Do I need to cite websites in my supplement essays?

Applying to College
1

For UVA, there is a question about a work of art, lit, science ect, that challenges you. I decided I wanted to write about the Fermi Paradox. I haven’t finished yet, but I started writing about ow many stars there are and things like that, and how I find this interesting. Only, now I’m wondering if I can use any of the facts I just put in my essay. If I write specific facts, (like the number of stars there are in the observable universe) does that mean I have to cite them? Or do I have to leave these out? If I should cite them, how do I do it in the submission field? Normally I would use a whole extra page, and it would be my mla works cited page. In this situation, do I just skip a line at the end and then add my citations there?

Any suggestions?
Add citations?
Avoid using specific facts ?
what do you think?

*Also know that I only am supposed to take up roughly half a page… or 250ish words…

2

Now I’m not familiar with the specific question but usually prompts are intended to get to know you as a student, and as a person better. I think you should talk about your opinion more than citing any other sources.