baylor university essay examples

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Baylor University Essay Example by an Accepted Student

With over 15,000 undergrads, Baylor University is the largest Baptist university in the US. The Texas school is known for its top-tier athletics, quality academics, and strong religious values. Its vibrant campus life and stunning location in the heart of Waco, Texas make it a desirable place for many students to pursue a degree.

Getting into Baylor is no easy task. With tens of thousands of highly qualified candidates applying each year, you will need strong essays to make your application stand out. In this post, we will share a real essay an accepted student submitted to Baylor and go over what the essay did well, as well as where there is room for improvement.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Want to know your chances at Baylor? Calculate your odds of acceptance for free right now!

Baylor Essay Example – Why Baylor?

Prompt: What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (250-450 words)

At a university, I’m looking for more than the “top” or the “best” school; I’m looking for a school that is established and has opportunities for its students to grow in and out of the classroom. In addition, I want a school that supports its students during their time there; I want them to uplift their students and push them to do great things. For me, Baylor does that.

I want to attend Baylor because of the vast number of opportunities for a business-oriented student like me. The sheer number of classes, as well as the number of programs available to students, is immense. For business, classes like international business to management information systems have caught my attention; even classes like risk management and insurance and professional selling have caught my eye.

I plan to major in management information systems and minor in business administration or entrepreneurship. I want to attend Baylor for the expansive club selection. I intend to join clubs like the American Marketing Association at Baylor University, Association for Information Systems, and as a sophomore, have the opportunity to join the Investment and Advisory Network. These clubs can not only help me prepare for life after college but also help me grow during my time at Baylor. 

I see myself contributing at Baylor in many different ways, from contributing inside the classroom and outside. Inside the classroom, I plan to participate in group work, communicate with other students, participate in class discussions, and provide insight on topics I know well. Outside of classes, I plan to join several clubs that spark my interest, clubs to which I can contribute. For example, the Asian Student Association, the Association of Information Technology Professionals, Baylor Buddies, and even the Badminton club. At these clubs, I plan to contribute time and spirit and provide insight into things I can share with others, such as Asian culture and Asian cuisines, my interest in technology, and even my friendliness to others.

What the Essay Did Well

This “Why This College?” essay gives a comprehensive overview of why this student wants to go to Baylor, including academic, extracurricular, and personal enrichment opportunities. Each paragraph is focused on a specific aspect of the college experience—classes, academic extracurriculars, or more personal, hobby-like extracurriculars—which makes it easy to grasp what the student wants from Baylor.

The inclusion of school-specific details also contributes to the reader’s clear understanding of what this student wants from a Baylor education. They name particular classes (although they should have capitalized or italicized the names of these classes, as that provides a level of formality that’s currently missing), discuss various business associations at Baylor and when they plan to join them, and list four additional extracurriculars they want to be a part of that give us extra insight into their personality.

Between the structured presentation of ideas and the naming of nearly a dozen Baylor-specific opportunities, it’s apparent that this student has spent a significant amount of time thinking through what they want their life at Baylor to look like, and done extensive research on how to make that dream a reality. 

What Could Be Improved

There are three major points of improvement for this essay. The first is that we don’t learn much about this student’s personality. Yes, we know what they want to study and what clubs they want to be a part of, but we’re left wondering: why? What sets this student apart from any other applicant who wants to study business, or join these clubs?

This essay would be much stronger if it revealed what this student’s motivations are for pursuing business, how they think joining marketing and investing associations will help them grow or achieve a specific goal of theirs, and what excites them about being part of affinity groups like the Asian Student Association or Baylor Buddies. 

For example, instead of just saying “These clubs can not only help me prepare for life after college but also help me grow during my time at Baylor,” about the business-related extracurriculars they hope to be a part of, the student could say something like the following: 

“I’ve always wondered how the most well-known brands in the world, like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Rolex stay on top, and discussions with my peers in the American Marketing Association will help me start planning how I can one day build a renowned business of my own.”

In contrast to the current line, which is very surface-level, this change shows readers why the student is interested in marketing, and also provides some information about what specific business-related goals they have. The world of business is huge, and includes everything from graphic design to human relations. With more lines like the above example, admissions officers would get a better sense of how the student sees themselves fitting into that world, which would make the essay even stronger.

The other aspect of this essay that could use improvement is the language. Many sentences begin with “I” (i.e. “I want,” “I plan,” “I intend”), which gets repetitive and makes the reader slowly start to lose interest. If the writer had a better mix of sentence openers, the essay would have a smoother rhythm. 

For example, instead of saying “I plan to major in management information systems and minor in business administration or entrepreneurship,” the student could say “Baylor’s major in Management Information Systems, and minors in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, provide me with an ideal academic structure.” The same information is communicated, but mixing up the presentation of that information helps the reader stay engaged.

Finally, the introductory paragraph doesn’t contribute much to the essay, as it mostly just restates the prompt. Being mindful of maximizing the limited words you have is especially important in supplemental essays, which are almost always shorter than the personal statement, as is immediately grabbing your reader’s attention, as you don’t have much room to get into the swing of things.

The student could make better use of their first paragraph by including an anecdote, ideally with strong sensory details, that shows why they love business so much. For example, they could say something like: 

“Ever since I was a kid, sweating under the summer sun and burning my skin lobster red as I sold lemonade while my friends played in the pool, I have been driven to build my own business. Baylor’s academic and extracurricular opportunities will push me to grow my business acumen, so that I can finally make my childhood dream a reality.”

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay

Want feedback on your Baylor essay before you submit? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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How to Write Baylor and Baylor2 BS/MD Essays

Can’t bear the idea of NOT becoming a Baylor Bear? Feeling embarrassed about your Baylor essays? Ready to bare it all in your writing so you can land a spot at one of the top universities in Texas?

I’m here to make the whole essay process for Baylor much more bearable.

(Whew! Bear puns are over!)

What does that mean? Well, let’s start with the basics . Baylor University allows you to use ApplyTexas, The Common Application, or its own website to apply. In addition to following the requirements in those application portals, Baylor also has a supplemental essay for all of its undergraduates and an additional one for students who plan to apply to the Baylor2 bs/md program.

You may be wondering if it's better to submit an application via ApplyTexas, Common App, or Baylor’s site. As is directly stated, it doesn’t matter what method of submission you choose. What matters, as always, is what you are submitting.

Let’s talk about that more.

Let’s discuss how to approach the supplemental essays and even how to roughly outline them. If you haven’t started writing, or if you are stuck on how to revise, pay attention and think about how you can apply these ideas to your own writing and experiences!

