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Why Neuroscience Major is a Perfect Choice for Me

University: Columbia University

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Words: 302 |

Updated: Nov 30, 2023

Words: 302 | Pages: 1 | 2 min read

When discussing academic interests and goals, I often hear a question, "why neuroscience major?". I don’t know how exactly I fell in love with neuroscience, just that “The Brain!” was my favorite episode of Bill Nye, that I’d invariably perk my ears up during sleepy car rides whenever I heard neuroscience being discussed on NPR, and that I’d huddle next to my mother’s computer as she watched neuroscience-related continuing education videos.

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I can pinpoint, however, the day I decided I wanted to be a neuroscientist. I was eleven years old, listening to Science Friday’s Ira Flatow interview a neuroscience researcher who could, quite literally, read minds. She would put participants in an FMRI machine, show them an image, and based on the activity in their brain, identify which picture they were looking at. Listening, I wanted desperately to be a part of this science that sounded so much like magic. So I did what anyone would do and I begged my mother for an FMRI as my birthday present.

The answer, of course, was no, but my passion for neuroscience remained. I longed to understand this field, at once so unfathomably undiscovered and so fundamentally applicable to everyday experience. In the next six years, I learned everything I could about the brain, about the axons, dendrites and neurotransmitters that create the mind. Eventually, I got my MRI, participating in three brain studies myself. I read article after article about neuroscience and referenced them incessantly. To me, everything seemed related to the brain.

Last summer, when I landed my first gig working in a neuroscience lab, I helped to pilot a study using real-time FMRI, the same “mind-reading” technology that captivated me years earlier. Even now that I can understand the computational modeling behind it, name each neural network it measures, and see just how it “reads” the mind, it still feels like magic.

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After reading my essay, I hope it is clear why neuroscience is my passion. This is the reason I've chosen The University of Columbia to take a step to a new level of my education in this field.

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Why I Majored in Neuroscience

Santiago serrano ’25.

Before I arrived at Pomona College, my relationship with science was limited. In high school, I was not involved in advanced science courses, often finding myself overshadowed by peers who seemed more innately talented in the scientific world. However, this belief went through a transformation upon joining the Pomona community. The Pomona Science Scholars program was a pivotal turning point, engaging me in a vibrant cohort where underrepresented groups in science thrived. It was within this nurturing environment that my fascination with neuroscience was established, unveiling a profound interest in the intricate workings of the human brain.

A course that significantly reshaped my academic journey was neurobiology, taught by Professor Karen Parfitt. This class epitomized the ideal learning experience, characterized by its small size and a curriculum that ensured each student's comprehension and engagement. The content and coursework were more intense than typical classes as they involved a thorough understanding of biology and neuroscience, but the vibrant dialogues in Professor Parfitt’s class stimulated an active educational experience, continually challenging and expanding our understanding of neurobiology.

Beyond the classroom, my neuroscience journey has been further advanced by the Beckman Fellowship. This opportunity has allowed me to delve into the intricate world of electrophysiology and Alzheimer’s Disease research. My experiences in the lab range from utilizing transgenic mouse models to examine learning impairments in Alzheimer’s Disease to employing innovative click chemistry techniques for identifying specific peptide binding sites in the brain. This multifaceted research approach not only enriches my educational experience but also opens new horizons in my academic career, a unique advantage made possible by the supportive and explorative spirit at Pomona College. The faculty’s commitment to fostering student interests has been instrumental in shaping my academic career, guiding me toward a future in the sphere of neuroscience.

Caitlin McIntyre ’24

Majoring in neuroscience at Pomona was an easy decision, confirmed by my positive experiences with Pomona’s faculty and students. My initial interest in the field was inspired by my youngest sister who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age 3. In my general biology classes, I became curious about the neurological mechanisms that made up her condition. What in the brain caused her deficits in socialization? Why do so many individuals with ASD also struggle with fine motor skills? One fateful lecture on the mirror neuron system in Professor [Richard] Lewis’ “The Human Brain” course made everything make sense. I couldn’t wait to learn more! With the support of the neuroscience faculty, I’ve combined my interests in mirror neuron deficits in ASD with my other passions through my project thesis, “Utilizing Dance Movement Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder.” The Neuroscience Department offers the unique option for students to build a “community-based project” rather than an experimental thesis. For my project, I am excited to give back to my community by teaching a 10-week dance session in Claremont to teens and adults with disabilities. It’s rewarding to use my neuroscience education to help people like my sister.

The neuroscience program at Pomona College offers a comprehensive foundation while also encouraging exploration of one’s interests, ranging from the cellular mechanisms of neuropharmacology to the broader perspectives on human behavior. My favorite classes so far have been “The Stressed Brain” and “Psychological Disorders.” Going to a liberal arts college and taking humanities classes in addition to STEM have been invaluable, providing context for discussion of health inequities or biological ethical dilemmas. As a future healthcare professional, I believe it is so important for physicians to receive a well-rounded education, including studies in the humanities and social sciences.

Neuroscience courses at Pomona are challenging, yet rewarding. Students at Pomona are eager to learn, and our enthusiasm for the field only grows with support from faculty. Unlike lecture-based courses at larger universities, Pomona prioritizes collaboration with one’s peers and an understanding of the material beyond memorization. The beauty of a small liberal arts school is the accessibility of professors, as well as opportunities for undergraduate students to take on leadership roles through mentoring and teaching assistant positions. The Introduction to Neuroscience course, Neuro101A, is the quintessential model of such. Utilizing a flipped lecture format, class sessions are spent in small group discussions led by student mentors. This was one of the first classes where I felt completely engaged and active in my learning process. In-class activities challenged me to think outside the box and apply my learning to novel scenarios. One memorable activity was using our new knowledge of motor pathways to diagnose “patients” in the clinic. As both a student in this course and a mentor, I’ve felt the benefits of such a model for learning and a sense of community.

Outside of the classroom, I’ve participated in basic science and clinical research through the Pomona College Internship Program (PCIP). My favorite research experience has been working with children and teens with Down Syndrome through a clinical Alzheimer’s biomarker study. It felt surreal to participate in the literature review process and propose future directions. I couldn’t believe I was one of the “scientists” I was reading about in textbooks! I plan to continue my interest in neuroscience in the clinic as a physician, specializing in either pediatric or adult neurology.

Hannah Caris ’23

Ever since I took a high school course in psychology, I’ve been intrigued by the mystery and complexity of the brain. After exploring the impacts of bilingualism on executive functioning in my International Baccalaureate Extended Essay, my desire to learn about the biological basis of behavior only grew. Neuroscience seemed to be the perfect interdisciplinary mix of my interests, so going into college I was excited to finally have the opportunity to explore this field in earnest.

The best part of the Neuroscience Department is the talented, dedicated and accessible faculty—likely a feature universal at Pomona. The major itself is very flexible and includes courses from many departments, giving you opportunities to explore neuroscience with a multi-faceted lens. Last semester, I took Introduction to Computational Neuroscience, which focused on mathematical modeling of neural activity and also tied into concepts I was learning about concurrently in physics and in Introduction to Neuroscience.

One of my favorite parts about being a neuroscience major are the seemingly limitless unanswered questions, and consequently, opportunities to conduct exciting and meaningful research. In my first year at Pomona, I worked in Professor Jonathan King’s lab, where we used electrophysiological techniques to study the effects of ziram fungicide exposure on long-term potentiation in rats. I continued to work with Professor King last summer in the Remote Alternative Independent Summer Experience (RAISE), where I explored ginsenoside mediation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This summer project, coupled with a previous research experience at a behavioral neuroimmunology lab, sparked my current interest in the field of neuroimmunology, which I hope to pursue after graduation.

Riya Sivakumar ’23

The unknown had always bothered me. As a kid, I pestered my parents to explain everything from how traffic lights changed to how X-rays detected my broken arm. While many of my questions had easily searchable answers, as I grew older, they became increasingly complicated. I soon began to deliberate why and how I wondered so much. I wanted to know if I was the only one questioning these things and if so, why? What made my thought process unique and what shaped it to its current state? Questions of the mind and body became my primary concern as I overloaded my high school schedule with every science class I could. My exploration through the sciences led me to take a neuroscience elective in my junior year. My teacher presented the field as one of the questions, rather than the concrete answers we had grown to expect from our previous science classes. From that first class I was hooked. I kept my options open when coming to Pomona, but after taking my first neuroscience course this past fall I knew it was what I wanted to major in. The interdisciplinary nature of the field allows you to draw knowledge from biology, chemistry, psychology, and even philosophy and apply it to the human brain. The bounds of neuroscience are seemingly limitless as everyday new questions are being asked about human nature and behavior. Now, rather than bother me, the unknown motivates me.

I never anticipated that I would take my first neuroscience class online, or that I would be confident enough in my own passion to declare my major after only a semester. However, the Neuroscience Department at Pomona made online learning such an engaging, collaborative, and enjoyable experience that after just a few weeks of class I was convinced. While Zoom class had its ups and downs, my professor’s enthusiasm for the material and teaching made each class a worthwhile experience. I felt incredibly supported by the department in both class and lab and found an amazing community in my peers. I am really excited for my future in the major and I know that this next semester will be great.

This past semester, for one of our virtual lab reports, we analyzed data from the Aging, Dementia, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) study done at the Allen Brain Institute. In my group we specifically looked at the gene MAT2A, which is involved in DNA methylation. Using hippocampal gene expression data from the study we focused on MAT2A's relative expression in patients with varying numbers of TBI. Utilizing gene expression data is integral to better understanding the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia as well as the debilitating long-term effects of TBI. While we were unable to be in lab due to the nature of this semester, we were still able to learn and practice valuable data analysis and lab report writing skills.

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103 Neuroscience Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best neuroscience topic ideas & essay examples, 🥇 most interesting neuroscience topics to write about, ✅ good research topics about neuroscience, ❓ neuroscience research questions.

