New York University (NYU)

New York University (NYU) Supplemental Essay Outlines

Q: Tell us about a time you encountered a perspective different from your own. What did you learn—about yourself, the other person, or the world?

New York University (NYU) asks applicants to respond in up to 250 words. A complete paragraph-by-paragraph strategy guide for this prompt and a Wiz rough draft are available with AdmitPro Plus, Pro, or Elite.

Q: Tell us about an experience you've had working with others who have different perspectives. What role did you play in helping people to work together, and what did you learn from your efforts?

New York University (NYU) asks applicants to respond in up to 250 words. A complete paragraph-by-paragraph strategy guide for this prompt and a Wiz rough draft are available with AdmitPro Plus, Pro, or Elite.

Q: Tell us about someone you've observed who does a particularly good job helping people think or work together. How does this person set the stage for common exploration or work? How do they react when challenges arise? What qualities do you admire in this person?

New York University (NYU) asks applicants to respond in up to 250 words. A complete paragraph-by-paragraph strategy guide for this prompt and a Wiz rough draft are available with AdmitPro Plus, Pro, or Elite.

Here is our suggested essay outlines for every prompt.

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Essay outlines

Every NYU prompt, outlined

Long Essays

Different Perspective

250 words

Tell us about a time you encountered a perspective different from your own. What did you learn—about yourself, the other person, or the world?

Paragraph 1: The Action Hook and Situation

Begin right in the middle of the conflict using a sensory detail or a brief snippet of active dialogue.
Introduce who you were disagreeing with, what the core issue was, and why you were invested in your position. Keep the topic localized or interpersonal.
Best to establish immediate action and curiosity. Do not use lengthy backstories, geographical descriptions, or introductory fillers. Avoid polarized global politics.

Paragraph 2: The Other Viewpoint

Articulate the opposing viewpoint with genuine logical weight to demonstrate advanced active listening, empathy, and emotional maturity.
Present the other person's reasoning so clearly and respectfully that a neutral reader can feel the pull of their position.
Best to show you truly understood where they were coming from. Do not construct a weak opposing argument to easily defeat.

Paragraph 3: The Turning Point

Paragraph 4: The Lesson Learned

Analyze your personal growth and intellectual humility. Explain how your thinking shifted or how you reconciled seemingly contradictory truths.
Holding your ground for a newly refined, self aware reason after honestly weighing the other side is a great conclusion.
Best to focus on internal growth rather than external victory. Avoid a phony resolution where you pretend to change your mind if you did not.

Paragraph 5: Your Future on Campus

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Working with Others

250 words

Tell us about an experience you've had working with others who have different perspectives. What role did you play in helping people to work together, and what did you learn from your efforts?

Paragraph 1: The Action Hook and Group Setting

Paragraph 2: The Group Challenge and Importance

Clearly define the specific internal challenge, such as interpersonal friction or differing working styles, or the external challenge the group faced.
Explain why this problem mattered to you and your peers to showcase your empathy and awareness.
Set up the transition to your active intervention. Best to ensure the problem has real stakes and feels authentic. Do not complain about other group members.

Paragraph 3: The Teamwork and Your Role

Paragraph 4: The Impact and Your Growth

Paragraph 5: Your Future on Campus

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Role Model Observation

250 words

Tell us about someone you've observed who does a particularly good job helping people think or work together. How does this person set the stage for common exploration or work? How do they react when challenges arise? What qualities do you admire in this person?

Paragraph 1: The Action Hook and The Role Model

Open with a vivid, specific moment of tension or difficulty where you observed your chosen role model stepping in to help people work together.
Introduce the person through their actions rather than just praising them abstractly. Use sensory details to establish the atmosphere.
Best to pick a lesser known or localized role model over a famous celebrity. Avoid spending the beginning listing impressive titles.

Paragraph 2: The Role Model in Action

Paragraph 3: The Change in Your Thinking

Paragraph 4: Your Turn to Lead

Trace the ripple effect of their influence by providing a specific instance where you applied their bridge building skills in your own life.
Detail a moment where you stepped up in a group setting, facilitated a difficult conversation, or built consensus using the exact tools your role model demonstrated.
Show, rather than tell, that you have adopted these traits. Best to highlight your active agency.