The University of Rochester, founded in 1850, is located in the artsy tech hub known as the “Flower City.” The University of Rochester’s accomplished alumni include actor Lance Reddick, novelist Shirley Jackson, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Thaler. In addition, the University of Rochester produces many physicists, politicians, engineers, musicians, and artists. If you’re hoping to follow in their footsteps, you’ll need to nail your University of Rochester supplemental essay first. This post will break down the prompt’s complexities and give you the tools you need to succeed.
University of Rochester’s 2024-2025 Prompt
- The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” In what ways do you envision using the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities at the University of Rochester to promote progress and change within the communities you inhabit? (250 words or fewer)
Contextualizing the Prompt
This prompt begins with some crucial historical context. In brief, this context may shed light on the ambitious vision the University of Rochester holds for their applicants.
The first part of this prompt provides a brief biography of George Eastman. Eastman was the founder of Kodak, the successful photography company. Why is the prompt written in this way, and how are you as the writer expected to respond to it? There are a few nuances here. First, Eastman’s donations have had a significant impact on the University of Rochester community. These contributions have strengthened the University of Rochester’s offerings in music and medicine, among other areas.
In addition, Eastman’s contributions to the film and photography industries through his work have impacted the city of Rochester. The Rochester Film Festival, as well as The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, are world-renowned for their scientific and artistic contributions.
When the University of Rochester’s admissions team poses this question, they attempt to see you as an applicant within the broader context of the University of Rochester’s mission and societal contributions. The admissions officers are not just hoping to fill a class of well-rounded, intellectually engaged students. In short, they are seeking future change-makers. In other words, it’s your job to help the reader see how you fit into Eastman’s legacy.
University of Rochester Short Essay Question
This is the only University of Rochester supplemental essay prompt, so you’ll need to make it count if you choose to write it. That said, you may also provide a creative response or a research response to this prompt, if that is preferable to you. Here’s we’ll focus on how to approach the essay response. Let’s dive in.
The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” In what ways do you envision using the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities at the University of Rochester to promote progress and change within the communities you inhabit? (250 words or fewer)
This prompt may seem confusing on its surface, opening with a quote and ending with the expectation that you will promote “progress and change” in your community. Ultimately, though, this is a “Why University of Rochester?” essay. Let’s break it down.
As shown above, the first part of the prompt is important historical context. That said, the second part of the prompt is the actual question you’ll need to answer. In it, you are asked to envision the ways you will maximize the opportunities available at the University of Rochester. Ideally, you will not just mention which opportunities you wish to seize. Moreover, you will need to describe how you’ll seize these opportunities and why it’s important that you have access to these opportunities. The prompt implies that the “why” is because you will enact positive societal change. In your essay, though, you’ll need to get more specific than that.
Specificity is key to nailing this essay. In 250 words, you can compose a few paragraphs (approximately one double-spaced page). That said, it’s not a lot of room to tackle all of the different questions embedded in this prompt. You can start with an outline. Research the specific opportunities you intend to pursue at the University of Rochester. Then, write down a few reasons why these opportunities excite you. Next, brainstorm a short list of goals these opportunities will help you reach. Lastly, write down a few positive impacts that these goals will have on the communities you inhabit.
In addition, remember to think broadly as you brainstorm ideas, write up your outline, and compose your first draft. The “communities you inhabit” could be as specific as your immediate family. Or, they could be as broad as the climate you live in. Similarly, the opportunities you hope to seize at the University of Rochester could be as small as taking a particular course. Alternatively, they could be as great as your imagination stretches. That said, whatever opportunities you choose to describe, be sure to express how these opportunities are specific to the University of Rochester.
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