CollegeVine College Essay Team December 3, 2024 15 Essay Guides 2024-25

How to Write the University of San Francisco Essays 2024-2025

The University of San Francisco is a private, four-year college located in San Francisco. As a Jesuit university, it offers a living-learning program at St. Ignatius Institute (SII). For SII applicants, there are four required supplemental essay prompts this year. Take a look at our breakdowns below to make sure you’re submitting your best essays!

University of San Francisco Essay Prompts

This prompt asks you to explain why you are interested in joining a living-learning community (LLC) that emphasizes the integration of academics, spirituality, service, and community. To stand out, you’ll need to reflect on how these aspects resonate with your personal values, academic goals, and experiences. This essay is an opportunity to connect your beliefs and passions to the holistic approach of the LLC, showing why it’s a great fit for you and how you will contribute to the community.

Understanding the Prompt

• Academics: How do your academic interests align with the learning goals of the LLC? Are you passionate about interdisciplinary learning or connecting theory to practice?
• Spirituality: Reflect on how spirituality, regardless of your specific beliefs, plays a role in your life or personal growth. How would exploring it in a community setting benefit you?
• Service: How have you engaged in service activities? How does service connect to your sense of purpose?
• Community: Think about how living in a tight-knit community would support your academic and personal growth.

Brainstorming Questions

• How do you define spirituality, and how does it influence your day-to-day life?
• What is a specific example of how service has impacted you or others?
• How do you believe living in a community of like-minded peers would enhance your academic and personal development?
• Have you ever been part of a community where you had a shared mission, either through service or academics? What was that experience like?
• What aspects of this LLC’s integration of academics, service, and spirituality attract you?

What Makes a Good Response?

• Connect your personal values to the LLC’s core pillars: academics, spirituality, service, and community.
• Show a deep understanding of how these elements intersect. Discuss how integrating academics with service or spirituality can enrich both your studies and your personal growth.
• Use specific examples from your experiences with community service, spiritual growth, or learning.
• Reflect on your personal goals and explain how the LLC will help you achieve them while contributing to the community’s goals.
• Avoid generic statements that could apply to any program or LLC.

Hypothetical Student Examples

1. Sofia, a student passionate about sustainable development, is applying to an LLC because it incorporates service and spirituality. Growing up in a household where environmental conservation was a family priority, she developed a spiritual connection to nature. She could write about how she wants to explore how academic theory on sustainability can be applied in real-world service projects within the LLC community while also reflecting on her deeper connection to the environment.
2. Liam, who volunteered at a local food bank, has always seen service as a way to strengthen his connection with his faith. His essay could focus on how he wants to connect his economics studies with service opportunities in the LLC and gain a deeper understanding of how spirituality can be a guiding force in social justice work.
3. Priya has always been intrigued by the intersection of science and philosophy. She’s interested in how exploring spiritual frameworks in a living-learning community can offer new perspectives on her studies in neuroscience, while service projects can give her an opportunity to help her community understand mental health from both a scientific and spiritual standpoint.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being vague about your interest in spirituality: Don’t just say you’re interested in “exploring spirituality”; explain how and why it’s important to you.
• Overemphasizing one aspect: Don’t focus solely on service or academics. Show that you understand how these elements interact and complement each other in the LLC.
• Ignoring the community aspect: This is a living-learning community, so be sure to highlight why living and learning alongside others appeals to you.
• Cliché service stories: Avoid overly common service experiences (e.g., “I went on a mission trip and learned how privileged I am”) unless you can offer a unique and personal angle.

Good and Bad Examples

Good Example

“Every Saturday morning, my two brothers and I would pile into my mom’s minivan and spend three hours at our local homeless shelter. Our arms were full of pre-loved clothing and hearty trays of lasagna, but our hearts and minds were wide open—ready to embrace the shelter’s inhabitants and hear their unique stories. Through these experiences, I saw how service isn’t just an action—it’s a way of connecting with others and honoring their dignity. My passion for psychology deepened as I realized that healing extends beyond the clinic; it can also be found in community efforts. In the LLC, I want to explore how the intersection of service, academic inquiry, and spirituality can help me develop as both a student and community member. I want to explore avenues for community therapy groups and counseling. The opportunity to reflect on these values while living among like-minded peers will help me grow in ways I could never do alone.”

Why it works: This example uses a personal story to illustrate a connection between service, academics, and spirituality. It shows how the student hopes to grow from the LLC experience and contributes to the community through their values and experiences.