The Stroop Test and Its Impact on Neuroscience The results of the Stroop test vividly demonstrate the ability of the brain to quickly process the displayed information. The Stroop effect plays a vital role in psychology and neuroscience, helping identify the responses of […]
Relation Between Neuroscience and Ethics The practice of Neurophysiology is a subsection of neuroscience that involves the study of body nerves, spinal cord, and brain diseases such as tumors, which are the initial sources of brain cancer. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
Neuroscience of Real-Life Stressors Generally, the module article is enjoyable because it uncovers what I find enjoyable about the process, content, and outcomes of stress.
Neuroscience of Decision-Making The mentioned problem is the subject of the TED talk The Neuroscience of Decision-Making by Kimberly Papillon. In the case of people with a bias toward racial belonging, these parts are activated in different ways […]
Cognitive Neuroscience: Methods and Studies In conclusion, it is vital to highlight the essential role of cognitive neuroscience methods and discoveries in changing the understanding of human brain function.
Neuroscience on Mental Health Issues Over the years, a significant source of concerns regarding neurogenesis touches on scientists’ inability to quantify the number of neurons generated by the adult’s brain in a day. However, investigations on neurogenesis in the hippocampus […]
Neuroscience: Heritability of Autistic Traits It never demonstrates the magnitude to which genes are passed on from a parent to a child; instead, it illustrates the reason for differences between people. Therefore, identical twins are more likely to experience autism […]
Neuroscience: Clinical Laboratory Science From the experiment on the rats, it seemed that the new neurons could be produced in a cognitive challenge, then fade away.
Neuroscience: Schizophrenia and Neurotransmitters From the definition of neurotransmitters, it is clear that schizophrenia is caused by the irregular functioning of neurotransmitters. Physical abnormalities in the brain have been suspected to be causes of schizophrenia.
Neuroscience and Criminal Justice The viewpoint of several neuroscientists is that expressive biology of behavior will be accessible in the future and is probably to integrate both neuroscientific and genetic understanding.
Strategic Planning: Southern NeuroScience Center The planning team also prioritized the objectives of the institution. The team also identified the right individuals to execute the plan.
Neuroscience: Trauma and Cerebrovascular It discusses the effects of these two to the cognitive abilities of the patient, and how the patient operates in the social, emotional and physical capacity, after suffering such misfortune.
Reward in Neuroscience The most important center of the reward system is the mesolimbocortical dopamine system. The mesolimbic system projects from dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens.
Electroencephalography in Behavioral Neuroscience The test is carried out with the attachment of special sensors on the head and connected to a computer. Moreover, the experiments were carried out in cycles and results obtained were compared and mean recorded.
Social Psychology and Social Neuroscience Connection In their approach, the two have acknowledged the partaking of the characteristic differences “in cardiac sympathetic reactivity to peoples’ susceptibility to illness”, noting the crucial function of experience to interpersonal life, as part of the […]
Neuroscience Role in Enhancing Mathematics Learning The right side of the brain controls the left part of the body while the left part of the brain controls the right part of the body.
Evolution and the Cognitive Neuroscience of Awareness and Consciousness To better understand this neurological task there is a need to focus on the connection between brain and awareness. Further, it is reasonable to connect the relationship between awareness and memory with the concept of […]
Neuroscience. Huntington’s Disease Epidemiology George Sumner Huntington was the first person to give a clear, concise, and accessible report on what was to become the standard description of the disease, and therefore the disease is named after him.
Parkinson’s Disease: Neuroscience of Aging Although the exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known, the pathogenesis involves various inflammatory processes. Not much is known about the contribution of astrocytes to the inflammatory process.
Neuroscience for Kids Website Review In the proposed approach, the teacher plays the role of a moderator, which encourages the students to solve realistic problems, discover various principles, and construct their knowledge.
Quantitative Research Design: Neuroscience Studies Thus, the choice to apply this methodology for a topic has to be founded on the necessity to show specific numbers and their correlation. The concentration of plasma oxytocin and cerebrospinal fluid in the first […]
Neuroscience Psychology of Goals & Behavior Change Fifth, the author focuses on motivation and describes it as the desired intensity to attain a certain outcome. The will is also based on a person’s identity and self, which are manifested in his or […]
Learning Techniques and Theories of Neuroscience Such frameworks have led to the development of various learning techniques to deliver the intended content and instructions to the targeted individuals.
Differential Diagnoses in Nephrology and Neurology Impaired urination with frequent urges during movement, interruption of the urine stream or acute retention of the outflow, urinary incontinence due to a stone stuck in the narrow neck of the bladder.
Cognitive Neuroscience: Unlearning Something Learnt According to Brown and White, in order to understand the ability of one to unlearn what has been learned, it is important to first understand the learning process as explained in Cognitive paradigms.
“Neuroscience of Cognitive Development” Review by Muller The second section of the article talks about the role of cognitive processes in the development of the child. From the article, it is true that human beings suffer from a number of disorders, including […]
Social Cognitive Neuroscience in Corporate HRM It is expected that the application of SCN will be compatible with the leadership strategies that are aimed at enhancing employees’ motivation and leading to a steep rise in the levels of corporate loyalty.
Brain and Speech Production in Neuroscience The current literature review is dedicated to the mechanisms for speech production and their implications in the field of neuroscience. The authors note that the speech sound map performs three crucial functions: promoting the discrete […]
Gestalt Theory: Cognitive Neurology For instance, it argues that perception is possible not through a simple response to the stimulus but involves the analysis of the received data in order to reach a conclusion.
Neuroscience and Cognitive Approaches in Therapy Great tempos lead to an increase in the level of stress which, in turn, leads to the appearance of a great number of problems connected with the mental health of a person.
Learning Methods Based on Neuroscience Being that both processes are affected by the changes in the environment and conditions of learning, teachers are informed of the need to create a conducive learning atmosphere to ensure high student learning and cognitive […]
Neuroscience and Child Development – Psychology In this regard, the adoption of neuroscience findings in the development of new childhood theories and policies could lead to enhanced interventions for improved life outcomes.
Exercise’s Role on Health – Neurology In this regard, it is important to note that, the body has three main sets of neurons, namely: the sensory, interneuron, and motor neurons.
Consciousness-Cognitive Science vs. Neuroscience Damasio argues that neuroscience is a mother of consciousness and uses an example of neurologists and how they limit themselves to the basic definition of consciousness as a matter between the start and the end […]
Neurology Studies: Sensory Perceptions According to Bernstein, the accuracy or inaccuracy of the sensory information is dependent on the functionality of the human senses. The accuracy of sensory information is trusted by people; for example, smelling smoke denotes the […]
Cultural Differences in the Self: From Philosophy to Psychology to Neuroscience According to their hypothesis, the basic difference between the Western and the Chinese understanding and perception of self is that the latter consider self in the context of society, while the Western philosophers believe that […]
How Educational Neuroscience Supports Classroom Differentiation The student tends to concentrate on the tragic events as opposed to the contents of a lesson. The importance of understanding differentiation is that the teacher is in a position to relate negative emotions to […]
Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience There is an eminent application of scientific metaphors in describing the functioning of the human brain. There are outstanding metaphors and analogies, which are being used to explain the functioning of the human brain.
Cognitive Neuroscience and Its Impact on Education
Neuroscience: Adaptive Stimulus Optimization for Sensory Systems
Altruistic Punishment and Impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease: A Social Neuroscience Perspective
Cognitive Neuroscience Influence on Teaching Reading at the Elementary Grade Level
Are Temporal Concepts Embodied? A Challenge for Cognitive Neuroscience
Arkheia: Data Management and Communication for Open Computational Neuroscience
Alternative Views in Neuroscience Research on Response Inhibition and Inhibitory Control
The Relationships Between Behavior Analysis and Behavioral Neuroscience
How Computational Neuroscience Helps to Understand the Mechanisms of Mental Disorders
Leveraging Open Source Software to Optimise Model Parameters in Neuroscience
The History of Lobotomy and Its Application to Neuroscience
The Cognitive Neuroscience of Foreign Language Processing in Multinational Corporations
Clarifying the Interaction Types in Two-Person Neuroscience Research
Classical Statistics and Statistical Learning in Imaging Neuroscience
The Link Between Closed-Loop Neuroscience and Non-invasive Brain Stimulation
Cognitive Neuroscience and Causal Inference: Implications for Psychiatry
The Link Between Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, and Social Change
The Embodied Brain: Towards a Radical Embodied Cognitive Neuroscience
Computer-Aided Experiment Planning Toward Causal Discovery in Neuroscience
Constructing Memory, Imagination, and Empathy: A Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective
Consumer Neuroscience and Neuromarketing: What New on Marketing Research
Criminal Responsibility and Neuroscience: No Revolution Yet
Communication Challenges Between Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence
Cultural Attachment: From Behavior to Computational Neuroscience
The Relationship Between Culture, Neuroscience, and Law
Training in Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths
Reproducibility and Rigour in Computational Neuroscience
The Cognitive Neuroscience of Visual Working Memory
What Can Neuroscience Learn From Contemplative Practices?
How to Link Affective and Social Neuroscience With Social Theory
Empathy Neuroscience: Translational Relevance for Conflict Resolution
Issues in the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience of Social Inequality
Genome Engineering With TALE and CRISPR Systems in Neuroscience
Indestructible Plastic: The Neuroscience of the New Aging Brain
Interaction Between Stress and Addiction: Contributions From Latin-American Neuroscience
Manic Depression: The Neuroscience Behind Bipolar Disorders
Mental Imagery and Brain Regulation: New Links Between Psychotherapy and Neuroscience
Mind the Fish: Zebrafish as a Model in Cognitive Social Neuroscience
Neuroscience and Risk Tolerance in Financial Decision-Making Processes
Psychoanalysis and Neuroscience: The Bridge Between Mind and Brain
What Does a Neuroscience Do?
Is Neuroscience a Biology or a Psychology?
How Difficult Is Neuroscience?
What Does Neuroscience Tell Us About Emotions?
Which Is Better Psychology or Neuroscience?
What Are the Principles of Neuroscience?
How Many Types of Neuroscience Are There?
What Is the Main Goal of Neuroscience?
Why Is Neuroscience So Important?
What Is the Most Helpful Technique Used in Neuroscience?
Is Neuroscience Harder Than Psychology?
Is Neuroscience and Brain Science the Same?
Does Neuroscience Have a Future?
What Are the Main Goals of Neuroscience?
How Does Neuroscience Affect Behavior?
What Are the Biggest Questions in Neuroscience?
What Is Neuroscience Based On?
Where Is Neuroscience Used?
Why Is Neuroscience Important in Psychology?
How Does Neuroscience Help Mental Health?
How Does Neuroscience Define Happiness?
What Technology Is Used in Neuroscience?
How Important Is Neuroscience in Our Time?
How Does Neuroscience Help People?
What Are the Disadvantages of Neuroscience?
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Major Essay

students at microscopes in the neuroscience lab

When declaring a major in Neuroscience, students must submit an essay in which they articulate their educational goals. The essay should be four paragraphs, with one paragraph dedicated to each of the questions below (question 3 has two parts).

1. In your opinion, what are the defining characteristics of the discipline of Neuroscience? 2. How do the requirements for the Neuroscience major complement your program of liberal arts study and support your career or life goals? 3. As a Neuroscience major, how will you (a) build on your strengths and (b) address your weaknesses?

Introductory essay

Written by the educators who created Mapping and Manipulating the Brain, a brief look at the key facts, tough questions and big ideas in their field. Begin this TED Study with a fascinating read that gives context and clarity to the material.

Here is this mass of jelly, three-pound mass of jelly you can hold in the palm of your hand, and it can contemplate the vastness of interstellar space. It can contemplate the meaning of infinity and it can contemplate itself contemplating on the meaning of infinity. VS Ramachandran

The brain may well be our body's most mysterious organ. Unbelievably complex, utterly fascinating, and notoriously difficult to study, we're left wondering: What exactly does the brain do and how does it do it?

Despite two centuries of intensive research, supported in recent decades by impressive technological advances, answers to many of our questions about the brain are still distant. The reason is easy to appreciate: the brain contains more than ten billion cells — a number equivalent to the total human population on Earth — interacting with each other through about 1,000 times as many connections. Imagine that what's going on in your brain is like a shrunk-down version of the global human population interacting through the Internet. The Internet is hard enough to understand even though we created it; now imagine trying to understand a process of similar complexity without the benefit of knowing how it was generated!

As you listen to these TEDTalks and expand your study of neuroscience through other sources, remember that although we might now know a great deal more about the brain than we did at the start of the 19th century, it's a tiny fraction of what there is to know. Bear in mind that many current ideas may prove wrong. Indeed, it's the excitement of generating and testing, and trying to prove or disprove ideas that might explain the great unknown inside our heads that motivates many research neuroscientists around the world.

A brief history of brain science

The Egyptians wrote the first known descriptions of the brain and its anatomy about 3700 years ago, but another 1200 years elapsed before Greek philosophers of the Hippocratic School identified the brain as the organ responsible for our cognitive functions. Around 400 B.C., Hippocrates declared, "Men ought to know that from the brain, and from the brain only, arise our pleasures, joy, laughter and jests, as well as our sorrows, pains, griefs, and tears." However, not everyone agreed: although Plato and Hippocrates thought that the brain was responsible for sensation, intelligence and mental processes, Aristotle believed it was the heart.

Over the next 2500 years, the work of great European intellectuals including Galen of Bergama, Leonardo da Vinci and Rene Descartes improved our understanding of the brain. By the start of the 19th century, the brain's importance as the organ of perception and higher mental function was beyond doubt.

In the early 1800s, scientists made an important conceptual breakthrough when they hypothesized that different brain functions are carried out in specific and distinct brain regions. Brain regionalization, a concept central to several of the TEDTalks we'll watch, remains an important though controversial component of modern neuroscience.

Some of the initial models of brain regionalization were severely misguided, mainly because they were built on little or no evidence. For example, the Viennese physician Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828) became convinced for the flimsiest of reasons that each of mankind's mental faculties, including our moral and intellectual capabilities, are each controlled by a separate "organ" within the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The pseudo-science of phrenology that grew out of Gall's claims gained an enormous popular following in the 19th century; advocates believed that skilled practitioners could feel the lumps and bumps on an individual's skull to gain information about the underlying "organs" and thus fully describe the individual's personality and mental abilities.

Although phrenology is now discredited, the fundamental idea that different functions are localized to different areas of the brain turned out to have merit — even if Gall got the details wrong. The story of phrenology also provides a salutary lesson on the dangers of accepting popular beliefs about aspects of brain function and dysfunction that are difficult to critically evaluate through scientific experimentation. Even today, it's common to find that people think they know more than it's currently possible to know about how and why brains work or go wrong; for example, the causes and cures for various types of mental illness, which may contribute to the social stigma that surrounds these conditions.

Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, scientists including Pierre Paul Broca, Carl Wernicke, Korbinian Brodmann and Wilder Penfield found credible scientific evidence supporting the subdivision of the brain into discrete areas with different specific functions. Their work was based on studies of patients with localized lesions of the brain, of the anatomical differences between different parts of the brain and of the effects of stimulating discrete brain regions on bodily actions. Together, scientists such as these laid the foundations of modern neuroscience. As you watch the TEDTalks in Mapping and Manipulating the Brain , notice how the speakers reference some of the same approaches used by Broca, Wernicke, Brodmann and Penfield, and how they apply the concepts of brain regionalization and localization of function . Bear in mind, however, that although these concepts are useful, they're also controversial -- more on this below.

How brains are built

Spanish scientist Santiago Ramón Y Cajal (1852-1934) is often thought of as the father of modern neuroscience. Through his extensive and beautiful studies of the microscopic structure of the brain, he discovered that the neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system. Since Ramón Y Cajal's breakthrough, scientists have sought to understand how the billions of neurons in the brain are organized to support so many complex functions.

This daunting task would likely be easier if we could follow the process by which the brain is generated, but following brain development is very difficult to do in humans. Thus, we often have to infer how the human brain develops by studying the developing brains of other species, so-called "model organisms" selected for their particular advantages in certain experimental procedures. Aside from helping us to work out how the adult brain functions, research on brain development is a major area in neuroscience for other reasons as well. For example, many conditions like schizophrenia and autism can be traced back to abnormalities in earlier brain development.

The great molecular, structural and functional diversity of brain cells, along with their specializations and precise interactions, are acquired in an organized way through processes that build on differences between the relatively small numbers of cells in the early embryo. As more and more cells are generated in a growing organism, new cells diversify in specific ways as a result of interactions with pre-existing cells, continually adding to the organism's complexity in a highly regulated manner. To understand how brains develop we need to know how their cells develop in specific and reproducible ways as a result of their own internal mechanisms interacting with an expanding array of stimuli from outside the cell.

Since, as discussed above, regionalization is a prominent organizing feature in mature brains, when and how is it established during brain development? Some of the most exciting research on brain development in recent years has focused on this question.

For neurons to develop regional identities, they must possess or acquire information on where they are located within the brain so that they can take on the appropriate specializations. How neurons gain positional information has been one of the most prominent themes in developmental neuroscience in the last 50 years or so, as indeed it has in the broader field of developmental biology (positional identity is required not only by brain cells).

The model that has dominated current thinking was famously elaborated in the 1960s by Lewis Wolpert in his French flag analogy. Here, a signal produced by a group of organizer cells diffuses from its source through a surrounding field of cells. In so doing, it forms a concentration gradient with more of the signal present in areas closer to the source. Cells respond to the concentration of this signal. In Wolpert's French Flag analogy, they become blue, white or red (in reality, they would become cells of different types, not different colors). Close to the source, cells receive signals above the highest threshold (to become blue, or type 1). Beyond this, cells respond to a lower dose (to become white, or type 2) while farther still cells do not receive enough of the signal to respond (and become red, or type 3). Here the model is expressed in terms of three outcomes, but there might be a different number of outcomes depending on the locations and/ or stages of development. The important point is that cells can work out where they are based on the level of signal they receive and they respond accordingly by developing different attributes.

Beyond Wolpert's basic model, the issue of how brain regionalization develops is an important question and we have relatively few answers. Regional specification is a prerequisite for the development of the connections that must link each region of the brain in a stereotypical and highly precise way (but allowing room for plasticity at a fine level). How these trillions of connections are made is another of life's great mysteries.

The connectome and connectionism

Since Ramón Y Cajal's first description of the neuron, scientists have vastly expanded our understanding of the structure and function of these individual building blocks of the brain. However, as Tim Berners-Lee comments, this is just the first step in understanding how our brains really work: "There are billions of neurons in our brains, but what are neurons? Just cells. The brain has no knowledge until connections are made between neurons. All that we know, all that we are, comes from the way our neurons are connected."

