University of Oregon Supplemental Essays 2026–27: Prompts

There are no supplemental prompts that every applicant to the University of Oregon is strictly required to answer. Instead, the essay workload depends entirely on what you want to share and the specific college or program you select. This guide covers the two main optional essays available to all applicants, totalling about 1000 words. UO may ask additional essays of applicants to particular programs, which we cover at the end.

As you've looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you've hopefully learned about what makes Ducks unique. No two are alike, though, so tell us… (500 words)

As you've looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you've hopefully learned about what makes Ducks unique. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you who you are, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of the two following options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting here. Essay Topic: (250-500 words - choose one of the topics below) What have you learned from a social justice issue that inspires you, and how will you apply those lessons to drive change? OR The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?

What this prompt is really asking:

This is a hybrid diversity and "why us" prompt giving you two distinct paths. You can either discuss a specific social justice issue that drives your advocacy or explain how your personal background and values will enrich the campus culture. Admissions officers want to see proof of your distinct identity and concrete ideas for how you will plug into the UO community.

A strong approach:

• Pick your optimal path: Choose the social justice option if you have a track record of advocacy or community organizing. Choose the broader community option if your strength lies in a unique cultural background, lived experience, or specific values you want to bring to campus.
• Connect to the Ducks: The prompt explicitly asks how your background connects to the campus community. Name specific student organizations, multicultural centers, or academic groups where you plan to share your experiences or support peers.
• Focus on future application: If you choose the social justice route, dedicate a significant portion of your essay to the "how will you apply those lessons" clause. Detail the exact steps you will take to drive change once you arrive in Eugene.

Most common mistakes:

• Lecturing on the issue: Spending 300 words explaining a societal problem without centering your own actions, learnings, or future plans.
• Relying on generic claims: Using broad buzzwords about diversity and inclusion without rooting them in your actual experiences or specific university resources.

Special Circumstances

This section can be used for various purposes, and gives you an optional opportunity for discussing any of the following. •Your academic record might have included periods of low performance such as grades of D or F, inconsistent or downward trends in grades, deficiencies in particular subject areas, or discrepancies between your test scores and GPA. This might be because of special personal circumstances such as death or illness of a parent, caring for a family member, homelessness, frequent moves, or due to learning disabilities/differences or study habits. If relevant, be sure to let us know what actions you have taken in order to be successful, and what you have learned from the experience. •You want to help us better understand how your involvement in activities was limited by work or family obligations, or by the unique setting of your school or community •You need to share any other information with us about yourself that is not provided elsewhere, or UO admissions staff told you to provide certain information in this space (When responding, keep in mind that University of Oregon employees are required by law to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse to law enforcement or the Oregon Department of Human Services per ORS 419B.005. Other knowledge of illegal activity may also be reported by UO, pursuant to other reporting requirements.) (500 words)

What this prompt is really asking:

This serves as the university's dedicated space for additional information. It exists strictly to contextualize anomalies in your transcript or activity list. It is entirely optional and is not a backdoor for a second personal statement.

A strong approach:

• Be direct and factual: State the circumstance cleanly. Whether you faced a family illness or a structural limitation at your high school, avoid overly emotional language or defensive posturing.
• Pivot to the recovery: The prompt explicitly asks what actions you have taken in order to be successful. Outline the accommodations, habit changes, or resilience strategies you developed to bounce back.
• Quantify your limitations: If work or family obligations restricted your extracurriculars, give them the math. Explain exactly how many hours a week you worked to support your family and how that precluded after-school club participation.

Most common mistakes:

• Treating this space as mandatory: Submitting a standard essay just to use the 500 words when your academic and extracurricular record already speaks for itself.
• Making excuses: Blaming teachers or school policies for a poor grade rather than owning the deficiency and highlighting your course correction.

Program-specific essays

Clark Honors College (500 words)

ONLY for Clark Honors College applicants: Essay Instructions: Curiosity and breadth of interests are defining characteristics of Clark Honors College students. Note: applicants are required to submit the UO's application essay and the CHC application essay. The UO’s essay cannot be used to fulfill the Clark Honors College admission essay requirement. Essay Prompt: What's something you believed in that you changed your mind about and what made you change it? Be thoughtful and provide concrete examples to support your response. Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

What this prompt is really asking:

This question tests your intellectual humility and capacity for growth. The college wants to see that you are open to new evidence and capable of revising your worldview.

A strong approach:

• Establish the prior belief: Clearly explain what you used to think and why that original belief made sense to you at the time.
• Pinpoint the catalyst: Describe the specific moment, conversation, or piece of evidence that triggered your shift in perspective.
• Detail the aftermath: Explain how this change of mind altered your subsequent actions or the way you interact with others.

Most common mistakes:

• Picking a trivial topic: Writing about changing your mind on a minor preference rather than a meaningful belief.
• Faking a flaw: Presenting a universally accepted good trait as a changed belief to avoid looking vulnerable.

Architecture Prompt 1 (350 words)

ONLY for Architecture applicants submitting a portfolio: Prompt#1: Describe what you want us to see as important in each of your submitted creative works or the submissions as a whole. How is this work meaningful to you and why should it be meaningful to someone else? 350-word limit.

What this prompt is really asking:

This acts as a curator's statement for your portfolio. The admissions committee wants to understand the intent and intellectual framework behind your physical submissions.

A strong approach:

• Group your themes: Identify a thematic or technical thread that ties your pieces together, focusing on your artistic intent rather than just the materials used.
• Explain the personal stakes: Clarify exactly why these specific themes matter to your own development as a designer.
• Argue for the broader impact: Address the final question directly by explaining how your design perspective offers value to the viewer or the community.

Most common mistakes:

• Describing the visuals: Wasting word count explaining what the art looks like instead of unpacking the reasoning behind its creation.
• Using heavy jargon: Hiding behind overly complex design terms instead of clearly communicating your creative process.

Architecture Prompt 2 (350 words)

ONLY for Architecture applicants: Prompt#2: Why are you interested in this particular design program? Please expand on relevant experiences and personal motivations that have shaped your desire to apply. 350-word limit.

What this prompt is really asking:

This is a highly specific combination of a "Why Major" and "Why Us" essay. They need proof that you understand what makes their specific design curriculum different from others.

A strong approach:

• Name specific resources: Highlight particular studios, professors, or design philosophies unique to the program that align with your goals.
• Connect to your past: Trace a clear line from your previous design experiences or personal motivations directly to the resources you just named.
• Show your trajectory: Explain how this specific program serves as the necessary bridge between your current skills and your future career ambitions.

Most common mistakes:

• Praising architecture generally: Writing a love letter to buildings without ever mentioning the specific curriculum or facilities in Eugene.
• Listing facts: Dropping names of professors or classes without explaining why they matter to your specific design journey.