university of delaware essay prompts

1. Review UD deadlines, requirements, & what we look for in an applicant at www.udel.edu/apply . All students that submit their completed application by UD’s deadline of January 15 are automatically considered for merit awards.

2. Establish a Common Application Account at www.commonapp.org and read the instructions below before diving in to submit your application. Your Common Application and UD Writing Supplement must be submitted online.

3. Add the University of Delaware to your college list under “My Colleges.”

4. Prepare your Common Application Essay by choosing one topic and writing a 250-word minimum/650-word maximum response. The following are this year’s essay prompts:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

5. Select at least two individuals that will support your application (parents don’t count!) and add their information under “Assign Recommenders.” You will be required to include:

• the name and email address of your college counselor

• the name and email address of at least one teacher

6. Submit your intended major & academic options. Review UD’s 145+ academic majors at www.udel.edu/majorfinder to identify the major that most interests you.

7. You will also be expected to complete the UD Writing Supplement, which contains a question regarding your choice to apply to UD. An additional essay is required of students wishing to be considered for the University Honors Program and/or major in Occupational Therapy (Health Studies).

8. Students interested in applying to majors in Apparel Design, Art, and Music must review and submit additional portfolio requirements via the “Art Supplement.”

9. Once you have completed all answers but before you click “submit,” take advantage of “Print Preview” to be sure that you are comfortable with your answers.

10. Print and save copies of your application for your own records.

11. Submit your Application. (Confirm that you have successfully submitted both your Common Application and UD Writing Supplement in the University of Delaware section of your Common App account.)

12. Submit your Application Fee

13. Ask testing agencies to have your official standardized test scores sent directly to UD (SAT: use UD school code 5811) (ACT: use UD school code 0634).

14. Confirm with your school counselor that your secondary school transcripts are sent to UD. If you have taken college courses, you must also request that those transcripts be sent to UD.

15. Remember to check your status on your custom UD portal via www.udel.edu/mybluehenhome .

University of Delaware

Academic Programs

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Social Science
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Co-op/Internship Opportunities
• Disability Services
• Intramural/Club Sports
• LGBTQIA Services
• Military/Veteran Services
• Night Class Offerings
• On-Campus Housing
• Performing Arts
• ROTC Program
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research
• Veteran Fee Waiver

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

What you need to apply: Completed application Required essays Self-Reported high school grades through SRAR (Self-Reported Academic Record)* For spring and fall 2021, standardized test scores are optional*† a high school counselor school report—letters of recommendation optional *Students who are admitted and plan to attend UD will be required to submit official, final high school transcripts and test scores before their initial semester. † Students who choose not to submit their test scores must complete supplemental essays.

Transfer applicants should not apply using The Common Application. For more information on transfer applications, visit our website: www.udel.edu/transfer.

“I am so proud to this day that I graduated from the University of Delaware. The foundation I got here—the strength and support—helped me go forward.” Susan Stroman, five-time Tony Award-winner and graduate of UD’s College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 1976, Arts and Sciences

Admissions office

210 South College Ave , University Visitors Center Newark , DE 19716 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

(302) 831-8123

For first-year students

Admissions website.

www.udel.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/

Financial aid website

www1.udel.edu/finaid/

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University of Delaware Admission Essays

Thriving at the university of delaware: academic aspirations.

Introduction As I stand at the threshold of embarking upon my college journey, I am filled with excitement and a strong desire to pursue higher education at the esteemed University of Delaware. With its rich academic history, vibrant campus community, and exceptional faculty, I firmly…

National Merit Scholarship - an Opportunity for Success in Studies

My Name is Maneela Reddy Asapuram and I am writing about National Merit scholarship essay in application to assist me during my time studying in the Computer Technology program at the Eastern Illinois University. Being awarded the chance to study further in my field at…

My Motivation to Get a Second Undergraduate Degree at the Haas School of Business

I am Shivam Ajitkumar Mehta, 25 years old from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in India. I have completed my (BA. LLB) (Honours) degree from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 2016. I have worked as an intern for 2 months in each semester ( total 10 semester)…

Empowering Excellence: My Pursuit of the Carson Scholarship

College Carson Scholarship is $1,000 financial aid award designed to help students pay for an undergraduate degree. Sometimes some college scholarships are a one-time check. Other school scholarships are renewable and provide money for students each semester or school year. Students might receive the money…