You'll hear about the "connectome" in Sebastian Seung's TEDTalk. The suffix "–ome" is used with increasing frequency to indicate a complete collection of whatever units are specified in the first part of the word, such as genes (hence genome), proteins (proteome) or connections (connectome). The connectome of the human brain is bewildering in its complexity, but the development of new brain imaging methods has catalyzed the first serious attempts to map it in living brains. At present, the resolution of imaging methods that can be applied to living brains isn't sufficient to follow individual connections (called axons). In these TEDTalks you'll hear about an attempt to come at the problem from the other direction, using very high resolution imaging of non-living brain tissue to reconstruct the ultramicroscopic anatomy of connections around individual cells. The extent to which these approaches are likely to succeed remains controversial.

The theory known as connectionism addresses a somewhat different matter within the field of brain organization: the relationship between connectivity and function. Essentially, the idea is that higher mental processes such as object recognition, memory and language result from the activity of the connections between areas of the brain rather than the activity of specific discrete regions. Whereas connectionists would agree that primary sensory and motor functions (i.e. responses to sensory stimuli and the activation of movements) are strongly localized to defined areas within the brain, they argue that this applies less clearly at higher cognitive levels. The theory emphasizes the relationship between connected brain areas and the function of the brain as a whole, with all parts having the potential to contribute to cognitive function. You should appreciate, therefore, that there is as yet no accepted view of the extent to which our higher mental functions are localized to particular parts of the brain. It is worth remembering this as you listen to the TEDTalks; keep an open mind on these truly fascinating issues.

Ways of studying brain function

In these TEDTalks, you're going to hear about some of the ways in which we can work out what the human brain does and how it does it. One longstanding approach is to examine what happens when people suffer brain lesions. Phineas Gage, a Vermont railroad worker, provides one spectacular historical example from 1848. Gage was packing gunpowder into a hole when it exploded, blowing the tamping rod through the front of his brain. Astonishingly, he survived and recovered, but those closest to him claimed that he had a very different personality. From this example, scientists hypothesized that elements of human personality are localized to the frontal lobes.

In Jill Bolte Taylor's TEDTalk, you'll hear how Taylor's own stroke provides further evidence for localization of brain function. A few words of caution, however: when we study the effects of a lesion on the brain, we're really learning about what the rest of the brain does without the damaged part, which is not quite the same as what the damaged structure itself does. Maybe this seems rather subtle, but in some cases it becomes important, for example if a lesion causes other parts of the brain to alter what they do.

You'll also hear about powerful techniques for observing the activity of living brains, for example using functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI; see the TEDTalk by Oliver Sacks). And you'll hear about methods for looking at the fine structure of neurons in post-mortem material, as in Sebastian Seung's TEDTalk. All have advantages and limitations, but together they give ever- increasing insight into the workings of the human mind.

Let's begin the TEDTalks with neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor, who provides a basic overview of the brain and describes what she learned firsthand about its structure and function when at age 37 she suffered a massive hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain.

Jill Bolte Taylor

My stroke of insight, relevant talks.

VS Ramachandran

3 clues to understanding your brain.

Oliver Sacks

What hallucination reveals about our minds.

Sebastian Seung

I am my connectome.

Christopher deCharms

A look inside the brain in real time.

A light switch for neurons

Rebecca Saxe

How we read each other's minds.

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Why neuroscience anonymous, why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated earlier in this application if you are ‘undecided’ or not sure which brown concentrations match your interests, consider describing more generally the academic topics or modes of thought that engage you currently. (150 words).

Worlds apart though they may seem, English and science have always been my realms of study. English, because I like people -- listening to them, deconstructing them, empathizing with them. And science because I like puzzles -- that moment when the pieces click together and everything makes sudden, perfect, logical sense. Neuroscience is the intersection between these fields.

There is nothing more personal than the human brain. Your anguish, your joy, your deepest, darkest secrets all lie within its web of axons and dendrites and neurotransmitters. But to study it is a science, full of riddles and math problems and logical reasoning. In neuroscience, I can ask “How do potassium-ion channels discriminate between molecules?” And I can also ask “How do traumatic experiences affect a person?” What's more is that these questions are not unrelated in the slightest. Instead, they drive each other, interact with each other, and come together to create what we call the mind.

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This is when you will definitely find WowEssays' free samples catalog extremely useful as it embodies numerous expertly written works on most various Neuroscience College Essays topics. Ideally, you should be able to find a piece that meets your criteria and use it as a template to develop your own College Essay. Alternatively, our skilled essay writers can deliver you an original Neuroscience College Essay model crafted from scratch according to your personal instructions.

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“Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain” is a book on the topic of neuropsychology written by David Eagleman. He is working as an assistant professor of neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston (Bilger, 2011).The book was published in 2011 by Vintage publishers.

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Question #1: Is there a language function in counting?

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Q1. What is the effect of VLSM therapy on state anxiety levels, as measured by the STAI?

Q2. What is the effect of VLSM therapy on perceived stress levels, as measured by the PSS? Research Method

This will be a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial designed to examine the effects of VLSM meditation therapy (Solfanelli, 2010) on state anxiety levels and perceived stress levels. As previously noted, state anxiety will be operationally defined as scores on Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), whereas stress will be operationally defined as scores on the Perceived Stress scale (PSS).

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Essay Samples on Neuroscience

The reasons why i want to study neuroscience.

I became initially interested in neuroscience when I was looking at my grandfather’s MRI scan, who used to be an alcoholic. I felt so distressed trying to figure out why people become addicted to a certain substance, that I decided to learn more about the...

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Neuroscience

Impact Of Social Interactions On The Behavioral Neuroscience

Socialization has been an intricate part of human society for as long as the human race has been alive. How we interact with each other- how we choose what to say, what to do- in certain situations in a social place. Humans recognize that we...

The Definition Of Foundational Neuroscience

The rising need for effectual and precise prescriptions in the psychiatric departments of care facilities necessitates respective medical practitioners to have essential knowledge of the functions of the neurological system. Cases of adverse health conditions owing to the use of various medications are common amongst...

Reasons Why I Like Studying Neuroscience

During the last two years of my academic study, I found that studying neuroscience is extremely interesting because of the brain’s ability to learn, how memories are created and connected as well as how neuronal circuits come together to give rise to extremely complex cognitive...

Best topics on Neuroscience

1. The Reasons Why I Want To Study Neuroscience

2. Impact Of Social Interactions On The Behavioral Neuroscience

3. The Definition Of Foundational Neuroscience

4. Reasons Why I Like Studying Neuroscience

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Brain 2023 essay competition.

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Masud Husain, Brain 2023 essay competition, Brain , Volume 146, Issue 7, July 2023, Page 2657, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad160

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The response to our inaugural essay competition last year was remarkable. The impressive quality of submissions and diversity of subjects considered by the authors—who included researchers, clinicians, patients, carers, as well as people who have no immediate link to neurology—was extraordinary. The thoughtful and sometimes moving nature of those essays have encouraged us to launch a new competition this year.

We seek writing that stimulates, provokes and makes our readers reflect. We emphasize that essays for Brain are NOT scientific articles. Nor are they academic pieces, but rather writing that provides a broader perspective on life for the general reader. Essays do NOT have to focus on neurological topics or the brain but they should make our readers reflect. They can be opinionated, entertaining or amusing, but most importantly, they should be enlightening, illuminating some aspect of the human condition, and written well.

The best submissions will be published in our Essay section, highlighted on Brain’s website and social media, and made freely available to all readers. Last year’s winning essay was published in the January 2023 issue of Brain, while the two runners-up had their submissions published in February and March of the journal.

What are we looking for in an essay? Aldous Huxley famously began the Preface to his Collected Essays (1960) with: ‘What is true of the novel is only a little less true for the essay. For, like the novel, the essay is a literary device for saying almost everything about almost anything’. According to Huxley, essays often focus either on the personal or autobiographical; or the objective or factual; or the abstract and universal. ‘Most essayists are at home and at their best in the neighbourhood of only one.’ However, he concluded: ‘The most richly satisfying essays are those which make the best not of one, not of two, but of all the three worlds in which it is possible for the essay to exist. Freely, effortlessly, thought and feeling move … from the personal to the universal, from the abstract back to the concrete, from the objective datum to the inner experience’.

We want an essay to be a coherent, carefully crafted piece of writing that aspires to achieve all these elements, providing an absorbing experience that stays with our readers long after they have enjoyed the text.

If you’re interested to submit an essay, or know someone who does, please read the following carefully :

This competition is open to anyone who would like to write an essay.

Essays have a limit of 2000 words. Please provide a word count at the end of the text.

Essays do not have an abstract but must have an introductory paragraph (∼100 words) to set the scene or summarize the contents for the reader.

Ideally, they don’t have subheadings but could have breaks within the text to divide up sections.

To reiterate, Essays are NOT scientific articles or academic texts. They do not have to cover neurological topics. They are supposed to stimulate, provoke and make our readers reflect.

If necessary, you can add up to 10 references, but Essays don’t have to have any references.

Please consider adding up to two images, ideally without copyright, to accompany your text.

Submit your text to the Brain pre-submission email address: [email protected]

Please DO NOT put your name, affiliation or any other information that can identify you anywhere on the text. Submissions will be judged by a panel that is blind to who you are or where you come from.

Only one submission per author is allowed.

All the information you need is provided here—if you read the text carefully. Please don’t send in further questions about the competition.

Deadline for submission: 15 October 2023.

We’re very much looking forward to reading your essays.

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Neuroscience - List of Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system, aiming to understand the development, structure, function, and disorders of the nervous system. Essays could delve into groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience, its interdisciplinary nature, or its impact on medical, technological, and educational fields. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Neuroscience you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Neuroscience of Addictions

Addiction, tolerance and withdrawal Addiction as the inability to continuously abstain from a specific behavior such as abusing drugs and this leads to reduced control over that behavior, dysfunctional emotional response and lack of recognition of consequent problems associated with the behavior and ones interpersonal relationships. Just like other chronic diseases addiction leads to a cycle of remission and relapse and if it never gets treated or the victim does not engage in recovery programs, the condition can worsen leading […]

Neuroscience of Addictions – Brain Chemistry in Action

Prescription stimulants belong to Schedule II drugs as per the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classification. They are highly abused because they are easily accessible. This leads to the emergence of substance abuse disorder. Drug abuse denotes using prescription stimulants or any other drug for reasons other than the intended one. Non-medical use of prescription stimulants increases annually and now ranks second after marijuana among other illicit drugs. Sedative-hypnotics are drugs used to sustain sleep (Schmiedl et al., 2014). Additionally, they […]

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Children Development

Anyone can experience trauma at any time. The trauma can be caused by nature, human beings or by oneself. People endure much when they experience trauma and their ability to handle it can determine the level of the effect of the trauma and their long-term well-being. Reportedly, children are incredibly susceptible to trauma because their brain and coping skills are still developing. Thus, they often grapple with long terms effects of uncontrolled trauma. While childhood trauma may vary regarding pervasiveness […]

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Addictions Neuroscience : Heroin and other Opioids

Opioid addiction, dependence, and tolerance are signs of drug abuse manifesting in brain changes. Patients suffering from addictions can be helped to understand that illnesses related to the addiction has a biological basis and the use of these drugs is purposely meant to manage acute pain and chronic disorders. Therefore, an addicted individual requires continuing using the drugs to avoid brain abnormalities and withdrawal syndromes. Notably, the defects that lead to addiction are consequently, long-lasting, complex and wide-range. Thus, it […]

Neuroscience and Brian Chemistry of Addictions

Introduction Stimulants are either natural, refined or synthetic. They can be legal or illegal. Stimulants are drugs which can increase mental alertness, inflate physical energy, influences brain chemicals (cause excitement) and brings about euphoria. They stimulate the central nervous system. Some of the medicinal stimulants include amphetamines and methylphenidate, and they are mostly prescribed to both kids and adults diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sedative/hypnotic drugs are commonly called depressants. They slow down brain activity. Some of the sedative/hypnotic […]

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Development and Adulthood

It is no secret that experiencing childhood trauma can have many negative effects on an individual’s life both in childhood and adulthood. Trauma can include events such as physical or sexual abuse, surviving a serious car accident, witnessing a violent event, and more. As trauma is defined in the dictionary as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, it is no surprise that a disturbing event during childhood can have negative effects throughout an individual’s lifetime. However, this paper will dive […]

Neuroscience and the Pinnacle of Human Speed: an Exploration

Human speed, a fascinating subject that blends biology, physics, and a touch of the extraordinary, is more than just a measure of how fast one can move from point A to point B. It's a complex interplay of muscle anatomy, neural responses, and even psychological factors. This essay delves into the multifaceted nature of human speed, exploring what sets the limits and how some individuals push beyond the ordinary. At the heart of understanding human speed is the recognition of […]

Types of Adversity

According to the Oxford dictionary, adversity is a hostile or an unlucky event or circumstance. It is manifested by a tragedy or suffering. There are various forms of adversity and there are several ways to overcome it. The first form of adversity is physical adversity Several problems are associated with this form. Long-lasting pain, exhaustion and obesity they prompt individuals to fight to attain a sense of normality in their lives. In this kind of situation, the individuals feel they […]

Applied Behavior Analysis and its Effects on Autism

Abstract During my research i have found several studies that have been done to support the fact that Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) does in fact make a positive impact on children with Autism through discrete trials. It is based on the thought that when a child is rewarded for a positive behavior or correct social interaction the process will want to be repeated. Eventually one would phase out the reward. Dr Lovaas, who invented this method, has spent his career […]

Drug Abuse – Destructive Pattern

Drug abuse is the destructive pattern of using substances that leads to uncounted problems and diseases in the human body. It is a physical and psychological term which takes dependence on human activities. Drugs create bad effects on human life like anxiety, impaired social relations, depression, hopelessness, rejection etc. Impaired social relations and suicide are considered the worst consequences of addiction. The drugs have negative consequences on one's life. If the addicts were able to see the reality of their […]

The Brain of a Psycopath

Psychopathy refers to a complex condition that encompasses affective and interpersonal traits like lack of behavior control, guilt, remorse, lack of empathy promiscuity and glibness (Kiehl). A lot is known about psychopathy assessment however, little is known about the associated brain disturbances. It's a severe mental disorder and believed to affect about 1% of global population (Kiehl). This paper discusses three areas of psychopaths brain including amygdala, the prefrontal cortex and extended paralimbic structures. Psychopaths have minimal activity both in […]