Bad Example

“I want to join the LLC because I believe in the importance of community and service. I have always enjoyed helping others and believe this community will allow me to combine my academics with my values. I went on a service trip with my church when I was younger and felt inspired to really help people while on the trip. I think spirituality is important for finding balance in life, and this LLC will help me explore that more while I pursue my degree.”

Why it doesn’t work: This response is too generic and lacks depth. The student doesn’t provide specific examples or show how these elements are personally meaningful to them. The vague statements about community and spirituality could apply to any LLC.

For this prompt, you’ll want to reflect on what solidarity means to you personally and how you embody the concept in your daily life. Solidarity is a core principle of Jesuit education, emphasizing empathy, justice, and a commitment to uplifting others. This essay is an opportunity to discuss how you’ve engaged with others in a way that shows you are “with and for” them, just as the Jesuit ideal encourages. You should draw from personal experiences and values, showing how you live out the concept of solidarity.

Understanding the Prompt

This prompt is asking you to define solidarity and describe how it plays out in your own life:

• Solidarity: How do you understand it? It might include empathy, shared responsibility, collective action, or working toward the common good.
• Personal Connection: How do you embody solidarity? Think about how you engage with others, the causes you support, or actions you take to build community.
• Jesuit Values: Demonstrate your understanding of Jesuit ideals by reflecting on how you act “with and for others.”

Brainstorming Questions

• When have you felt a sense of solidarity with someone? What did you do to foster that connection?
• Have you been involved in activities or groups that promote justice, equality, or mutual support? What role did you play?
• What values do you associate with the concept of solidarity? How do you integrate those values into your life?
• Can you think of a time when you stood up for someone else, or when you felt supported by others? What did you learn from that experience?

What Makes a Good Response?

• Define solidarity in your own terms, showing what it means to you.
• Illustrate your definition with a personal experience or example where you demonstrated solidarity.
• Show your understanding of Jesuit values by reflecting on how solidarity aligns with the concept of being “with and for others.”
• Emphasize empathy and commitment, focusing on how you seek to connect with others and stand up for shared values or mutual support.
• Avoid vague language—solidarity is a specific concept that you’ll want to bring to life with real examples rather than generalities.

Hypothetical Student Examples

1. Marco is a first-generation college student who has seen his parents work hard to build a life for their family. He writes about how he volunteers at a local community center to support immigrant families, connecting solidarity to the experience of creating a supportive community from a shared background.
2. Ananya has been a member of her school’s social justice club, organizing events and workshops to promote inclusivity. She sees solidarity as standing beside people in their struggles and shares how this club gave her the opportunity to amplify marginalized voices, which taught her about the importance of collective action.
3. Ben grew up in a town affected by environmental pollution and watched his neighbors suffer as a result. He worked on a local campaign advocating for cleaner water and improved safety measures. For him, solidarity means standing in partnership with his community to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using an abstract or broad definition: Avoid talking about solidarity in purely philosophical terms. Instead, ground your essay in a specific experience or story that illustrates what it means to you.
• Focusing only on what solidarity does for you: The focus here is on being “with and for others.” If you only discuss how solidarity benefits you personally, it can seem self-centered. Highlight how you contribute to others or your community.
• Misunderstanding solidarity as charity: Solidarity is about mutual support and working together for a common purpose. Avoid framing it as simply “helping others” without shared purpose or responsibility.

Good and Bad Examples

Good Example

“Last year, my classmates and I organized a school-wide fundraiser for wildfire victims. I still remember standing in the cold outside our school, collecting donations, and talking to community members about why their support mattered. At that moment, I realized the true meaning of solidarity. Solidarity is a shared commitment to lifting each other up—it’s the understanding that their fight is my fight. Through this experience, I learned that the bonds we form when we come together are stronger than any individual action could ever be. This is why I want to continue learning about the Jesuit value of being ‘with and for others’ at St. Ignatius.”

Why it works: This example provides a clear, personal definition of solidarity and a specific story to illustrate it. The student highlights the shared commitment and mutual responsibility involved in solidarity, which aligns well with Jesuit values.

Bad Example

“Solidarity means working together to help other people. I believe it’s important to be kind and supportive, so I try to help others when they need it. I enjoy doing volunteer work when I can to help the less fortunate. I always listen to my friends when they have problems, and I try to be there for them. I know that helping others is good, and I always feel a strong sense of accomplishment whenever I help someone, and that’s why I want to join the St. Ignatius Institute.”

Why it doesn’t work: This response is too vague and doesn’t provide a personal definition or story. It lacks depth and fails to connect with the Jesuit ideal of being “with and for others” in a meaningful way. Instead, it lists generic examples that don’t illustrate a strong understanding of solidarity.