BAYLOR GENERAL ESSAY:

What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (750-word limit)

GENERAL STRATEGY:

This prompt has three questions, all of which should be adequately addressed in your answer. If you are recycling essays from another application that Baylor doesn’t already see (such as using ApplyTexas or UT Short Answers with a Common App Baylor submission), then you need to make sure that you are covering all the points as clearly as possible. Don’t make the reader assume that you are answering all of the questions.

That said, here is one way to think about the essay, considering the three questions. You can split it up into three parts:

Part 1: What are you looking for in a university?

Part 2: Why do you want to attend Baylor?

Part 3: How do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community?

Parts 1-2 will take up the bulk of your essay, whereas Part 3 can be part of the conclusion.

General structure aside, you should think about experiences that you have had with education, including ones at school, through volunteering, and in extracurriculars. You want to highlight key aspects that you think are essential to effective education, whether it be, say, freedom of ideas, the collaboration of differently skilled peers, or a commitment to something morally greater.

To do this, you need to introduce your experiences, which will be not only crucial in shaping what you see as essential in education but also important for how you use resources at Baylor and how you influence the Baylor community.

Paragraph 1: Hook that is a scene related to your education experience Ex: You talk about a moment when running a coding camp for girls, how the students were behaving and “getting it” after you described something.

Paragraph 2: Introduction that explains hook and then transitions to answer the three questions of the prompt in the form of a thesis statement Ex: You explain the scene and the related details. You talk about how you see education as something that should inspire people to trust themselves to experiment and fail before succeeding. You want to go to a university that promotes this idea. You see yourself fitting into Baylor because its programs do just that, and you can inspire your peers to think this way.

Paragraph 3: Experience related to education that contributes to what you want out of a university Ex: You talk more about the coding camp for girls, first by going into why you made it and what challenges you saw in the beginning. You talk about how maybe you struggled to connect with the kids and wanted them to have all the answers immediately.

Paragraph 4: Experience related to education that contributes to what you want out of a university Ex: You expand on the coding camp experience and say how you solved your problem, how you became more willing to accept that the students would fail, and that you even designed the curriculum to give them a chance to experiment. Doing so, you were able to get them to truly learn.

Paragraph 5: How you will use Baylor’s resources based on that experience / definition of university Ex: Building off your lesson from the coding camp, you hope to take what you learned and now see as the important role that education can play and use Baylor’s resources to have a similar environment. You explain which specific programs would allow you to experiment, fail, and ultimately succeed.

Paragraph 6: How you will use Baylor’s resources based on that experience / definition of university Ex: You talk about even more resources from Baylor that fall in with this idea of experimentation and failing to succeed. Or you extend on a thought from the previous paragraph.

Paragraph 7: Conclusion and how you plan to contribute to Baylor community Ex: Finally, you say how you hope that from your experience in high school and by using the resources at Baylor, you hope to inspire others to see failure as something that is fundamental to learning and that you will give people support so that they don’t beat themselves up and demand perfection in damaging ways.

BAYLOR2 MEDICAL TRACK ESSAY:

Why do you want to pursue your career in medicine at Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine? (500-word limit)

The strategy for this essay is similar to that of the previous essay. You have to start with your personal experience and then present how that has shaped your decision to apply to Baylor’s bs/md program. You have to explain, in your own way, for your own reasons, based on your own KEY experiences, what exactly it is about medicine that attracts you.

This isn’t the time to pull out the laundry list of medical school cliches or high school clinical experience generalities. Just think: you are using this essay as a way to get accepted to a MEDICAL SCHOOL PROGRAM. You have to submit an essay that shows you have thought deeply, maturely, and profoundly about this subject, not that you did a bunch of activities like countless other students and now should be rewarded with a spot in the program. It isn’t going to happen.

Paragraph 1: Hook of a scene volunteering or interning at hospital or clinic (or something related) Ex: You describe a scene when you volunteered at a hospital on the medical-surgical floor. You describe an experience when you observed a doctor working with a patient and how you interacted with the patient yourself. This was a meaningful moment during their recovery.

Paragraph 2: Introduction that explains scene and transitions to talking about your medical career goals (based on your life experiences) and how you will achieve them by going to Baylor bs/md program Ex: You explain the scene in the hospital -- where you were volunteering and why -- and then go into more generally what you have come to realize about yourself and what you love about medicine. In this case, you talk about how the small moments between doctors and patients are where you see yourself making the most difference. You then talk about how Baylor’s bs/md program is perfect for seeing the moral good of the medical field and getting a doctor to better understand patient psychology.

Paragraph 3: Description of medical experience (GO DEEP ON ONE) and how this has shaped your goals for a career in medicine (this paragraph builds context for the part the describes why Baylor) Ex: You talk about the details of your volunteering experience, how maybe you were initially interested in volunteering because you took classes or that you had a relative who needed to go to the hospital and get treatment. From this, you got your foot in the door, and you met patients you had never imagined meeting.

Paragraph 4: Description of medical experience (GO DEEP ON ONE) and how this has shaped your goals for a career in medicine (this paragraph builds context for the part that describes why Baylor) Ex: There was one patient in particular who you will never forget. This patient had just gotten back from surgery and nobody had come to visit him. The doctor made his rounds and stopped in the patient’s room, and they both sat quietly, and the doctor held the patient’s hand for what seemed like an hour, and you could see the patient crying but also smiling. That was the moment when you knew you wanted to be a doctor and the impact you could have on people. That’s what you hope to be the best at--connecting with people in their own individual ways.

Paragraph 5: Explanation of how you will use Baylor to promote your medical goals (as you just described in previous two paragraphs) Ex: You talk about Baylor’s bs/md program specifically and how it will build on your experience in the hospital and how you hope to gain a more personal medical touch from taking certain classes and participating in certain programs.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion that wraps up and ties together your ideas and reiterates why Baylor University and Baylor Medical School are the best places for you to build your medical career Ex: You conclude by reiterating what you hope to accomplish as a doctor and how Baylor’s bs/md program will make you reach your goals. You call back the image of the hospital from earlier.

Now you should be in the best position to write your Baylor supplemental essay(s). In other words, you have what it takes to grin and bear it!

Stuck on your Baylor essays or other bs/md program essays? Need help with college admissions essay writing in general? Check out our college admissions services and get your essays ready for the November 1st deadline!

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Baylor University Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the Baylor University essay? CollegeAdvisor.com ’s guide to the Baylor application essay will break down the Baylor essay prompts, showing you how to write an engaging Baylor essay and maximize your chances of admission.

If you need help answering the Baylor essay prompts, create your free account or schedule a complimentary advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

Baylor Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• The Baylor University acceptance rate is 68.0%— U.S. News ranks Baylor University as a more selective school. 
• Students can submit their Why Baylor essay through the Baylor Online Application , ApplyTexas or The Common App .
• The Baylor essay prompts include the prompts for your Personal Statement and the Why Baylor essay.

