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Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Hunter College | CUNY Hunter?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Hunter College | CUNY Hunter’s 2024-25 Essay Prompts

Honors college short response 1.

Describe an experience/time that impacted your life. It could be when you learned something new, faced a situation that challenged you, or anything academic, personal, or professional related that has made an impact on you.

Honors College Short Response 2

Why do you want to go to college and what are some of your areas of academic interest or career goals? How does your specific Macaulay campus choice fit with those plans? What do you expect to contribute and gain from the campus-based and Macaulay communities?

Scholarship Short Response

What have you learned about the specific scholar cohort of your choice that makes you interested in applying?

Daedalus – How were you first introduced to Computer Science? How have you continued to develop your computer science skills? How have you sought out additional exposure to computer science? Describe an experience which helped you develop your interest in computer science. A wide range of perspectives ideas, and cultures make for a productive learning environment, tell us about your background and experiences and how they make you unique and influence you.

Muse – Tell us about a time you encountered a work of art in any artistic discipline (fine art, music, dance, theater) that resonated with you and how that informed your creative/artistic practice or intellectual pursuits related to the arts?

Scholarship Essay

Nursing – Nurses make up the largest profession within healthcare providing round-the-clock care to all patients in many different settings. What are the elements of caring needed by a nurse today? How have you shown this in your life thus far? One of nursing‘s most important responsibilities is to advocate for the individual, as well as, the global community. How do you think a nurse would achieve this? Have you ever advocated for an individual or group? The Nursing Scholar Program at Hunter College is a rigorous, fast paced curriculum which requires students to take and excel in advanced courses such as Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology. In 1-2 paragraphs, please explain why you think you are prepared to take on such a rigorous curriculum and why you think you will excel in such an environment?

Public Issues Short Response

Roosevelt – Describe an issue of public concern that you feel strongly about. What have you learned about it so far, and what are some things you still want to know? (For example: immigration, criminal justice, social mobility, housing, sustainable cities, affordable education, international human rights, public health, job security, access to voting).

Career Aspirations Short Response

Yalow – Are you considering a career in any or all of the following: Scientific Research (ex. chemistry, biology, physics, math, psychology, bioMedical), Medical School (ex. physician, dentist, veterinarian) or Allied Health fields (ex. physical therapy, optometry, genetic counseling, pharmacy etc. – excluding nursing)? Briefly describe and share any related experiences that speak to or affirm the interest(s).

Select-A-Prompt Essay

An essay of 500 words or less is required along with your CUNY Admission Application to Hunter College. Review the essay topics below.

Tell us something meaningful about yourself that is not reflected in your application. You may choose to speak about your interests, aspirations and/or background.

It is often said that the road to success is paved with setbacks. Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or obstacle. What did you learn from it, and how did it contribute to your success?

Share an essay on any topic. You may use an essay that you have previously written or one that discusses a topic of your choice.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

General Admission Criteria

Freshman admission.

Hunter College encourages students to apply who have demonstrated academic success with the potential to grow and contribute to the Hunter community. In addition to your completed Admission Application, the admission review process includes consideration of the following:

High school/secondary school transcript/diploma or equivalent

Overall Grade Point Average (GPA) and success in individual subjects

Curriculum rigor

College essay

Letters of recommendation (optional)

Evidence of demonstrated leadership and intellectual curiosity

*Hunter College will not utilize the SAT or ACT for the purpose of admission review for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters.

Additional Requirements for Students Educated Outside of the U.S.

Official English translation of foreign records

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo Test Scores

Transfer Admission

All college, university, and/or postsecondary school transcripts

Supplemental application (for Selective Programs , if applicable)

Official transcripts must be supplied for every college, university or proprietary school you attended, including institutions outside of the U.S. Applicants do not have the discretion of omitting any part of their educational history. Omission of any postsecondary institution you have attended may result in a five-year bar from Hunter College and the City University of New York (CUNY).

Additional Requirements for Students with Less than 24 College Credits

Applicants who have not obtained 24 or more college credits in an accredited U.S. college or university must submit their high school or secondary school transcript/diploma or statement of marks to be considered for admission.

