university of oregon essay questions

University of Oregon 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Oregon 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community

As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks unique. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you who you are, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of the two following options will guide you in sharing those thoughts.

Describe an experience with discrimination, whether it was fighting against discrimination or recognizing your contribution to discriminating against a person or group. what did you learn from the experience in what ways will you bring those lessons to the university of oregon.

Discrimination can take many forms and be based on a number of things — race, socioeconomic background, disability, gender (to name a few) — and we have all witnessed it in some way, whether we were the targets or not. When approaching this essay, remember that admissions is looking for awareness, not perfection. Admissions doesn’t expect you to have solved a worldwide problem, but they do want to know that your eyes are open to who is being left out or treated unfairly, and whether or not you have taken it upon yourself to do something about it. Have you worked toward inclusion in a club or organization? Do you support girls who break into male-dominated sports? How? The second way to answer this is to recount a time when you were on the wrong side of discrimination. Be vulnerable here, but be sure to analyze why you acted, be it youthful ignorance, implicit bias, or wrong-headed cultural “norms” — this will show admissions that you are self-aware and reflective. It’s important to show that you have learned from your mistakes and are evolving. Lastly, how will you bring those lessons to U-O? Will your actions speak louder than words? Do you want to volunteer in local Special Olympics events? Will you get involved in an LGBTQ+ rights group? Let admissions know that you care and are working for a more inclusive future in your way, however that may be.

The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others ?

Diversity applies to many facets of who we are, including but not limited to: cultural heritage, ethnic background, gender, socioeconomic upbringing, or an inter-sectional combination of all of the above. No matter who you are, you bring something to the table. How will your differences help to enrich your future community at U-O? Maybe reflect on how you influence those around you now, and then mentally place yourself on campus as a college student doing the same. Maybe you’ll share your love of Korean BBQ or your knowledge of Flamenco dancing. Maybe you’ll get on stage with the college improv team and make your peers laugh with your satirical social commentary. No matter what you have to offer, admissions wants to know how you’ll share it and how you’ll contribute positively to U-O’s diverse community.

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How to pick the right university of oregon essay prompts, school supplements.

In the University of Oregon application, you’ll have the opportunity to choose 1 of 2 prompts for the Equality and Inclusion essay. This essay is optional, but we recommend completing it to maximize your chances and show that you’re a great fit for UO. This guide will help you pick the best University of Oregon essay prompt for your application.

The Equality and Inclusion essay:

This essay is an opportunity to show that you share UO’s values. You’ll need to choose 1 of 2 prompts. Here are some tips to help you choose a University of Oregon essay prompt:

Option #1: Describe an experience with discrimination, whether it was fighting against discrimination or recognizing your contribution to discriminating against a person or group. What did you learn from the experience? In what ways will you bring those lessons to the University of Oregon?

If you’ve had an experience that might fit this prompt, try answering these questions:

• Did you learn something from this experience?
• Was this experience important to you?
• Did it have a lasting impact on your actions, interests, values, or goals?

If you answered yes to these questions, this prompt is a good option for you!

Option #2: The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?

This prompt gives you more freedom. Most students will have something in their life that fits this prompt – but it can be difficult to identify it.

• Is your topic something you want to share or discuss with your peers?
• Can you think of specific situations where you could share it with others at UO?

If you answered yes to both, then your topic is off to a good start! 

Complementing Your Common App Essay

When choosing a University of Oregon essay prompt, think about how it works with your Common App essay. Try to use your UO essay to discuss a different interest, value, or goal.

Here’s how an example student handled this:

• Common App essay topic: Advocated for better wheelchair accessibility in her community
• UO essay topic (Prompt #2): Mentored underserved middle schoolers in STEM program; wants to be a peer tutor at UO.

 Her Common App essay had similar themes to UO Prompt #1, so she decided to use UO Prompt #2 instead. This allowed her to discuss different interests and values.

The Additional Information Essay

The University of Oregon application has a second optional essay. It allows you to share additional information or context about life circumstances that may have limited your academic or extracurricular achievements.

Additional Information Prompt:

This section can be used for various purposes, and gives you an optional opportunity for discussing any of the following.

•Your academic record might have included periods of low performance such as grades of D or F, inconsistent or downward trends in grades, deficiencies in particular subject areas, or discrepancies between your test scores and GPA. This might be because of special personal circumstances such as death or illness of a parent, caring for a family member, homelessness, frequent moves, or due to learning disabilities/differences or study habits. If relevant, be sure to let us know what actions you have taken in order to be successful, and what you have learned from the experience.

