SUNY Geneseo

1. Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application. For Common App applicants.

1. Let’s geek out academically for a minute. Whether you already know what you want to study or are still figuring it out, what are you most excited to explore at Geneseo?
2. Picture yourself one year from now. You’ve found your people, and tried something new at Geneseo. What are you doing, who are you doing it with?
3. Four years from now, what do you hope will be part of your Geneseo story that isn't printed on your transcript and what have you discovered about yourself along the way?

Type your response directly into the text box provided or upload a document (.doc or .docx) containing your response to each question; if uploading a document, clearly label each response with the corresponding question.