Development of a Strong Professional Identity at Nursing School

As a nursing student in my final semester of nursing school, I often wonder how I will progress as a nurse, from new grad RN and completing year one to be a few years in the nursing profession and possibly enrolling into a Master’s or…

Compassion in Action: Why I Want to Be a Nurse

Why I want to be a nurse? I want to be a nurse because I not only care about people sincerely but I also help them teach them to live healthier lives and make better choices about how they live. The nurse’s role comes with…

Tiger: College Admission Essay Sample

Miles inward from the shimmering white beaches of Hawaii, I trekked along beaten island roads to my destination – a small animal refuge playfully named the “Boo Boo Zoo.” As the car pulled up, a heterogeneous mix of cats and chickens inhabited the driveway. I…

The Orbital Force of my Autistic Brother: College Admission Essay Sample

I am holding my brother’s hand.”Hi, Will,” I say.”Hi,” he mutters curtly, a trained reply. It’s better than the less favorable option of “Goodbye, please” or “I want goodbye.” His palm feels like a living creature itself, warm and squirming. When he looks past the…

The Road to Financial Success

As a highly motivated individual with a deep passion for the field of finance, I have been inspired by the experiences and guidance of a close friend to pursue a career in this dynamic and ever-evolving industry. My journey towards the field of finance began…

Log Cabin: College Admission Essay Sample

Both heels of my four-year-old, worn out, hand-me-down tennis shoes were propped up on the tree branch in front of me. In my lap, I held the seventh book in the Series of Unfortunate Events, and a half-empty bottle of water was buried in the…

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Writing the University of Delaware’s Test Optional Supplemental Admissions Essays

Written by Karen Spencer on October 8th, 2020

• supplemental essays ,
• writing college essays ,
• Anticipate what it will be like for you as a student at the University of Delaware. Both in and out of the classroom, where do you expect to feel most comfortable and where will you need to stretch? (250 words maximum)
• Relate a personal experience in which you were denied an opportunity or treated unfairly. How did you resolve the situation? If that were to happen during your college experience, what would you do? (250 words maximum)
• Describe an accomplishment that took a great deal of time and/or effort on your part. What motivated you to continue when it got challenging? Who or what did you turn to for support, and how was that helpful? (250 words maximum)

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What Does It Take to Get Into the University of Delaware?

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See how your profile ranks among thousands of other students using CollegeVine. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free.

With a beautiful campus located in Newark, Delaware—a short drive away from both Philly and New York—and a growing reputation as a respected research institution, the University of Delaware is on the rise.

In fact, the 2017-2018 admissions cycle saw a record season, with application numbers approaching 30,000 . Applicants hailed from 48 states and over 100 different countries, continuing a culture of thriving diversity on the UD campus.

However, as the number of applications goes up, it can only be that the acceptance rate comes down. In 2017, UD saw its acceptance rate drop almost ten percent, from 67 to 60%.

Coming years will only see this university continue its climb in popularity, so for UD hopefuls it is now more important than ever to stand out in the dense population pool. Read on for the CollegeVine rundown of what it really takes to get into the University of Delaware.

Applying to UD: A Quick Review

The University of Delaware accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application, making it a convenient addition for students already applying to schools on either of these platforms. As an added bonus, there is only one deadline to keep in mind: applications for prospective first years must be submitted by January 15th.

Here’s a review of the steps to a complete UD application:

• Add the University of Delaware to your college list on the Common or Coalition Application
• Complete the personal statement
• Complete the required information. If you are interested in the UD Honors Program , be sure to indicate this on the application in the provided space
• Send official high school transcript
• Send your standardized test scores, SAT or ACT, through the testing agency’s website (Note: UD is test-optional for first years who are residents of Delaware. More information can be found here )
• Provide two letters of recommendation, one of which must come from your school counselor
• Submit the $75 application fee or fee waiver
• Optional: Answer the UD supplemental questions

UD Acceptance Rate: How Difficult Is It to Get In?

With an acceptance rate of 60%, the University of Delaware is considered a moderately selective institution. Of their nearly 30,000 applications, about 12,000 are ultimately rejected, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years. Prospective applicants have to put their best foot forward in order to have a shot at acceptance into the University of Delaware’s incoming class. 