•You want to help us better understand how your involvement in activities was limited by work or family obligations, or by the unique setting of your school or community

•You need to share any other information with us about yourself that is not provided elsewhere, or UO admissions staff told you to provide certain information in this space

• This prompt is optional. You don’t need to use it unless you have circumstances to explain.
• Note: the Common Application has a similar prompt. If you’ve already written about a topic in the Common App’s Additional Information essay, then you don’t need to repeat the same material here.

The Robert D. Clark Honors Essay

Oregon has a new choose-one-of three honors essay prompt for 2019-20!  If you want to go that extra step and get into the honors college, here's what you have to choose from.

The CHC faculty are involved in the review of applications to the Honors College, and are eager to learn about how you think, and how your mind works. Please write an essay that responds to one of the three quotations below. Reflect on how the quotation relates to your own experience, beliefs, and attitudes.

Select one of the three quotes listed below. (650 word maximum).

• Hannah Arendt: "Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it, and by the same token save it from that ruin which except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and the young, would be inevitable."
• Maya Angelou: "Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible." 
• John Steinbeck: "I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen.”

There's a trap in this prompt!  Even though you are responding to some very deep philosophical quotes, you don't want to spend this essay making broad philosophical statements.  Instead, follow that last sentence of the prompt and relate your quote to one of your own real-life experiences.

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Writing the University of Oregon Optional Supplemental Essay

Written by Sara Calvert-Kubrom on October 17th, 2018

• essay prompts ,
• writing college essays ,
• Reflect on what it means to be a Duck, who you are, and what you would contribute to the campus. Essentially, demonstrate why you are a strong fit for Oregon and why Oregon is a strong fit for you. For my sister-in-law (a very proud alumnus), she was raised cheering for Duck football in Autzen Stadium and watching the rich life-long friendships her parents formed during their time as students at Oregon. She was drawn to the sense of community, the diversity of academic options, and a sorority with a rich commitment to community service and engagement. In exploring this topic, I encourage you to review Oregon’s mission statement and explore information about “ Duck Life ” and academics so that you can highlight specific examples of how you are an excellent fit and ways that you will impact the community.
• Reflect on your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion. A close friend of mine who attended Oregon is especially proud of the university’s recent dedication to equity and inclusion and the robust scholarly and student life programming focused on welcoming and embracing all forms of diversity. As you reflect on your own experiences with diversity (this could be from your experiences based on your own identity, or through interacting with others), review the Equity and Inclusion website to learn about campus initiatives, statistics, and programming. In this prompt, connect your experiences with examples of how you would contribute to Oregon’s efforts around equity and inclusion. Be specific.

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Follow these pre-application steps to help your student stay on track for admissions success., related resources.

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Clark honors college menu, clark honors college, essay tips & prompt, the clark honors college essay requirements for admission .

Applying to the Clark Honors College requires two different essays:

• One using the Honors College prompt
• One from either the Oregon Application Personal Statement or the Common Application*

The UO general essay topic cannot be used to fulfill the Clark Honors College essay. You must complete both of them. 

(*Note: On the Common Application, the Honors College essay prompt will appear immediately below the honors question on your screen when you answer “yes” to apply.) 

Clark Honors College essay instructions: 

The Honors College strives to be a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive place. When faculty and staff review the applications, they are looking to see how you think and how your mind works. The best essays: 

• demonstrate effective storytelling 
• include thoughtful analysis 
• synthesize themes in a meaningful way 
• give a sense of your personality and unique perspective 

The CHC essay prompt:

Curiosity and breadth of interests are defining characteristics of Clark Honors College students. We value originality and want to learn more about your unique journey and the nature and breadth of your intellectual curiosity.

Please tell us about a specific enthusiasm that showcases your curiosity and intellectual engagement with the world. Your chosen enthusiasm or passion can be from any domain—academic, artistic, scientific, cultural, or any other area that has captivated your interest. Be thoughtful and provide concrete examples to support your response.

Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, university of oregon essay examples.

Hi! I'm writing my application essay for the University of Oregon and I'm kinda stuck. Can anyone share some examples of successful essays for UO or just give me some general advice on writing a great essay for them?

Hi there! While I can't provide specific successful essay examples, I can recommend a great resource for inspiration and help writing. Collegevine has great articles, that are updated annually, to help students approach supplemental essays for dozens of schools. Lucky for you, UO is one of those schools!