Does Baylor University require a supplemental essay?

In addition to your Common App Personal Statement, Baylor asks their applicants to write an additional Baylor application essay. If you are applying Early Decision, the Baylor University essay is required . For all other applicants, the Baylor University essay is optional . The deadlines vary by application time, so give yourself plenty of time to think about the Baylor essay prompts.

Although the Baylor application essay is not required for Regular Decision applicants, it is recommended that every student complete the Baylor essay prompts. Your Why Baylor essay is your opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants. Your Baylor essay, therefore, should show your reader why you love Baylor—and why Baylor should love you.

How many essays does Baylor University have?

Baylor University has two essays. Whether you apply through the Baylor Online Application, ApplyTexas, or The Common App, you’ll be able to find the Baylor essay prompts within your application. 

On Baylor’s website, both the Application Process page and the Parents of Applicants page list the Baylor University essay prompt under “Recommended Items.” With this in mind, we encourage you to submit a Why Baylor essay to strengthen your application.

What are Baylor University’s essays?

Your Baylor essays include both your Personal Statement and one school-specific Baylor essay. In essence, your Baylor essay is simply a Why Baylor essay. Admissions are looking for students who will thrive at Baylor and can articulate exactly why they want to become a Baylor Bear. 

While your GPA, test scores, and academic courses are all important, the Baylor essay prompts are Baylor’s way of learning who you are beyond the numbers. If you take your time with the Baylor essay prompts, you’ll be sure to write a Baylor application essay that will capture exactly who you are.

How do I write my Baylor University supplemental essay?

If the Baylor University acceptance rate or the Baylor essay prompts seem intimidating, don’t worry. Your Baylor application essay lets you share parts of you not found elsewhere in your application. Although the Baylor essay prompts include both the Common App Personal Statement and the Baylor University essay, this guide will focus on the Why Baylor essay.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .

We have provided the 2021-2022 Baylor essay prompts below. In this guide, you’ll find a breakdown of how to approach the Why Baylor essay. We’ve also included extra tips for writing a Baylor application essay that will help you stand out in admissions. 

Baylor University Essay – Why Baylor Essay (Optional)

What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (250-450 words)

Since this prompt has multiple questions, you can break down this Baylor essay prompt into three smaller Baylor essay prompts. Your Baylor application essay should answer the questions of “What,” “Why,” and “How.” 

What are you looking for in a university? 

Start by brainstorming all the things Baylor ticks off your college wish list. These might include size, location, student culture, academic programs, or other features. 

The more specific you can be, the better. For example, if you hope to go into nursing, what exactly about the Louise Herrington School of Nursing attracts you? Consider the size of the program, specific curriculum, relationships with local hospitals, research opportunities, and more. 

Regardless of your major, visit Baylor’s Student Life and Academics pages to find details to include in your Baylor application essay. This will help you answer the next part of the Baylor essay prompts.

Why do you want to attend Baylor? 

Now that you’ve discussed your interests, you need to talk about why these features matter to you. 

Do you think Baylor’s community can best support you and your beliefs? Do you see Baylor as the best place to prepare you for the type of career you hope to pursue? Are you passionate about the teaching styles and classes Baylor offers? Whatever the reason, show why Baylor will give you what you need to succeed.

How do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? 

The final part of the Baylor essay prompts lets you inspire your reader. Your Why Baylor essay should show both why Baylor is right for you and why you are right for Baylor. 

Again, be specific. Is there something about your background, experience, or beliefs that you think will enrich the campus culture? Are you hoping to join a student group or even start a new one? Is there a way you imagine using your work outside the classroom to positively impact the Baylor community?

Drafting Your Essay

As you brainstorm and begin writing, don’t be surprised if your answer for one of these questions inspires the next. These Baylor essay prompts are all connected, so don’t worry about answering each question individually or writing your Baylor essay in three separate parts. You can organize your essay however you think tells your story best. 

Remember, the Baylor essay prompts do have a limited word count. This means you should stay direct and focused in your Baylor essay. Finally, make sure you address all three parts of the prompt in your Baylor application essay. This shows your reader that you can pay attention to detail. After all, every part of your Baylor University essay helps the admissions team better understand why you’d be a good fit for Baylor. 

If you are having trouble coming up with what to write about, ask yourself these questions inspired by Baylor’s “What We’re Looking For” list for Freshman applicants:

• What intellectual topics or pursuits excite you?
• What are your values and beliefs surrounding faith and your personal calling?
• How have you challenged yourself academically?
• What opportunities have you embraced outside of the classroom?
• How do learning and service intersect in your life?

What is the acceptance rate for Baylor University?

According to U.S. News, the Baylor University acceptance rate is 68%. The Baylor University acceptance rate is a ratio of how many students applied to how many students got accepted. You can also use the Baylor University acceptance rate to help you consider your own admissions odds. 

The latest Entering Class Profile shows a medium ACT range of 26-32 and SAT range of 1210-1370. Additionally, over three-quarters of Baylor’s 2020 entering class were in the top 25% of their high school classes.

The Baylor University acceptance rate is higher for students who apply Early Decision. So, if Baylor is your top choice, you might want to apply Early Decision. Remember, if you apply ED, you are required to respond to the Baylor essay prompts and write the Why Baylor essay. 

Rather than focusing on the Baylor University acceptance rate, think about whether Baylor is the right school for you. If it is, take a look at Baylor’s 2021-2022 Application Process page for step-by-step guidance on all deadlines, application materials, the Baylor essay requirements, and the Baylor essay prompts. 

Additionally, spend some time on the Why Baylor essay. Writing a strong Why Baylor essay is one of the best ways to maximize your admissions odds.

Baylor University Essay: Final Thoughts

As you begin your application, don’t let the Baylor University acceptance rate, your test scores, or any other statistics affect your writing process. While your GPA and test scores tell the story of your high school career, your Baylor essay is a blank page for you to express the person you have become. 

Every applicant responds to the same Baylor essay prompts, so the most important factor in writing a standout Baylor University essay is you! Focus on writing about the things that truly matter to you. If you feel strongly about what you want and why you want it, just put that passion into words. 

The second most important factor, though, is time. Great essays don’t happen overnight, so start thinking about the Baylor essay prompts well ahead of the deadline. That means taking the time to brainstorm, write, edit, rewrite, and proofread your Why Baylor essay. Double-check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The clearer your final draft is, the easier your voice and personality will shine through.