So, How Does One Get Into The University of Delaware?

The following is a list of requirements that must be satisfied in order to be considered for admissions.

• English: 4 years
• Mathematics: 3 years ( 4 recommended )
• Science: 3 years ( 4 recommended )
• History/Social Sciences: 4 years
• Foreign Language: 2 years; Same language ( 4 recommended)
• Electives: 2 years
• Total: 18 units ( 20-22 recommended)

More information regarding specific classes and programs can be found here .

GPA & Courseload.  During the 2017-2018 admissions cycle, students admitted to the University of Delaware had an average weighted GPA between 3.60 and 3.99. For the Honors Program, it was an even more prestigious 3.92 to 4.17. In other words, the profile of the average accepted student consists of both strong grades and a rigorous course load.

Your transcript must demonstrate a desire to push yourself beyond your comfort zone through challenging courses. That said, the closer you are to the upper end of the GPA range, the greater your chance of acceptance. Therefore, don’t feel pressured to take a course load so challenging that your grades suffer. Strive to achieve a balance.

Standardized Testing.  If you are not eligible for the test-optional policy offered by the University of Delaware (more information here ), which requires a B+ average or above as well as proof of Delaware residency, you are expected to submit official SAT or ACT results. Here is a rundown of UD’s 2017-2018 admitted student averages:

• Middle 50% SAT: 1200-1350
• Middle 50% ACT: 25-30
• Middle 50% SAT Honors Program: 1380-1475
• Middle 50% ACT Honors Program: 30-33

If your GPA is on the weaker side, the standardized tests provide a great opportunity to redeem the academic strength of your application. It is therefore highly encouraged that you take the SAT or ACT a few times, using test prep to improve your composite score. While the University of Delaware does not employ an official cutoff score, we recommend getting as close to the upper end of the above range as possible.

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

Apart from the required personal statement that you will complete as part of the Coalition or Common Application, UD offers the opportunity to respond to five optional writing prompts. You can respond to as many or as few as you choose, but if you’re serious about wanting to go to UD, you’ll answer all of them.

By not answering the UD supplemental essays, you risk giving the admissions committee the impression that you are not all that interested in their school. Even if you consider yourself highly qualified, not answering the prompts could be mistaken for an indication that you consider UD a safety school. In this case, they may reject you as a means to protect their enrollment rate. Don’t take this chance.

That said, you don’t have to view the essays as merely an obstacle between you and a completed application! Many students feel the numbers on their application are an unfair representation of who they are and what they’ve done; the essays are on opportunity to give a voice to your application. Use the essay as an opportunity to provide context for your accomplishments and interests–tell them who the person behind the numbers is.

If you’re still confused on how to write the University of Delaware supplements, check out this post .

What If You Get Rejected?

First, take a breath. Know that it is going to be okay. For most, a dose of rejection is an inevitable part of the trying process that is college admissions. It can be hard, particularly when you’ve had your heart set on a specific school, but remember: the University of Delaware is just one school in a country full of thousands! You will find your school.

In fact, here’s a list of colleges that are remarkably similar to the University of Delaware. Whether you’ve been rejected or not, they may be worth considering.

• Penn State University
• Temple University
• Drexel University
• Delaware State University
• Suffolk University
• Goldey-Beacom College

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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University of Delaware Common App Essay Examples

Type a couple of keywords or describe yourself. We will find the most relevant University of Delaware Common App essay examples for you.

Not sure what to search for? You can always look through our example Common App essays below for inspiration.

All University of Delaware Common App Essay Examples

Filter exemplars, transformative leadership: a journey of personal growth and community formation.

