Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For Pitt Honors Program Applicants:

If you could change anything in the world, what would it be? Explain why and how you would change it. 750 Word Maximum.

Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:

While my generation works toward equity and understanding, there are still pockets of insensitivity and hate in many towns—my town, disturbingly, seems to be one of those pockets.

During one of my first lunch periods of high school, I was told to “go eat curry somewhere else.” As my time in high school progressed, I grew deeply concerned as I heard slurs and harmful stereotypes targeting other minority groups. This year, I’ve overheard students purposefully use incorrect pronouns for a friend of mine—condescending laughter punctuating their hate.

Whether it be homophobic, transphobic, or racist beliefs, there is a tangible base of insensitivity, misunderstanding, and even hatred that has taken root in my town.

And, as I read hateful comments online and researched current events, I realize that bias is not limited to [Town]’s borders, by any means. In fact, every pocket of America seemed to have its own issues grappling with inclusion and empathy. We analyzed the social tensions of 2020 during AP Government discussions. We discussed hate crimes and systemic racism in English course discussions. We addressed ways to work toward change and inclusion during student government meetings.

As I took on new roles over the years, I aimed to be cognizant of biases that might work against acceptance. In pursuit of my medical passion, I also embraced the awareness I had built navigating bias and witnessing harmful prejudice. After a summer of intensive training on first response and life-saving equipment, I started rotations and ride-alongs as a volunteer EMT. As an EMT, I try to integrate awareness of diverse life experiences and community-specific concerns.

In my school, I have also worked to combat insensitivity through leadership in student government, standing up for myself, and setting an example for younger students. Thankfully, I now have an opportunity to address these issues more directly. With the Wingman Program in my school, which was created this year, I work to make our school a safer space. I lead group sessions with students, in which we embrace diversity, empathy, and inclusivity. I guide them through collaborative activities to help them create bonds and better understand each other.

Motivated by these many lessons and daunting challenges, I would seek to eradicate discrimination in the world, if given the chance. I wish hatred could be erased with the snap of my finger. I’d remove the harmful biases—both covert and overt—that are insidious across America and beyond its borders.

As part of the Frederick Honors College, I hope to continue dissecting biases that pervade mindsets across the US. In interdisciplinary Honors courses like Wellness and Resilience, I look forward to uniting with students across disciplines, and hearing others’ experiences navigating bias or promoting empowerment in their own hometowns. With Current Issues in Secondary Education, I look forward to cross-disciplinary examination of ways we can work to better promote diversity and inclusion in our schools. In Speaking of Science, I look forward to learning how to better share my ideas in working toward inclusive patient care.

I look forward to addressing inequities and bias—and hopefully to make immediate change—with Pitt’s unique Community Research Fellowship (CRF). I hope to lend leadership, awareness, and sensitivity I utilize in my current work with the Wingman Program to reducing bias across Pittsburgh communities through youth programs. With the FHC Research Fellowship, I would collaborate with my UPitt peers to research large-scale solutions to systemic inequities—especially biases that contribute to and deepen inequities in healthcare access, patient treatment, and more.

To remedy harmful biases on even larger scales, we should work toward a future with more integrated schools, districts, hospitals, and communities. With lessons from research, discussions, and mentorship during my time at Pitt, I hope to channel my future work toward not only caring for patients—but also promoting healthcare access and equity for all.

For now, in the small ways that I can make positive change, I will continue to share acceptance in all communities. I hope to promote awareness and openness, discussing and working against bias—even through conversations that might feel uncomfortable.

In every space I enter, I will continue to make every effort toward promoting acceptance, inclusivity, and empathy—where all can feel comfortable in their own skin.