- Essay prompt instructions, please read carefully:
- Select ONE prompt you want to address in your essay. Make sure you fully understand the prompts and what it is asking before you report to the Testing Center to compose your essay.
- Prompt 1: After a conversation with Sempō, Marie writes, “I wondered if I needed to try a little bit harder to see things through his eyes.” Identify a time when Marie "sees things" from another perspective to help her grow by gaining insights about herself. Then, describe a time during this past semester when you tried to see things from another perspective and explain how that helped you to grow as a learner.
- Prompt 2: Marie observes, “I sense something unspoken in this exchange, something that made me think I had approached the situation incorrectly. The feeling that you have put your foot in your mouth is a common experience in Japan, even to a relative insider.” Describe another time in the text when Marie feels she has “approached [a] situation incorrectly.” Have you ever felt that you approached a situation incorrectly during your transition to college? Explain what the situation was and how you would approach it differently using what you know about connections, growth, OR empowerment.
- Prompt 3: When Marie visits the Fuzzy-Headed Priest at his “Old Lady Temple,” he points out the three mice carved in the rafters. He explains to her that “At any point in life, man was like one of these mice: on his way up, hanging on for dear life, or on his way down. It was important to remember that even if one were in descent, one would, in all likelihood, go back up again.” Identify a time when Marie feels she is “on [her] way down.” Next, describe a time during this semester when you felt you were “hanging on for dear life” but then “go back up again” as a result of a connection you made. Explain how you grew from this experience and are now empowered to continue with your college journey.
- Prompt 1: After a conversation with Sempō, Marie writes, “I wondered if I needed to try a little bit harder to see things through his eyes.” Identify a time when Marie "sees things" from another perspective to help her grow by gaining insights about herself. Then, describe a time during this past semester when you tried to see things from another perspective and explain how that helped you to grow as a learner.
- You have nine days to brainstorm and plan your essay.
- Visit writing tutors, speak with the UC faculty, peer mentors, etc. for brainstorming.
- Select ONE prompt you want to address in your essay. Make sure you fully understand the prompts and what it is asking before you report to the Testing Center to compose your essay.
- Visit the Testing Center to compose RTG essay on selected dates below:
- Friday, October 13: 2 – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, October 14: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday, October 15: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- You are allowed to bring ONE 5 x 8 index card (front and back) with any quotes and information you may want to include in their essay. You MAY NOT write the entire essay on the index card; UC faculty will review index cards.
- Bring your Dusty ID to check in at the Testing Center.
- Bring your phone since you will need to authenticate sign-in through Duo.
- You will have a 3-hour limit to write your essay within the allocated times.
Each essay that meets the submission guidelines will be read by the Essay Committee. The top 25 essays will be selected; these students will be scheduled for an interview. Then, a selected number of students will be chosen to go on the trip. A list of ranked alternates will be in place should some of the chosen students not be able to travel.
Essays that will be selected should be critical, thoughtful responses. It is expected essays will be well-written with limited errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Note: If you transfer your sophomore year, you must reimburse the University the full cost of the trip. Students selected to go on the trip become RTG Ambassadors are expected to “pay-it-forward” with university service such as participating in events promoting RTG, fundraising, and planning events the following year after the trip.
- Length:
- 1000 - 1500 words
- Format: MS Word Document
- Double space
- Font: Times New Roman 12
- All pages must include your TAMIU ID# in the header only. No title page will be needed.
NOTE: Any essay that does not meet these guidelines will be disqualified. If you have questions, please speak with UC faculty who will be proctoring the contest before you submit.