Take a look at their article here: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-oregon-essays

I hope you find this helpful!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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How to Write the University of Oregon Essays 2019-2020

The University of Oregon is a public research university located along the scenic Willamette River. UO houses a Professional Distinction Program that offers students internship opportunities and career workshops. UO also includes the highly ranked College of Education, as well as thriving football and track programs. 

University of Oregon has an acceptance rate of 78%. Applicants can apply via the Common Application, Coalition Application, or a school-specific application. All platforms require a main application essay for UO, and they also provide a second optional essay. Honors College applicants must complete an additional essay. 

For All Applicants

The first prompt is required ONLY if applying via the UO portal; Common App and Coalition Application students submit the main Common App and Coalition Application essay instead of this below prompt.

The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO’s Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

The admissions committee wants to learn more about you as an individual. You have a wider range of acceptable topics for this prompt, however you should avoid discussing academic-related subjects as they will clearly shine through the other parts of your application. The prompt asks you to focus on something that wouldn’t be discussed in a traditional college application. 

You should also take note of the optional essay that focuses on your identity in the context of equity and inclusion. If your topic is within this realm, consider saving it for the second prompt and using this space to talk about another interest. Writing about different topics will allow you to provide the admissions committee with the most information about yourself. 

This prompt naturally lends itself to a narrative structure. Remember the classic writing adage, “show, don’t tell.” Instead of simply telling the reader that you are president of Key Club, describe the time you supervised the food drive. Instead of simply telling the reader about your dream to become a doctor, describe a meaningful volunteer shift at your local hospital. 

Tie your personal experience into an important underlying themes or insights. Explain why this activity or goal is important to you. For example, why is your work with Key Club important to you? Do you feel most personally fulfilled when you engage in community service? Why do you want to be a pediatrician? Do you have a passion for medicine and children? 

The best essays will tie concrete examples about your topic to a broader theme that tells the reader something about you. 

Optional: As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of these two options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting the Equity and Inclusion website. (500 words)

This prompt asks you to reflect on the importance of either recognizing difference or supporting equity and inclusion. Your response should also explain how your unique personal identity will more broadly connect to the campus community.

There is no right answer to this topic, however your response should be something that is a clear part of your identity. Save hobbies or interests for the first essay prompt, which asks you about anything that wouldn’t be included in other parts of your application. 

For example, you could discuss your socioeconomic status, your cultural background, or your sexual orientation. You do not need to stick to one aspect of your identity to fully answer this prompt and you should feel free to discuss the intersectional parts of your identity. 

Once you have described your personal identity, you should explain how your personal perspective helps you understand the importance of either recognizing differences, or supporting equity and inclusion. Why do you believe recognizing differences is important? How do you believe a university or individuals can support diversity or inclusion? 

For example, you could describe how sharing information about your culture at your high school’s annual international fair allowed you to see the beauty in a community that celebrates different cultures. You could discuss how being president of your school’s Gay Straight Alliance allowed you to work on various equity and inclusion initiatives, which in turned reaffirmed your passion for supporting these causes. 

You will also need to explain how your personal identity will connect with the broader campus community. How will your bring your identity with you to UO? Will you join a culturally based club? Will you help educate your peers on your identity? Will you do academic research into your culture to gain a new perspective? 

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Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

For Applicants to the Honors College

The CHC faculty are involved in the review of applications to the Honors College, and are eager to learn about how you think, and how your mind works. Please write an essay that responds to one of the three quotations below. Reflect on how the quotation relates to your own experience, beliefs, and attitudes.

The Clark Honors College offers University of Oregon students an engaged learning community. The Honors Program offers students honors-specific courses with small class sizes, a residential living-learning community, and an honors-specific academic building that serves as the hub of the program. Students in the Honors Program complete a thesis about a novel research topic under the close mentorship of a faculty member. 

This prompt seeks to assess your critical thinking skills and your perspective on the world. Consider brainstorming all three quotation options before you choose your essay topic. Select the prompt that allows you to most clearly connect the theme to your personal experiences and belief system. 

Regardless of which prompt you choose, your essay should try to tie your concrete experiences into your broader personal beliefs and attitudes. These prompts allow for large degrees of abstraction, however your response will be far stronger if you can illustrate the abstract points you are trying to make with everyday examples. Remember the classic writing adage, “show, don’t tell.” 

Option A – Hannah Arendt: “Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it, and by the same token save it from that ruin which except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and the young, would be inevitable.” (650 words)

This quote emphasizes the value of education to society. Your response should explain why you believe education is key to creating a better world. Use your personal experiences with education to explain why you believe education is important. 

