<p>When my son (class of 2017) first read the question when he was applying, he started thinking about what had “inspired” him as well. Then he re-read the question, and came to the conclusion that going down the “inspired” path was not what was being asked. It seems deliberate that the question omits the word “inspired” and instead uses “surprised, unsettled, or challenged.” Why is this important? Because it relates to a student’s ability to learn. It implies that there’s a desire to see (in the essay example) a student’s openness to reason, or ability to question previously held ideas and not just try to see the things that are an affirmation of their already held beliefs. It completely changes the question when you think about it.</p>