Official English translations of foreign records

*Applicants who have not obtained 24 or more college credits in an accredited U.S. college or university, must submit secondary school records in addition to postsecondary/university academic records to be considered for admission.

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Application Review
Undergraduate Admissions

How Will My Application Be Reviewed? During application evaluation, our colleges review your academic achievements to determine your likelihood of being successful on their campus.

Please note that your application will be reviewed based on a number of components, which can vary by college.

Use this page to understand how your application will be considered and determine which of our colleges is a strong academic fit.

Applicants Profile

College specific information, frequently asked questions.

Freshman Applicants

Each of our colleges has a unique selection process, and there is a great fit college for all first-year students. For most programs, a comprehensive review of your academic record is sufficient to make an admission decision. However, some of our colleges will review additional supporting materials to determine your eligibility.

Admission Profile

Use this profile to review the average GPA of students accepted to the university for Fall 2024. The table below displays information for both general and SEEK/CD admission . Remember that there is a great fit college for all first-year students, and you can apply to up to 6 colleges using the CUNY Application .

CUNY College Admission Profile: Fall 2024

1 Excludes applicants admitted through the Opportunity for Student Success (OSS) program and applicants admitted conditionally. 2 Includes applicants admitted to both associate and baccalaureate degree programs.

Application Review & Support Materials

Once you’ve reviewed the admission profile, take a look at the components that each college can consider during application review. For specific information on how each college will review your application, view the College Specific Information section.

Academic Review:

Overall academic average or GPA
Foreign Language
Strong performance in one or more specific subject areas
Level of coursework completed in each subject area (for instance, the completion of Trigonometry or Calculus in mathematics)
Participation in college level courses while in HS
AP or IB participation
Course selection during senior year
Proficiency in Math and English
NYS Regents examination results, if available
High School Equivalency exam results
Financial Aid information for students wishing to be considered for SEEK/CD. To learn more about SEEK/CD, click here .
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo for temporary visa holders who were educated in a non-English environment.
Please note that SAT/ACT exams are not required, nor will they be considered through the Spring 2025 admission cycle. For more information, click here .

Supporting Materials:

Extracurricular achievements
Letters of recommendation
Personal statements

Transfer Applicants

As a transfer applicant, the review of your application will be based on a comprehensive review of your academic record. Each of our colleges has a unique selection process, and certain majors may have additional requirements. Once you’re admitted, you’ll be able to engage with your future college to determine credit transfer. Already a CUNY student? Use this tool to see how your credits will transfer across the university.

Use this profile to review the average GPA of transfer students accepted to the university for Fall 2024. Remember that as a transfer applicant, you can select up to 4 college choices on the CUNY Application .

1 The GPA reflects a combination of all prior colleges attended. GPAs reported as “0” in CUNYfirst are only included if the total number of credits attempted is greater than 0. GPAs reported as greater than 4.0 have been excluded. 2 Total credits earned for each applicant reflects a combination of all prior colleges attended but does not necessarily reflect the number of credits that CUNY will accept towards the degree. Credits reported as “0” in CUNYfirst are only included if the total number of credits attempted is greater than 0. 3 Means are based on applicants admitted to both associate and baccalaureate degree programs. 4 Only includes applicants admitted as transfer applicants.

Most of our colleges will review your application based on your overall GPA and demonstrated proficiency in math and English. However, certain majors have additional requirements. Below is a listing of items that our colleges may consider during review. For specific information on how each college will review your application, view the college specific information section.

Overall academic average or GPA in college courses
Completion of pre-requisite coursework
Completion of an associate degree
Demonstration of proficiency in math and English
Academic average or GPA in high school
Proof of high school graduation
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo for temporary visa holders who were educated in a non-English environment
Proof of licensure for certain majors

Which colleges require a personal statement for general freshman applicants?

Hunter College and Queens College ask that all freshman applicants submit a personal statement. It is recommended for Baruch College.

What are the essay topics for Baruch College, Hunter College and Queens College?

You may submit one of three essay topics as part of your freshman application to Baruch (essay is recommended), Hunter or Queens:

Tell us something meaningful about yourself that is not reflected in your application. You may choose to speak about your interests, aspirations and/or background.
It is often said that the road to success is paved with setbacks. Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or obstacle. What did you learn from it, and how did it contribute to your success?
Share an essay on any topic. You may use an essay that you have previously written or one that discusses a topic of your choice.