Childhood Amnesia

It is evident in humans around the world to lack the ability to recall childhood events such as the places they were and what emotions they felt. The first and most famous explanation comes by Sigmund Freud in 1953, who first offered an explanation to this phenomenon and introduced the term of Childhood Amnesia. In 1910, Freud referred to this phenomenon as the inability to recall episodic memories from the first two years of life and he credited repression of […]

Cultural Stereotypes and Autism Disorder

“It’s the fastest growing developmental disability, autism” (Murray, 2008, p.2). “It is a complex neurological disorder that impedes or prevents effective verbal communication, effective social interaction, and appropriate behavior” (Ennis-Cole, Durodoye, & Harris, 2013). “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong disorder that may have comorbid conditions like attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorder, stereotypical and self-stimulatory behaviors, insomnia, intellectual disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, seizure disorder/epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, Tic disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and other conditions. Another certainty, […]

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a cognitive disability that affects a person’s “communication, social, verbal, and motor skills” . The umbrella term of ASD created in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association that covered 5 separate autism diagnosis and combined them into one umbrella term, the previous terms being Autistic Disorder, Rett syndrome, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The word spectrum in the diagnosis refers to the fact that the disability does not manifest itself in […]

911 Telecommunicators Response to Autism

Autism is becoming more prevalent every day. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released new statistics in 2018. Nationally, 1 in 59 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and boys are 4 (four) times more likely to have autism than girls. 1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls were found to have autism. These are incredibly high statistics that will affect our communities across the United States We, as Telecommunicators, need to know how to understand and […]

The Psychology of Reading Behavioral and Cognitive

There is not a generic way to explain how people acquire knowledge. The learning process does not occur with cognition alone. Psychological theories classify learning into the behavioral and cognitive categories. Behavioral Theory The child's environment makes learning possible. Skinner (1957) noted that a reinforcer, such as a child being able to successfully pronounce or making meaning of a word, encourages the repetition of a stimulus, which is the word that is written. Teachers can be on the same page […]

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders that challenges a child’s skills in social interaction, communication, and behavior. ASD’s collective signs and symptoms may include: making little eye contact, repetitive behaviors, parallel play, unexplainable temper tantrums, misunderstanding of nonverbal cues, focused interests, and/or sensory overload. Positive symptoms of ASD may reflect above-average intelligence, excellence in math, science, or art, and the ability to learn things in detail. A question that many parent has is whAlthough an individual […]

Integrated Studies Social Work& Psychology

Introduction For many people who would wish to take their careers into social services, one of the tasking choices to make is between pursuing psychology or social work. While there are some similarities in the two disciplines, they also differ in some ways such as the level of education requited for one to practice and the potential to earn that education level. The two disciplines are concerned with helping people deal with their daily life's problems, but it is equally […]

The Complexity of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex disease that affects the developmental and speech capabilities of adolescents that carries with them to adulthood. It is distinctly apparent when the child is still very young and able to be diagnosed from about a year and a half old onwards. Although the disease cannot be pinpointed to one specific area of the brain, it is believed to stem from a glitchy gene that makes the child more susceptible to developing autism, oxygen deprivation […]

The Unique Parenting Challenges are Faced by the Parents of Special Children

Introduction For typical children, parenting experiences are shared by other parents whereas the unique parenting challenges are faced by the parents of special children. Mobility and Inclusion of the parents as well as children are affected many a times. Even though careful analysis often reveals abilities, habitual tendency to perceive the disabilities from society’s part often hinders effective normalization and proper rehabilitation. All impose severe identity crisis and role restrictions even in knowledgeable parents.. In some conditions, as in the […]

The Evolution of Autism Diagnosis: from Misunderstanding to Scientific Approach

Autism has come a long way from the early 1980s when it was rarely diagnosed to today where 100 out 10,000 kids are diagnosed. Autism is defined as a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior (NIMH 2018). There are many aspects surrounding Autism and the underlying effects that play a role in Autism. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, people with Autism have “Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people Restricted interests and repetitive […]

Autism: Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Understanding

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder has nearly doubled in recent years, and the numbers are staggering: nearly 1 in every 59 children are diagnosed with autism in the United States alone. Yet, there are so many questions surrounding the complexity and increase in diagnoses of this condition that affects so many in such diverse ways. (Autism Speaks) How autism originates in the first place and its impact on communication, both verbal and nonverbal, are questions that need to be […]

Raising a Child with Autism

All impose severe identity crisis and role restrictions even in knowledgeable parents.. In some conditions, as in the case of physical challenges, the child needs physical reassurance and support from the parents against those conditions of cognitive deficits in which the demands are always parent’s constant attention and feedback. As far as autism is concerned, the child’s deficits are many namely social, emotional, communicational, sensual, as well as behavioral. Symptoms are usually identified between one and two years of age. […]

Autism Spectrum Disorder and its Positive Effects

What would it feel like if you were constantly ignored or treated as though you have little usefulness? Many people experience this kind of treatment their entire lives. Long has it been assumed that people with mental disabilities such as Autism, were meant to be cared for but to never expect any value from them. Evil men such as Hitler even went so far as to kill them because he thought they had no use to society. However, there is […]

Trouble with Social Aspects and People on the Autism Spectrum

Autism in childhood starts as early as age two, and symptoms will become more severe as children continue into elementary school. When a child goes to a psychiatrist, they will work on social development. Adolescence with autism struggle when attempting to project others pain. For example, my brother has Asperger's and when I have a bone graph done on my hand, he could not stop touching my hand. He needed constant reminders to not touch and remind him of when […]

Effects of Autism

When he was eight years old, the parents of Joshua Dushack learned that their son was different. He had been diagnosed with Autism. According to the doctors, Joshua would never be able to read, write, talk, or go to school on his own. This might have been the case, had his parents accepted it. But his mother saw her son as a normal boy, and treated him as such. He did need some extra help in school, but because of […]

Early Childhood Depression

The Sources The first article is from the ADAA website, which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. This association was founded in 1979. It focuses on helping people with these disorders of all ages. They also educate others on how these disorders can affect them or their loved ones. “ADAA strives to improve patient care by promoting implementation of evidence-based treatments and best practices across disciplines through continuing education and trainings and accelerating dissemination of research into practice” […]

Brain and Behavior Interconnections

The sensory system controls the detecting, feeling, and considering. Likewise it controls development and pretty much every other body work. Hence, the sensory system has the capacity of controlling all human body capacities. The essential elements of the sensory system are that it gets and transfers data, screens and reacts to interior/outer changes and controls and facilitates all body capacities. With a solid sensory system, tangible jolts turn out to be more evident. This incorporates ranges like the change in […]

What is Learning

Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent influence on a person's knowledge, thinking and behaviour. However, not everything that we know is learnt, some knowledge is inborn or inherits, e.g. the culture of blinking when something comes close to your eyes. Behaviorism is a concept that behaviour should be seen, heard or observed. It can be verbal or non-verbal, e.g. A student playing with another student. Cognitive approaches to learning include social cognitive approach emphasized how environmental factors, behavioural […]

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Bachelor's Essay in Neuroscience

Advising FAQ
Student Opportunities

Many neuroscience students choose to complete a Bachelor’s Essay in Neuroscience (BIOL/PSYC 448), a two-semester independent research course that counts towards the research requirement of the neuroscience minor.

To enroll in a Bachelor's Essay, you first need to identify a mentor. In the Neuroscience Program, Bachelor’s Essay research must be conducted with a CofC Neuroscience Program faculty member or with a faculty member at MUSC, and the research must be related to the field of neuroscience. You should reach out to potential mentors early in the minor--do not wait until the fall of your senior year!

Once you have connected with a mentor, you will need to enroll. The Bachelor's Essay is an individual enrollment course, which means you cannot simply sign up for it in the manner that you register for regular classes. To enroll, you must do the following:

Develop a strong intellectual foundation in research by reading the primary research literature and acquire knowledge of advanced principles of neuroscience research through these readings.
Acquire proficiency in specialized neuroscience techniques and apply knowledge of molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience gained from the core neuroscience courses to their research and/or written thesis.
Develop competence in data collection, interpretation, and evaluation of neuroscience research, and engage in activities that foster critical thinking skills about research.
Promote the development of professional and technical written communication skills.
Obtain the approval of the Neuroscience program director by completing and submitting the Neuroscience Bachelor's Essay approval form. You can obtain this form from any CofC neuroscience faculty member.
Complete and submit the departmental Individual Enrollment form. Check with the relevant department (usually PSYC or BIOL) to obtain this form. Note that the department might have separate requirements for the Bachelor's Essay--check with a Neuroscience faculty member in the relevant department. If you are conducting your research at MUSC, you need a CofC faculty member to be the faculty member of record (since MUSC faculty cannot submit grades, etc.) Typically this is the Neuroscience program director.
Complete all of these steps by the deadline for individual enrollment (see the Registrar's Office calendar for the specific date).

Note: Grades for both semesters of the Bachelor’s Essay in Neuroscience will be given after submission of the final draft of the written component in the second semester. A grade of “IP” (in progress) is submitted after the first semester.

Contact the Neuroscience Program Director or talk with a CofC Neuroscience faculty member if you have questions about this process. If you are working with someone at MUSC, they are unlikely to be familiar with this process.

Research Topics & Ideas: Neuroscience

50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research Project

If you’re just starting out exploring neuroscience-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research by providing a hearty list of neuroscience-related research ideas , including examples from recent studies.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . These topic ideas provided here are intentionally broad and generic , so keep in mind that you will need to develop them further. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

To develop a suitable research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan to fill that gap. If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Neuroscience-Related Research Topics

Investigating the neural mechanisms underlying memory consolidation during sleep.
The role of neuroplasticity in recovery from traumatic brain injury.
Analyzing the impact of chronic stress on hippocampal function.
The neural correlates of anxiety disorders: A functional MRI study.
Investigating the effects of meditation on brain structure and function in mindfulness practitioners.
The role of the gut-brain axis in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Analyzing the neurobiological basis of addiction and its implications for treatment.
The impact of prenatal exposure to environmental toxins on neurodevelopment.
Investigating gender differences in brain aging and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The neural mechanisms of pain perception and its modulation by psychological factors.
Analyzing the effects of bilingualism on cognitive flexibility and brain aging.
The role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating mood and emotional responses.
Investigating the neurobiological underpinnings of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The impact of virtual reality technology on cognitive rehabilitation in stroke patients.
Analyzing the neural basis of social cognition deficits in autism spectrum disorders.
The role of neuroinflammation in the progression of multiple sclerosis.
Investigating the effects of dietary interventions on brain health and cognitive function.
The neural substrates of decision-making under risk and uncertainty.
Analyzing the impact of early life stress on brain development and mental health outcomes.
The role of dopamine in motivation and reward processing in the human brain.
Investigating neural circuitry changes in depression and response to antidepressants.
The impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance and neural function.
Analyzing the brain mechanisms involved in empathy and moral reasoning.
The role of the prefrontal cortex in executive function and impulse control.
Investigating the neurophysiological basis of schizophrenia.

Neuroscience Research Ideas (Continued)

The impact of chronic pain on brain structure and connectivity.
Analyzing the effects of physical exercise on neurogenesis and cognitive aging.
The neural mechanisms underlying hallucinations in psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Investigating the impact of music therapy on brain recovery post-stroke.
The role of astrocytes in neural communication and brain homeostasis.
Analyzing the effect of hormone fluctuations on mood and cognition in women.
The impact of neurofeedback training on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Investigating the neural basis of resilience to stress and trauma.
The role of the cerebellum in non-motor cognitive and affective functions.
Analyzing the contribution of genetics to individual differences in brain structure and function.
The impact of air pollution on neurodevelopment and cognitive decline.
Investigating the neural mechanisms of visual perception and visual illusions.
The role of mirror neurons in empathy and social understanding.
Analyzing the neural correlates of language development and language disorders.
The impact of social isolation on neurocognitive health in the elderly.
Investigating the brain mechanisms involved in chronic fatigue syndrome.
The role of serotonin in mood regulation and its implications for antidepressant therapies.
Analyzing the neural basis of impulsivity and its relation to risky behaviors.
The impact of mobile technology usage on attention and brain function.
Investigating the neural substrates of fear and anxiety-related disorders.
The role of the olfactory system in memory and emotional processing.
Analyzing the impact of gut microbiome alterations on central nervous system diseases.
The neural mechanisms of placebo and nocebo effects.
Investigating cortical reorganization following limb amputation and phantom limb pain.
The role of epigenetics in neural development and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Recent Neuroscience Studies

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual studies in the neuroscience space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of recent studies to help refine your thinking. These are actual studies, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

The Neurodata Without Borders ecosystem for neurophysiological data science (Rübel et al., 2022)
Genetic regulation of central synapse formation and organization in Drosophila melanogaster (Duhart & Mosca, 2022)
Embracing brain and behaviour: Designing programs of complementary neurophysiological and behavioural studies (Kirwan et al., 2022).
Neuroscience and Education (Georgieva, 2022)
Why Wait? Neuroscience Is for Everyone! (Myslinski, 2022)
Neuroscience Knowledge and Endorsement of Neuromyths among Educators: What Is the Scenario in Brazil? (Simoes et al., 2022)
Design of Clinical Trials and Ethical Concerns in Neurosciences (Mehanna, 2022) Methodological Approaches and Considerations for Generating Evidence that Informs the Science of Learning (Anderson, 2022)
Exploring the research on neuroscience as a basis to understand work-based outcomes and to formulate new insights into the effective management of human resources in the workplace: A review study (Menon & Bhagat, 2022)
Neuroimaging Applications for Diagnosis and Therapy of Pathologies in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System (Middei, 2022)
The Role of Human Communicative Competence in Post-Industrial Society (Ilishova et al., 2022)
Gold nanostructures: synthesis, properties, and neurological applications (Zare et al., 2022)
Interpretable Graph Neural Networks for Connectome-Based Brain Disorder Analysis (Cui et al., 2022)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest. In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

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2024 Best Colleges with Neuroscience and Neurobiology Degrees in America

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1-25 of 279 results

Yale University

New Haven, CT •

• Rating 4.02 out of 5 1,049 reviews

Freshman: As someone who came from a low-income community and attended an underfunded high school, Yale is a dream come true. There are a plethora of resources for students with backgrounds like me, along with resources for the general student population. I like that Yale provides peer tutors for most STEM classes and writing tutors within the residential colleges (Hogwarts Houses) and the library's writing center. Additionally, the professors I've had thus far are wonderful and extremely helpful. They seem like they genuinely want their students to thrive and are willing to take some of their own time to help them. The student community at Yale is amazing and diverse. There is an astounding amount of clubs and activities for students to join, and I'm grateful for the many options I have. The housing at Yale can be hit-or-miss, especially when comparing the new residential colleges with the older ones. However, Yale's residential college system fosters a welcoming and tight-knit community. ... Read 1,049 reviews

grade A+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 5%

Net price $20,605

SAT range 1480-1580

#1 Best Colleges in America .

