<p>Since UR is a research university and many undergraduate student participate in research, this is an opportunity to talk about a topic that the applicant may be passionate about and let the university know about an original work that may not be covered in other areas of the application. </p>
<p>I am not privy to admissions process, but it may also be used to help determine which applicants may be good candidates for a Research and Innovation Grant (RIG), <a href=“Research and Innovation Grants : Funding : Office of Undergraduate Research : University of Rochester”>http://www.rochester.edu/college/ugresearch/rig.html</a></p>