For example, did you have a pivotal academic experience that inspired you outside of the classroom? Did you watch younger children become more generous towards each other after you taught them a lesson about caring? Did you watch a poorly behaved child become happier when you tutored him and he learned to express himself without physical fighting?

For example, you could write about how your class on the prison system inspired your passion for prison reform and your desire to become a lawyer. You could then explain how your personal experience convinced you of the value of education because you wouldn’t have known about the injustice in the world without your education. 

Option B – Maya Angelou: “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.” (650 words)

This prompt focuses on your thoughts on prejudice. While the other two quote options invite personal examples, not everyone has personal examples of prejudice. If this is the case for you, you can describe your feelings on current events or historical issues instead. That said, the strongest essays will share more about who you are, and that’s difficult to do if you have no personal stories to share. You might first want to consider the other two prompts instead.

This prompt mentions three distinct time periods: the past, present, and future. Even if you do have relevant personal stories, you likely will need to mention the historical relevance of the specific issue behind your anecdotes. For example, you might talk about how you’re Native American, but you don’t have close ties to your culture. This is because your mother was actually forced into adoption in the 1960s though the Indian Adoption Project , an attempt by the U.S. government to make Native Americans assimilate into “white culture.” The project was motivated by the idea that white culture was superior, or more civilized, which is clear prejudice. It tore thousands of children away from their homes, and cut their ties to native lands, which allowed the government to then seize that land for itself. All of this “threatens the future” of Native American culture and lands, “renders the present inaccessible” to the student (as they’ve been removed from their culture), and this period of history is also largely unknown to most Americans, which “confuses the past.”

Option C – John Steinbeck: “I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.”

This prompt emphasizes the importance of empathy. Remember the classic “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Your response should explain why you believe empathy is important and first impressions aren’t necessarily accurate. 

For example, have you ever judged someone and realized that your first impression was entirely inaccurate? Did you have a notoriously cranky family member who you later learned was in poor spirits because they were battling a disease? Did you learn that someone you judged to be boring due to their quiet demeanor was actually a very talented artist or musician?

Tie your experience into your broader thoughts on the topic. For example, you could discuss how you always feared your Aunt Esther due to her cantankerous demeanor when you were a child. You could then explain that after Aunt Esther passed away in your teens, you learned that she was an ardent social justice activist when she was younger. You could use your example to explain why first impressions are not always what they seem, and that you wish you made an effort to get to know Aunt Esther while she was alive. 

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Research Process & Scholarly Growth Essay

This essay is essential and the single most important component of your application. It will evaluated by multiple reviewers, including library specialists in your discipline, a dedicated team of undergraduate research professionals, and our independent reviewer. The essay must be written specifically for this award application and address your research information discovery process and your intellectual growth.

In an essay of 750 – 2000 words (not including the Bibliography or abstract), reflect on your research process and sources. Ensure you have this essay ready to submit with your final paper/project and the recommendation letter from your faculty member or advisor.

Consider the following questions as you construct your essay:

What strategies did you use to find scholarly research for your paper/project?

How did library resources and services facilitate your research?

How did you refine your topic in light of the information you discovered? 

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University of Oregon Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Oregon college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Oregon. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by University of Oregon

Communications and leadership scott lemoine, university of oregon.

“Good morning Torrey Pines! It’s a beautiful Monday, 77 degrees and partly cloudy.”

My voice echoed throughout the campus and every classroom, as it was my responsibility to do the morning announcements each day in my position as Senior Class...

Special Olympics Scott Lemoine

Neither Ray nor I knew what miracles were possible. At one hundred and eighty-five pounds, five foot ten inches tall, and a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome, Ray was a Special Olympic athlete with a dream to become a champion, but his mental...

Unconditional Love Anonymous

The roaring waves crashed against the rocks. The sky was black except for two glowing fluorescent lights in a distance. I stood alone facing the Pacific Ocean and tears slowly trickled down my face but the wind quickly blew them away into the...

The Me-to-We Movement Anonymous

My mother first introduced me to the me-to-we way of life. She has always been my heroine and my source of motivation. Her primary concern as a physician is to help as many people as possible. At first, I did not understand why she always worked...

Two Strands of Hair Anonymous

School was almost over and I could not wait to walk out of the gloomy library. Just when I thought I was done for the day, I noticed four girls sitting two tables away from me. They talked loudly without any concern for the quietness around them....