Supplemental Essays

<p>The Common App just went live and now I can see UDel’s writing supplement questions. However, when taken to that page the heading reads, “Writing Questions are Optional: Provide a short response, 200 words or fewer, to each of these prompts.” What does it mean for it to be optional? I’m applying to other Common App schools with writing supplements but none say those questions are optional. Should I do the essay? There are three, so should I do all of them? Would not doing them hurt my chances for getting admitted?</p>

<p>I would contact UD’s Admission Department about this. On UD’s Freshman Application website it still states that an writing supplement of 250-650 words is still required as part of the admission’s application (with a second essay if you are applying to the Honor’s Program). If they are changing the requirements they have not yet modified their website to reflect this. Good luck.</p>

University of Delaware 2017-18 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

University of Delaware 2017-18 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 3 essays of 250 words; 1 essay of 100 words; 1 optional essay of 500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Additional Info

University of Delaware admissions is playing mighty coy on this supplement. According to them, these brief essays are allegedly optional, but as you likely know by now, we don’t believe in “optional”. You should grab any opportunity to talk to admissions in your own voice like it’s the last chip in the bowl (and even if you don’t like chips, you get the idea). That being said, we understand if you didn’t necessarily prioritize writing these essays when admissions seems so lax about reading them. On this application, strategic recycling will be your best friend.

Writing Questions are Optional: Provide a short response, 250 words or fewer, to each of these prompts .

Q1. anticipate what it will be like for you as a student at the university of delaware. both in and out of the classroom, where do you expect to feel most comfortable and where will you need to stretch.

The key to hitting this prompt out of the park is to spend at least an hour on University of Delaware’s website. Although this doesn’t appear like the usual Why essay, it’s asking for the same thing from you: research and details about what you’re going to do when you get there. So fire up your device of choice and find out what UD has to offer. Maybe you’d like to join the Anime & Manga Club so you can meet other fans and artists. Perhaps you’d like to step out of your comfort zone and learn more about Brazilian Jui Jitsu with the BJJ club. Maybe you’ll be right at home in Trig class, but look forward to trying your hand in a Creative Writing class (see what I did there?). No matter your interests or the circumference of your comfort zone, make sure UD knows you have thought about how you will get involved, which classes you will take, where you will spend time, and that you plan to grow on campus. Use specific details to paint a picture, but conserve some of your enthusiasm for the follow-up question that will appear further down.

Q2. Relate a personal experience in which you were denied an opportunity or treated unfairly. How did you resolve the situation? If that were to happen during your college experience, what would you do?

When answering this question, make sure you don’t invite admissions to your pity party. Shed your tears on your own time (we all need to from time to time) and then focus on answering this prompt in an essay that reflects your integrity, problem solving skills, and composure. Do not dwell on the part of the story where you were treated unfairly, but focus on how you went about resolving the issue. You don’t want to seem salty, but like a well-adjusted young adult who can stand up for him or herself when necessary. And don’t forget to answer the second question, about what you would do if you were to encounter a similar situation again. This is the perfect opportunity to show (and not tell) what you learned and even improve on a response that you regret. While injustices exist on a spectrum, try to dig past the trivial (mom wouldn’t let me go to the concert) to experiences that have affected you more deeply (my teacher accused me of cheating and would not allow me to defend myself). But be gentle with yourself. If there’s a story you’re afraid to tell or not ready to share, don’t force yourself just for the sake of a college essay.

Q3. Describe an accomplishment that took a great deal of time and/or effort on your part. What motivated you to persevere when it got challenging? Who or what did you turn to for support, and how was that helpful?

Although superficially different from Q2, this prompt gets at a very similar set of qualities. How do you respond to challenges? What motivates you to persevere? Given the parallel themes, it’s important that you relay a very different story in this essay. So, start here: what do you love? Did your passion for poetry inspire you to memorize a plethora of uncommon words and enter a local spelling bee? Or perhaps your culinary curiosity ultimately led you to work as a line cook at a local restaurant, the hardest job you’ve ever had! While both Q2 and Q3 are about struggle, this question is also fundamentally about what brings you joy. Which struggles have really been worth it for you? But before you think about writing about a major academic struggle, check the “self-appraisal” question below. It could be a better fit if you want to write about bouncing back from a bad grade.

Self-Appraisal of your academic performance: Your academic performance. With Delaware’s increasing selectivity, grades of “B” or above are expected. The Admissions Committee expects that you will take advantage of this question to explain any grade on your transcript that is unusually low or varies significantly from your usual performance in the section below. (500 words)

Okay, this is the one instance when our “optional isn’t optional” rule doesn’t apply. We refer to this prompt genre as the “additional info essay,” and it isn’t a requirement as much as it is a resource. If you’ve had an academic slump at any point in your high school career, this is your opportunity to shed some light on what happened. If you have a consistent academic record, then your work here is done. No need to write an extraneous essay that won’t shed new light on who you are as a student.

