in a multi-generational household.
Example: Attending a specialized arts high school.
Focus on a shaping element.
Q: How has it shaped you?
A:
Detail specific lessons, values, or skills gained.
The Rock Tradition: Painting “The Rock” is a tradition at Northwestern that invites all forms of expression—students promote campus events or extracurricular groups, support social or activist causes, show their Wildcat spirit (what we call “Purple Pride”), celebrate their culture, and more. What would you paint on The Rock, and why?
Northwestern 'The Rock' Tradition Q&A Slides
Q: What is the core of this prompt?
A:
Show expression, community connection.
Not just "what" but "why."
Demonstrate how you use expression for impact.
Q: What to paint?
A:
Pick a symbol, phrase, or image.
Connect it to a personal value or experience.
Example: A specific scientific formula representing a research passion.
Example: A local community symbol from your hometown, like a unique bridge or mural.
Q: Why paint that? (Personal)
A:
Explain the personal meaning behind the choice.
How does it reflect your identity or growth?
Example: The formula represents a moment of scientific discovery from a self-taught project.
Example: The community symbol represents a challenge overcome, like a neighborhood revitalization effort.
Q: Why paint that? (Northwestern)
A:
Link the painting's message to Northwestern's community.
How does it contribute to campus dialogue?
Example: The formula sparks discussions in engineering clubs, fostering interdisciplinary thought.
Example: The community symbol fosters understanding in cultural groups, promoting campus inclusivity.
Interdisciplinary Culture: Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?
Northwestern Interdisciplinary Culture Q&A Slides
Q: What is the core of this prompt?
A:
Show interdisciplinary thought, collaboration, innovation.
Not just "what" but "how."
Demonstrate how diverse ideas combine for discovery.
Q: How to dream up a project?
A:
Conceive a specific class, research, or creative effort.
Example: "A class designing bio-luminescent urban lighting."
Example: "A research project on AI ethics in healthcare."
Community and Belonging: Community and belonging matter at Northwestern. Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.
Northwestern Community & Belonging Q&A Slides
Q: What is the core of this prompt?
A:
Show genuine connection to Northwestern's community.
Demonstrate how you will engage, belong.
Not just joining, but contributing.
Q: How to identify communities?
A:
Research specific student groups, networks, centers.
Go beyond broad categories.
Example: "The Black Formal Dance Committee," not "cultural clubs."
Example: "Northwestern Community Development Corps," not "volunteer groups."
Q: How does your story connect?
A:
Link a personal experience to the chosen group's mission.
Example: "My experience organizing local art festivals aligns with the Block Museum of Art Student Associates."
Example: "My passion for sustainable agriculture connects to the Northwestern Community Garden."
Show authentic interest.
Q: How will you contribute?
A:
Detail specific actions you will take within the group.
Example: "I will propose new outreach events for the Black Formal Dance Committee."
Example: "I will share composting techniques with the Community Garden."
Show active participation, not just membership.
Q: How to be specific?
A:
Name groups precisely.
Explain the "why" of your connection.
Show a clear understanding of the group's purpose.
Location: Northwestern’s location is special: on the shore of Lake Michigan, steps from downtown Evanston, just a few miles from Chicago. What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?
Northwestern Location Q&A Slides
Q: What is the core of this prompt?
A:
Show specific connection to Northwestern's location.
Demonstrate how Evanston/Chicago enhances your experience.
Not just listing features, but explaining "why."
Q: What compelling aspects to highlight?
A:
Choose specific features of Evanston or Chicago.
Example: "The Evanston farmers market for community engagement."
Example: "Chicago's specific architecture for design studies."
Avoid generalities like "big city."
Q: How does your story connect?
A:
Link a personal interest or experience to the chosen location feature.
Example: "My passion for urban farming connects to Evanston's local food scene."
Example: "My interest in structural engineering aligns with Chicago's historic skyscrapers."
Show authentic resonance.
Q: How does location enhance Northwestern experience?
A:
Explain how the location supports academic or extracurricular goals.
Example: "Evanston's community initiatives provide fieldwork for my sociology major."
Example: "Chicago's diverse music venues offer performance opportunities for my Bienen studies."
Listing tourist attractions without personal connection.
Saying "I like the lake."
No empty flattery.
Diversity of Perspectives: Northwestern is a place where people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world can study, live, and talk with one another. This range of experiences and viewpoints immeasurably enriches learning. How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern’s classrooms and around our campus?
Northwestern Diversity of Perspectives Q&A Slides
Q: What is the core of this prompt?
A:
Show how your unique background enriches Northwestern.
Demonstrate contribution to diverse perspectives.
Focus on specific viewpoints you bring.
Q: How to identify your background?
A:
Select one specific, formative aspect.
Example: Growing up in a bilingual, multi-faith household.
Example: Experience as a first-generation student in a rural area.
Focus on a unique lens.
Q: How did it shape your perspective?
A:
Detail specific insights or values gained.
Example: Bilingualism fostered nuanced understanding of cultural communication.
Example: Rural upbringing developed resourcefulness, community self-reliance.
Show direct influence.
Q: How will you contribute in classrooms?
A:
Connect your perspective to academic discussions.
Example: "In a political science seminar, I offer a perspective on local governance from a rural context."
Example: "In a literature class, I analyze texts through a specific cultural lens."
Provide concrete examples.
Q: How will you contribute around campus?
A:
Link your background to broader campus life.
Example: "I will initiate discussions on interfaith dialogue within student groups."
Example: "I will share traditional cooking methods in the dining hall's cultural events."