Dodging Tiger Spray Anonymous

The Siberian tiger roared and twisted his massive body as he pressed his paws against the chain-link fence. Miniscule dirt particles trickled from his raised paws while saliva strings dripped from his gaping mouth. I stood on the other side of the...

Black Belts and Black Jazz Shoes: Discovering My Purpose Through Persevering Sara Crossman

I will not stop dancing until each of my toes fall off. I am currently waiting on the sixth toe to take a turn for the worse.

I have an intense relationship with dance. I have been dancing on a competitive team since I was twelve— meaning that I...

Epigenetics: How It Affects Our Future Anonymous

For decades, the classic dispute of “nature vs. nurture” in regards to our maturation has dominated the debate about how children develop. Does a specific gene passed on from your parents predispose you to a life of crime? Are children more likely...

Learning by Teaching Samson Salzinger

The stress of the last-minute cram for a test could be seen in each and every one of my kids’ faces, which were contorting from determination, to anxiety, to confusion, and back again. My students were huddled in the back of the dojang, reviewing...

No, I Don't Speak Mandarin Anonymous

“You know how in Chinese, the first character for swan…”

Stop right there. I do not know anything about the characters for swan. Turning to my classmate, I repeat the phrase for the hundredth time in my life: “See… I don’t speak Chinese.”

My Impact on Diversity Anonymous

At the University of Oregon, I would be eager to be a part of the advancement of the equity and inclusion division by contributing my ideas and passions to the Multi-Ethnic Student Alliance group. People often struggle to fully understand what it...

Being Raised by a Single Mom Anonymous

Growing up being raised by a single mom enabled me and my mom to have a very special relationship. I cherish this close bond; however, it has also led to many challenges. I have had to step up and take much more responsibility than most kids my...

Handling Systemic Challenges Anonymous

“Hey!” I say cheerfully as I lace my basketball shoes. Three girls look at me and snicker. As I leave my teammate Milica says, “Don’t let them get to you. They’re Albanian, so they’re rude to all Serbians.” My eyes widen in shock. Of course there...

Goals/Task Commitment Anonymous

As the website designer, photographer, and social media manager for four small businesses I’ve had to be very detail-oriented and creative regarding new ways to advertise. In order to meet all my deadlines, I set a calendar, breaking up my...

Seaweed Rebels Anonymous

I am a citizen of another world. This land is not one everyone ventures into, and even fewer make a home within it. It is a world with mystery and magic, unimaginable creatures and portals that lead to the stuff of dreams. Some call us divers,...

How Not to Fit In Dream Artemis Lynx

I sleep in on Sunday, I stay home on Wednesday nights; I don’t belong to any youth groups, and if you walk into my house there’s not a single cross to be found. Instead a big blue candle bearing the star of David is perched on the mantle, and two...

Devotion Anonymous

My mother’s hands tell the entire world of my life. They were the first to hold me when I was first born and feed me when I cried. It was her hands that have raised me on behalf of my busy dad, patting me when I behaved well and spanking me when I...

Chemistry, Conflict, and the Red Bean Bun Anonymous

So ubiquitously sold in the streets of cold breezes of winter in South Korea, a red bean bun brings deliberate warmth and joy to many people. Sold at a price of only forty cents back in the 90s, the red bean bun was more than just a snack; it was...

Snowboarding Anonymous

It felt like I was flying and in control of where I wanted to go.

Expecting to spend most of my time on the ground, I surprisingly stayed on my feet loving every minute of this adventure.

Snowboarding has not only become a sport that I really...

Lean on Me Rachel Lynch

Summer begins with skin made of ants. The months between school years were designed for sitting on the border of the sandpit at the Jewish Community Center with ants crawling over my hands.

“Sugar ants don’t bite people,” my friend assures me...

Cinderella of the String Family Olivia F. Vega

My journey as a violist began seven years ago, when I made a trip to my local music center and the director searched around in a cluttered inventory closet, pulling out a case. Inside lay my first viola. It was slightly off color, worn down and...

A Journey of Two Worlds Anonymous

I showed up to school in thongs today... no not that type of thong. Indeed, Australians call flip flops, thongs. As my physcis teacher told me he 'reckons' I should take off my thongs and put on 'runners' (i.e. sneakers) to avoid labratory...

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Admissions menu, – deadlines extended –.

Due to the delay in FAFSA data being supplied to the University of Oregon, the UO is extending the confirmation deadline to June 1, 2024, for first-year students admitted for fall 2024. We are also extending the priority FAFSA filing deadline to April 1, 2024, for all UO students.

