Be prepared to write about yourself! You will have to write some essays that vary in length. Usually (especially if you apply through the Common App), you have to write one essay about yourself. But there are ‘themes’. For example, ‘tell us about a time you were challenged and how you overcame it’. In my opinion, this is the hardest part of the application unless you do have a unique story in your life. This is the part where you have to show you are an interesting person and have the potential to be at the university. Many universities also require ‘mini essays’. – these are called ‘supplemental applications’ and they vary across universities. For example, Princeton’s supplement consisted of questions such as ‘What is your favourite website, what is your favourite book?’ etc. Whereas, UPenn’s consisted of one more long essay.
University applications not through the CommonApp will have their own sort of essays. For example, MIT’s application consisted of five smaller essays.
The essay is your chance to display your character to the admission officers (the people who read your application). Maybe you are a resilient person and have overcome challenges in life. Maybe you experienced something new recently that gave you a new perspective. Maybe you saw something exciting in something mundane. You could write about any of these!