This prompt is an example of the “Why this College” archetype and invites you to reflect on the questions that drive your curiosity, particularly in the areas of philosophy, theology, and ethics. The St. Ignatius Institute (SII) encourages students to wrestle with profound and complex questions through a Jesuit approach to the humanities, so you’ll want to consider topics that are both deeply meaningful to you and that connect to the focus areas of SII. This essay is a chance to showcase your intellectual curiosity and desire to engage with big ideas in a community of like-minded learners.

Understanding the Prompt

This prompt has two main parts:

1. The Big Questions: Identify questions that are personally meaningful to you, ideally relating to philosophy, theology, or ethics. Think about the questions that keep you awake at night or the issues you feel compelled to explore.
2. What You Hope to Gain: Explain why SII’s focus on the humanities is appealing to you. How will the specific focus on these disciplines help you explore your questions?

Brainstorming Questions

• What are some of the philosophical, theological, or ethical questions that intrigue you? Consider broad topics like morality, human nature, or the existence of a higher power.
• Have you encountered a specific philosophical or ethical dilemma in your life? How did you react, and what did it make you think about?
• Why are these questions meaningful to you? Do they relate to personal experiences, your community, or your worldview?
• What are you hoping to gain from studying these questions at a deeper level?

What Makes a Good Response?

• Highlight specific questions that are personally important to you and relevant to the study of philosophy, theology, or ethics. Avoid overly broad or common questions unless you have a unique take on them.
• Show a genuine desire for exploration by explaining why these questions matter to you.
• Demonstrate understanding of SII’s focus on the humanities and connect your questions to the Institute’s offerings. Mention how you see philosophy, theology, and ethics intersecting in your search for answers.
• Reflect personal goals for growth, explaining what you hope to learn or how you wish to grow by engaging with SII’s curriculum and community.

Hypothetical Student Examples

1. Elena is fascinated by questions about the nature of good and evil. Growing up, she often saw different interpretations of right and wrong in her multicultural community. She wants to study ethics through SII to better understand these concepts and to examine the moral frameworks that people use to guide their lives.
2. Alex has always struggled with the question of why suffering exists if a benevolent higher power does as well. This question has been a constant in his life since he lost a family member, and he’s eager to explore theological and philosophical perspectives at SII to gain a better understanding of how people find purpose in times of hardship.
3. Priya is passionate about environmental activism, and she wonders about humanity’s ethical responsibility toward the natural world. She’s interested in exploring the philosophical and theological perspectives on stewardship and sustainability, and hopes to use SII’s courses to develop a more nuanced understanding of these issues and how they connect to her values.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague or general: Avoid questions like “What is the meaning of life?” unless you can approach it from a unique or personal angle. Choose questions that reveal something about your experiences and curiosity.
• Listing questions without context: This prompt isn’t looking for a laundry list of questions; it’s asking you to reflect on why these questions are meaningful to you. Always provide personal context.
• Ignoring the connection to SII: Don’t just mention your questions. Explain how SII, specifically through philosophy, theology, or ethics, will help you pursue them. Avoid generic mentions of “wanting to explore answers” without connecting back to the resources at SII.

Good and Bad Examples

Good Example

“One question I’ve grappled with since childhood is how humans can coexist peacefully despite our vast differences. Growing up in a divided neighborhood, I witnessed how conflicts emerged from misunderstandings and differing values. This fueled my curiosity about the ethical principles that guide us and the role of empathy in bridging divides. At SII, I hope to explore philosophical theories on human nature, as well as theological insights on compassion, to better understand what it means to truly connect with others. I’m eager to engage in discussions on ethics and theology that push me to rethink my own assumptions and contribute to a more just world. In four years, I hope to walk through my divided neighborhood and be a bridge that brings people together, all guided by what I learned at SII.”

Why it works: This response is specific and personal, with a question grounded in the student’s lived experience. It clearly connects to the study of philosophy and ethics and demonstrates how the student’s goals align with the offerings at SII.

Bad Example

“I’ve always wondered about big questions like what the purpose of life is and why people suffer. There are so many terrible things that happen around the world, and yet people in other countries are able to go about their daily lives without any large interruptions. I think SII’s courses in philosophy and theology will help me understand these questions better. I’m interested in learning more about these subjects to explore the answers to life’s biggest questions.”

Why it doesn’t work: This example is vague and lacks personal context. The questions mentioned are too broad, and the student doesn’t explain why they are meaningful to them. Additionally, the response doesn’t show a strong understanding of SII’s offerings or how they will help the student pursue these questions.