Blue checkmark.

NEW HAVEN, CT ,

1049 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says As someone who came from a low-income community and attended an underfunded high school, Yale is a dream come true. There are a plethora of resources for students with backgrounds like me, along with... .

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Acceptance Rate : 5% ,

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA •

• Rating 4.16 out of 5 663 reviews

Sophomore: Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them ... Read 663 reviews

Acceptance rate 4%

Net price $30,958

SAT range 1510-1580

#3 Best Colleges in America .

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

663 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them .

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Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $30,958 ,

SAT Range : 1510-1580 ,

Harvard University

• Rating 4.15 out of 5 845 reviews

Alum: Attending Harvard College was transformative. The housing system fostered a strong sense of community, facilitating academic support and social interaction. The rigorous academics, led by renowned faculty, challenged me to think critically and pursue my interests. Harvard's commitment to diversity enriched my experience, and the vibrant location in Cambridge provided endless opportunities for exploration and growth. Harvard College offered an unparalleled experience that has left an indelible mark on my life. ... Read 845 reviews

Net price $13,910

#4 Best Colleges in America .

845 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Attending Harvard College was transformative. The housing system fostered a strong sense of community, facilitating academic support and social interaction. The rigorous academics, led by renowned... .

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Wellesley College

WELLESLEY, MA

• Rating 3.77 out of 5 634

Washington University in St. Louis

SAINT LOUIS, MO

• Rating 4.11 out of 5 1,572

Nova Southeastern University

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

• Rating 3.95 out of 5 2,514

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ •

• Rating 3.98 out of 5 467 reviews

Freshman: I am currently a first-year here at Princeton University and my experiences here have single-handedly changed my life. The school has offered me so much support in every facet of my life -- from academics, to finances, to extracurriculars. I feel that I am completely thriving here in a way that I was never able to before. Classes are suburb with professors who really care about not only about what we learn but also how we grow as individuals. Dining is amazing and we have the sweetest dining staff ever. There are so many options for clubs that you are never bored and can always find something for you. Overall, I feel like there is no better place for me than Princeton :). ... Read 467 reviews

Net price $20,908

SAT range 1460-1570

#5 Best Colleges in America .

PRINCETON, NJ ,

467 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I am currently a first-year here at Princeton University and my experiences here have single-handedly changed my life. The school has offered me so much support in every facet of my life -- from... .

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Columbia University

New York, NY •

• Rating 3.83 out of 5 1,350 reviews

Junior: The campus is beautiful and the curriculum is challenging. However, the undergraduate professors do not care very much for undergraduate students, and you have to really advocate for yourself frequently. The deans are very helpful in getting professors in motion, so I recommend getting to know your deans and academic advisors. If your schedule allows you to go to office hours, do it! ... Read 1,350 reviews

Net price $12,411

SAT range 1470-1570

#6 Best Colleges in America .

NEW YORK, NY ,

1350 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says The campus is beautiful and the curriculum is challenging. However, the undergraduate professors do not care very much for undergraduate students, and you have to really advocate for yourself... .

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Net Price : $12,411 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1570 ,

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

• Rating 3.9 out of 5 1,356 reviews

Alum: I'm so grateful to have spent four years at Penn, a school that gave me opportunities I couldn't have imagined possible before. I studied abroad in France twice. I recorded two albums with my a cappella group. I conducted research for my thesis in Los Angeles. I performed The Vagina Monologues in front of thousands of people. I published academic and creative work for journals, magazines, and one of Penn's libraries. I had unlimited access to free coffee at the most welcoming work-study job. In the same night, I pranced about on one stage as an 18th-century man and rocked out in a ball gown with a band on another stage in downtown Philadelphia. I met some of my best friends on the very first day of my freshman orientation. This was my Penn story from 2012 to 2016. The university looks a lot different for students today, especially in terms of feeling safe to practice their religion, protest peacefully, and voice concerns. I hope Penn prioritizes its students' well-being moving forward. ... Read 1,356 reviews

Acceptance rate 6%

Net price $14,578

SAT range 1480-1570

#7 Best Colleges in America .

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

1356 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I'm so grateful to have spent four years at Penn, a school that gave me opportunities I couldn't have imagined possible before. I studied abroad in France twice. I recorded two albums with my a... .

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Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH •

• Rating 3.88 out of 5 745 reviews

Freshman: Great school! Not super diverse, but it’s easy to find your people. Profs are for the most part amazing and super inspirational. Definitely less competitive than the other Ivies. I have truly had the best time here and gotten to come out of my shell. ... Read 745 reviews

Net price $24,078

SAT range 1440-1560

#8 Best Colleges in America .

HANOVER, NH ,

745 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Great school! Not super diverse, but it’s easy to find your people. Profs are for the most part amazing and super inspirational. Definitely less competitive than the other Ivies. I have truly had the... .

Read 745 reviews.

Net Price : $24,078 ,

SAT Range : 1440-1560 ,

Rice University

Houston, TX •

• Rating 4.09 out of 5 1,120 reviews

Graduate Student: Going to Rice University to attend the Shepherd School of Music at a graduate level is an experience separate from the rest of Rice. The Opera Department at Rice University has been one of the best programs in the United States producing incredible singers in the industry for a while now. Financial aid has been decreasing from full rides to having to pay a couple of thousands to attend +fees for a Master of Music. It is case by case, however. Pros: BEAUTIFUL theater that is incredible to sing in, program's very YAP reminiscent (in good and bad ways), world-class faculty, great networking opportunity, masterclasses/private audition opportunities Cons: your soul/free-time belongs to the Opera Department; if a release conflicts with the opera schedule, tough luck; there have been many issues with casting opportunities/favoritism; if you're a person of color, be prepared to be a token on all promo material; TOO many irrelevant time-consuming academics; having a car is a MUST in Houston ... Read 1,120 reviews

Acceptance rate 9%

Net price $18,521

SAT range 1490-1570

#9 Best Colleges in America .

HOUSTON, TX ,

1120 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Going to Rice University to attend the Shepherd School of Music at a graduate level is an experience separate from the rest of Rice. The Opera Department at Rice University has been one of the best... Pros: BEAUTIFUL theater that is incredible to sing in, program's very YAP reminiscent (in good and bad ways), world-class faculty, great networking opportunity, masterclasses/private audition... Cons: your soul/free-time belongs to the Opera Department; if a release conflicts with the opera schedule, tough luck; there have been many issues with casting opportunities/favoritism; if you're a... .

Read 1120 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 9% ,

Net Price : $18,521 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1570 ,

Brown University

Providence, RI •

• Rating 3.84 out of 5 1,079 reviews

Freshman: Attending Brown University was an enriching and transformative experience. I cherished the vibrant community that fostered intellectual curiosity and diversity. The open curriculum allowed me to explore a wide range of subjects, fostering interdisciplinary connections and personal growth. The faculty were not only experts in their fields but also approachable mentors who genuinely cared about students' academic and personal development. I appreciated the emphasis on critical thinking and the encouragement to question assumptions. However, I would suggest enhancing resources for mental health support and increasing accessibility to financial aid for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Overall, Brown provided a nurturing environment that empowered me to thrive academically and personally. ... Read 1,079 reviews

Net price $25,028

#10 Best Colleges in America .

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1079 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Attending Brown University was an enriching and transformative experience. I cherished the vibrant community that fostered intellectual curiosity and diversity. The open curriculum allowed me to... .

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Net Price : $25,028 ,

Georgetown University

Washington, DC •

• Rating 3.8 out of 5 1,274 reviews

Freshman: Amazing campus, beautiful area surrounding campus with lots of connections to history! GU boasts a strong reputation for academic rigor and excellence across various disciplines, including law, business, international relations, and public policy. Situated in Washington, D.C., Georgetown benefits from its proximity to numerous government agencies, international organizations, and cultural institutions, offering unparalleled opportunities for internships, research, and networking. I love the diverse and inclusive community, attracting students and faculty worldwide. Diversity enriches the cross-cultural understanding. Georgetown has a vast and influential alumni network, providing students with valuable connections and opportunities for mentorship and career advancement. Rooted in its Jesuit tradition, Georgetown emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and service to others, instilling in students a sense of responsibility and commitment to making a positive impact on society. ... Read 1,274 reviews

Acceptance rate 12%

Net price $23,049

SAT range 1410-1550

#12 Best Colleges in America .

WASHINGTON, DC ,

1274 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Amazing campus, beautiful area surrounding campus with lots of connections to history! GU boasts a strong reputation for academic rigor and excellence across various disciplines, including law,... .

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Acceptance Rate : 12% ,

Net Price : $23,049 ,

SAT Range : 1410-1550 ,

Duke University

Durham, NC •

• Rating 3.93 out of 5 1,205 reviews

Alum: Overall I highly recommend Duke University as an Undergraduate university because the sense of community is unbeatable and the professors are willing and able to help their students prosper. The athletics and school pride is shown often and proves to create community and garner relationships for a lifetime. One thing I would like to change about Duke University is the dorm situation. I think some dorms need to be remodeled. While many dorms are in the process of being remodeled and upgraded, it seems the school is not focused on making living situations better for all dorms, so I think one main place of improvement is living situations. ... Read 1,205 reviews

Net price $27,297

#13 Best Colleges in America .

DURHAM, NC ,

1205 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Overall I highly recommend Duke University as an Undergraduate university because the sense of community is unbeatable and the professors are willing and able to help their students prosper. The... One thing I would like to change about Duke University is the dorm situation. I think some dorms need to be remodeled. While many dorms are in the process of being remodeled and upgraded, it seems... .

Read 1205 reviews.

Net Price : $27,297 ,

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN •

• Rating 4.01 out of 5 1,345 reviews

Graduate Student: My time at Vanderbilt University was truly enriching. The academic atmosphere fostered a culture of excellence and intellectual curiosity that I found invigorating. The professors were not only knowledgeable but also deeply invested in the success of their students, providing invaluable mentorship and guidance. The campus itself is beautiful, with a vibrant campus life offering countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. I particularly enjoyed the plethora of extracurricular activities available, from student clubs to research initiatives. What stood out to me was Vanderbilt's commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for students from all walks of life. However, one area that could be improved is the accessibility of certain resources, especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Enhancing financial aid and support services for these students would further enhance the University. ... Read 1,345 reviews

Acceptance rate 7%

Net price $27,553

#14 Best Colleges in America .

NASHVILLE, TN ,

1345 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says My time at Vanderbilt University was truly enriching. The academic atmosphere fostered a culture of excellence and intellectual curiosity that I found invigorating. The professors were not only... What stood out to me was Vanderbilt's commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for students from all walks of life. However, one area that could be improved is the... .

Read 1345 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $27,553 ,

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Northwestern University

Evanston, IL •

• Rating 3.7 out of 5 1,488 reviews

Alum: Northwestern has an incredible network of professors who are preforming cutting-edge work in all their fields. Impressively, after an entire undergrad career there is only one professor who I would name as not a good professor, and that review is simply isolated to their teaching ability, not their subject knowledge. The learning support system is also extensive, and students are incredibly supportive as well. There is a culture of enabling yourself and those around you to reach new heights. While all the academics and research are amazing, I would say Northwestern needs to work on its accessibility to mental healthcare and ties to the greater Chicagoland community. There could be many more community outreach programs designed to benefit the diverse and interesting Chicago population, from academics to student life. ... Read 1,488 reviews

Net price $29,999

#15 Best Colleges in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1488 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Northwestern has an incredible network of professors who are preforming cutting-edge work in all their fields. Impressively, after an entire undergrad career there is only one professor who I would... .

Read 1488 reviews.

Net Price : $29,999 ,

Saint Louis, MO •

• Rating 4.11 out of 5 1,572 reviews

Sophomore: I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your interested in business careers, and the academics ARE HARD -- You will do a lot of work. CS department could be stronger; premed/ bio/chem/pre-law deps / olin are excellent. The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen, sophomores, and some juniors) live on campus. The housing is excellent, and many students have kitchens on campus. St Louis is certainly not a luxury city (i.e. NY or LA) but does have good restaurants (DRIVE NOT WALK AWAY) and a cheap cost of living (concerts are usually way cheaper). It is way better than being in the woods, but not the bestest place. The school has partially impeded on the fun with their attack on greek life. ... Read 1,572 reviews

Acceptance rate 13%

Net price $28,298

#16 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT LOUIS, MO ,

1572 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your... The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen,... .

Read 1572 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 13% ,

Net Price : $28,298 ,

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA •

• Rating 3.97 out of 5 133 reviews

Alum: I was in the Class of 1996. I had such a difficult time due to personal issues. I wish someone had been able to explain to me that it is okay to take a break. That would have been better than failing out and then taking a break. Also, peer support at the counseling center would have made a difference. ... Read 133 reviews

Net price $30,162

SAT range 1530-1580

#17 Best Colleges in America .

PASADENA, CA ,

133 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I was in the Class of 1996. I had such a difficult time due to personal issues. I wish someone had been able to explain to me that it is okay to take a break. That would have been better than... .

Read 133 reviews.

Net Price : $30,162 ,

SAT Range : 1530-1580 ,

Pomona College

Claremont, CA •

• Rating 4.23 out of 5 423 reviews

Junior: After three challenging, exciting, and transformational years at Pomona, I feel that I can confidently say that I wouldn't want to have studied anywhere else, and I'm already mourning that I'll have to leave this place after next year. Pomona maintains a truly unique culture among elite higher education. Students here are bright and academically top-notch, sure, but, more importantly, they are genuinely curious about the world, open-minded, and passionate about knowledge and justice. I have been challenged academically and personally, and grown more than I could have imagined as a result. The school has its problems, of course: for one, the administration is opaque and unresponsive to student needs. But the dedicated faculty, laidback California atmosphere, and student body more than make up for them. If you are given the opportunity to study here, seriously consider it: you will grow as a student and as a person. ... Read 423 reviews

Net price $17,000

#18 Best Colleges in America .

