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Short Answers & Essay

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The short-answer questions invite you to share in your own words what you have done, who you are, and what you aspire to do in the future.

Remember that you have listed activities and accomplishments in your resume and background information, so take this opportunity to show your more personal side. We ask you to answer three questions:

  1. How will your Knight-Hennessy Scholars experience prepare you to realize your immediate and long-term intentions? (250 word limit)
  2. Please tell us when you: a) made someone particularly proud of you, b) were most challenged, and c) fell short of expectations. (150 word limit combined)
  3. Please tell us eight improbable facts (things that are unlikely but true) about you. (150 word limit combined)

The essay prompt invites you to reflect deeply on your life’s journey and the people, events, and circumstances that have impacted it.

There is no right answer, topic, or format — only you can tell your own story — and yet we hope you will focus much less on what you have done and much more on who you are. The strongest essays balance introspection with recognition of external influences, and are so personal that no one else could have possibly written it. The essay topic:

  1. Connect the dots. How have the influences in your life shaped you? (600 word limit)

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What are improbable facts?

A: Improbable facts are aspects about you - experiences, beliefs, traits, skills, etc. - that seem unlikely but are true.  These could include: facts that people wouldn’t expect to be true and/or facts that others are surprised to learn about you. This does not mean a list of achievements. Use this as a way to show a different side of you. And have some fun!

Last updated October 11, 2023.