How to Write the Olin College of Engineering Essays 2024-2025
The Olin College of Engineering has 2 essays, one that is a question about values and an optional one that is about whether or not there is anything else you want to say that is not included in your application. Only write that essay if it applies to you.
Olin College of Engineering Essay Prompts
All Applicants
Prompt 1 (required): Olin is a community striving to change the world and positively impact people’s lives through engineering education. How does Olin’s mission align with your own values? How do you hope to use your engineering education to change the world? (250-500 words)
Prompt 2 (optional): Think about all the things we will learn about you throughout your application to Olin, from your application materials and recommendations and through your own words in your other essays. Is there anything missing? If there is, you may share a specific story that tells us something about you that we don’t yet know. If not, don’t worry: this question is optional. (250 words)
Prompt 1
Olin is a community striving to change the world and positively impact people’s lives through engineering education. How does Olin’s mission align with your own values? How do you hope to use your engineering education to change the world? (250-500 words)
This prompt is a “Why This Major” and “Impact on Community” essay hybrid. You’re being asked to reflect on both your values and your goals. Olin wants to see how their mission and culture align with your vision for the future, both personally and professionally. You’ll need to connect your personal values and aspirations to Olin’s mission of using engineering to create positive change.
Understanding the Prompt
In this essay, you need to:
- Discuss how your values align with Olin’s mission of using engineering to change the world for the better.
- Explain how you hope to apply your engineering education toward addressing a specific problem or making a particular kind of impact.
At its core, this essay is about synergy: How do your personal values, the goals you want to achieve, and Olin’s mission all fit together?
Brainstorming Questions
- What values are important to you? Think about values like sustainability, accessibility, innovation, or community service.
- What problems do you want to solve with your engineering education? Consider issues you care deeply about, such as renewable energy, medical technologies, or robotics for disaster relief.
- Have you ever worked on projects or been involved in activities that reflect your desire to make a positive impact? Think about STEM projects, volunteering, or even personal experiences that led you to your current goals.
- How have your past experiences shaped your desire to pursue engineering? Reflect on key moments that inspired you to become an engineer.
- Why is Olin the right place to help you achieve these goals? Consider specific aspects of Olin’s mission, culture, or resources that excite you.
What Makes a Good Response?
- Strong personal values that align with Olin’s mission. Mention specific values, like community-driven problem solving or ethical technology use, and tie them to Olin’s engineering education.
- Clear, concrete goals for how you’ll use your engineering skills to create positive change. Be as specific as possible—don’t just say you want to “help people” or “change the world.” Instead, name a particular field or project you want to focus on, and explain why.
- Connection to past experiences. Ground your values and goals in real experiences you’ve had—projects, volunteering, internships, etc. This shows the admissions committee that you’re not just paying lip service to Olin’s mission; you’ve already taken steps to live it.
- Authenticity and passion. Your essay should reflect a genuine commitment to using engineering as a tool for social good, not just because it sounds impressive but because it’s a part of who you are.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- A student interested in healthcare technology and accessibility. Having volunteered at a community health clinic, this student was struck by the disparities in healthcare access, especially in low-income areas. They’ve worked on projects related to prosthetics and medical devices, and at Olin, they want to create affordable healthcare technologies, using Olin’s interdisciplinary and hands-on approach.
- A robotics enthusiast who wants to help disaster relief efforts. After experiencing a devastating hurricane in their hometown, this student realized the need for efficient search-and-rescue technologies. They’ve built small drones for fun and participated in robotics competitions. At Olin, they want to focus on developing robotics for disaster management and recovery, using Olin’s collaborative and entrepreneurial environment to bring their ideas to life.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your values or goals. Instead of saying, “I want to make a difference,” specify exactly how you plan to use your engineering skills to impact the world.
- Focusing too much on Olin’s prestige. Olin wants to see why its specific mission resonates with you—not just why you think it’s a good school for engineers.
- Writing a resume-like essay. Avoid simply listing your achievements. The essay should focus on why those experiences matter and how they shape your desire to make an impact.
- Overly broad goals. Saying something like “I want to solve the world’s problems” is too generic. Focus on one or two specific areas you’re passionate about.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example:
“In my coastal hometown, the evidence of climate change is impossible to ignore. As a child, I watched the beach I grew up on erode a little more each year, and by the time I was in high school, many of our local fishing spots had vanished. I knew I wanted to do something about it. My high school environmental engineering club gave me a starting point: we built solar-powered water purification systems, and I became fascinated by the potential of sustainable technology to not only protect our environment but also improve lives. At Olin, I’m eager to explore further innovations in renewable energy, particularly through the context of global environmental impact. Olin’s commitment to solving real-world problems resonates deeply with me, and I’m excited by the hands-on, project-based curriculum that will allow me to bring my ideas to life. Ultimately, I hope to create scalable clean energy solutions for coastal communities like mine, helping to preserve their way of life while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”
Why it works:
- The student ties their personal experience of climate change to their goals.
- They clearly describe how Olin’s resources (hands-on curriculum, focus on real-world problems) align with their aspirations.
- The focus is on a specific, tangible impact—clean energy for coastal communities.