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Baylor was written by Stefanie Tedards. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Baylor, click here . Want help crafting your Baylor essay? Create your free account or schedule a complimentary advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Baylor University Supplemental Essay Prompt

Karla Ibarra is a content writer at Scholarships 360. She has worked as an English teacher and writing tutor. As a writing tutor, she has experience editing scholarships and college application essays. Karla graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication and a minor in English.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Baylor University is a private university located in Waco, Texas. If you are a prospective applicant, you might have come across the Baylor supplemental application requirement. A stellar essay will definitely boost your application, so keep reading to learn how to use your voice to stand out!

The Baylor University supplemental essay prompt

Baylor University has only one essay prompt with three components. With a 450-word limit, students have room for more detail than the traditional 250-limit allows, but it’s still important to focus your writing. In the following guide, we help break down the parts of the prompt and share a few questions to consider before and during your writing. 

See also: How to write a 500-word essay

Baylor University supplemental application prompt

What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (450 word limit)

The supplemental essay prompt is essentially made up of three questions. If Baylor is a jigsaw puzzle, the prompt asks what kind of piece you will be! 

The first part of the question simply asks students to share what they are looking for in a university. This question seeks to know more about you, your goals, and your future through the kind of university you seek. Think about what you value in your college search. It could be anything from the location, a particular program, or a unique experience. State what holds the most weight for you as you connect that to Baylor University to transition the next part of the prompt.

The next part of the question asks why you want to attend Baylor in particular. Think about why Baylor stands out from other colleges in your search. Explain why Baylor is the college for you with specific points. This is an excellent question for you to get to know Baylor and create a connection between you and the school.

The final part of the prompt asks what you will bring to the Baylor table. Where do you see yourself fitting in at Baylor,  and how will you contribute to your campus home? State the abilities and skills you have, and how you will use them to uphold Baylor’s values.

A few writing tips to keep in mind

Keep the 450-word limit in mind but don’t worry about the word count in your first draft. Try to avoid going off topic, adding extra words, or unnecessary statements. For most students, it is best to start with an outline of main points you want to share. Use the word count to your advantage and add specific details that showcase your skills, desires, and ambitions. Overall, use the word count to fully answer the prompts while conveying more about you and what you will bring to Baylor University.

Questions to consider:

• What are some qualities you seek in a college, and how does Baylor fit them?
• What are some skills, talents, or past achievements that will help you succeed at Baylor?
• How do you hope to contribute to the Baylor campus community? 

Summing it up

Baylor University wants to admit students who want to be part of the community. Baylor University does not require admission test scores. So, if you choose not to submit them, your writing skills will carry even more weight in determining whether you gain admission. While your GPA is pretty much set by now as a senior, writing a stellar essay is the perfect way to stand out as an applicant, so get started on that draft. Best of luck with your application!

Additional resources

As you continue the road to college applications, you might have other decisions to consider. Check out our other guides to help you on that road:

• How many colleges should I apply to?
• How to write an essay about yourself
• Figure out the major that’s right for you
• 10 tips for successful college applications

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Baylor University Admission Essays

Why baylor university: a home for personal growth.

In the heart of Texas lies a university that embodies the true essence of academic excellence, spiritual growth, and a sense of community like no other. Baylor University, with its rich tradition and commitment to nurturing the mind, body, and soul, has always been my…

The Perfect Environment for Intellectual Growth

Introduction In a world filled with possibilities and ever-expanding frontiers of knowledge, the pursuit of intellectual curiosity becomes an imperative. It is this innate desire to explore and understand the world around us that has shaped me into the college student I am today. As…

Exploring the Intersections of Knowledge and Compassion

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June 23, 2022

Baylor College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips [2022 – 2023]

*Note: Baylor College of Medicine applications are now submitted solely through the TMDSAS application. Only MD/PHD will use the AMCAS application platform.

Review the Principles for BCM prior to writing your secondary essays.   Baylor College of Medicine places special emphasis on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and from ethnicities that are underrepresented in medicine. Highlight your personal connections, volunteer work, and leadership roles in medically underserved communities.

Baylor College of Medicine 2022-23 secondary application essay questions

Baylor college of medicine essay #1.

In addition to training as a competent physician, please select up to two additional areas of interest from the items below that you may want to pursue during your medical studies. Your responses will have no bearing on applications to joint degrees or special programs to which you might also apply. Options include: 

• Clinical Research
• Healthcare/disparities/medical underserved communities
• Academic Medicine
• Community Health
• Simulation in medical education
• Health systems science

(connected to #1) What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1000 characters)

BCOM wants to know how you’re suited for their programs. Their expectation is that in choosing up to two areas of interest, you have spent some quality time engaged in the interests you choose. Introduce the experience (what was it?), explain your responsibilities, and what you learned, how this experience deepened your awareness of inequity, how this experience impacted patient care, or how this experience showed you what twenty-first century medicine will entail. Provide an insightful vision of medicine and its complexities, disparities, or innovations to convey that they are true, active interests of yours.

Baylor College of Medicine essay #2

Are you planning to matriculate into medical school immediately after completing your undergraduate education? If not, please explain what activities and/or careers you have pursued in the time between your college education and your application. (limit not stated)

Most matriculating first year medical students have taken a gap year. A gap year is often regarded as an opportunity to deepen one’s preparedness for medical school. Your involvement in some type of physician-oriented work, research, clinical work, or patient care should be a deeply committed use of your time. Many applicants work full-time in research during their gap year while also volunteering. Some applicants work as EMTs, patient care aides, or techs. Others work at institutes (the National Institutes of Health [NIH], for instance). 

If you work in non-healthcare-related employment out of necessity, explain the circumstances, tell a story that reveals your responsibilities beyond being a dutiful premed student. Are you caring for a sick relative? Has your family faced financial hardship? Are you a parent of young children? These stories should convey your fortitude, maturity and unflinching resolve to be responsible and still become a doctor.

If you work in non-healthcare-related employment and are seeking a career change, many schools of medicine are open to this. In this circumstance, “why medicine?” becomes a critical question to address in the personal statement, as the schools will be looking for true dedication and conviction. One way to demonstrate this conviction is to describe volunteer work oriented to patient care, wellness, or altruism. 

In addition, career-changers may be able to show that a first career has already developed skills and qualities important in medicine. For example, a teacher explains concepts and an engineer evaluates and solves problems. Additionally, as non-traditional applicants, career-changers are desirable applicants because they have experience being steadfastly employed in a professional capacity and have grown from the experience.

Baylor College of Medicine essay #3

Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you, including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity. You may expand upon but not repeat TMDSAS or AMCAS application information. (2,000 characters.)

