Here’s how to approach Prompt 1

At TCU, it is our vision to be a world-class, values-centered university. We value academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. With which one of TCU’s core values do you most align and why? (Maximum length: 200 words) 



Notice that this prompt gives students 7 different TCU values to choose from when deciding on the theme of this short essay. There’s a value that could work for virtually any student. This essay should be straightforward because you don’t have any room for fluff.

Approach 1: Tweak existing writing. 

If you’ve already written about leadership, an academic passion, or a service project for another essay, it’s perfectly fine to tweak it to fit this prompt. Efficiency is key when you have a lot of essays to write. 

Pro Tip: Do your Research! Make sure you have researched how you would bring the value you discuss to TCU —and use specifics. For example, what student organization might you get involved with? What type of roommate or classmate will you be? What research project would you like to work on?

Approach 2: Start from scratch. 

Look at the 7 values and see if you can eliminate any immediately. Then, look at the existing values and brainstorm anecdotes from your life experience in high school that could demonstrate each of the existing values. Pick the one that you could most easily write about.

Example: If you most value diversity, talk about a time when you interacted with someone very different from you. What did you learn from that experience? How have you applied what you learned in other areas of your life? How would you bring what you learned to TCU? Pro-Tip: Make sure to be specific here!

Here’s how to approach Prompt 2

Describe how you have already contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your community or how you plan to contribute to an inclusive college environment in the future. (Maximum length: 200 words)

Approach 1: Tweak existing writing. 

If you’ve already written about how you’ve contributed to an inclusive environment at your school, camp, job, or maybe on your sports team, you can tweak it to fit this prompt. Pro Tip: End by being specific about how you will contribute to an inclusive community at TCU.

Approach 2: Start from scratch — have already contributed to an inclusive community.

Think about ways you have been inclusive to all different types of people. Write them down. Maybe you have reached out to a shy classmate and asked them questions to make them feel included in a discussion. Maybe you regularly say hi to everyone in the hallway, even if you don’t know them. Maybe you are in the international club to learn about different cultures. Maybe you’re the person who makes sure no one is left out. Whatever the case, give a specific example. Pro Tip: End by being specific about how you will contribute to an inclusive community at TCU.

Approach 3: Start from scratch — haven’t yet contributed to an inclusive environment but plan to in college. If there is really nothing you can identify from your past experiences of how you’ve contributed to an inclusive environment, you can choose to answer the second part of the prompt. Here’s where you need to think ahead and reflect on who you want to be in college. Why is TCU the perfect place to develop your ability to be more inclusive? 

Pro Tip: Do your TCU research and write about the specific ways you will do this, such as a particular student organization you plan to join and what you will do to make it more inclusive.

As always, have someone else proofread your essay before you paste it into the application!