Bad Example:
“I have always been passionate about helping people and making the world a better place. Olin’s mission of changing the world through engineering is something I strongly align with. I want to use my education to solve big problems and work on projects that have a positive impact on society. At Olin, I know I will get the best education possible, which will prepare me to succeed in my career and make a difference.”
Why it doesn’t work:
- The language is too vague (“helping people,” “big problems,” “positive impact”).
- There’s no specific goal or area of interest.
- The student doesn’t mention any experiences that have shaped their values or aspirations.
- The essay could apply to almost any engineering school; there’s nothing that ties the student specifically to Olin.
Prompt 2 (Optional)
Think about all the things we will learn about you throughout your application to Olin, from your application materials and recommendations and through your own words in your other essays. Is there anything missing? If there is, you may share a specific story that tells us something about you that we don’t yet know. If not, don’t worry: this question is optional. (250 words)
This prompt is your opportunity to share something new and potentially surprising about yourself, particularly something that wouldn’t naturally fit into other parts of your application. You can approach it like a “quirk” essay or a reflection on an aspect of your personality, interests, or background that hasn’t come up yet.
Understanding the Prompt
- Optional nature: This prompt is truly optional. If you believe your application thoroughly reflects who you are, you don’t need to respond. However, if you feel there’s something important or unique that hasn’t been covered, this is your chance to include it.
- What the admissions committee already knows: They will see your academic history, extracurricular involvement, recommendations, and likely some essays about your academic and professional goals. This means you should avoid repeating information or experiences already mentioned.
This is a great place to reveal something personal, quirky, or unexpected about you—anything that might add depth to your application.
Brainstorming Questions
- Is there a hobby or passion of yours that hasn’t come up yet? Maybe you’re an avid chess player, love collecting rocks, or have a passion for breadmaking.
- Is there a personal trait or life experience that you haven’t talked about? Think about aspects of your personality or background that you haven’t highlighted elsewhere.
- Is there something you love that might surprise people? This can be a chance to show a different side of yourself—maybe you have a deep love of comic books, or you’ve learned five languages because you love studying linguistics.
What Makes a Good Response?
- Something that adds dimension to your application: It should feel like a missing piece that rounds out your personality or experiences.
- A clear and engaging narrative: Since you only have 250 words, you should dive right into the story or experience.
- Personal reflection or insight: Don’t just state a fact about yourself—share how it reflects who you are, your personality, or values.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- A student who loves vintage radio restoration. While this student’s application has focused on their love for electrical engineering, they haven’t mentioned that they spend their weekends restoring 1950s radios with their grandfather. This hobby connects them to their family’s history and deepens their interest in how technology has evolved.
- A student who’s a passionate singer in a community choir. While engineering and robotics take up most of this student’s application, they’ve also been part of a local choir for years. Singing is their way of decompressing and expressing themselves creatively, and they’d love to bring that passion for community and creativity to Olin.
- A student who competes in international Rubik’s Cube competitions. While their application covers their academic achievements, this student also excels at solving Rubik’s Cubes and competes in speed-solving competitions. They love how the puzzles blend logic and creativity, which mirrors their approach to engineering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Repetition: Don’t use this essay to rehash something you’ve already talked about in detail.
- Forcing it: If you don’t have anything new to add, it’s better to leave this essay blank than to write something that feels disconnected or unnecessary.
- Choosing a superficial or random topic: Make sure your story gives real insight into who you are or how you think. Avoid writing about something just because it’s different; it should add meaningful depth to your application.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example:
“One of my favorite childhood memories is the sound of static crackling through the air as my grandfather and I turned the dial of an old, dusty radio. For the past four years, we’ve spent countless weekends together restoring vintage radios, picking up parts from garage sales, and bringing forgotten pieces of history back to life. My grandfather grew up tinkering with electronics, and through this hobby, I’ve come to appreciate how far technology has come and how much can be learned from the past. Restoring these radios has deepened my love for engineering while also connecting me to my family’s history, something that I hadn’t realized was so important to me until I started this journey.”
Why it works:
- The story is unique and personal, showcasing the student’s connection to both their family and their passion for engineering.
- It adds a new dimension that wasn’t covered elsewhere in the application.
- The student ties the hobby to their broader love of engineering in a way that feels natural and meaningful.
Bad Example:
“I am a hard worker who always goes the extra mile. Throughout high school, I balanced a rigorous course load with extracurricular activities, and I always strive to push myself to do the best I can. I am a team player, and I work well with others in group projects. My time management skills have been essential to my success, and I believe they will help me thrive at Olin.”
Why it doesn’t work:
- This is too generic and repeats qualities that are likely already apparent from other parts of the application (grades, recommendations, etc.).
- There’s no specific story or personal insight being offered.
- The language is bland and doesn’t give the reader any new understanding of the student’s personality or interests.
Where to Get Your Olin College of Engineering Essays Edited For Free
Want feedback on your Olin College of Engineering essays to improve your chances at admission? When you’ve proofread your essay a dozen times, it can be hard to even spot where there’s room for improvement. That’s why we’ve created our free Peer Essay Review tool, where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays!
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