How to Write the University of San Diego Essays 2025-2026
University of San Diego (USD) is a private, Catholic university located in San Diego, California. They require two supplemental essay prompts this year. The first is mandatory for all applicants. The second prompt has three options, and applicants only need to respond to one. Take a look at our prompt breakdowns below for tips on how to write your best essays!
University of San Diego Essay Prompts
Prompt 1: At the University of San Diego, we believe education should spark curiosity, foster connection, and prepare students to make a meaningful impact in the world. Tell us about an idea or experience that has shaped your worldview or inspired you to learn more. Why is this important to you, and how do you see it connecting with your future at USD? (350 words)
Prompt 2: Now choose one of the three prompts below to write about. (350 words)
- Option A: USD is committed to fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Reflecting on your own experiences, what does community mean to you? How have you helped create inclusive, welcoming spaces for others, and what have you learned from those efforts?
- Option B: As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue?
- Option C: As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We’re committed to helping every student feel connected and supported by offering space to grow in faith, reflect on their values and explore who they are called to be. Share how faith or spirituality—your own or someone else’s—has shaped a perspective, experience, or decision.
Prompt 1
At the University of San Diego, we believe education should spark curiosity, foster connection, and prepare students to make a meaningful impact in the world. Tell us about an idea or experience that has shaped your worldview or inspired you to learn more. Why is this important to you, and how do you see it connecting with your future at USD? (350 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This University of San Diego (USD) prompt falls under the Academic Interest and Impact on Community archetypes. It invites you to connect an intellectual or personal spark (an “idea or experience”) with your worldview and future learning at USD. Because USD frames education as curiosity, connection, and impact, the best essays will weave those three elements naturally into the story. USD is asking for three things in one:
- An idea or experience that shaped your worldview or curiosity.
- Why this matters to you—the personal meaning and values behind it.
- How it connects to USD—what you want to learn, do, or contribute there.
It’s not enough to just share something interesting; you need to tie it to your intellectual growth and your future at USD.
Brainstorming Questions
- When was the last time you encountered an idea (in class, a book, podcast, debate, cultural tradition, personal experience) that made you rethink something fundamental?
- Has a personal experience (travel, volunteering, family tradition, research project, conversation with a mentor) changed how you see the world?
- What curiosity or issue do you keep coming back to, and why?
- What specific USD opportunities (programs, initiatives, values, faculty, community engagement) connect naturally to this curiosity or worldview?
- How does this shape what you want to do after college—personally, academically, or professionally?
What Makes a Good Response
- Anchored in a vivid story: Start with a specific moment or experience that sparks your reflection.
- Personal connection: Show why it matters to you—what values, questions, or passions it awakened.
- Intellectual depth: Go beyond the surface by explaining how this connects to curiosity or learning.
- Future orientation: End with a vision—how USD will let you explore this idea and how you’ll contribute to the community.
- Balance of personal + USD-specific: Neither a pure memoir nor a pure “Why USD,” but a bridge between the two.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Lina, a future Environmental Studies major: She grew up near California’s Salton Sea, watching how pollution affected both wildlife and her community’s health. This pushed her to study environmental justice. At USD, she wants to explore sustainability through the Changemaker Hub and work on community water initiatives.
- Marcus, a Philosophy and Economics student: After a high school debate on universal basic income, he became fascinated by the intersection of ethics and economics. At USD, he hopes to study both disciplines and join faculty-led research on economic justice.
- Sophia, an aspiring Nurse: During her time volunteering in a hospice, she saw the importance of dignity and human connection in end-of-life care. This experience shapes her worldview of compassion and service. At USD, she’s drawn to the Hahn School of Nursing’s focus on holistic care.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too broad/vague: Don’t say “Volunteering opened my eyes” without a specific story.
- Résumé-dump: Avoid just listing accomplishments—this is about ideas shaping you.
- Generic “Why USD”: Don’t just say “I love the location” or “the small classes.” Instead, tie USD’s mission and resources directly to your experience.
- Preachy tone: Instead of trying to sound overly grand, focus on your genuine learning journey.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example
“The smell of smoke clung to my clothes as I helped my neighbors evacuate during the 2025 wildfires. For the first time, I saw climate change not as a chart in AP Environmental Science but as orange skies and ash coating our street. Weeks later, while researching water reclamation systems for a science fair project, I realized that solutions could start small—rain barrels, gray water reuse—and still create ripples in a community.