Do any colleges require a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are optional for general admission programs. Be sure to check if your intended major requires supplemental materials to be submitted.

How will community colleges review my freshman application?

Our community colleges will primarily look for proof that you are graduating with a high school diploma. Many students who are looking for a supportive environment choose to apply to a community college.

My school does not offer Regents exams, but I’m a strong student. Will my application be impacted by missing Regents exam scores?

No. Each college will review your application comprehensively. We understand that not all students take Regents exams, and our colleges will look at other components of your application to determine eligibility.

My grade point average falls slightly below what is listed on the admission profile. Can I still apply?

Yes. The admission profile displays averages of admitted students and does not represent minimum requirements for admission.

More Admissions Resources

Majors & Programs
Support Programs
Foster Care Students
Adult Learners
Advanced Placement Credit
High School/College Counselors
Transfer Credit Guide
Downloads and Print Materials

Supplementary essays for CUNY (City University of New York) Schools?

<p>Hi, I have a question about the supplementary essay for Baruch College. I looked everywhere in their website about the supplementary essay, and I don’t see any indications on word limits. So, is it safe to assume that I can go over 650 words? I know there is a word limit for Hunter College’s supplementary essay, but there doesn’t seem to be any for Baruch. I’d like to check to make sure before I submit an essay that might have went over the word limit. Thank you in advance!</p>

Since no one answered, I’m guessing no one here knew the answer, so I’ll just put this here for reference (in case any other student has this question in the future) I e-mailed the Undergraduate Admissions and they said “It is best not to exceed 500-600 words.” In my case, I had ~640 words (I used my Common App essay) and he replied with “It’s fine.”

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Word And Charater Limits In College Essays

With every college essay comes a word limit. Some essays are 35 words, others 650 words. Some are 100 characters, others two pages. But for each of these essays, irrespective of the word count, there is one guiding principle that college applicants should follow: stick to the word count — don’t write more, don’t write less.

Essays Are Real Estate for Applicants to Make Their Case

Each essay — no matter its length — offers applicants real estate to make their case for admission. Some schools, of course, offer more real estate than others. For the 2023-2024 college admissions cycle, for example, Harvard University has five 250-word essays . Meanwhile, Brown University has three essays and four short answers: 200-250 words for the three essays, three words for the first short answer, 100 words for two short answers, and 50 words for the final short answer.

Applicants Should Write to the Maximum Word Count in Essays

So, when a school asks applicants to write a 200-250-word essay, how many words should they write? That’s an easy one: 250. When a school offers students the chance to write optional essays, should they write them? You bet ! No optional essay in highly selective college admissions should ever be considered optional. Instead, it’s a chance for students to make their case. And applicants should always write to the maximum word count in all college essays .

A Word Count Test

To conclude, we’ve got a test for this year’s applicants. Applicants to Duke University ’s Class of 2028 are required to answer one 250-word essay, and they’re given five optional essay options of which they can write up to two. So, how many essays should this year’s Duke applicants write? You guessed it — three! And how long should each of their essays be? You guessed it again — 250 words! Not more, not less.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with College Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission by submitting the most powerful essays possible, fill out Ivy Coach ’s free consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to outline our college admissions counseling services.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

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Crafting a Captivating Admissions, ISEE, SSAT or Hunter High School Essay

Updated: Sep 13, 2020

Many students shudder at the thought of having to write a school admissions essay. Whether it is a college admissions essay, or an essay for Hunter High School, ISEE, ISEE Prime or the SSAT the struggle is the same. There is, after all, a tremendous amount riding on your words. This essay could be the difference between getting into that school you’ve always dreamed of and receiving a letter that begins with “We regret to inform you…”

So, the anxiety level is high as you sit at your desk, staring at a blank Word document, wondering where to begin. You type a sentence, then delete it. You have a vague idea of what you want to say but struggle to find the words to communicate it. And all the while, the deadline draws nearer and nearer.

It’s torture.

