We ask a few questions in the application to help us understand how applicants approach challenges. We want to select students who can show us how they will keep working toward a goal and overcome obstacles even when it’s hard.
Tips for your short answers
- We don’t score or review for grammar, writing ability, or English-language skills!
- We recommend answers between three and five sentences, but you can decide if you need more or less to make your point.
- Short answers that include a short description of the challenge (no need for a lot of specific details about the challenge) and a summary of the actions you took to address or overcome the challenge are often successful. It’s great if you can share how those skills can be used for future challenges.
- WSOS values Scholars who demonstrate resiliency, initiative and follow-through. We know students are more likely to succeed in their program and careers when they have these qualities.
Please note, that WSOS will not disclose any identifying information to essay reviewers.
Application Questions
To answer the following questions, first think about a significant experience that challenged you, academically or personally.
- What was or is the challenge? (3-4 sentences)
- What steps did you take or have you taken to work through the challenge? (4-5 sentences)
Be specific! Answer this question by telling us things like:
- What solutions have you considered?
- What specific things have you tried?
- Who have you reached out to for support?
- What are the skills you have utilized?
- How might you apply similar strategies to accomplish your academic and career goals? (4-5 sentences)
Be specific! Answer this question by telling us things like:
- What challenges might you face while completing your credential?
- Think about the solutions identified in question 2. How could these be useful in addressing challenges that might arise while completing your credential?
- Why might these solutions be helpful?
Sample Answers:
The following examples are a few possible answers that could earn maximum points.
Example 1
- What was the challenge? (about 3-4 sentences)
Right after I graduated high school I got pregnant and had to postpone my plans to enroll in college. I come from a low-income family and did not have the resources to care for a new child and enroll in school at the same time. Now it is 11 years later and I want to pursue a college education to make my children proud and to be able to better support my family. Finding the money and time to enroll in college is my biggest challenge.
- What steps did you take or have you taken to work through the challenge? (4-5 sentences)
I have started putting any money that I can into a college savings. I have worked with the school advisors to ask that they help me look for scholarships and discuss potential financial aid opportunities. I asked my family and community members with children if they would like to create a network of child care with one another.
- How might you apply similar strategies to accomplish your academic and career goals?
I know this will continue to challenge me while I work to complete my program. However, I think my ability to look at this challenge from multiple angles will really help me navigate and work through any tough times. I know my first steps when facing any challenge will be to break it down into many, more manageable pieces and think of many possible solutions. Having multiple strategies to overcome a problem makes me more likely to succeed.
Example 2
- What was the challenge? (about 3-4 sentences)
- Writing is not my strongest subject.
- Composition class was really hard for me and I almost failed the class.
- What steps did you take or have you taken to work through the challenge? (4-5 sentences)
- Talked to my teacher and asked for their help.
- Asked for resources to help improve my performance.
- Started a daily journal to practice my writing skills.
- Went to after hours tutoring sessions.
- How might you apply similar strategies to accomplish your academic and career goals?
- I know more of my classes might be hard for me.
- If I am having a hard time I will ask for help before I am at risk of failing.
- I will seek out additional resources on the internet.
- I will attend office hours.
- This will make it more likely that I am able to understand the course material.
Example 3
- What was the challenge? (about 3-4 sentences)
In my junior year of high school, I realized one of our school’s discipline policies was causing a disproportionate number of students to be suspended. This upset me because it was an unfair policy that made school even more difficult for those students and meant that they weren’t able to stay on track in their classes. I decided to run for student council so that I could help change the policy, but I wasn’t elected.
- What steps did you take or have you taken to work through the challenge? (4-5 sentences)
Even though I wasn’t elected, I knew I couldn’t give up. I decided to organize a small group of students and together we came up with a proposal for changing the policy. We met with the assistant principal to advocate for our proposal and ultimately, we succeeded! The school administration came to a compromise and changed the policy.
- How might you apply similar strategies to accomplish your academic and career goals?
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to persevere when I feel passionate and motivated to accomplish something. I know that you will not accomplish all your goals on the first try and it is important to not let that get you down. Instead, you must look at what you learned from the first experience and be willing to try again. Therefore, if I face challenges in completing college or finding a job in my desired field, I will make a strong effort to remind myself of my values and why I am motivated to do this work. I will also try to find support from people that have shared values so that we can support one another in remaining motivated to achieve our goals.