CLAREMONT, CA ,

423 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says After three challenging, exciting, and transformational years at Pomona, I feel that I can confidently say that I wouldn't want to have studied anywhere else, and I'm already mourning that I'll have... .

Read 423 reviews.

Net Price : $17,000 ,

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA •

• Rating 3.98 out of 5 5,577 reviews

Alum: It was amazing! I came to UCLA as a 3rd year transfer student meaning I had more perks than some of those who came in as freshmen. The housing I did off-campus apartment dorms which was amazing. They are like luxury apartments with plenty of space for roommates with open kitchens and fully furnished. The campus has a strong sense of community and it's easy to find friends and people you can connect with both in and out of your majors and initial interests. The college town Westwood is built against Beverly Hills and close to Rhodeo Drive, meaning it's not uncommon to spot a celebrity here and there. The local theaters host recarpets and UCLA students are often given entry to the premiers. the professors in my major (Art History) were some of the kindest and most interesting people I will have the pleasure to meet. My only issue is the workload, if you get overwhelmed easily, it's not the school for you. The quarter system is a monster for any major. ... Read 5,577 reviews

Acceptance rate 11%

Net price $13,393

SAT range —

#19 Best Colleges in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

5577 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says It was amazing! I came to UCLA as a 3rd year transfer student meaning I had more perks than some of those who came in as freshmen. The housing I did off-campus apartment dorms which was amazing. They... .

Read 5577 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 11% ,

Net Price : $13,393 ,

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA •

• Rating 3.71 out of 5 1,477 reviews

Freshman: Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated, disciplined students, or burnout. Many people require some kind of passion to be here, as it takes passion to get through the intense workload. On the surface, the social life at CMU seems pretty dead. However, after actively looking for clubs, organizations, and student groups, I found there are a lot of opportunities to be part of communities that are passionate and welcoming. I also love that CMU is very invested in their student's success: it is easy to get help from academic advisors, pursue research positions, and take interesting opportunities to get your education outside the classroom. Overall, I am very proud and happy that I came here :). ... Read 1,477 reviews

Acceptance rate 14%

Net price $37,450

SAT range 1480-1560

#20 Best Colleges in America .

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

1477 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated,... .

Read 1477 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $37,450 ,

SAT Range : 1480-1560 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI •

• Rating 3.95 out of 5 4,702 reviews

Freshman: The University of Michigan has so many amazing things to offer. For starters, the academics are really good and well structured (with some exceptions of course). Additionally, the academic advisors in the nursing program are very helpful. I have heard from close friends that some departments, especially LSA are not as helpful as nursing advisors. The housing on campus isn't perfect and could use updating, but is overall a nice place to live and is convenient, especially as a freshman. There also could be an improvement in the amount of campus housing. The party and social scenes are also incredibly attractive to those who enjoy school spirit and involvement. There is always something happening on campus that you will have fun doing (although sometimes they can get overcrowded), as well as tons of student orgs to get involved with. Transportation around campus is also pretty good with an easily walkable, or bikable campus, and buses that run all over central and north campus. ... Read 4,702 reviews

Acceptance rate 20%

Net price $19,205

SAT range 1340-1520

#21 Best Colleges in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4702 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says The University of Michigan has so many amazing things to offer. For starters, the academics are really good and well structured (with some exceptions of course). Additionally, the academic advisors... .

Read 4702 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 20% ,

Net Price : $19,205 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1520 ,

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

• Rating 3.82 out of 5 1,295 reviews

Sophomore: Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and found my place at the college. UChicago academics have impressed me, even with the required core classes. The professors I have met so far all appear to be enthusiastic about their specific fields, and they can be especially helpful outside of class. Given that our campus is located within a neighborhood, there are plenty of community activities and restaurants that students can hang out at, such as a Mexican-Korean restaurant called Seoul Taco. There are multiple dormitory buildings on campus, and the southern one is especially convenient as it has a dining hall, gym, and a small store all in one general place. There are also plenty of clubs, called RSOs, ranging from many types of activities like boxing or Japanese drum practice (Taiko). I would like more transportation options to explore. ... Read 1,295 reviews

Net price $33,727

#23 Best Colleges in America .

CHICAGO, IL ,

1295 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and... .

Read 1295 reviews.

Net Price : $33,727 ,

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD •

• Rating 3.68 out of 5 1,406 reviews

Alum: Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement opportunities, and events on campus to attend in my free time. It was easy to find research opportunities at the hospital and in general, the professors were very supportive. I do wish that I had seen more of JHU's involvement in local communities and would love to see the college work to give back more to local communities in the future. ... Read 1,406 reviews

Acceptance rate 8%

Net price $20,680

SAT range 1470-1560

#24 Best Colleges in America .

BALTIMORE, MD ,

1406 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement... .

Read 1406 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 8% ,

Net Price : $20,680 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1560 ,

Claremont McKenna College

• Rating 3.95 out of 5 432 reviews

Sophomore: Transferred in from a flagship state school and have no regrets. Found more welcoming communities, interesting professional/research opportunities, and more engaging classes. Facilities and the overall area (being in between LA County and San Bernardino) are somewhat underwhelming but can be made more enjoyable with a car. Food and residential life is good, and you'll find most people are friendly across the 5Cs. More specific to CMC, students love having profound conversations and engaging in multiple productive pursuits. It's definitely a grind, but a fulfilling one -- especially if you're pre-professional interested in IB/Consulting. ... Read 432 reviews

Net price $21,663

SAT range 1420-1530

#25 Best Colleges in America .

432 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Transferred in from a flagship state school and have no regrets. Found more welcoming communities, interesting professional/research opportunities, and more engaging classes. Facilities and the... .

Read 432 reviews.

Net Price : $21,663 ,

SAT Range : 1420-1530 ,

University of Southern California

• Rating 3.99 out of 5 4,035 reviews

Freshman: I like the diverse, really friendly community, thoughtful curriculum, experienced teachers, and good campus life. I feel that the community is supportive and that I have many avenues to learn, change and grow here. The people are really nice! What I would like to see changed is a better work environment for the students and staff, more mediated spaces for discussions on difficult topics, and a better-organized structure for knowing what opportunities I have to contribute to the community or make the most of my educational experience. ... Read 4,035 reviews

Net price $26,021

SAT range 1410-1540

#26 Best Colleges in America .

4035 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I like the diverse, really friendly community, thoughtful curriculum, experienced teachers, and good campus life. I feel that the community is supportive and that I have many avenues to learn, change... What I would like to see changed is a better work environment for the students and staff, more mediated spaces for discussions on difficult topics, and a better-organized structure for knowing what... .

Read 4035 reviews.

Net Price : $26,021 ,

SAT Range : 1410-1540 ,

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN •

• Rating 3.97 out of 5 1,430 reviews

Freshman: Notre Dame has a community of students who are driven both spiritually and academically to be their best selves. Over my time at UND, all students are united towards a common goal of being educated in both their hearts and minds to serve others in the world. For example, there are two students who really impacted my life named Caroline and Liam who changed my perspective on the idea of vocation and living out your life in service of God through your life. Vocation is about using your gifts to change the world and the University of Notre Dame helps cultivate students to be young men and women who do just that. ... Read 1,430 reviews

Acceptance rate 15%

Net price $30,513

#27 Best Colleges in America .

NOTRE DAME, IN ,

1430 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Notre Dame has a community of students who are driven both spiritually and academically to be their best selves. Over my time at UND, all students are united towards a common goal of being educated... .

Read 1430 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 15% ,

Net Price : $30,513 ,

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA •

• Rating 3.83 out of 5 2,207 reviews

Graduate Student: I have never felt so welcomed to a program and culture to where I knew without a doubt GA Tech was the place for me. If you choose to join this program, it will truly be a transformative journey that you can embark on with more confidence knowing there is an entire community invested in your success as much as you are! Post-graduation I am confident knowing I will be equipped with the experiences, tools, business knowledge, and network from one of the best programs in the country to take on any challenge and future role, so I have plans to broaden the scope of my working experience to another industry as well as searching for new opportunities in different geographical locations. I feel like GA Tech places such an emphasis on culture and diversity which makes for one of the best programs in the state and the nation! This emphasis on authenticity not only sets GA Tech apart but also creates an environment where individuals can thrive and truly be themselves. ... Read 2,207 reviews

Acceptance rate 16%

Net price $17,360

SAT range 1310-1500

#28 Best Colleges in America .

ATLANTA, GA ,

2207 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I have never felt so welcomed to a program and culture to where I knew without a doubt GA Tech was the place for me. If you choose to join this program, it will truly be a transformative journey that... .

Read 2207 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 16% ,

Net Price : $17,360 ,

SAT Range : 1310-1500 ,

Susquehanna University

SELINSGROVE, PA

• Rating 3.61 out of 5 870

Saint Anselm College

MANCHESTER, NH

• Rating 3.62 out of 5 586

Kenyon College

GAMBIER, OH

• Rating 3.69 out of 5 412

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Guest Essay

Elite College Admissions Have Turned Students Into Brands

An illustration of a doll in a box attired in a country-western outfit and surrounded by musical accessories and a laptop. The doll wears a distressed expression and is pushing against the front of the box, which is emblazoned with the words “Environmentally Conscious Musician” and “Awesome Applicant.” The backdrop is a range of pink with three twinkling lights surrounding the box.

By Sarah Bernstein

Ms. Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist in Brooklyn.

“I just can’t think of anything,” my student said.

After 10 years of teaching college essay writing, I was familiar with this reply. For some reason, when you’re asked to recount an important experience from your life, it is common to forget everything that has ever happened to you. It’s a long-form version of the anxiety that takes hold at a corporate retreat when you’re invited to say “one interesting thing about yourself,” and you suddenly believe that you are the most boring person in the entire world. Once during a version of this icebreaker, a man volunteered that he had only one kidney, and I remember feeling incredibly jealous of him.

I tried to jog this student’s memory. What about his love of music? Or his experience learning English? Or that time on a summer camping trip when he and his friends had nearly drowned? “I don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “That all seems kind of cliché.”

Applying to college has always been about standing out. When I teach college essay workshops and coach applicants one on one, I see my role as helping students to capture their voice and their way of processing the world, things that are, by definition, unique to each individual. Still, many of my students (and their parents) worry that as getting into college becomes increasingly competitive, this won’t be enough to set them apart.

Their anxiety is understandable. On Thursday, in a tradition known as “Ivy Day,” all eight Ivy League schools released their regular admission decisions. Top colleges often issue statements about how impressive (and competitive) their applicant pools were this cycle. The intention is to flatter accepted students and assuage rejected ones, but for those who have not yet applied to college, these statements reinforce the fear that there is an ever-expanding cohort of applicants with straight A’s and perfect SATs and harrowing camping trip stories all competing with one another for a vanishingly small number of spots.

This scarcity has led to a boom in the college consulting industry, now estimated to be a $2.9 billion business. In recent years, many of these advisers and companies have begun to promote the idea of personal branding — a way for teenagers to distinguish themselves by becoming as clear and memorable as a good tagline.

While this approach often leads to a strong application, students who brand themselves too early or too definitively risk missing out on the kind of exploration that will prepare them for adult life.

Like a corporate brand, the personal brand is meant to distill everything you stand for (honesty, integrity, high quality, low prices) into a cohesive identity that can be grasped at a glance. On its website, a college prep and advising company called Dallas Admissions explains the benefits of branding this way: “Each person is complex, yet admissions officers only have a small amount of time to spend learning about each prospective student. The smart student boils down key aspects of himself or herself into their personal ‘brand’ and sells that to the college admissions officer.”

Identifying the key aspects of yourself may seem like a lifelong project, but unfortunately, college applicants don’t have that kind of time. Online, there are dozens of lesson plans and seminars promising to walk students through the process of branding themselves in five to 10 easy steps. The majority begin with questions I would have found panic-inducing as a teenager, such as, “What is the story you want people to tell about you when you’re not in the room?”

Where I hoped others would describe me as “normal” or, in my wildest dreams, “cool,” today’s teenagers are expected to leave this exercise with labels like, Committed Athlete and Compassionate Leader or Environmentally Conscious Musician. Once students have a draft of their ideal self, they’re offered instructions for manifesting it (or at least, the appearance of it) in person and online. These range from common-sense tips (not posting illegal activity on social media) to more drastic recommendations (getting different friends).

It’s not just that these courses cut corners on self-discovery; it’s that they get the process backward. A personal brand is effective only if you can support it with action, so instead of finding their passion and values through experience, students are encouraged to select a passion as early as possible and then rack up the experience to substantiate it. Many college consultants suggest beginning to align your activities with your college ambitions by ninth grade, while the National Institute of Certified College Planners recommends students “talk with parents, guardians, and/or an academic adviser to create a clear plan for your education and career-related goals” in junior high.

The idea of a group of middle schoolers soberly mapping out their careers is both comical and depressing, but when I read student essays today, I can see that this advice is getting through. Over the past few years, I have been struck by how many high school seniors already have defined career goals as well as a C.V. of relevant extracurriculars to go with them. This widens the gap between wealthy students and those who lack the resources to secure a fancy research gig or start their own small business. (A shocking number of college applicants claim to have started a small business.) It also puts pressure on all students to define themselves at a moment when they are anxious to fit in and yet changing all the time.

In the world of branding, a word that appears again and again is “consistency.” If you are Charmin, that makes sense. People opening a roll of toilet paper do not want to be surprised. If you are a teenage human being, however, that is an unreasonable expectation. Changing one’s interests, opinions and presentation is a natural part of adolescence and an instructive one. I find that my students with scattershot résumés are often the most confident. They’re not afraid to push back against suggestions that ring false and will insist on revising their essay until it actually “feels like me.” On the other hand, many of my most accomplished students are so quick to accept feedback that I am wary of offering it, lest I become one more adult trying to shape them into an admission-worthy ideal.

I understand that for parents, prioritizing exploration can feel like a risky bet. Self-insight is hard to quantify and to communicate in a college application. When it comes to building a life, however, this kind of knowledge has more value than any accolade, and it cannot be generated through a brainstorming exercise in a six-step personal branding course online. To equip kids for the world, we need to provide them not just with opportunities for achievement, but with opportunities to fail, to learn, to wander and to change their minds.