This prompt is an example of the “Why this College” archetype. To respond to this prompt, you’ll need to explore what about the University of San Francisco’s mission statement speaks to you, and how it aligns with your own goals and aspirations. The prompt emphasizes that USF’s mission is deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition, with a focus on educating students to be compassionate, ethically-minded leaders who work for justice and the common good. Consider how this mission connects with your values and how you aim to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

Understanding the Prompt

This prompt has two main components:

1. What excites you about USF’s mission statement: Identify specific elements of the mission statement that resonate with you. This could include themes of social justice, ethical leadership, or a commitment to service.
2. Connecting to your goals: Explain how these elements align with your personal values and goals for the future. This is your opportunity to show how you’ll both contribute to and benefit from USF’s mission-focused environment.

Brainstorming Questions

• Which aspects of the USF mission statement most resonate with you? Is it the focus on social justice, the call to serve the marginalized, or the emphasis on ethical leadership?
• How do these elements reflect your personal experiences, values, or beliefs?
• What are your professional goals, and how can a Jesuit education help you achieve them? Think about the kind of person you hope to become in your career.
• Have you been involved in service or leadership activities that align with the mission’s ideals? How did those experiences shape you?

What Makes a Good Response?

• Reference specific parts of the mission statement: Focus on a few key aspects rather than summarizing the whole mission. This shows that you’ve taken time to reflect on what USF values and how it relates to you.
• Connect the mission to your goals: Explain how the mission aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. If you’re interested in a particular field or career, share how USF’s values can help you become a better leader or advocate in that area.
• Show a commitment to the Jesuit values: Highlight how you aim to live out these values, whether it’s through service, social justice, or another aspect of the mission.
• Avoid generic statements: Be specific about why USF’s mission excites you and how it aligns with your unique goals, rather than making general statements about the importance of service or justice.

Hypothetical Student Examples

1. Jamie is passionate about public health and admires USF’s commitment to creating a more just and humane world. They connect this to their goal of working to improve healthcare access for underserved communities. They describe how they’re excited to be part of an institution that prioritizes both ethical leadership and social justice, which aligns with their desire to make a meaningful difference in public health.
2. Maya is interested in environmental justice and feels inspired by USF’s emphasis on service to the marginalized. She explains that she’s excited by the idea of a university that encourages students to engage in environmental activism through a lens of social justice, helping her fulfill her goal of becoming an environmental lawyer who advocates for vulnerable communities.
3. Ethan aims to work in education policy, specifically to create equitable opportunities for low-income students. He’s drawn to USF’s Jesuit focus on advocating for justice and human dignity. He shares how he looks forward to developing his ethical leadership skills at USF, where he can connect his passion for social justice with practical skills to advocate for educational equity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Quoting the mission statement excessively: Instead, paraphrase or reference key aspects briefly. Use your word count to show why these elements matter to you.
• Vague or generic connections: Avoid saying that you want to help others without connecting it to your goals or how USF specifically will help you do so. Be concrete about your ambitions and how USF will help you reach them.
• Listing unrelated goals: Make sure your personal and professional goals align with the values highlighted in the mission statement, such as justice, service, and ethical leadership.

Good and Bad Examples

Good Example

“I’m inspired by USF’s commitment to social justice and advocacy for the marginalized, values that resonate deeply with my goal of becoming a social worker. I’ve spent the past two years volunteering at a youth shelter, where I saw firsthand how systemic inequalities limit access to basic resources. USF’s mission to ‘educate hearts and minds to change the world’ excites me because I know that a Jesuit education will give me the tools to become an advocate for vulnerable populations. I’m eager to deepen my understanding of ethical leadership and human dignity so I can contribute to a world that supports and uplifts every individual.”

Why it works: This example connects specific aspects of the USF mission to the student’s own values and goals. The student highlights a relevant experience, which makes their interest in social work and commitment to social justice feel genuine and specific.

Bad Example

“I’m excited about USF’s mission to promote justice and service. I believe in helping others and think this is very important. My goal is to be successful and fair in business, and I think USF will give me the skills I need to lead. USF’s emphasis on ethics will help me make a difference in the world and reach my goals. I look forward to learning more about how to be the best business leader possible through coursework and extracurriculars at USF.”

Why it doesn’t work: This example is too vague and doesn’t connect the student’s goals with USF’s mission in a meaningful way. The statement about “helping others” is broad and lacks specific examples or personal connection, making it difficult to understand why this mission matters to them. Additionally, the goal of being “successful in business” is not clearly tied to USF’s focus on social justice or advocacy for the marginalized.

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