Using a timeline you have created of your life that includes all significant events and/or an updated copy of your resume or CV, check off the items you have already covered in your primary application. Create a list from the remaining items that you have not covered which are related to clinical, research, work, or leadership in community service. Are there any items that relate to how you have overcome adversity? Strategically selecting the activities or events that will reveal more about you as a person, create an outline using this short list. Free-write to cover as much detail as you can from your outline. After taking a break, edit the material to ensure you have a clear introductory sentence, solid body with explanations, and a concise conclusion that sums up your experiences.

Applying to Baylor College of Medicine? Here are some stats:

Baylor College of Medicine average MCAT score: 517

Baylor College of Medicine average GPA: 3.87

Baylor Acceptance Rate: 4.3%

For more stats, check out the Medical School Selectivity Index .

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your medical school applications. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you.  Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Baylor College of Medicine 2022-23 application timeline

Source: Baylor College of Medicine website

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Med School and Secondary Essays , a free guide
• School-Specific Med Secondary Essay Tips
• 5 Dont’s for Your Medical School Personal Statement

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Baylor University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Feb 1

You Have: 

Baylor University 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 450 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Why , Community

Baylor’s super sized supplemental essay combines two of the most classic prompts out there. After reading through our quickie breakdown below, be sure to check out our tips for writing killer Why and Community essays.

What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (450 word limit)

If you’re scratching your head over the unprecedented 450 word limit, we’ll give you a hint: this one’s a twofer. In this question, Baylor has managed to serve up two classic prompts: the Why essay and the Community essay. Your task, then, is to create a unified response that covers both what Baylor can do for you and what you can do for Baylor – in other words, your fit. When reading this prompt, you should see the first two clauses as different angles on the same question. In other words, your reasons for attending Baylor should align with the overall experience you envision for yourself in College. If you’re looking for a snowy New England campus, Baylor’s not going to cut it. On the other hand if you’ve been searching for a world-class nursing program, you’ve probably found your ideal match in Baylor. Whatever your criteria, you’ll need to spend some time digging through the school website for details that will breathe life into your vision and reasons for applying. By that same token, you’ll want to spend some time reflecting on the personal qualities that would make you an excellent nurse or help you take your a cappella group to the next level. Again, be concrete. Try to draw a bridge between your past experiences and achievements and the new heights you hope to reach as a Baylor student.

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Baylor University Guide

The Ivy Scholars guide to Baylor University’s culture, admissions, and other essential information for prospective students and their families.

Location:  Waco, Texas

Mascot:  Bears

Type: Private Christian Research Institution

Population:  18,000 (14,000 undergrads)

About Baylor University

The oldest continuously operating university in Texas, Baylor’s 1,000-acre campus is on the banks of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas. Created by the last congress of the Republic of Texas,  the university sits between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin and is the largest Baptist university in the world. In its own words, “Baylor provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship.”

Baylor University Statistics

Year Founded:  1845

4 Year Graduation Rate:  54%

Gender Distribution: 58% male, 42% female

Acceptance Rate:  38.9%

Residency:  60% in state, 40% out of state or international

Location Type:  Urban

Schedule System: Semesters

Student/Faculty Ratio:  13:1

Average Class Size:  26

Demographics:  64% Caucasian, 14% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 6% Black, 11% Hispanic, 5% Other

National Rankings

US News Rankings:

• #20 Best Undergraduate Teaching
• #42 Most Innovative
• #75 Best Value
• #79 Overall Nationally

Independent Rankings:

• #6 Entrepreneurship Program per The Princeton Review
• #11 Best Christian Colleges per Niche
• #26 Best Colleges for Education per Niche
• #30 Best Colleges for Music per Niche
• #61 Best Value for a Private College per Kiplinger
• #89 Executive MBA program per The Financial Times

Baylor University Admissions Statistics

Application Deadlines:

• Early Decision: November 1st
• Early Action:  November 1st
• Regular Decision: February 1st
• Transfer Deadline: March 15th

Notification Dates:

• ED:  December 15th
• EA:  January 15th
• Regular Decision: April 10th

Acceptance Rates:

• Transfer: 84%

Average Applicant Pool:  34,500

Average Number of Applicants Accepted:  13,500

Average Number Enrolled:  3,800

Application Systems:  Common App, Apply Texas

Average GPA: 3.72  weighted

SAT Scores:  25th percentile – 1190, 75th percentile – 1360

ACT Scores:  25th percentile – 26, 75th percentile – 31

*Test mandatory. Writing sections optional.

Subject Test Requirements: No SAT Subject Tests are required.

Demonstrated Interest:  Baylor does consider demonstrated interest.

Click here for tips on demonstrating interest in a university.

Recommendation Letter Policies: Two letters of recommendation are recommended, but not required. Baylor states that if you have letters that have been written for other institutions, you may send those in.

Baylor University Essay Prompts for 2020:

• Common App Personal Statement (650 words)
• What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community? (450 words)

Baylor Essay Writing Tips

Special Notes:

• When applying to certain majors , there are different or heightened requirements.
• The short essay response is only required for Early Decision applicants, although it is recommended for all applicants.

Baylor University Academics

• Diana R Garland School of Social Work
• Louise Herrington School of Nursing
• School of Music (separate application process)
• Robbins College of Health and Human Services
• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Education
• Hankamer School of Business
• School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Other than the School of Music, when students apply, they apply to Baylor in general, not a specific college or major.

Core Requirements:

• College of Arts and Sciences Core Requirements
• Honors College Core Curriculum

What Majors and Minors Does Baylor University Offer?

• 140 Majors and Minors Offered
• Option to double major, or to declare a secondary major. A secondary major only grants  a single degree but allows for double-counting of courses within one major towards another. The student’s transcript reflects this secondary major.

Baylor University AP Credit Policy:

• Baylor awards credit for courses by exam and department, with different programs accepting different scores. Most accept AP scores and IB scores, and some accept SAT II scores.  
• Comprehensive Credit Information

Honors Programs:

• Baylor Honors College (includes optional residency, two unique majors, and the option to take classes outside the honors program)
• Dean’s List
• Graduation Awards List
• Honors Societies

Research Availability:

• Baylor’s Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Achievement ( URSA ) initiative encourages undergraduates to get involved in research.

Study Abroad: 

• Study Abroad Options

Business Options: 

• List of Business Majors and Minors   
• Baylor’s Hanmaker School of Business offers undergraduate programs and degrees, as well as graduate degrees. Students must first be accepted to and enroll in Baylor before enrolling as a pre-business student. Students wishing to continue as a Business major must maintain a 3.0 GPA, complete the prerequisite courses, and take at least 24 credit hours their first year.

