• Local Essay Prompts

    UB
    $50 Application Fee
    In addition to SUNY ESSAY (Updated 2013)
    Personal Statement:

    Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

     
     
    Buff State
    $50 Application Fee
    In addition to SUNY ESSAY (Updated 2013)
    Personal Statement:

    Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

     
     
    Fredonia
    $50 Application Fee
    In addition to SUNY ESSAY (Updated 2013)
    Personal Statement:

    Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

     
     
    Geneseo
    $50 Application Fee
    Uses common application prompts (Updated 2013)
    Your parents have to write an essay too-- who knew?
     
     
    SUNY
    Go here to find out about what is required for schools in the SUNY system (Updated 2013):
     $50 Application Fee
     
    The "standard" SUNY essay prompts are as follows:

    Write an essay (250-650 words) on one of the topics listed below. (Required)

    (Aligned to 2014 -15 Common Application topics.)

     

    􀀀         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.

     

    􀀀         Topic of your choice

     

     
     
    Daemen
    $25 Application Fee
    Personal Essay (Updated 2013)
    Please write an untimed essay of at least 250 words or an untimed graded paper of at least 250 words on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed.  This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
          *Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
          *Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
          *Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
          *Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
         *A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
     
     
    Canisius
    (Updated 2013)

    Common Application or  the prompt for paper applications below:

    Please write a brief essay of at least 250 words about a significant experience, achievement or person in your life, or another topic of interest to you.

     
    D'Youville
    (Updated 2013)

    Completion of the essay is highly recommended. The essay is considered to be an important part of the college application. The insight provided within your response can help the admissions committee review your application better and achieve a higher level of understanding of what makes you a unique applicant. While this essay is not required at this time, we may require you to submit an essay at a later time in order for us to complete your application review.

     

    Please choose one of the following topics. Essays should not exceed 500 words.

     

    1. What experiences influenced you to apply to D’Youville College?

     

    2. What factors motivated you to pursue your intended major? (Required of some transfer applicants to the dietetics program. Please see page 2 for details.)

     

    3. What experience in your past has shaped you into the person you are today? Describe the  experience and how it has impacted your life.

     

    NOTE: Physician assistant program applicants are only required to complete the essay responses found in the PA departmental application.
     
    Physician Assistant Applicants (Only)

    You are required to answer each of the following questions (below). Essays should not exceed 750 words. Please answer all of these questions in your essay:

    1. Why have you chosen the physician assistant profession over other health care professions? 
    2. Describe what makes you distinctly qualified to pursue the physician assistant professional degree at D'Youville College. 
    3. Identify the methods you used to research the physician assistant profession.
    4. Provide examples of how you found the physician assistant profession to be different from other health care professions.

     

    Houghton College

    //www.houghton.edu/
    Application fee: $0 (Until November 1    st)

    (Updated 2013)

    Personal Statement

     

    Mission Statement: Houghton College provides an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.

     

    Respond to this question:  Why do you desire to be a part of a community that intentionally integrates academic excellence and Christian beliefs?

     

    Thoughtfully reflect on this question and respond in approximately 400-500 words (roughly one page). A well-written personal statement will include relevant life experiences that have shaped you (e.g., books you’ve read, people who’ve had an influence on you, challenges you’ve overcome, etc.) and address how you hope your education at Houghton will prepare you for the future.

     

     
    Erie Community College
    Application fee: $25
    (Updated 2014)
    None required.
     
     
    None required.
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
     
     
    Niagara Community College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
     
    Hilbert College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
     
    Trocaire College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0 online, $25 paper
    (Updated 2013)
     
     
    Villa Maria College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0 online
    (Updated 2013)
     
    On a separate page, please prepare a 500-1,000 word essay that explains why you would like to attend Villa Maria College.

    In the same essay, please describe your interest in a specific program of study, as well as any goals, achievements or other pertinent information for use in considering your application. Please insert your completed essay in this application.

    If emailing your essay, please prepare in MS Word format, double-spaced. Send to admissions@villa.edu within one week of submitting your application. Please include “Application Essay” in the subject line of your email.