That moment taught me two things: first, that environmental issues are human issues, shaping health, safety, and equity. Second, that curiosity becomes action when shared. At USD, I’m drawn to the Changemaker Hub’s social innovation challenges and the Environmental and Ocean Sciences program, where I can study sustainability with faculty who integrate science and policy. I hope to explore how communities can prepare for climate-driven disasters—starting with my own backyard.”
Why it works: It’s vivid (smoke, ash), personal, shows curiosity becoming action, and ties directly to USD programs.
Bad Example
“An idea that shaped me is the importance of working hard. My parents always told me that if I put in effort, I can achieve anything. This inspired me to keep pushing myself in school and to never give up, even when things get hard. This is important to me because it has made me who I am today, someone who values persistence. At USD, I will continue to work hard and take advantage of all the opportunities available to me.”
Why it doesn’t work: It’s generic (could apply to any student at any school), no vivid story, no intellectual depth, no real USD connection.
Prompt 2, Option A
USD is committed to fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Reflecting on your own experiences, what does community mean to you? How have you helped create inclusive, welcoming spaces for others, and what have you learned from those efforts?
Understanding the Prompt
This is another Impact on Community archetype, one of the most common supplemental essay types. USD frames the prompt around belonging, purpose, inclusivity, and welcoming spaces, so your essay should spotlight not just what you did, but also why it mattered, what you learned, and how you’ll bring those values to USD. The university is asking you to:
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Define what “community” means to you personally.
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Share a specific way you have helped foster inclusion and belonging.
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Reflect on what you learned about yourself, leadership, and community through that process.
This is not about being the loudest leader or starting the biggest initiative—it can be about small, meaningful actions that show empathy, initiative, and awareness.
Brainstorming Questions
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What groups or communities (school clubs, cultural groups, religious organizations, sports teams, friend groups, online communities, volunteer work) have shaped you most?
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When have you noticed someone excluded or uncomfortable, and what did you do to help?
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Have you created or participated in initiatives that encouraged diversity, equity, or inclusion?
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Have you bridged differences—between cultures, languages, or perspectives—through your efforts?
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What values drive how you build community (empathy, service, joy, curiosity)?
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How do you imagine bringing this same spirit to USD?
What Makes a Good Response
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Personal definition of community: Go beyond a dictionary definition—show how you’ve lived it.
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Specific action: A concrete story about what you did, not just what you believe.
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Reflection and growth: What did you learn about leadership, empathy, or inclusivity?
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Forward connection: Show how you’ll contribute to USD’s welcoming environment.
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Balance of humility and impact: Avoid sounding like you “saved” people; instead, highlight how you contributed alongside others.
Hypothetical Student Examples
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Diego, a bilingual mentor: Grew up translating for his Spanish-speaking parents. In high school, he started a lunchtime tutoring program for ESL students to help them with assignments. He learned that inclusivity often starts with listening first. At USD, he hopes to support the United Front Multicultural Center.
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Mei, a robotics captain: Noticed girls in her robotics club hesitated to take leadership roles. She introduced “rotating leads,” giving everyone the chance to present projects. She realized that creating space for voices means rethinking structures, not just inviting participation. At USD, she hopes to join Women in STEM initiatives.
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Jordan, a theater student: Directed a play about mental health and invited open discussions afterward. Saw that art could build community by giving people a safe space to share struggles. At USD, he wants to use theater to spark dialogue on campus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overgeneralizing: Don’t say “community means being there for people” without a story that illustrates it.
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Centering yourself too much: Avoid framing it as “I helped everyone because I’m a great leader.” Instead, highlight collaboration and growth.
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Ignoring the learning piece: If you don’t include what you took away, the essay will feel incomplete.
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Generic USD tie-in: Don’t just say “I’ll bring my values to USD.” Be specific about how you’ll connect with USD’s programs or mission.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example
“For most of freshman year, Aisha sat silently in the back of our Model UN meetings. One day, during a debate on climate refugees, I noticed she scribbled pages of notes but never raised her placard. After the meeting, I asked if she wanted to practice her speech with me before the next conference. Slowly, those practice sessions turned into a weekly ritual—me listening, her gaining confidence. By senior year, she was leading our team in a regional conference.
