University of Maryland, College Park

Personal statement required (250-650 words), plus seven supplements:

1. Required · 650 characters

   If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…

   Sentence completion. Delivered inside the UMD section of the Common App, not on UMD's website.

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2. Required · 650 characters

   The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was…

   Sentence completion.

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3. Required · 650 characters

   In addition to my major, my academic interests include…

   Sentence completion. This is UMD's 'why this major' equivalent.

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4. Required · 650 characters

   My favorite thing about last Monday was…

   Sentence completion. DISPUTED WORDING: College Transitions, CollegeVine and College Essay Advisors all print 'last Monday' for 2025-26. College Essay Guy, under a 2026/2027 title, prints 'My favorite thing about last Tuesday was…'. UMD does not publish this prompt, so the day of the week could not be settled from a first-party source.

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5. Required · 650 characters

   Something you might not know about me is…

   Sentence completion. College Transitions renders the trailing ellipsis as two periods ('is..'); CollegeVine and College Essay Advisors render a true ellipsis.

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6. Required · 650 characters

   Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity.

   This is the sixth short answer. It is a full paragraph question, not a sentence completion, and all four publishers print it identically.

7. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

   Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

   Option 1 of UMD's seven essay questions, published first-party.

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8. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

   The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

   Option 2 of 7.

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9. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

   Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

   Option 3 of 7.

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10. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

    Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

    Option 4 of 7.

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11. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

    Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

    Option 5 of 7.

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12. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

    Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

    Option 6 of 7.

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13. Required (choose 1 of 7) · no more than 650 words

    Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

    Option 7 of 7.

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