The Devil's Quill

Duke University — Supplement

October 21, 2020

Prompt: If you are applying to the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences as a first-year applicant, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something particular about Duke that attracts you? (250) ...

Navya Khattar — University of Richmond

October 21, 2020

Prompt: What is an urgent global challenge or social justice topic about which you are passionate? What solutions or outcomes do you hope to see? (max 650) Essay: After hearing a heart-aching narrative about neighbors so close to me...

Common Application

October 21, 2020

Prompt: Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the...

Ashwath Subramanian — Common Application

October 21, 2020

Essay: I can shapeshift. Not from man to beast, nor from beast to man – rather from impassioned proponent to detached arbiter; from spirited defender to objective adjudicator. In an increasingly conflicted age, I retain the abili...

University of Texas — Supplement

September 1, 2020

Prompt: Please share how you believe your experiences, perspectives, and/or talents have shaped your ability to contribute to and enrich the learning environment at UT Austin, both in and out of the classroom. Please limit your re...

Lukas Goodman — Common Application

September 1, 2020

Essay: Fastball down the middle. Big mistake. I drive the ball deep into the gap between right and center field, and seconds later as I slide into 3rd for a triple, I can feel a surge of confidence flow through my teammates ...

Lauren Polito — Common Application

September 1, 2020

Essay: Dear Shelby, Congratulations on your new position as Head of Costume Crew! You're off on an exciting journey into the boundless unknown (aka boiler-room-turned-costume-closet). I'll give you my map, albeit a bit t...

Common Application

September 1, 2020

Essay: It was a shocking month to say the least. The phrase “go with the flow” monopolized my thoughts for that time period. I rolled with the punches, remained flexible, and laughed at my situation. People often hear a...

Dhristi Raval — Common Application

September 1, 2020

Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. Essay: First I learned to love my ears. As a member of the marching band, I pl...

Common Application

August 24, 2020

Essay: Who knew my life would be changed by a 9 inch orange rubber ball? I certainly didn’t, until I started playing basketball. As someone who stuck to their guns, I wasn’t enthusiastic to try anything different. That cha...

Adith Sundram — Common Application

August 24, 2020

Essay: I ran across the unkempt dirt road, too excited to notice as my new shoes dug into the viscous mud, calling out to my parents, as they stood in front of one of a few houses in their small Indian village. “Guess what? Gu...

Jaya Patel — Common Application

August 21, 2020

Essay: My reflexes are the quickest when a three-year-old says she has to go potty. We sprinted down the hallway pushing other camp counselors out of the way screaming, “It’s an emergency!” because I did not want Mae ...