Admissions officers know that you’re not a robot, and that your life circumstances can affect your academic performance, but that doesn’t mean you should launch a smear campaign against a teacher who “had it out for you.” Instead, it’s your job to maturely explain and reflect on the circumstances that made it difficult for you to succeed academically: an illness, a fundamental misunderstanding of a key concept, grief. How did you cope with and ultimately overcome the situation? Writing about a few bad grades can ultimately allow you to tell a story of personal growth.

Why UD? (optional) In one or two sentences, tell us why the University of Delaware excites you. (100 words)

See, we told you this question would be back! University of Delaware only gives you one or two sentences to express why you want to be a Blue Hen – so be succinct. Fortunately, you’ve already enumerated your specific interests in your first stab at a Why essay (above), so now all you have to do is distill them down to one pithy sentence. Maybe there’s one key theme or value that strikes your fancy, or maybe there’s a concrete feature of the school that draws your eye. Now is your shot to hammer that point home. Is it the fact that UD is known for being a good school for veterans? Does UD’s nursing program call to you? Is the city of Newark the ideal size and location for a collegetown? Write your answer here.

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Delaware State University

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Delaware State University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

This school does not require essays or the essay prompts are not available yet.

Sign up to be notified of any changes.

First-year requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

International applicants

• Applying for admission
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Passports & visas
• Living accommodations
• Health care & insurance

AP & Exam credits

Applying as a first year

• Filling out the application
• Dates & deadlines

Personal insight questions

• How applications are reviewed
• After you apply

Applying as a transfer

Types of aid

• Grants & scholarships
• Jobs & work-study
• California DREAM Loan Program
• Middle Class Scholarship Program
• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
• Native American Opportunity Plan  
• Who can get financial aid
• How aid works
• Estimate your aid

Apply for financial aid

• Tuition & cost of attendance
• Glossary & resources
• Santa Barbara
• Campus program & support services
• Check majors
• Freshman admit data
• Transfer admit data
• Native American Opportunity Plan
• Apply for aid
• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

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Expanding intellectual horizons, the university of delaware honors college provides opportunities for academically talented and motivated students to take advantage of the resources of a major research institution while maintaining the feel and attention of a much smaller university.  , as a student in the ud honors college, you will be leading class discussions, conducting innovative research, writing papers worthy of publication and tackling some of the most challenging topics in your major and beyond. .

Apply to the Honors College

To be considered for the honors college, complete the common or coalition application and submit all application materials by dec. 1. , on the ud application, simply click the box indicating your interest in the ud honors college—no additional essay is required. honors college decisions are released after the admissions decision, by mid-march., honors admitted student profile*.

*One-year average, mid-50% of admitted students. SAT and GPA ranges are based on self-reported data at the time of publication. ACT ranges are derived from SAT equivalences in the same band.

Apply today >, the many benefits of the ud honors college, ✓ open to all majors, ✓ small honors courses, ✓ living-learning community for freshmen, ✓  close connections with faculty, ✓   opportunity for research funding , ✓  register first for classes, ✓ residential peer mentors, ✓ honors advisement for complex combinations of majors and degrees, ✓   engaged honors alumni network, the ud honors experience.

Small, rigorous honors classes with challenging curricula, active learning and faculty engagement

Preparation for competitive graduate programs and support for students in their pursuit of Rhodes, Truman, Marshall, Fulbright and Goldwater scholarships

Recognition of honors coursework through the general honors award, the honors degree and the honors degree with distinction

Excursions to local labs, businesses, theater and music performances, service learning and volunteer opportunities

Study abroad options specifically for honors students

Honors Enrichment Awards to fund internships, research projects and unique student experiences

Honors living learning community with residential peer mentors who plan community events and serve as academic resources

Honors community programming: ice cream on the porch, pizza with professors, and more

Join other honors students, faculty, staff and alumni for discussions, panels, networking and mentorship

In Brilliant Company

Honors admission decisions are made by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

If you have any questions, email  [email protected] .

Undergraduate Admissions

Enrichment at UD: Honors & More

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210 South College Avenue Newark, DE 19716   [email protected] Phone 302-831-8123 Fax 302-831-6905