In some ways, the college essay is a microcosm of modern adolescence. Depending on how you look at it, it’s either a forum for self-discovery or a high-stakes test you need to ace. I try to assure my students that it is the former. I tell them that it’s a chance to take stock of everything you’ve experienced and learned over the past 18 years and everything you have to offer as a result.

That can be a profound process. But to embark on it, students have to believe that colleges really want to see the person behind the brand. And they have to have the chance to know who that person is.

Sarah Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist.

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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Extracurriculars.

8 Brilliant Brown University and PLME Essay Examples

What’s covered:.

Essay Example #1 – The Open Curriculum

Essay Example #2 – Joy in Latin

Essay example #3 – joy in driving.

Essay Example #4 – Joy in Drawing

Essay Example #5 – Differing Perspectives, Studying English

Essay example #6 – differing perspectives, gun control, essay example #7 – differing perspectives, artistic freedom, essay example #8 (plme) – why medicine, where to get your brown essays edited.

Brown is a highly selective school, so it’s important to write strong essays to help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll go over some essays real students have submitted to Brown, including to the even more competitive Program in Liberal Medical Education, and outline their strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Alexandra Johnson , an expert advisor on CollegeVine, provided commentary on this post. Advisors offer one-on-one guidance on everything from essays to test prep to financial aid. If you want help writing your essays or feedback on drafts, book a consultation with Alexandra Johnson or another skilled advisor.

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.

Read our Brown essay breakdown for a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental essays.

Essay Example #1 – The Open Curriculum

Prompt: Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

My mother exclaimed in shock as she saw the title American Murder: The Family Next Door as the latest title on our Netflix watch list. “Why on earth would you want to watch that?” It made no sense to her that I spent free time watching documentaries about the psychopathic tendencies of serial killers.

From listening to neuropsychology podcasts on my long runs to reading Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, I’ve been eager to explore the intersection between neuroscience, society, and the role they play in human nature. Brown’s Open Curriculum would allow me to double concentrate in Neuroscience and Science, Technology, and Society with a theme in Health and Medicine. Classes like Philosophy of Biology and The Moral Brain would begin to answer my questions about the relationship between neuroscience and human ethics. Perhaps I’ll finally understand why Raskolnikov thought he could get away with his crimes.

As an eight-year Latin scholar and five-time Percy Jackson reader, I hope to take classes in the Brown Classics department. I’m also intrigued by Ancient Greek Philosophy, and I plan to explore classic texts such as Plato’s Symposium in Introduction to Greek Literature. Courses like Hippocratic Medicine would allow me to learn about connections between the Classical world and medicine today.

The brain’s unique composition creates an intricate link between science, history, and modern society that I can only explore at Brown. More importantly, Brown’s diverse environment would introduce me to people with entirely different opinions about Raskolnikov’s motives.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is structured incredibly well. The author uses an anecdote to explain their interests in the opening paragraph. “My mother exclaimed in shock,” is the beginning of an opening sentence that draws the reader in, as the reader wants to learn the reason behind the mother’s shock. This opening allows the writer to speak about an interest of theirs, murder documentaries, then tie it to what they’re interested in studying.

When discussing an academic interest, the author does a great job of providing specific examples connected to Brown. This allows the writer to share how they plan to take advantage of Brown’s unique Open Curriculum. They write, “ Classes like Philosophy of Biology and The Moral Brain would begin to answer my questions about the relationship between neuroscience and human ethics.” By sharing specific classes, it’s clear that the author has done some research about Brown and is truly interested in attending.

The writer chooses to spend their last paragraph sharing more interests and how they could pursue these interests at Brown. They did a great job sharing a variety of interests, and they made it fun by writing that they’re a “five-time Percy Jackson reader.” Sharing details like this about yourself can help make your essays stand out because you come across as relatable, and your essay becomes more engaging and entertaining for the reader!

What Could Be Improved

While it’s nice that the writer mentions various interests, including both neuroscience and classics, there doesn’t seem to be a strong connection between the two topics. The essay would be better if the author improved the transition between the second and third paragraphs. They could say how it’s not common to be able to study both neuroscience and classics because of how different the subjects are but that Brown’s open curriculum lets you pursue both.

More simply, the writer could share why they want to study both topics. Will they both be relevant for their career goals? Are they just curious about exploring a variety of subjects and classes at Brown? No matter the reason, a connection between their interests and a better transition would strengthen this essay.

Additionally, the essay prompt asks students to talk about both topics that interest them and “embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar.” It’s always important to keep the prompt in mind when outlining or writing it. This student wrote a lot about their interests, but it’s a little unclear how they plan to embrace topics with which they’re unfamiliar. Clarifying which topic in this essay the writer hasn’t studied would improve the response and ensure that it directly answers the prompt.

They could say, for example, that the open curriculum allows them to formally study crime, which they’ve always been interested in from listening to true crime podcasts. If the author chooses to include this in their essay, it’s important that they do so to ensure that they’re properly answering the school’s prompt.

Prompt: Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

I remember being a fourth-grade “puella”, discovering the joy of chanting declensions with my classmates. Since then, my passion for Latin and mythology has expanded by reading books like Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods to Homer’s The Odyssey. I’ll never embody a character as well as I played the mythological Psyche in my fifth-grade Latin presentation.

I’ve always compared my Latin homework to my math homework. It’s very methodical, translating each phrase and then trying new ways to create a coherent sentence. Whenever I’d spent a good twenty minutes sorting through the puzzle of words to make a sentence, that moment where it finally made sense was euphoric.

These translation and mythology skills I’d developed over the years would become essential about halfway through my freshman year Latin class when I was introduced to the revolutionary game of Certamen. Certamen is like Latin jeopardy with questions themed after classical history, mythology, translation, and grammar. A familiar feeling of competition surges through me each time my teammate of three years and I start a game of Certamen. With our handy doorbell buzz button and endless knowledge of Latin derivatives, we currently maintain a three-year Certamen win streak that I intend to keep until I graduate. The light-bulb that goes off in my head whenever I finally grasp the meaning of a Latin passage has become addicting throughout the years, and I hope to continue experiencing that joy at Brown University.

This essay does a great job of answering the prompt! Brown wants to know about something that brings you joy, and the student shared multiple responses, “chanting declensions with my classmates,” “sorting through the puzzles of words to make a sentence,” and “Certamen.”

While this student shares several things that bring them joy, they all fall under the theme of Latin which reveals the student’s broad interest in the subject. Further, the student does well making their interest relevant to Brown by hinting in the last sentence that this is something they want to continue to experience at Brown University. The reader learns not only about the writer’s interests but also that they’re going to bring this interest in Latin to their time at Brown. It’s always great when the reader can get an idea of what you want to do as a student on campus at their university!

The writer also describes the game of “Certamen” well by showing and not telling. For example, sentences like, “With our handy doorbell buzz button and endless knowledge of Latin derivatives…” and “A familiar feeling of competition surges through me,” paint a picture of the game. The reader understands that the writer loves the game of Certamen just by these descriptions; the student doesn’t have to directly say “I love Certamen.” Try showing and not telling in your own essay to make your essay more interesting and to showcase impressive writing skills.

The second paragraph of this essay shares a bit about why the writer likes their Latin homework, but other than being about Latin, this paragraph doesn’t fit in well with the rest of the essay. Latin homework and puzzles aren’t mentioned in either of the other paragraphs, and the transitions between paragraphs could be stronger.

Right now, the writer connects the second paragraph to the third by saying, “These translation skills.” This could be improved by the student writing a stronger transition sentence from the first to the second paragraph. They could say, “In middle school I started getting more homework for Latin, but I didn’t mind because I’ve always compared it to my math homework.” This would emphasize their love for Latin and show that it’s a subject they’ve studied throughout the years. Transition sentences are important so that each paragraph contributes to the essay.

The writer could also improve the essay by focusing more on recent stories and examples of their love for Latin and mythology. They spend the first two paragraphs starting with fourth grade and going through the years until they reach high school in the final paragraph. It’s okay to share an interest or something that’s brought you joy for a long time, but when you mention the distant past, it’s best to keep that part limited. The reader wants to learn more about who you are now and your current interests. The writer could have instead given examples of recent translation projects or recent mythology books they’ve read.

Sitting behind the steering wheel, with the low hum of my music and the engine as background noise, I breathe in the familiarity of the 5-mile radius I generally commute within. My windows are rolled down and my sunroof is wide open, weather permitting, as the wind threatens to defenestrate my possessions. But I enjoy it immensely. The drive is refreshingly liberating: it feels like I can do anything and go anywhere I desire. As someone who frequently feels overwhelmed by the idea that most of my life is outside my control, a drive will often cure that feeling. The freedom of driving dissipates those worries.

My most frequent destination is Starbucks, not the one closest to my home, but rather the franchise that is a mile or two further. It allows me to enjoy the drive for longer than just a few minutes, extending an otherwise hasty experience to offer more time in reflection. Upon arriving and picking up my mobile order, I return to my car and savor my coffee, all while appreciating the music and experience. The coffee is an impeccable companion, both in its rich taste and the endeavor of acquiring it.

During my most stressful weeks, I can rely on my trips to get coffee as an outlet to forget my assignments and worries. The solitude of the activity is a rare opportunity for reflection: a joyful adventure all around.

It isn’t easy to make a mundane topic like driving to get coffee interesting, but this student was able to do just that! They did a great job of beautifully describing an outing that gives them joy. Specifically, the writer uses imagery well in sentences like: “My windows are rolled down and my sunroof is wide open, weather permitting, as the wind threatens to defenestrate my possessions.” It’s easy for the reader to imagine the possessions about to fly away!

Other strong description words help with this, as well. The writer describes the “rich taste” of the coffee and the “engine of background noise.” By painting a picture of some of the five senses, the writer is able to bring the reader into the moment and create a compelling story.

The writer does a great job of sharing why the act of driving to Starbucks brings them joy. These details help this essay go beyond just a pretty story by helping the reader to learn about the student.

From moments like, “As someone who frequently feels overwhelmed by the idea that most of my life is outside my control, a drive will often cure that feeling,” readers learn one of the reasons why driving brings the student joy. Additionally, readers learn that this is a joyous moment for the writer because it serves as a time for reflection. These small details are great to include because they show why the reader is joyful!

While the writer does a good job of inserting details that explain why they love driving to Starbucks, the reader still only learns a limited amount about the writer. The only interests shared are that the reader enjoys driving and Starbucks.

Supplemental essays like this are a great chance for students to share interests that they don’t have a chance to include anywhere else on their application. For example, the writer could have written about their love for photography and how taking photographs of dogs brings them joy. That would teach the reader more about who the writer is as a person and what they would bring to Brown University.

Some sentences do a great job of sharing details and painting a picture of the scene; however, there are a few places where the author could provide even further details. For example, what kind of coffee are they drinking? Is it a grande iced white mocha, or a venti java chip frappuccino ? What music are they listening to on the radio? Sharing these kinds of details would allow the reader to learn more about the author and their interests, which is great for a topic like this, where the goal is for the student to share an interest they have not mentioned in their application.

Essay Example #4 – Joy in Drawing

My dusty sketchbook must dread the moments I decide to take it off my desk. Every time I pick it up to use, it results in piles of graphite and eraser shavings everywhere in my room. I’ve gone through so many boxes of pencils, I think Ticonderoga must know me by now. The sketchbook of mine has seen better days – days where it looked pristine and without blemish.

I love to draw. Yes the final result provides fantastic amusement to my eyes, but the process of the entire drawing allures me to this hobby. The second the fine point of my pencil hits the devoid paper, wonders only comparable to music begin to formulate. Each stroke of the pencil leaves a mark surpassing in magnificence to the one before. The freedom to pour out my thoughts into a sheet of paper astonishes me and provides me with a feeling of bliss and comfort.

Each sheet of paper is brimmed with portraits; my loved ones, friends, even strangers take up the space in my book, but for good reason. After I finish each drawing, I simply give it to them. I do cherish the journey I take with my art, but the smile on their faces when I give them my art is nothing less than beautiful. Even the most majestic of artists wouldn’t be able to capture the raw nature of that smile. For that is where I am given the most joy, in the smiles of others.

What The Essay Did Well

This essay does a superb job of using particularly sophisticated and vibrant language! The word choice is memorable and striking, which both keeps readers engaged and demonstrates the author’s broad vocabulary. Vivid images like the dusty sketchbook and the eraser shavings, or the notebook brimming with drawings, draw us in, before phrases like “wonders only comparable to music” and “the raw nature of that smile” drive home the applicant’s deep personal connection to their topic.

The author’s confident, unique voice is another strength here. From the playful tone in the beginning of the essay, to the impassioned description of the student’s process, and finally, the reflection on the humanity of drawing, we get to know the author’s personality. They come across as funny, thoughtful, and generous, thanks to the details they include and the tone they use when presenting them.

Most importantly, the command of language and the personal tone come together to convey the author’s true passion for drawing, and the joy they find in that activity. Ultimately, any college essay needs to address the prompt, which this one does clearly and comprehensively. The mastery of language and vibrant personality are what take the essay from good to great, but the real key to this essay’s success is its connection to the prompt, as without that, Brown admissions officers wouldn’t get the information they’re looking for.

What Could Be Improved

With an essay this strong, it’s tough to imagine what could make it better. At this point, changes would mainly make the essay different, not necessarily better or worse. However, considering alternative approaches can still be productive, since everyone has a slightly different way of telling their story.

For example, the student could have spent a little more time explaining their decision to give their portraits away. Right now, the essay ends with something of a plot twist, as we learn that what brings the student the most joy is in fact not the act of drawing, but the smiles of others after receiving their work.

This “cliffhanger” ending is striking and memorable, but we also miss out on learning more about the student’s personality. Drawing is usually a solitary pursuit, but for this student, it’s clearly a more social activity, and they could have spent a bit more time exploring this aspect of their art to further set themselves apart from other applicants.

Again, though, this suggestion is more likely to subtly shift the tone of the essay than make it drastically better. Calling a college essay “done” can be stressful, but this essay is a good reminder that, at a certain point, your energy is going to be more productively spent on other aspects of your application.

Prompt: Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (200-250 words)

“Spend $300,000 to study ENGLISH!?” my friend chucked. “And do what? Teach A for Apple, B for Buffalo to primary kids?