     

     
     
    Niagara University
    Processing fee for paper applications only
     
    Niagara's admissions committee values the opportunity to learn more about you. Please select and check one of the options below. Attach your graded essay or your type-written statement to your application. (Minimum 250 words untimed in English.)

    Personal statement that would include motivation, experiences, and accomplishments that contributed to your choice to apply to Niagara University

    A graded essay or research paper from one of your 11th or 12th grade classes. (If photocopying, please make sure that grade, comments and corrections are visible)

    A written statement explaining your choice of major.
     

    Local Essay Prompts

    UB
    $50 Application Fee
    In addition to SUNY ESSAY (Updated 2013)
    Personal Statement:

    Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

     
     
    Buff State
    $50 Application Fee
    In addition to SUNY ESSAY (Updated 2013)
    Personal Statement:

    Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

     
     
    Fredonia
    $50 Application Fee
    In addition to SUNY ESSAY (Updated 2013)
    Personal Statement:

    Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

     
     
    Geneseo
    $50 Application Fee
    Uses common application prompts (Updated 2013)
    Your parents have to write an essay too-- who knew?
     
     
    SUNY
    Go here to find out about what is required for schools in the SUNY system (Updated 2013):
     $50 Application Fee
     
    The "standard" SUNY essay prompts are as follows:

    Write an essay (250-650 words) on one of the topics listed below. (Required)

    (Aligned to 2013-14 Common Application topics.)

     

    􀀀         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.

     

    􀀀         Topic of your choice

     

     
     
    Daemen
    $25 Application Fee
    Personal Essay (Updated 2013)
    Please write an untimed essay of at least 250 words or an untimed graded paper of at least 250 words on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed.  This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
          *Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
          *Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
          *Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
          *Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
         *A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
     
     
    Canisius
    (Updated 2013)

    Common Application or  the prompt for paper applications below:

    Please write a brief essay of at least 250 words about a significant experience, achievement or person in your life, or another topic of interest to you.

     
    D'Youville
    (Updated 2013)

    Completion of the essay is highly recommended. The essay is considered to be an important part of the college application. The insight provided within your response can help the admissions committee review your application better and achieve a higher level of understanding of what makes you a unique applicant. While this essay is not required at this time, we may require you to submit an essay at a later time in order for us to complete your application review.

     

    Please choose one of the following topics. Essays should not exceed 500 words.

     

    1. What experiences influenced you to apply to D’Youville College?

     

    2. What factors motivated you to pursue your intended major? (Required of some transfer applicants to the dietetics program. Please see page 2 for details.)

     

    3. What experience in your past has shaped you into the person you are today? Describe the  experience and how it has impacted your life.

     

    NOTE: Physician assistant program applicants are only required to complete the essay responses found in the PA departmental application.
     
    Physician Assistant Applicants (Only)

    You are required to answer each of the following questions (below). Essays should not exceed 750 words. Please answer all of these questions in your essay:

    1. Why have you chosen the physician assistant profession over other health care professions? 
    2. Describe what makes you distinctly qualified to pursue the physician assistant professional degree at D'Youville College. 
    3. Identify the methods you used to research the physician assistant profession.
    4. Provide examples of how you found the physician assistant profession to be different from other health care professions.

     

    Houghton College

    //www.houghton.edu/
    Application fee: $0 (Until November 1    st)

    (Updated 2013)

    Personal Statement

     

    Mission Statement: Houghton College provides an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.

     

    Respond to this question:  Why do you desire to be a part of a community that intentionally integrates academic excellence and Christian beliefs?

     

    Thoughtfully reflect on this question and respond in approximately 400-500 words (roughly one page). A well-written personal statement will include relevant life experiences that have shaped you (e.g., books you’ve read, people who’ve had an influence on you, challenges you’ve overcome, etc.) and address how you hope your education at Houghton will prepare you for the future.

     

     
    Erie Community College
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
    None required.
     
     
    None required.
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
     
     
    Niagara Community College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
     
    Hilbert College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0
    (Updated 2013)
     
    Trocaire College
    None required.
    Application fee: $0 online, $25 paper
    (Updated 2013)
     
     
    St. Bonaventure University
    Common Application
    Application fee:
    (Updated 2013)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Last Modified on September 29, 2014