Why College X - Bucket List

Essay Prompt

Other parts of your application give us a sense for how you might contribute to Northwestern. But we also want to consider how Northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. Help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you'll make use of specific resources and opportunities here. (300 words)

Sample Essay

I have a bucket list for college – a list of all the things I want to add to the list of things I’ve done before the next four years go by. What impresses me about Northwestern is how many of the things on my bucket list, I know for sure I’ll be able to do. Here are three of the biggies:

  1. Published Research: Having participated in scientific research during high school, I am ready to dig in and get published during college. I was thrilled to see the research opportunities and funding provided by Northwestern for its undergraduates. Having emailed back and forth with a couple of undergraduate researchers in a lab that particularly interested me, I am confident that I will have the resources to realize this dream!
  2. Studying Abroad: A prospective science major, I wasn’t sure I would be able to attain my dream of studying abroad; that was until I saw Northwestern’s integrated programs. I’m excited about the possibility of minoring in Global Health, which would allow me, as a pre‐med student, to explore other parts of the world, and to gain a better understanding of international health issues.
  3. Philosophy on the Side: I know it seems like I’m a total science geek and I am kind of am. But lurking inside me is also a philosophy nerd. With  Northwestern’s quarter system, I know I can take philosophy classes alongside all of my science classes without a problem.  

Beyond these three biggies, there are many other small ones that I could also check off at Northwestern like go to a fall football game some place that actually has fall or sing in an a capella group.  My bucket list completed is what Northwestern offers. Need I say more?


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