How to Tackle this Common App Prompt: “Reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to do so and what was the outcome?”

by with No Comment Blog

College admissions officers are looking for students who can critically engage with their surroundings.

This is why the Common App prompt “Reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to do so and what was the outcome?” is so important. It shows college admissions officers that you are an independent thinker who can meaningfully interact with and critique abstract ideas.

Many students misinterpret this prompt. They think they need to write about a time when they changed their mind about something. But that’s not what the prompt is asking.

What the prompt really asks of you is to critically engage with someone else’s ideology and take specific steps to challenge it. In asking this question, college admission officers want to see your maturity of thought and your passion for your beliefs.

Essentially, you need to show them that you can not only engage with your environment but also drive change.

By writing an essay about a time when you challenged a belief or idea, you can show college admissions officers that you are an independent thinker who is not afraid to question the status quo and stand up for what you believe in.

Contact us to learn more about how you can reflect your critical thinking through your application.

Intersectionality and Rural India: Need for Research

by with No Comment Blog

26th June 2023 was the first day of the Emerging India Research Program (EIRP). We have a diverse cohort with 22 students, from grades 9-12 in different schools such as Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Step by Step, American School of Dubai, Vidya Gyan, Vasant Valley, Shri Ram and many more. We had four sessions with industry experts, on public health, agriculture, and research and data.

We had an interesting conversation with Krishnan Pallassana, about #climate change, #agriculture and #intersectionality.

Did you know that 75% of agricultural work is done by women? Yet when asked about farmers, most of us would conjure up images of a man working the field… Surprisingly they own only 12.8% of agricultural land.

#Women in agriculture bear a massive burden for and because of our society. They shoulder the responsibility for #food security and contribute 5% to the total GDP for agriculture. Due to the combination of the gender divide and the impact of climate change on agriculture, women farmers are becoming more and more vulnerable.

Students could research the systems sustaining these disparities, how and why their work goes unrecognized, and how the law can protect women in agriculture.

The Emerging India Research Program trains students to write well-researched, thought-provoking pieces on relevant themes in India. This program sharpens critical thinking and research skills and moulds students into thoughtful, well-informed adults.

We are excited to see their insights on intersectionality, agriculture and climate change!