But it doesn’t have to be. You can write a captivating essay that will grab the attention of school admissions committees and genuinely move them. And that’s a really important goal since the majority of your Hunter High School Elementary, ISEE ( Independent School Entrance Exam ) or SSAT ( Secondary School Admissions Test ) results is impersonal and clinical. For the most part, schools see your name and a number. Your admissions essay is the one place where your personality and voice can shine through.

So, whether you’re trying to figure out how to put together an effective college admissions essay or you’re working on the essay portion of your application to get into New York City’s Hunter High School or writing an admissions essay for the ISEE or SSAT, learning how to craft a powerful essay is essential.

That’s where we can help.

We’ve put together a complete guide to penning the perfect admissions essay. We’ll walk you step-by-step through the process and even leave you with a handful of parting tips to keep in mind if you really want to wow your future school’s admission committee.

So, let’s get right to it…

What’s the point of any admissions essay ? College?Hunter High School? or ISSE and SSAT?

Before you ever put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard), it’s always a good idea to reflect on why you’re writing to begin with. Understanding the reason behind a thing can go a long way toward helping you do that thing well.

So, what’s the point of a high school ISEE or SSAT or even a college admissions essay?

First, it’s important to realize that your admissions essay will not be the only (or even primary) factor in your application. This doesn’t mean that it won’t matter at all. It will. But it probably won’t matter as much as you’re fearing unless it is for Hunter High School. Then it is a make it or break it deal.

So, take a deep breath and relax. Anxiety over essay writing can keep you from writing the best essay possible. Instead, you should understand that your essay is only one important part of a much larger picture that your prospective high school or college will be seeing in most cases.

Once you’ve gotten some perspective, you should consider what a powerful tool your essay can be if you take the time to work through it piece by piece…

· An amazing essay can be the little bit that pushes your ISEE or SSAT results ahead of the competition.

· Your essay writing can help college admissions committees understand who you are at a deeper level than your GPA and a list of after school activities can.

· The essay portion of your ISEE, SSAT, or admissions application will be the one thing committee members remember – and talk about.

So, once you’ve recognized the limits and potential benefits of your admissions essay, it’s time to sit down and get to work.

Start with Your Prompt

When approaching an essay, it’s easy to put the cart before the horse. We read through the prompt once or twice and then we’re off to the races.

But that’s a recipe for disaster.

The best essays are tightly focused. They don’t get distracted by unnecessary details or other rabbit trails. Instead, they’re centered around the prompt and never leave it. But that won’t happen unless you take the time to fully think through your prompt.

Keep in mind that most Hunter High School , SSAT and ISEE essay prompts ask you to weigh on an important issue, consider a timeless truth, or reflect on a significant moment in your life. So, the first step in your journey toward essay success is figuring out which of these things your prompt is actually asking.

Take the time to read (and reread) your prompt. Then, before you start brainstorming, outlining, or writing, write down the goal of your essay in your own words. Let this purpose statement be your guide as you write. And after every paragraph, go back and ask, “Is this paragraph pushing me closer to this goal?”

Let Your Creativity Run Wild… Then Reign it In

When you’re sitting down to write your essay, spend just as much time preparing to write as you do writing, by brainstorming and outlining.

First, you’ll want to let your imagination and creativity run wild. If you’re a visual thinker, create a mind map. Make a list of ideas and words related to the prompt. Try to remember experiences from your life that relate to the topic you’ll be writing on. Get every possible thought you may have in your mind on a piece of paper. Don’t hold anything back.

Once you’ve gotten it all out, go through and begin to refine it. Search for the most compelling ideas. Look for thought threads that seem to come up again and again. Analyze how all of these separate pieces may be able to come together into a larger whole.

After you’ve focused and refined your idea, you’ll want to create an outline. An outline will ensure your essay stays on topic from beginning to end. So, write your main idea at the top of your page in large letters so you don’t leave it. It should be the guiding principle of your essay. Then, break down the rest of your paper into smaller chunks, adding any details from your brainstorming session into the appropriate sections.

Although some people prefer the freedom of writing without an outline, using one will help you hit your target more effectively – especially if you struggle with structuring and writing essays.

When you have your outline finished, it’s time to start writing.

