Northern Illinois University

What inspired you to choose your major, and how does it connect to your personal experiences or interests? How do you see your degree helping you achieve your long-term career goals, and what steps are you prepared to take to get there? If you're undecided about your major, what are your future career aspirations?

Write about how you overcame a specific challenge, obstacle or barrier that affected your academics. The challenge may be personal or related to school.

Think about the personal and academic qualities that make you who you are. How have you shown leadership, whether in an official role or simply by stepping up in daily life? Give examples of how these qualities will help you thrive in college.

Let us know if you transferred schools, took a gap year(s), graduated early or experienced other challenges not addressed previously. This question is your opportunity to share information not addressed in other areas of the application process.

Everyone has classes that don't go as well as they hoped. Reviewers will see your full transcript, so it helps us if you share what classes were hardest for you and explain why.