How to Write the University of Cincinnati Essay 2024-2025
As one of the largest universities in Ohio, the University of Cincinnati is a robust public research institution with many program options for aspiring undergraduates. It has one required prompt for the upcoming admissions cycle, in addition to the Common App essay. All applicants will answer the same prompt. In this post, we’ll break down how to construct a great essay to bolster your application.
University of Cincinnati Supplemental Essay Prompt
All Applicants
Prompt: Why did you apply to your first choice academic program? This personal statement should provide additional information not already referenced in your application. (500 words)
Prompt
Why did you apply to your first choice academic program? This personal statement should provide additional information not already referenced in your application. (500 words)
This prompt falls under the common Academic Interest/Why This Major essay archetype, which asks you to elaborate on your past academic journey, present intellectual passions, and future professional goals. It’s also meant to assess your fit within the culture of academia at UC, so it’s important that you include school-specific resources that will contribute to your aspirations. This will require you to do a bit of research about the offerings at UC that relate to your stated interests.
The admissions committee wants to understand your academic interests and motivations for pursuing this specific field of study. You need to highlight not just your passion but also any relevant experiences, skills, or goals that led you to this program. Additionally, the prompt asks for “additional information not already referenced in your application.” This means you should avoid repeating details from your résumé or other parts of your application, such as your transcript or extracurricular list.
You should always use the essay space to get into information that’s not already included in your application but especially so in this case because the prompt specifically says so. Make sure your topic is one that is not already heavily present in the other materials of your application – this is a chance to elaborate on otherwise unrepresented aspects of your applicant profile, so take advantage of it! Introduce new information that hasn’t been covered elsewhere in your application, such as a personal story, an aspect of your background, or a project you haven’t mentioned. Avoid turning this into a résumé by simply recounting every class you’ve taken or award you’ve won. Instead, focus on why these experiences were meaningful and how they influenced your academic interests. This being said, let’s get into the brainstorming process to nail down what you’re going to write about.
First, consider what initially led you to your interest in the program you listed as your first choice in your application. Was there a specific event or experience that sparked your interest? Then, think about how you have fostered this interest, whether through classes, internships, clubs, camps, or other experience. How have they deepened your passion for it? If there are any independent research, projects, or self-study initiatives you’ve participated in that align with your intended major, then you should definitely mention that, too. Finally, orient your response toward your future, both at UC and beyond. What are your long-term goals aligned with this field, and why is the University of Cincinnati’s program a good fit for you? This is where you’ll show off your familiarity with UC’s offerings, gleaned from the research on its resources you did. Explain what makes their program unique and how it connects with your academic and career aspirations.
Now, let’s think about what exactly a strong essay will look like. One of the key aspects of this archetype is specificity. The Why This Major essay is very common, and the UC application is likely not the only time you’ll write it, but you shouldn’t recycle generic content here. Your response must be highly tailored to the University of Cincinnati; admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your research and are truly interested in what UC has to offer, so while it’s not a terribly unique question to ask, your essay should be. Don’t simply say you’ve “always been interested” in a subject or mention general qualities about the major – provide specific examples and details that demonstrate your passion and experience.
Furthermore, your response should demonstrate a clear passion for your chosen major through personal experiences, reflections, and detailed explanations of why you’re excited about it. The major you ranked first needs to be something you genuinely enjoy learning about and can write about with authentic passion; forcing a tone of enthusiasm to sound more “serious” about your studies will fall flat with admissions officers who can suss out fabricated interest in a subject. To accomplish this, you’ll want to showcase how you’ve engaged with the subject in a meaningful way, whether through classes, extracurricular activities, internships, or independent study. It should feel like your decision to pursue this major comes from true curiosity and hands-on experience.
Lastly, when highlighting your academic and career goals and explaining how this major will help you achieve them, it’s crucial that you include specific details about the University of Cincinnati’s program, connecting your background and professional desires with unique aspects of the school’s offerings. Mentioning specific courses, research opportunities, professors, or facilities related to your program can strengthen your essay, but be sure not to name-drop just for the sake of it or write a laundry list of what you saw on the UC website. Potential examples of various students’ interests and the relevant resources they can take advantage of at UC are listed here:
- Since building a simple AI chatbot for a science fair project, one student has always been fascinated by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Consequently, he’s pursued summer internships at local tech companies and taken online courses in Python and machine learning algorithms. He is excited to study Computer Science at UC because of the school’s focus on interdisciplinary innovation, especially through the Applied Machine Learning and Intelligence Lab, where he can collaborate on cutting-edge research in AI. He’s also drawn to UC’s Cooperative Education (Co-Op) program, which will allow him to work in real-world tech environments while still in school.