That experience reshaped how I define community: it’s not about the number of people you lead, but the courage you nurture in others. At USD, I hope to bring that same spirit of mentorship to the United Front Multicultural Center, ensuring that every student—whether speaking up in a classroom or finding their place in a club—feels seen, supported, and heard.”
Why it works: Vivid, specific, shows impact on one person but broader meaning, ties to USD inclusivity.
Bad Example
“To me, community means people working together. I have always tried to make others feel welcome. For example, when new students joined our school, I would say hello and show them around. This helped them feel comfortable, and I believe that is what being inclusive is all about. At USD, I plan to continue being welcoming and making sure everyone feels included in the community.”
Why it doesn’t work: Too generic, no vivid detail, could apply to anyone at any school, doesn’t show real growth or reflection.
Prompt 2, Option B
As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue?
Understanding the Prompt
This prompt is an example of the “Political/Global Issues” archetype. It asks you to write about a significant global issue and why it matters to you personally. USD emphasizes changemaking, social justice, and a global perspective, so your essay should reflect how you are passionate about addressing a challenge facing humanity. You need to:
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Identify a specific challenge: This could be environmental degradation, poverty, systemic racism, access to education, healthcare inequality, etc.
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Explain why it’s personally important: You’ll need to connect your own experiences or insights to the issue. This could come from volunteer work, academic interests, or personal experiences that make you aware of the urgency of the problem.
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Show awareness and urgency: Discuss why this issue is urgent and how it impacts people or communities around the world.
Brainstorming Questions
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What global issues are you most passionate about? Climate change? Educational inequality? Immigration reform? Why?
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Have you personally experienced or witnessed the effects of this issue in your community, at school, or abroad?
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Have you participated in any volunteer work, activism, or academic projects related to the issue?
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How has this issue affected you personally? What stories, experiences, or observations have shaped your views?
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How do you plan to engage with this issue in the future, either at USD or beyond?
What Makes a Good Response
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Personal connection: You should clearly explain why the issue you choose matters to you. It’s not enough to simply state facts about the problem—you need to connect the issue to your own life or experiences.
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Show, don’t tell: Use storytelling to explain your experiences or insights. For example, rather than saying, “Climate change is urgent,” describe a moment when you saw its effects firsthand or participated in an initiative addressing the problem.
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Urgency and awareness: Demonstrate a clear understanding of why the issue is pressing and how it affects people globally. You could discuss statistics or personal anecdotes that highlight the scale of the problem, but make sure to avoid turning the essay into a research paper.
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Passion for changemaking: USD values students who are passionate about creating change. Make sure your essay reflects a desire to contribute to solutions, whether through civic engagement, social innovation, or leadership.
Hypothetical Student Examples
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Isabella, an aspiring environmental science major: Isabella chooses to write about ocean pollution and its devastating effects on marine life. She explains how her passion for this issue began after a family trip to Bali, where she saw beaches covered in plastic waste. She discusses her experience organizing a beach cleanup back home and her desire to address plastic waste through sustainable innovations in the future. She explains why she feels it’s urgent to reduce plastic pollution, given its impact on ecosystems and communities dependent on fishing.
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Ahmed, a student passionate about education reform: Ahmed writes about educational inequality and how his experience volunteering with underserved students opened his eyes to the disparities in school funding and resources. He shares a story about tutoring a student who struggled to learn because of outdated textbooks and limited access to technology. This experience made him realize how a lack of educational resources perpetuates cycles of poverty, and he’s eager to explore innovative approaches to equitable education at USD.
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Priya, an advocate for immigrant rights: Priya’s essay focuses on immigration and refugee crises. Growing up in a border town, she often saw the harsh realities immigrants faced. She shares a personal story about her time volunteering at a refugee center, where she met a family who had fled their home country due to violence. This experience deepened her understanding of the global immigration crisis, and she discusses her interest in pursuing law to advocate for human rights.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Choosing an issue that doesn’t resonate personally: Avoid writing about a global issue just because it’s popular. If you don’t have a strong personal connection to it, your essay will lack authenticity. Choose something that truly matters to you and ties to your experiences.
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Being too broad: Don’t try to cover multiple issues or offer a vague overview of the problem. Focus on one specific challenge, and explore it in depth.