“B for Ball” I whispered to myself. On my way home, I kept mulling. “Everyone knows English, what’s the need to STUDY it?” his words echoed in my head. Since I was young, I had been intrigued by the beauty of language. Fresh parchment was my petrichor. I could almost smell the raw, crisp paper sending pheromone-releasing signals to my brain, luring me to wield my pen and spill beads of ink on the virgin sheet of emptiness. Words were woven threads of thought, emanating the ineffable processes of the mind. Poetry was my mode of escapism; debate -my partner in crime. “’A for apple, B for ball’, I sadly pondered.

We got down at our houses and I waved him goodbye. My imminent desire to ‘respond’ cowered back into its hole. But maybe I didn’t have to reply. Because curiosity prefaces career and we all have varying definitions of both. Maybe the reason why our choices are challenged is to test if we would hold on to them. This tiny incident taught me 2 crucial lessons- A: Silence is a sign of maturity, not cowardice, and B: Having faith governs the prowess to excel. The next day when I met my friend, I simply smiled and said “The reason we can converse critically is because someone taught us the alphabet. Maybe being a teacher isn’t a bad idea after all.”

This essay is incredibly well written and does a great job of using dialogue throughout the story. The writer begins with an exclamation that grabs the reader’s attention: “Spend $300,000 to study ENGLISH!?” The use of capitals really emphasizes that the problem idea being challenged isn’t the amount of money being paid, but rather that the writer wants to study English.

The dialogue continues as the student describes their internal thoughts and remembers what their friend told them. This is a great way for the reader to learn exactly what the author is thinking and how they feel about what is being said.

The use of “A for apple, B for ball,” becomes a theme and a symbol throughout the essay, as it’s used to symbolize both the writer’s interest in the teaching profession and their friend’s belief that it’s not a good idea.

Finally, the essay ends with dialogue as the writer counters their friend’s doubts and becomes more secure with their own goals. “Maybe being a teacher isn’t a bad idea after all.” This ending reveals how the author ultimately chose to respond to their friend, as well as that the author ultimately remained strong in their own beliefs.

The “A” and “B” theme comes up again when this student spells out the two lessons that they ultimately learned from this experience: “A: Silence is a sign of maturity, not cowardice, and B: Having faith governs the prowess to excel.” This does a great job of summarizing the lessons that the author learned and how they chose to respond to the situation. It’s nice to have this concrete conclusion in an essay containing a lot of lines on thoughts and feelings.

This essay is beautifully written; however, it could be improved by better answering the prompt. The prompt wants to know about how students handle intellectual debate so that Brown University can “promote a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society.”

It seems more like this student’s decision to be a teacher was challenged, rather than a belief about a complex issue. Whether the student should be a student is not presented in this essay as an issue with two reasonable sides, but rather one student’s condescending and unsupported belief that teaching is not a worthy profession.

This is further evidenced by one of the lessons the student takes away, “Silence is a sign of maturity.” Brown University is seeking an essay about a topic that can be debated, not one where the response is silence. The university wants to see how students will handle learning from others who have different views about politics, for example.

If the writer wanted to stick with this topic, then they would need to present the other student’s view as one with which they could have a discussion. Maybe the other student presented valid points about education being a path to increase one’s earning potential. Then, the writer could have a debate with them about the purpose of higher education and its role in their own life.

Make sure that your answer to a prompt like this shows the university how you will handle discourse at their university as you encounter others with views different from your own.

During the earliest stages of my Political club, I was faced with a question by a peer. The club was in a discussion about gun laws in the US and what everyone’s view was on the topic. This specific student seemed very passionate about the issue and made it known that he wanted guns in this country. He began citing examples with store owners protecting themselves from armed robberies and overall self defense in general. He was well versed in the topic but that came to my realization once he asked me what my view was. I subconsciously knew guns were destructive, of course they were, and I wanted to state that. But I couldn’t think of any evidence to support myself. I wasn’t educated in the issue of guns in America other than my raw opinion of guns being “bad”.

But experiences like this motivated me to take that step, I wanted to educate myself on this issue that plunders America. Instead of conforming to his view, I took this opportunity to establish my own foundation and learn of the different instances in our history that would support my opinion. I versed myself in information from resources on the Internet and finally came to my club ready for discussion. But it didn’t end in the transformation of any opinions, instead he understood my judgment and respected it. When challenged with this perspective against my own, I’ve learned that with enough evidence and research, any opinion can be deemed correct.

This essay is a great response to Brown’s dialogue prompt, and a big part of why is how well-chosen this anecdote is. The gun control debate is a contentious and familiar one, so admissions officers will already know the contours of the argument, which saves the writer space by not needing to give much background context. With just 250 words available to you, don’t underestimate the importance of being efficient with your space.

Gun control is also an issue that readers are likely to connect with on a deep, emotional level, which means they’ll take the essay seriously. Additionally, they’re likely to view the author as well-informed and engaged in current events–the fact that the essay’s setting is a politics club underscores the student’s commitment to understanding pressing contemporary issues.

This essay also reveals a few other important aspects of its author’s personality. Chief among these are the author’s humility, self-awareness, and regard for others. For example, when the writer acknowledges their surprise at how well the other student argued his point, and their own lack of knowledge, they show that they can recognize where and how they need to grow.

Being vulnerable in college essays can be difficult, since you’re obviously trying to put your best foot forward. In reality, though, showing you’re aware of your flaws gives admissions officers confidence that you’re going to take full advantage of your time in college, to grow as much as possible. Trying to present yourself as too perfect can come across as clueless or even arrogant.

Finally, the essay’s ending is unexpected and thought-provoking–rather than resolving the issue by having one student “win” the argument, this student explains that the two understood and respected each other’s opinions without changing their own. As a result, the overall narrative isn’t about an argument and final confrontation, but about the author’s lack of information, and their response to it.

This unconventional approach to this prompt tells us a lot about how this applicant approaches complex issues–namely, with the open-mindedness and willingness to learn Brown highlights in the prompt–and, stylistically, helps the essay stick in a reader’s head, which in turn will help this student stand out from the crowd of other applicants.

One of the bigger flaws in this essay is the lack of an obvious takeaway. It’s unclear what exactly the author means when they say that any opinion can be deemed correct. It seems like the point they’re trying to make is that many different opinions can be valid and supported by evidence. This is quite a different statement than saying any opinion can be correct. The former is a reasonable point, and a good lesson to take away from this experience. The latter is a very big, absolute statement, that isn’t really supported by the story.

Though this is just one line in a 250-word essay, endings carry a lot of weight, since they’re obviously the last thing admissions officers read, and thus are likely to stick in their mind. Spending a bit more time making sure that your ending accurately reflects the ideas of your essay is definitely going to be worth your while.

Additionally, in a few subtle ways, the writing in this essay isn’t as fluent as it could be. It’s still a well-written essay, but overall, the structure and flow of the writing is a bit off.

For example, when the author talks about debating with a friend in a club, they say “He was well versed in the topic but that came to my realization once he asked me what my view was.” The word but implies that the second part of the sentence contradicts the first, but that’s not true here.

Similarly, while many students feel the urge to show off their vocabulary as much as possible, clarity in your essay is ultimately the most important thing, and some word choices in this essay don’t work as well as others. To give an example, when the author says “this issue that plunders America,” the verb “plunders” seems a bit off, given its definition: to steal goods. Snags like this can be caught by an editor, or by reading aloud to a friend or oneself.

Let’s now compare this essay’s strong and weak points to those of the following essay, which is a different response to the same prompt.

I learned a new slur during my first day on my slam team.

The “M-word,” coined by the former president, was “melanin.” To her, Black poetry was overdone, so she advised Black teammates to avoid racial topics, fearing they would “bore the judges.”

“We get it— you’re black,” she quipped, “can you talk about anything else?” Following that meeting, I avoided Black poetry. My racial experience was a broken record— an earworm of sob stories over events only read about in history books.

However, after experiencing all the distinctive, poignant Black pieces at my first slam competition, I realized that we do art a disservice when we try to police or limit others’ creations. Moreover, I learned that seniority should never eclipse core values.

This insight stirred my young POC writers initiative years later— a global support system for marginalized creatives. Complete with virtual open mics, advice forums, and resource directories, my goal was to create a safe haven for underrepresented writers and be the mentor I craved during my first slam meeting.

However, respecting my former president’s intentions, I urge my creatives within the initiative to chase uniqueness in their art. Today, I play with several nuances of racism in my writing. In one piece, I explore Black boys as recyclables in the prison system. In another, I use evolutionary theory to hypothesize a truly “post-racial” America.

During my first day as president of my slam team, I taught my poets a new phrase: artistic freedom.

What This Essay Did Well

In this essay, we learn a lot about who this applicant is, and what matters to them. We learn not only about how they respond to different opinions, but also about their passion for slam poetry, their appreciation for Black artistry, and their mentoring of younger peers just getting into slam poetry. The anecdotes are well-chosen, as we continuously learn new details about the applicant throughout the course of the essay.

A strength that contrasts with the first essay is this example’s fluency and command of language. Unsurprisingly for a slam poet, the writer utilizes creative, accurate vocabulary, diverse and sophisticated sentence structure, and a cohesive narrative flow. The author is clearly a great writer, and this essay demonstrates that.

Finally, this applicant’s introduction has an unusual, provocative angle that grabs readers’ attention right from the first sentence. This hook ensures that we are engaged and invested in their story from beginning to end, as we wonder whether this odd piece of advice will be accepted or rejected.

Like the previous example for this prompt, the author takes an unexpected route. Though they ultimately reject the mandate not to write about race, they acknowledge and appreciate the idea behind this rule, before reframing that rule in a more positive, affirming way, which encourages young slam poets to tell unique, diverse stories, rather than imposing a blanket ban on any one topic.

The fact that this student is pioneering that outlook within the club says a lot about them as a leader by example who grew from their own experience and refuses to limit their peers the way they were once limited.

One thing about this essay that may come across differently than the author hoped is their mention of the so-called “m-word.” While this stands for ‘melanin’ in their essay, there is a real life “m-word,” which is considered a slur against people with dwarfism.

Though the author immediately clarifies that they are using the phrase “m-word” to refer to a completely different word, their use of the term may initially be off-putting to those familiar with the actual slur. Since admissions officers read these essays so quickly, you want to avoid potentially coming across as ignorant, even for just a second, as that can throw them off and take them out of the flow of your story.

There are other ways to start off this essay that preserve the overall provocative, unique feel, and don’t run the risk of unintentionally offending. For example, the student could have said something like “I always thought ‘four letter word’ was the right slang for swear words, but on my first day on my slam team, I learned a seven-letter bad word: melanin.”

When using invented or uncommon language, especially something as potentially offensive as slurs, it’s best to do your research and ensure that the term you’re using doesn’t have another meaning that may change the light in which an admissions committee views you or your essay.

Prompt: Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. What values and experiences have led you to believe that becoming a doctor in medicine is the right fit for you? (200-250 words)

I never wanted to be a doctor. When my South Asian grandparents claimed that women have to go into medicine, I promised them that would never happen in my case. This irrational hatred continued until a certain opportunity contributed to a change in my perspective.

I decided to volunteer at a local medical center, initially to earn volunteer hours. But the more I delved into the high-speed environment, the more it seemed to fit me. I was confident when talking to hospital staff and found myself always trying to learn more from the radiologists or surgeons I met. I was ready to learn what the white region on the CT scan was, or the risks of a certain procedure a patient was going through.

My persona also changed when speaking to patients, my voice becoming clear and soothing. When a patient was agitated that he couldn’t get out of his wheelchair, I rushed to his side, calmly encouraging him while nurses helped the patient get on his feet. My reaction to working at the hospital was unexpected but perfect, making me realize that I would be a good fit for this career.

I know I will succeed as a physician because I disliked the field before I loved it. I look forward to improving someone’s life and being a part of a team that puts patients first. I know my ability can be used to change the lives of my patients, making me a perfect candidate for a future physician.

This essay, which is essentially a “Why Major?” essay (the actual question is “Why Career?” but most of the same principles apply) grabs the reader’s attention right from the start, with an unusual premise that is sure to stand out to admissions officers. The author crafts a deeply personal story about their path to medicine, through which they demonstrate true commitment to patients and a passion that came from within, not others telling them what to be.

Another powerful moment in this essay is the ending, when the author summarizes all that will make them a good physician. Here, they recap the values they’ve shown in this essay: caring for patients, putting them first, and changing lives. Remember, the conclusion of your essay naturally carries additional weight, since it will be the last thing in your reader’s mind. With their final line, this author shows not only the skills they possess, but their view of these skills as crucial for any good doctor to have. We learn not just about the applicant, but about how they view the practice of medicine as a whole.

One thing that we would’ve loved to see is a bit more explanation around the sentence “I know I will succeed as a physician because I disliked the field before I loved it.” This is a compelling sentiment, which is definitely unlikely to show up in many other PLME essays, but the lack of further explanation is definitely a flaw.

Why would disliking the field before loving it lead to a better career as a physician? After all, many doctors have always been drawn to medicine–are they worse at their jobs as a result? If the author were to spell out what they mean more explicitly, or spend more time unpacking the implications of this idea, their point would be much stronger.

More broadly, it can definitely be tempting to include these kinds of bold statements in your college essays, as they are certainly attention-grabbing. But if you do, you want to make sure they are fully supported, either by the narrative itself or a couple of lines of explanation. Otherwise, they may come across as edgy just for the sake of it, rather than demonstrating that you are a creative, sophisticated thinker.

Another thing that could strengthen this essay would be a deeper dive into some of the applicant’s other qualities illustrated in this essay. For example, when talking about their volunteer work, they briefly touch on their affinity for the fast-paced environment. A little more detail here would go a long way towards helping us envision them in the hectic environment of a hospital one day, especially since at this point in the essay, they’re explaining how they went from disliking medicine to enjoying it. This shift is the crux of the whole essay, so it’s crucial that readers fully understand how it happened.

Or, just a few sentences later, they say “I was ready to learn what the white region on the CT scan was, or the risks of a certain procedure a patient was going through. ” This curiosity and passion for knowledge are even more examples of their fitness for the medical profession, and they would do well to expand on them–again, so that we can more clearly imagine them eventually working as an actual doctor.

Do you want feedback on your Brown essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. 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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