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Major research. Small classes. A welcoming, curious, and energized community. All nestled in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Discover why the University of Oregon is right for you.

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At the UO, we live at the intersection of theory and practice. You won’t just listen to lectures—you’ll be out using what you learn in the classroom through internships, research opportunities, and work experience. Whether you want to start your own business, create a greener alternative to plastic, or perform at Carnegie Hall, our top-ranked academic programs will give you the foundation to launch your future.

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A degree from the University of Oregon is an investment in your future, and we want to help you fund your path. More than 60 percent of our undergraduates receive scholarships or financial aid. Our Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships can help you navigate all your options, from merit awards to budgeting advice.

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There’s something special about this place. We’re at the heart of rivers and mountains and wild coastline, in a vibrant town that’s not too big, not too small. Our campus is a literal arboretum, lush and green, and it buzzes with excitement and energy. We like to think it’s pretty perfect. So come for a visit and let us show you why.

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How to write a college or scholarship essay

Use these tips to write a successful essay. Practice with sample prompts or one from your applications.

Some college and scholarship applications require written responses to a specific question. These may range from a short paragraph to a longer essay.

Follow directions

This simple tip is the most important one—pay attention to what is asked. Answer the question, keep within page or word limits, and follow any special formatting requests.

Write your best

For most applications, you will only be submitting one or two written pieces. The people who read your applications assume that what they see is the best you can do. It’s your job to make sure you prove them right! Your essays should be examples of your best writing.

This is good practice no matter what you’re writing, but you’ll want to make sure you proofread these essays extra carefully. Better yet, have a friend or trusted adult proofread for you, too. You’d be surprised at the number of applicants who write that they really want to go to Oregon State University on their application to Linfield University! Thorough proofreading can prevent these simple mistakes.

Be yourself

Essays are an opportunity for admissions and scholarship committees to learn about you and your experiences that aren’t captured by your GPA or test scores. Use your essay to show them what’s important to you and to let your personality shine through. A note of caution: funny essays can be great to read, but if no one’s ever told you you’re funny, this isn’t the time to try.

Remember you have an audience

Most of the time you won’t meet the person who is reading your application, so it can feel like you don’t have an audience. It’s important to remember that you do. Keep in mind that you don’t know the politics, religion, or personal beliefs of the person who is reading your application. Choose a topic that matter to you, but be careful not to offend.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

There’s no question that writing essays can be time consuming. Reduce the amount of time you spend by reusing your work when possible. Many prompts are only slightly different from one another. With some careful editing (and proofreading!), you should be able to recycle an essay for one application into a usable essay for another.

Sample essay prompts from Oregon colleges

Common Application

A standard application used by 10+ colleges in Oregon as well as more than 900 colleges around the U.S. so you can apply to multiple schools with just one application. Some colleges may have additional essay questions.

Choose one of the prompts to write an essay of between 250–650 words.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Other college applications

Many colleges ask additional essay questions. Often the admissions committee is looking to see you understand how the college would be a good fit for you and your future goals.

• Why do you want to want to attend [college name]?

Other colleges may ask you to focus on specific skills that will help you succeed in college, such as leadership, community service, or commitment to diversity.

• The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?

Many colleges also offer students who don’t meet minimum entrance requirements or who have struggled in school an opportunity to explain their specific circumstances.

Sample essay prompts from Oregon scholarships

OSAC Scholarships

Limit per statement is 1,000 characters (approximately 150 words).

• What are your specific educational plans and career goals and why? What inspires you to achieve them?
• What have you done for your family or community that you care about the most and why?
• Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.
• Describe a significant change or experience that has occurred in your life. How did you respond and what did you learn about yourself?

The Ford Family Foundation

Limit per statement is 150 words.

• Choose one: Describe a skill or ability you have developed that you are proud of. How did you develop it and why is it important to you? -or- Describe a topic idea or concept you find so engaging it makes you lose track of time. Why does it interest you and what do you do when you want to learn more?
• Choose one: Think of the place(s) you grew up or consider home. What lessons have you learned living there and how have they shaped who you are today? -or- What are you known for among people who know you well? What would you like to be known for and how will college help you achieve that?

PNACAC Scholarship

• Record a video (no more than one minute in length) responding to one of the following prompts. What would you like to be doing in 10 years, and how does college help you get there? -or-
• How has your college/career counselor, school counselor or advisor helped you (and/or others) in finding the right college fit and what would you like to say to them?