Pre-Med Options:

• Baylor offers pre-medicine and pre-dentistry programs, but neither has its own major. Students must take the required preparatory classes for admission to medical school but can major in anything.

Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program

Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advisors Program

Baylor Pre-Med in Dublin

Joint Admissions Medical Program

• Baylor Squared BS/MD Program

Pre-Law Options:

• Baylor has a pre-law program , which can serve as a complement to any major.

Additional Specialty Programs: 

• Pre-Optometry
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine
• Aviation Science
• University Scholars Program
• Additional Specialty Programs

Student Life at Baylor University

School Motto:   For Church, For Texas

Mission and Values:

• Mission: The mission of Baylor University is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. 
• Additional Information

Student Testimonials ( Niche , Unigo , Cappex )

As a faith-focused university, chapel and associated religious activities are a major part of the student experience. To quote Baylor on the subject: “Baylor continues to hold firm to the conviction that the world needs a preeminent research university that is unambiguously Christian, where such a commitment does not imply a lack of scholarly inquiry, but rather requires scholarship and creative endeavors at the highest levels of quality to complement and inform its teaching and service.” In spite of this, attendance at chapel is not required, and students from all faith backgrounds can find a place at Baylor. 

Housing Statistics:

• 36% of students live on campus or in affiliated housing
• 64% of students live off-campus

Campus & Surrounding Area:  

• Spread out in its own neighborhood on the South-side of Waco;  the campus boasts a variety of sports facilities, dining options, and museums and libraries. Baylor University and its denizens are the primary feature of this neighborhood, which is almost a college town within Waco proper.
• Right next to the Brazos River, the campus is directly adjacent to downtown Waco, which is currently experiencing a revitalization. Located on the riverfront is a series of green spaces and parks, including the Turner Riverfront Complex . 
• Take the virtual tour to experience the campus for yourself. 
• Baylor has a Department of Public Safety to keep its campus secure.

Transportation:

• The Baylor University Shuttle program is offered to all students free of charge and runs on all class days from 7:25 AM through 5:25 PM.
• Member of Zipcar Program
• Parking Information

Traditions:

• Dr. Pepper Hour – A weekly gathering of students and faculty drinking Dr. Pepper floats. This tradition began in 1953 when a faculty member started hosting students for “frosted cokes” informally once a week.
• The Baylor Line , where freshmen storm the field during football games. 
• Family Weekend

F ull List of Game Day Traditions .

Student-Run Organizations: 

• Organization Database
• Sample Organizations ( The Golden Wave Band , The NoZe Brotherhood , The Baylor Chamber of Commerce , Baylor Buddies )
• D1 Athletics – Baylor is in the Big 12 Conference and has won several NCAA titles, including Men’s Tennis in 2004, and Women’s Basketball in 2005 and 2012.
• Intramural Sports
• Club Sports
• Main Rival: Texas Christian University

Greek Life: Baylor has 40+ societies , both national and international, encompassing social and academic fraternities and sororities. Around 14% of males and 21% of female undergraduates are involved in Greek life at Baylor.

• Greek parties
• Tailgating and after-parties on game days
• Apartment parties are common on and off-campus
• Bars and restaurants in downtown Waco

Financial Information

Yearly Cost of Attending Baylor University in 2020:

• Total: $67,320
• Tuition: $44,544
• Fees: $4,902
• Room & Board: $13,730
• Books: $1,444
• Personal Expenses: $2,700

For financial aid consideration, Baylor requires all students to complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More than 90% of Baylor students receive at least some financial aid. Priority dates to apply: November 1st for ED/EA, February 1st for Regular Decision. Applications applying after these deadlines will have aid assigned based on a first-come-first-served basis.

Scholarships: 

All applicants are considered for academic scholarships. 86% of applicants receive an academic scholarship, and the median range of scholarships awarded is $64,000 over four years.

• Baylor University was founded before Texas was a state. 
• The live bear mascots named Joy and Lady live on campus. The first bear mascot came about when the 107th Engineers, an army troop, acquired a bear cub and gifted it to the Baylor University Chamber of Commerce. 
• The school’s costumed mascot is named Bruiser and is a separate entity from the live bears. 
• Willie Nelson and Senator Rand Paul both attended Baylor, but neither received a degree from the university.
• The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce is the university’s oldest student-run organization, and sponsored the writing and composing of Baylor’s fight song.

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Baylor University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Baylor University college application essays were written by students accepted at Baylor University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Baylor University

Watch jessica monk, baylor university.

There’s no way that it’s morning already. I hear footsteps running down the hall; eight hours ago this would have been considered typical, but now, it’s completely ludicrous. The door to my dorm room swings open with a nauseating kind of reality,...

Growing Up in an Interfaith Home Michael Wainwright

Although I do not affiliate myself with any particular religion, I have been a Buddhist nun at temples and an altar server at Christian churches. I can chant the meditations of Buddha in Thai and Sanskrit and recite Catholic prayers in English and...

Fact or Fiction? Joshua Lyon

If I had been asked a couple months ago to describe my dream job, I could have told you my dreams to the last detail. It would have started something like this: 'I walk into a hospital every day, greeted by friends and colleagues. I want to do...

A Modern Holocaust Anonymous

Countless books, documentaries, and museums recount the story of the Jewish Holocaust. Comparatively few people, however, have heard of the modern holocaust that took place in Indonesia twelve years ago in my hometown of Jakarta.

One particular...

Photography Anonymous

The shutter button is released, causing a chain reaction: the lens opens and closes in the span of microseconds, and, for a moment, the world stands still to allow genius or despair to be captured.

When I was eleven years old, fresh out of...

Everlasting experiences Anonymous

As dawn broke and the rays of sunlight shined through the tiny cracks in the cabin walls, I woke up to the sound of creaking doors and the smell of urine.With one eye open, I peeked below me, where my beautiful 27-year old Sarah was wide awake...

The Invisible Bully Anonymous

The screen glowed brightly in her face as she would check her Facebook, and wonder why people did this to her. “Who would be mean enough to treat a person like this?”, she would always ask me. The cruel, menacing, and terrifying words that some of...

Being A Detective in Life Anonymous

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth”. - Quote from The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle .

Addicted to detective fiction, I’m a fan of Sherlock Holmes, deeply absorbed in Sherlock’s...

The Arroyo Car Anonymous

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Jane Coaston

Ted Cruz Has Some Strong Opinions About College Sports

By Jane Coaston

Ms. Coaston is a contributing writer to Opinion.