This is the easiest step if you’ve prepared well. After all, you now know exactly what the point of your essay is. You understand its overall structure. You’ve even collected some great details to include.

Now, it’s just a matter of fleshing everything out.

Most writers will tell you that the best way to approach writing an essay (or anything else for that matter) is simply to sit down and write. Don’t overthink things. Don’t try to edit as you go. Instead, just follow your outline and get the first draft of your essay on paper.

There will be moments when you aren’t sure about the best way to word something. That’s okay. Don’t exhaust yourself with trying to find the perfect wording. That’s best left for the editing stage. Right now, you simply want a draft that you can start working with.

As you go, there are a handful of key things to remember that will make your writing more vibrant, engaging, and memorable…

Stay focused. Remember the main idea you wrote down at the top of your outline? Go back and look at that occasionally as you write. Let it keep you on track. And do the same thing with the purpose statement you wrote when you analyzed the prompt. If you feel your writing start to drift into distraction, pull it back.

Use strong, clear language. Your writing will be more enjoyable to read and more engaging if you’ll stick with vivid words and simple, direct sentence structure. This is one of the reasons your teachers will tell you to avoid passive voice (“The ball was hit by me”) and to use active voice (“I smacked the ball”).

Avoid verbal decorations. When writing an essay that has a word count, there’s always a subtle temptation to turn what could be a five-word sentence into a thirty-five-word one. Don’t fall for it! Be clear and concise. Refrain from using your words as unnecessary, decorative pieces on your sentences.

Let your personality shine through. Remember, your admissions essay is one of the few ways that your prospective school will get to know you. So, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in the stories you tell, the language you use, and even with any humor you might throw in. And whatever you do, don’t – under any circumstances – plagiarize any part of your essay or ask someone else to write it. This essay is your chance to set yourself apart from the competition. So, do it proudly!

Edit, Edit, Edit.

Once you’ve finished the first draft of your essay, take a well-deserved break. Get a snack or go for a walk. Let your mind decompress and bask for a few minutes in the progress you’ve made. Then, go back to your essay and print it out if you typed it on a computer.

With your essay in one hand and a pen in the other, slowly read the whole thing out loud. By reading it aloud, you’ll be much more likely to catch awkward sentence constructions and other grammatical mistakes. In addition to these issues, look for misspelled words, slang, acronyms, and other things that shouldn’t be there. As you go back and edit, you may even notice whole sentences or paragraphs that need to be removed. Or, on the other hand, you may realize some great idea that you left out and you want to add back in.

Take your time editing. This is where you will transform your essay from mediocre to amazing.

Once you’ve finished and feel good about it, give it to a trusted friend, family member, or teacher who’s willing to give you honest feedback. Let them read it and make any suggestions. Having an additional set of eyes on your writing can help you sharpen unclear passages and ensure your essay is in top form.

A Handful of Parting Tips for any ISEE, SSAT or admissions essay

By the time you finish editing, your essay will be ready to submit. And we’re confident that if you’ve taken each of the above steps in stride, you’ll have a piece of writing you can be proud of – and that will capture the attention of that New York City Hunter High School committee or college admissions board.

But if you want to go above and beyond, you may want to consider a couple more parting tips. These are the things that will send your Hunter High School, ISEE or SSAT essay sailing past the competition…

Honesty is the best policy. As you reflect on your life, including the challenges, defeats, and victories, be willing to be genuine. Admit when you’ve made mistakes. Don’t sugarcoat your missteps. Authenticity speaks far louder than a fake, smoothed over past that everyone can see through anyway.

Use humor carefully . Humor is a powerful weapon when wielded well. But when it falls flat, it can be disastrous. So, only use humor if it fits the tone of your essay and if you’re absolutely certain that the middle-aged committee members reading it will find it as funny as you do.

Don’t procrastinate . It’s easy to put your essay off until tomorrow… that is, until it’s due today. So, don’t procrastinate when penning your essay. Give yourself plenty of time to do each of the above steps and to do them well. Writing under pressure may produce, but it seldom produces your best.

Show, don’t tell . This is some of the most classic pieces of writing advice you’ll ever get. Rather than telling the committee how trustworthy you are, show them with a brief story. Actions speak louder than words, as they say.