University of Maryland-College Park essay prompts
2025-26verified University of Maryland-College Park admissions
These are the most recent published prompts. Final 2026-27 supplements typically land by early August. These are the most recent prompts Kolly has verified for this school. Schools typically publish final 2026-27 supplements by early August; check the official source below before submitting.
Questioned a Belief
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
650 words max · Required
Personal Growth
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
650 words max · Required
Open / Choice
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
650 words max · Required
Transfer Academic Background / Why UMD Now
Please describe your past academic experiences and your reasons for wishing to enroll at UMD at this point in your academic career.
300 words max · Required
Challenge / Failure
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
650 words max · Required
Problem-Solving
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
650 words max · Required
Intellectual Passion
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time.
650 words max · Required
Background / Identity
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
650 words max · Required
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the University of Maryland-College Park essay prompts for 2025-26?
- University of Maryland-College Park lists Questioned a Belief (1 prompt); Personal Growth (1 prompt); Open / Choice (1 prompt); Transfer Academic Background / Why UMD Now (1 prompt); Challenge / Failure (1 prompt); Problem-Solving (1 prompt); Intellectual Passion (1 prompt); Background / Identity (1 prompt) for 2025-26.
- How many essays does University of Maryland-College Park require?
- University of Maryland-College Park requires 8 essays based on the published group instructions for 2025-26. The page lists 8 required and 0 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the University of Maryland-College Park supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 650 words max, 300 words max.