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Relying on general statements or statistics: Instead of focusing on facts and figures, ground your essay in a personal experience. Your insights should come from your own observations or actions, not just general knowledge.
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Lacking urgency or passion: Make sure your essay communicates why the issue is important now and how you hope to contribute to addressing it. Avoid writing an essay that feels passive or distant.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example
“When I walked along the beaches of Bali two summers ago, I was stunned by the amount of plastic waste washed ashore. In the mornings, the waves brought in piles of water bottles, straws, and plastic bags that buried the once pristine sands. The pollution didn’t just sit on the surface—it seeped into the local ecosystem, choking marine life and polluting water sources for nearby fishing villages. This moment made me realize the true scale of the global plastic crisis, but it wasn’t until I returned home and organized a local beach cleanup that I felt empowered to take action. Seeing how much debris we collected, from broken fishing nets to Styrofoam containers, highlighted the urgency of tackling this issue on a larger scale. Plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental disaster—it’s a human crisis. It poisons water supplies, endangers food security, and disproportionately affects low-income coastal communities. At USD, I hope to continue this work by advocating for policies that reduce single-use plastics and investing in innovative, sustainable materials that can replace plastic entirely. We cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer.”
Why it works: This essay combines a personal experience (the trip to Bali) with the larger global issue of plastic pollution. The student clearly shows why the problem matters to them, discusses actions they’ve taken (organizing a local beach cleanup), and emphasizes the urgency of addressing this crisis. The essay also ties into their future goals at USD, making it clear that they plan to continue working on this issue in a changemaking capacity.
Bad Example
“One of the biggest challenges humanity faces today is climate change. It affects every part of the world and will only get worse if we do not take action soon. Rising sea levels, deforestation, and natural disasters are some of the major effects of climate change. These issues affect plants, animals, and humans alike. I have always been passionate about protecting the environment, and I think it’s critical that we find solutions to stop climate change. By taking steps to help the environment, we will be helping ourselves. At USD, I would love to get involved in sustainability efforts and help make the world a better place for future generations.”
Why it doesn’t work: This essay is too broad and vague. It discusses climate change in general terms without explaining why it’s personally meaningful to the student or providing any specific examples of action they’ve taken. The student says they’re “passionate” about the environment but doesn’t demonstrate why or how they’ve engaged with the issue. Furthermore, the mention of wanting to “help make the world a better place” is overly general and doesn’t provide any concrete steps or goals.
By choosing a specific issue, connecting it to personal experiences, and demonstrating urgency, your essay will better reflect the values of USD and your potential as a changemaker.
Prompt 2, Option C
As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We’re committed to helping every student feel connected and supported by offering space to grow in faith, reflect on their values and explore who they are called to be. Share how faith or spirituality—your own or someone else’s—has shaped a perspective, experience, or decision.
Understanding the Prompt
This prompt invites you to reflect on the role of faith or spirituality, either in your life or the life of someone you know. As a Catholic university, USD places value on spiritual growth and encourages students from all backgrounds to engage with these questions, regardless of their religious affiliation.
This is an opportunity to explore what faith or spirituality means to you, how it has shaped your identity, or how you have observed it influence others. You don’t need to be religious to answer this question; you can approach it from the perspective of philosophical or moral beliefs as well.
Brainstorming Questions
- How does faith or spirituality influence your daily life, decision-making, or outlook on the world?
- Have you ever had a moment that deepened your understanding of your own faith or spirituality?
- If you don’t identify with a specific faith, what personal beliefs or values guide your actions?
- How has someone close to you (a family member, friend, mentor) demonstrated the role of faith or spirituality in their life, and how did that affect you?
- How do you envision exploring or engaging with faith or spirituality while at USD, even if it’s through community service or personal reflection?
What Makes a Good Response
- Personal Reflection: Whether faith is a major part of your life or not, reflect on what it means to you personally. Avoid making general statements about religion or faith traditions and instead focus on your own experiences or observations.
- Authenticity: You don’t have to be religious to answer this prompt well. If you don’t identify with a specific faith, you can discuss how you engage with broader questions of meaning, purpose, and connection in your life.
