The following essay prompt I will be responding to is this:
- Based on your knowledge of American University, what would it mean to you to call yourself an AU Eagle?
Of course with the college being located in DC, there’s a lot to tell about the city. However, I’m not exactly sure where I want to go with my essay other than discussing its placement near the capital. Things that come to mind are…
The Quad, AU’s TV Station, The Metro, Senator Robert Byrd, Massachusetts Avenue, Washington Capital’s games, Mount Vernon, first Manassas, Robert Byrd, The Zoo, Woodrow Wilson’s house, and the AU eagle statue outside of bender hall.
How to respond… I’m just not quite sure yet.
Location = one thing.
For other things, look at–
- Intellectual angles that are unique to AU. Does it have a strong department in what you want to study? Have you looked at the professors and their CVs (that’s the list of what they’ve done and their personal interests)? Look at the papers they write and see if their topics interest you.
- Clubs that you want to be part of and/or lead--You might find that they have two or three clubs that you feel you could contribute to
- Can you picture yourself as part of the school culture? Some schools have honor codes. Other schools have big football teams. Still others have strong traditions, like lanterns or daisy chains or painting orange cat feet on the cement.
- Do you like the campus? The dorms? Have you done a virtual or real tour of the grounds? What about the campus do you like or imagine yourself being a part of?
- Do you hope to help out doing research? Take their unique coop program (f they have one). Participate in their study abroad program to X location?
Etc.
They want to learn about YOU, they already know about them.