The University of Maryland asks applicants to respond to a series of short-answer prompts. Each response has a limit of 650 characters.
Required Short-Answer Prompts Prompt 1: If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…
Q: What is the goal of this question?
A:
To reveal your values and intellectual curiosity.
The "where" is less important than the "why."
It must connect to a specific goal or passion.
Q: How to select a location?
A:
Connect it to your intended major.
Connect it to a deep personal interest.
Example: "The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, to understand agricultural preservation firsthand."
Q: How to structure the 650-character answer?
A:
Sentence 1: State the specific place.
Sentence 2: Explain the academic or personal "why."
Sentence 3: Describe a specific action you would take there.
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Choosing a generic tourist destination.
Giving a vague reason, like "to experience the culture."
Focusing on relaxation instead of growth or learning.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
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Prompt 2: The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was…
Q: How to select a compelling fact?
A:
Choose a fact from a field you are passionate about.
The fact should be specific, not a general concept.
Example: "The discovery that tardigrades can survive in a vacuum reshaped my view of biological resilience."
Q: How to structure the 650-character answer?
A:
Sentence 1: State the fact clearly.
Sentence 2: Explain its significance or why it surprised you.
Sentence 3: Connect it to a larger personal or academic interest.
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Choosing a widely known or trivial fact.
Failing to explain why the fact is interesting to you.
Stating the fact without personal reflection.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Is the fact genuinely interesting and non-obvious?
Does your explanation reveal something about your mind?
Is the connection to your interests clear?
Refine your short answer for clarity.
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Prompt 3: In addition to my major, my academic interests include…
Q: How to select your interests?
A:
Choose 1-2 specific academic fields.
Explain the connection or contrast with your major.
Example: "My focus on economics is informed by an interest in moral philosophy, specifically theories of resource distribution."
Q: How to structure the 650-character answer?
A:
Sentence 1: Name the academic interest(s) directly.
Sentence 2: Provide a specific reason or question that drives this interest.
Sentence 3: Briefly explain how it complements your primary academic goals.
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Listing hobbies instead of academic interests.
Choosing interests that are too generic.
Failing to connect the interest back to intellectual growth.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Does the answer portray you as a curious, multi-faceted student?
Is the interest genuinely academic?
Is the response concise and impactful?
Strengthen your academic narrative.
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Prompt 4: My favorite thing about last Monday was…
Q: How to choose your Monday moment?
A:
Pick a small, specific, sensory detail.
Connect the moment to a personal value (curiosity, connection, calm).
Example: "The rain hitting my window," not "it was a rainy day."
Q: How to structure the answer?
A:
Sentence 1: State the moment directly.
Sentence 2: Describe the action or observation.
Sentence 3: Explain the feeling or insight it produced.
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Choosing a generic event ("hanging out with friends").
Trying to sound overly profound about a simple thing.
Forgetting to connect the moment to a personal quality.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Is the detail specific enough to be unique?
Does it reveal something positive about you?
Is the language clear and concise?
Refine your response.
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Prompt 5: Something you might not know about me is…
Q: How to choose your "something"?
A:
Pick something not on your activities list.
It should be memorable and authentic.
Example: "I am a competitive speed-cuber," or "I can identify most local birds by their song."
Q: How to structure the answer?
A:
Sentence 1: State the fact clearly and directly.
Sentence 2: Give a brief, interesting detail about it.
Sentence 3: Hint at a quality it reveals (patience, curiosity, creativity).
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Stating something already obvious from your application.
Trying to be funny but coming across as flippant.
Choosing something that is too common or generic.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Is it genuinely surprising?
Does it add a new, positive layer to your profile?
Is the tone appropriate and engaging?
Perfect your unique story.
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Prompt 6: Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity.
Q: What is the prompt's core task?
A:
Connect a personal experience to a form of diversity.
Show a specific outcome: learning, growth, or skill development.
Focus on your action or change in perspective.
Q: How to choose your story?
A:
Select one specific component (socio-economic, geographical, etc.).
Pick a story where you actively engaged with a different perspective.
Example: "Tutoring a student from a different economic background taught me about resource disparity."
Q: How to structure the answer?
A:
Sentence 1: State the experience and the diversity component.
Sentence 2: Describe your action or observation.
Sentence 3: Explain the specific skill or growth that resulted.
Q: What are common mistakes?
A:
Making a generic statement about diversity's value.
Telling someone else's story instead of your own.
Failing to show a specific, personal outcome.
Q: What is the final check?
A:
Does the story show, not just tell?
Is the outcome concrete (e.g., "I learned to listen")?
Is the tone reflective, not preachy?
Strengthen your essay.
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All the best!