- Growth and Exploration: USD is interested in how you approach personal growth, so it’s helpful to touch on how faith or spirituality, or even the lack of it, has contributed to your development. Mentioning how you’d like to continue exploring these aspects at USD can show a readiness for personal growth.
- Connection to Others: If you don’t have a strong personal connection to faith, consider writing about the influence of someone else’s faith or spirituality in your life. How has that shaped your understanding of the world?
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Daniela, a student raised in the Catholic faith: Daniela grew up in a Catholic household where faith was central to her family’s values. She reflects on how attending weekly Mass shaped her understanding of community and compassion, and how her faith has guided her during challenging times. She also discusses her interest in exploring different ways of engaging with her faith while at USD, such as participating in service trips or joining faith-based student organizations.
- Chris, a student with no religious affiliation but strong ethical beliefs: Chris doesn’t identify with a particular religion but discusses how he was raised to value compassion, honesty, and empathy. He shares how his family’s belief in “doing good for others” has always guided his choices, such as volunteering at a local homeless shelter. Chris sees USD as a place where he can continue to explore his own sense of purpose, particularly through service opportunities and discussions on ethics and morality.
- Fatima, a Muslim student: Fatima writes about the role of Islam in her life and how her faith has provided her with a sense of discipline, peace, and responsibility toward her community. She reflects on how fasting during Ramadan deepened her empathy for those less fortunate and how her daily prayers give her moments of reflection. Fatima is excited to join a diverse, faith-inclusive community at USD and hopes to learn from other students’ perspectives while continuing to deepen her own faith.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too broad or generic: Avoid writing a generic essay that could apply to any student. Be specific about your personal experiences with faith or spirituality.
- Ignoring the prompt’s focus on personal reflection: Don’t simply discuss religion or spirituality in general terms. The prompt is asking about your relationship with these topics, or the influence they’ve had on someone close to you.
- Focusing solely on religious doctrine: Instead of reciting religious teachings, focus on how your faith (or lack thereof) has shaped your experiences, identity, or worldview.
- Not connecting to USD’s values: While you don’t have to be religious, make sure your response aligns with USD’s emphasis on personal growth and reflection. If relevant, mention how you’d like to engage with the spiritual opportunities at USD.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example
“I grew up with the sound of my grandmother’s prayers whispered in the early morning before sunrise. For her, faith was a constant presence, a source of strength in the face of hardship. As a child, I didn’t fully understand the role that faith played in her life, but as I grew older, I began to see how it guided her actions. When she opened her home to our neighbors after a house fire destroyed theirs, or when she stood by a grieving family at our church, her faith wasn’t something she spoke about—it was something she lived. My grandmother’s quiet example taught me that faith, at its core, is about service to others. Although I don’t identify with a specific religion, the values she instilled in me by sharing her religion with me—compassion, resilience, and kindness—have shaped how I approach the world. At USD, I’m eager to continue exploring how these values can deepen my understanding of community and my own sense of purpose, whether through service projects or interfaith discussions. I look forward to being part of a community that values diverse perspectives and welcomes students from all walks of life.”
Why it works: This essay reflects on faith through the lens of someone else’s influence, showing how the student’s grandmother’s actions shaped their understanding of service, compassion, and resilience. The student connects personal values to the concept of faith without needing to identify with a specific religion. They also show a desire to explore these ideas further at USD, making the response both personal and forward-looking.
Bad Example
“Faith has always been important to me because I was raised in a religious household. Going to church every Sunday with my family helped me understand the importance of being a good person. My religion teaches me to treat others kindly and to work hard, which are values I have always followed. I also believe that faith is important because it helps guide you through difficult times. Additionally, I have made many friends through church-related events. Finally, my church offers many volunteer opportunities, through which I realized my passion for helping others. At USD, I hope to continue growing in my faith and to join a religious group where I can meet other students who share my beliefs.”
Why it doesn’t work: This essay is generic and doesn’t provide any personal insight or reflection. The student mentions faith but doesn’t show how it has shaped their identity or actions in any meaningful way. The values discussed (kindness, working hard, helping others) are too broad, and the mention of faith guiding them through difficult times lacks specific examples. Additionally, the student’s goals for USD are vague and don’t convey a genuine desire for exploration or growth.
By focusing on personal stories, specific experiences, and thoughtful reflection, your essay will be much more compelling and aligned with USD’s values of spiritual and personal growth.
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