College sports bring in billions of dollars in revenue every year, but until very recently virtually none of it went to athletes. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled in N.C.A.A. v. Alston that student athletes should be able to profit from their names, images or likenesses, known as NIL. As Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted in a concurring opinion, the N.C.A.A.’s policies against permitting athletes to profit from their labor could be considered a violation of antitrust laws, writing, “Nowhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing not to pay their workers a fair-market rate on the theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair-market rate.” Since then, in practice, NIL has included two common types of compensation: endorsement deals for athletes, but also more direct payments, which usually come from college-affiliated collectives supported by donors in exchange for appearances at events, social media posts or other promotion.

But some coaches and observers have raised concerns about players participating in a potential Wild West of big paydays and constant transfers that could put smaller programs at risk. The N.C.A.A. has also agreed to a settlement that likely will eventually result in billions of dollars going to athletes who sued over not receiving compensation for NIL use on television, and in the start of a revenue-sharing model that would, in the future, pay athletes directly. That settlement, which is not yet finalized, will likely change college sports, but many questions about the details of that future remain unclear .

Senator Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, has been trying to help create a solution for college sports. I spoke with him about why he believes preserving competitiveness in college sports is a job for the federal government. “Well, there’s a difference between a conservative and an anarchist,” he told me.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity and is part of an Opinion Q. and A. series exploring modern conservatism today, its influence in society and politics, and how and why it differs (and doesn’t) from the conservative movement that most Americans thought they knew.

Jane Coaston: So let’s start with some of the basics. In 2021, the Supreme Court allowed, in practical terms, college athletes to accept endorsement deals for certain types of income. What’s been good about NIL and what’s been bad?

Senator Ted Cruz: Well, I’m glad the Supreme Court did that. I think it is a much better and more fair system. Athletes spend thousands and thousands of hours developing incredible skills, and in many instances those athletes produce millions and millions of dollars for universities, for conferences. And it is only fair that the men and women who work so hard to develop those skills be able to enjoy the benefits.

On the other hand, where we are now in college athletics is the Wild West. We have wide-open bidding wars. We have athletes moving from school to school to school and not having any loyalty to any institution. Not having the esprit de corps of the fan base and the alumni base. We have a real risk of chaos ensuing and fundamental damage occurring to college athletics, which would be a travesty.

The current path we’re on could very quickly lead to a handful of super schools with virtually unlimited budgets having all the best talent and the other schools left not able to be competitive, which does real damage to the quality of athletics overall. It’s no fun to watch an N.B.A. team play a J.V. team. For sports to be fun, you need some kind of parity where you have a real contest. There is also, I fear, a serious risk of all of the focus being on major conferences, football and basketball, and women’s sports being neglected, nonrevenue sports being neglected. One of the most important things about college sports is that it has provided an avenue for thousands upon thousands of young men and young women to be able to get a college education who would not otherwise have gotten a college education. And I think it is critically important that we preserve and protect that path.

[A vast majority of college sports revenue comes from football and men’s basketball. Many athletes play “nonrevenue” sports, like track or women’s lacrosse . ]

Coaston : Should athletes be fully classified as employees?

Cruz: No, I think that would be a disastrous outcome. That is one of the most important questions. If student athletes are treated as employees, that would ultimately hurt the student athletes. There are all sorts of restrictions that fall upon employees. Employees can be terminated at will in many instances. We should not have student athletes losing their scholarship simply because they dropped too many passes. Employees have all sorts of restrictions in terms of work, in terms of overtime, in terms of the conditions of employment. I’m quite certain the two-a-days that I ran in high school would not comply with OSHA.

[There are many views in Congress about how to classify athletes; for example, Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, has discussed a possible proposal to extend bargaining rights to student athletes, while not classifying them as employees. There are also many proposals about any number of issues raised by the changes in college sports, like a House proposal that would bar employment status for athletes while creating a congressionally appointed panel that oversees national rules for NIL deals. There is also a wide array of colleges that are potentially affected, from the powerhouse schools to more regional schools or historically Black colleges and universities . The N.C.A.A. opposes classifying students as employees.]

Coaston: I’ve been paying attention to this issue for a long time, and it’s been wild to see a lot of conservatives from Justice Kavanaugh on down basically say, “Athletes should receive compensation for the work they do in some form,” versus how people were talking about this issue when, say, S.M.U. got in trouble with the N.C.A.A. in the 1980s. What changed? Do you think that there are generational divides? What changed here?

Cruz: It’s a good question and candidly, I don’t know. I will say it is, I think, a very conservative position. The very essence of the free market is that if you develop a skill that is marketable and that there is demand for, you should be compensated for that and be able to make a profit. And the disparity was becoming really stark in a way that I think fundamentally wasn’t fair.

Coaston: So one big thing missing in college sports is transparency. A lot of student athletes don’t know their fair market value, so to speak. I know you envision a public database of information with anonymized NIL deals so that athletes and others can understand their fair market value. How would that work exactly?

Cruz: Well, it’s exactly right that there’s a lack of information and you’ve got, in many instances, young men and young women that are 17, 18, 19 years old with very limited information, and it’s hard to know what’s even remotely a fair market value. It’s hard to know what a defensive lineman at a comparable program would typically be compensated at what level. When you’re dealing with young people, many of whom are teenagers, they often have very limited business experience. We’re seeing the rise of agents including some really unscrupulous players who take advantage of the students.

Being able to look and see what comparable players and comparable positions and comparable teams are being compensated at gives you a sense of at least the range of the market. It’s not all that different than if you’re buying a car and you go look at AutoTrader online to say, “OK, what is the average price if I want to buy a Jeep Cherokee?”

Coaston: So you mentioned some concerns about competitiveness a little earlier. Obviously there’s a growing divide between schools like Texas and Ohio State and a lot of the smaller ones. I know my alma mater has money to burn. So does Texas. And you mentioned how competitiveness is important, but should the government have a role in preserving competitiveness in college sports and if so, why?

Cruz: So, I don’t think the government should directly regulate, but I think the N.C.A.A. should have a role in preserving competitiveness. Schools like Texas would probably do pretty well because they would have essentially unlimited money for athletics. I was at Kyle Field a few years ago when the Aggies beat Alabama (Alabama was the No. 1 team in the country). I’ll tell you, Kyle Field went nuts when A&M won that game. You look a couple of years ago, Baylor won March Madness. Baylor is, relatively speaking, a small school with much more limited resources than a U.T. or a Michigan, and yet Baylor can win it all. That’s part of what really makes March Madness so much fun. It’s part of what makes college football so much fun.

Coaston: What is the ideal outcome for college sports in, let’s say, five years? Let’s say that a deal comes about, your bill gets put through. What does it look like?