- By volunteering at her local hospital in high school, an applicant became passionate about healthcare after she got the chance to shadow nurses in the ER and assist with patient care. She loves the hands-on nature of nursing, is particularly interested in pediatric care, and is eager to join UC’s College of Nursing because of its simulation labs and the Simulation Center, where students can practice patient care in real-world scenarios. Additionally, she’s excited about UC’s Accelerated Pathway to BSN, which will allow her to complete her nursing degree more quickly while gaining practical experience.
- Growing up near a polluted river, one student became determined to work in environmental protection and sustainability. She spent her high school years participating in environmental clubs and attending climate change conferences. Now, she wants to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering to address urban environmental challenges like water management and sustainable infrastructure. She’s particularly drawn to the Groundwater Research of Ohio study, where she can contribute to research on improving water quality in cities.
Each of these hypothetical students connects their background and interests to specific programs, research opportunities, and resources at the University of Cincinnati, demonstrating a clear understanding of how UC can help them achieve their goals.
Using the structure and expectations we’ve outlined, let’s evaluate a possible example response below:
“I’ve always been interested in buildings and design, which is why I want to study architecture at the University of Cincinnati. My love for architecture grew even more when my family took a trip to Fallingwater a few years ago, and I thought it was really remarkable how the house fit into the landscape. In high school, I took an art class and worked on a few design projects, which confirmed that architecture is the right major for me. UC has a great architecture program, and I know it’s the perfect place for me to grow as a designer. The campus is also really beautiful, which makes it even better. I’m excited to learn from the professors and take advantage of all the resources the school has to offer.”
You can probably tell that this example isn’t particularly compelling. It’s quite vague without any meaningful details or examples, and it doesn’t explain why architecture matters to the writer beyond a superficial interest in the subject. The discussion lacks depth with the use of phrases like “I thought it was really remarkable how the house fit into the landscape” don’t provide any analysis, just a plain statement. Also, phrases like “great architecture program” and “beautiful campus” could apply to almost any school and don’t demonstrate why UC’s program is uniquely suited to her goals. Finally, the student repeats basic information that could be listed on a résumé (such as taking an art class) without providing deeper insights into their journey or aspirations. Check out a revised version below to see how this response can be improved:
“The first time I stepped into Fallingwater, the iconic Pennsylvania house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, I felt as though the building itself was breathing. The way it seamlessly blended into its natural surroundings left me awestruck, and for the first time, I understood how architecture could impact not just the way we live but how we feel. From that moment, I knew I wanted to design spaces that bring harmony between nature and human life. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into learning everything I can about sustainable architecture and aspire to one day lead the construction of buildings and homes that bring inhabitants closer to the natural world around them.
To achieve this, I’ve spent weekends volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, where I experienced the practical aspects of construction and design, and also took a summer course on sustainable design principles and became particularly interested in green roofs and energy-efficient buildings. The University of Cincinnati’s architecture program at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning stands out because of its emphasis on sustainability and cutting-edge design. I’m excited to study under professors like John Hancock, whose work in eco-friendly urban design aligns with my goal of creating structures that both inspire and protect the environment. Additionally, the opportunity to engage with UC’s Solar Decathlon team will allow me to directly contribute to sustainability efforts while learning from some of the best in the field, supplementing my architecture knowledge with more interdisciplinary horizons.”
This essay is much more vivid and cohesive. By opening with a personal and sensory experience of visiting Fallingwater, the student instantly grabs the reader’s attention and effectively connects it to their desire to pursue architecture. The inclusion of specific experiences like working with Habitat for Humanity and taking a sustainable design course reflects on their interest and skill set in architecture. It also provides additional details and new information in the overlap of architecture and sustainability that wasn’t mentioned elsewhere in her application. In addition, the writer ties their personal goals to specific aspects of UC’s program, such as the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning’s focus on sustainability, Professor Hancock, and the Solar Decathlon team, showing that they have done thorough research on the program and further authenticating their interest.
Most importantly, ensure to personalize your essay by sharing your unique story and why this major matters to you. You can use vivid storytelling to make your essay stand out and keep the reader engaged with individualized details, and research UC’s program offerings, both academic and extracurricular, and include specific elements that excite you, showing how it fits with your academic goals.
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