Cruz: Well, one piece that is likely to change that is the settlement that is expected to come out in the House v. N.C.A.A. litigation. At this point, we don’t know the details about what’s in the settlement. But there’s widespread speculation that it will include some components of revenue sharing. That may prove to be an impetus for Congress to act and potentially to codify some aspects of that settlement. We’ll have to see the details of the settlement before making an assessment of it, whether that’s a good idea or not. But I think we want to have an outcome where the N.C.A.A. has the authority to set basic rules that protect student athletes, that protect NIL rights, but that also protect what is great about college athletics.

A number of weeks ago, I hosted a round table in the Senate on NIL, and it included a number of stakeholders. One of the people who participated was Nick Saban, who described how the current chaos is a big part of the reason he left coaching in Alabama.

[Since Mr. Cruz and I spoke, the N.C.A.A. and the five power conferences voted to approve a proposed settlement in this class-action suit, which would include back-pay damages for former athletes. The proposal also reportedly includes, going forward, an optional revenue sharing model that would make a portion of annual revenue distributable to athletes. The settlement is not finalized yet, but revenue sharing would be another big change to the college system.]

Coaston: I have to ask, I’m curious as to the landscape before NIL. I keep thinking back. You mentioned that Texas A&M-Alabama game. I think about someone like Johnny Manziel, the Texas A&M quarterback who was suspended for allowing his likeness to be used for commercial purposes, or some of the figures who definitely received payments, but perhaps in a less legal manner. When you talk to coaches who are at big programs, they must know what types of activities were taking place at those programs back then. How did NIL change things?

Cruz: The old rules were that athletes were not supposed to be paid. A lot of places cheated, but they did so in darkness and hiding it. Sometimes they got caught and sometimes they didn’t get caught. That on the face of it is not a very good way to run a system. I think it is better doing it openly and transparently, and I think we have moved substantially in that direction. The combination of NIL with the transfer portal I think has exacerbated the problem because look, anyone who likes sports, I watch pro sports, I watch college sports and they’re different.

[For many years, college athletes typically had to sit out a year if they transferred schools. Since 2018, athletes have been able to enter the transfer portal , change schools and play the next season, which they do, from quarterbacks to women’s basketball players.]

I mean, watching the N.B.A. or the N.F.L. is a lot of fun. But I cheered for James Harden when he was with the Rockets. Now he’s not with the Rockets anymore. And that’s part of the N.B.A. He goes to the Nets and then the Clippers., and that’s part of the N.B.A. College has always been different. College, you have your alums and you’re rooting for your school and you have allegiances. It’s fundamentally different than pro sports. And part of it is typically the athletes stay at a school for the four years. If they make a commitment, they’re getting an education.

I think commoditizing it and lessening every athlete’s attachment to their school is not good for college sports. Earl Campbell only makes sense as a Longhorn. I was at the Rose Bowl when Vince Young and Texas beat U.S.C. for the national championship; if we saw Vince Young playing the next year for U.S.C., that would piss me off. I also think it is very important when addressing this issue to remember the vast majority of college athletes are not N.F.L. or N.B.A. superstars — the vast majority of college athletes will never play pro sports. It’s not going to pay their mortgage; it’s not going to feed their kids. But the degree they get, the education they get, hopefully will enable them to get a job that is going to pay their mortgage and that is going to feed their kids.

Coaston: You’re usually very restrained as a limited-government conservative about when and how Congress and the federal government should intervene in private enterprise. Does your involvement with these N.C.A.A. issues represent an evolution in your thinking? Or if not, help us understand the interest here from a limited-government conservative.

Cruz: Well, there’s a difference between a conservative and an anarchist. I believe government exists and has important roles and responsibilities. Under our Constitution, the federal government has the authority to act where it is needed and consistent with constitutional authority.

In this instance, a state-by-state solution doesn’t work because conferences are by design national. The State of Texas can’t regulate what colleges in Oklahoma do, and Oklahoma can’t regulate what they’re doing in Alabama. The only way to have a national set of rules is at the federal level. I’m a big believer in principles of federalism — and Montesquieu and others describe them, that as much government as possible should be local, and everything should be local, except that which has to be at the state level, and as much government as possible should be at the state level, and what should be federal is only that which has to be at a national level. Here, because we’re dealing with interstate competition, interstate commerce and national competition that is each year culminated in a national championship, the only level of government that has the authority to address these issues is the federal government.

Coaston: My final questions are about politics. You’re running for re-election this year, for a third term. In your estimation, are Texas voters overall trending in a more conservative direction, a more progressive direction or a more centrist direction?

Cruz: I think some of both. Texas is changing significantly. When I was first elected in 2012, there were 26 million Texans. Today, there are more than 30 million Texans. There are a lot of reasons for that, but the No. 1 reason is Texas is where the jobs are. People are packing up and moving from bright-blue states, from New York and California and Illinois, and they’re moving to red states that have low taxes, that have low regulations, that have an environment that is conducive to small businesses and conducive to job creation. I think Texas needs to protect what we have. We need to keep Texas Texas. But if you look at the in-migration to Texas, I break it into two groups.

No. 1, there are people that are in blue states and they’re fed up. They can’t stand the high taxes, they can’t stand the regulations, they can’t stand the woke policies. They couldn’t stand the Covid lockdowns and shutdowns and schools being closed down. They look across the country and they say, “Where do I want to be?” And they pick Texas. The data show those folks coming to Texas are actually more conservative than the median Texas vote. They show up in Texas and they buy a pickup truck and boots and a hat and a shotgun. I call them Refugees for Freedom. I want every one of them to keep coming to Texas.

There is a second group, which is: A company moves to Texas and it transfers its employees to Texas. And in that circumstance, the individual employees didn’t make a decision “I want to be in Texas.” Many of them just decided to stay with their job and transfer. In my experience, many of those employees vote exactly like they did in the state they came from. We’ve got a whole lot of people in the first category and a whole lot of people in the second category. I think Texas is in flux, and that’s an argument that we’re having right now in real time.

Coaston: You ran for president in 2016 and you did well against Donald Trump. Any interest in running for president in 2028 or further down the line?

Cruz: I can tell you my focus is 100 percent on 2024. I’m running for re-election in Texas. It is a big race. Democrats are expected to spend over a hundred million dollars trying to beat me. And so I’m putting in 18 hours a day to fighting for 30 million Texans and making the case to the people of Texas that we need to continue the policies that are working so well in Texas. As for future years, those questions will be decided sometime in the future.

[In 2018, Mr. Cruz’s opponent spent more than $79 million, while he spent about $46 million.]

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Jane Coaston was the host of Opinion’s podcast “ The Argument .” Previously, she reported on conservative politics, the G.O.P. and the rise of the right. She also co-hosted the podcast “The Weeds.” @ janecoaston