student future plan essay

Future Plans Essay

500+ words future plans essay.

Everyone has dreams and plans for the future. In our childhood, we dream of becoming a doctor, an engineer, an astronaut, etc. It’s we who really know best what we like. We know what we want in our life. Future plans can be different for different students. Below is just a sample essay that students can use for reference. This future plan essay will help students to write an effective essay on their future plans. They can also get the list of CBSE Essays on different topics for their practice. It will boost their score in English exams and also help them to participate in various essay writing competitions.

My Future Plan

I often wonder about my future as I am about to finish my schooling. There are a number of questions in my mind, and the one which mostly revolves around my mind is which profession I should choose. It is difficult for me to make a choice because I am aware that the decision will impact my entire life. I always dream of a profession that I can enjoy, that brings a challenge to me and satisfies me. I believe in a job that is like a hobby for me. I just don’t want to do the job to make money. Instead, I want to love my profession and duty. Also, my job should be such that I contribute to society and help people.

From my childhood, I always wanted to treat people and cure their diseases. So, to fulfil this dream of becoming a doctor, I have some future plans. Firstly, I have to complete my secondary schooling. Then, I have to complete my higher secondary education, and thereafter, I would like to study in a prestigious medical college and later become a doctor.

Studying medical science takes a long time. It is a difficult course and requires a tremendous amount of hard work and patience. I hope that I will be able to meet all the challenges and complete my studies well. After the completion of my studies, I would like to work in a hospital, so I can make my dream come true.

During my studies, I will have to work on different biology projects. The experience of working on these projects will give me insight into science and help me in becoming a good doctor. In addition, I also have to develop patience and diligence. During the summer vacations, I will have to work under a good doctor as an assistant nurse. It will help me to get real-life experience of how doctors work. Moreover, the learning will help me to deal with patients, nurses, doctors and staff of the hospital. It will be the best kickstart for my career as a future medical student.

As for now, I am focusing on my studies and looking forward to completing my schooling. I do have a future plan for my family. But, before that, I would like to travel the world. I want to visit different countries like America, Finland and London and travel to all the continents. After finishing my education and going on a world trip, I would like to settle down in my life. So, I will get married and would love to have a small family. I would like to have a small home in a natural and calm place where I can live and enjoy myself with my family.

Students must have found “Future Plans Essay” useful for improving their essay writing skills. Visit BYJU’S website to get the latest updates and study material on CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive Exams at BYJU’S.

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Counselling

How to Write an Essay About My Future Plans

What Is An Essay About My Future Plans
Importance Of Future Plans Essay

Getting The Best Future Plans Essay

Catchy Titles For An Essay About My Future Plans

Starting Future Plans Essay

Writing body paragraphs.

Writing Conclusions For A Future Plans Essay

Finalizing Essay

Short Example Of A College Essay About My Future Plans

What Is an Essay About My Future Plans?

Future plans essays are written documents that present your goals and aspirations in life. It should showcase your end goal and how you aim to achieve it. It gives a deeper insight into you as a person and the direction in life you want to take. It can include resolutions about your career path, your settling plans, or your financial plan. It can be a powerful tool for bringing our dreams to reality. The bigger you think, the bigger you plan, the more chances there are for you to become what you want.

WE WILL WRITE A CUSTOM ESSAY

SPECIALLY FOR YOU

FOR ONLY $11/PAGE

465 CERTIFICATED WRITERS ONLINE

Importance of Future Plans Essay

“Winging it” might sound like an excellent mantra for today’s generation, but in an ideal world, you must remain practical. In present times, we are all hustling to become the best version of ourselves, to improve our standard of living in the future. However, that is not possible unless you sit down and think about future plans properly, way ahead of time. It is only if you have the plan sorted out and the strategies in place that you can meet your intended and desired goals. Besides, you are working to save yourself a significant amount of time, money, and hard work. If you are sure about what you want from life, there is no getting sidetracked. You will be motivated to work towards your goal. Otherwise, you might end up wasting the prime years of your life trying to figure out your plans for the future. One excellent way is to encapsulate your ideas in essay form. It will also be helpful to you while applying for colleges and universities.

Catchy Titles for An Essay About My Future Plans

Where do I see myself in the next ten years?
A note to my future self
A recipe for future success
A blueprint for my plans
A guide for a perfect future
A conversation with my older self
The milestones I want to achieve
Engineer in the making
My strategic career action plan
Plan my future 101

Do not jump directly into writing; start with an outline instead. It is pretty easy to be forgetful about things when your mind is occupied while writing. If you face the issue of getting sidetracked midway through your writing, it will be solved. By following a blueprint, you will be including the details that are entirely relevant to your essay. You will see the bigger picture from the very start instead of just going with the flow. It might seem unnecessary and a waste of time, but an outline can save you a significant amount of time in the end. Also, the quality of future plans and goals essay will not be compromised. Why is that? Well, you will be jotting down all the significant points in advance so that when you start writing, no idea is missed.

Outline writing

“What are your plans for the future” is an essay written without an outline that is likely to be cataclysmic. Always begin your essay writing process by forming an outline that stays in line with the topic. For instance, when attempting a “what are future plans” essay, jot down all the points in chunks. So, your financial goals will fall in a different cluster than your family plans. Let’s just cut to the chase; you need to brainstorm first. Next, group the points that are somehow related. Give headings to those clusters, and voila, you have an outline!

Tips concerning writing a Future Plans essay introduction

A boring introduction is likely to provoke your reader to grab a coffee mug. Nobody wants that. Try to start with an engaging hook. In this case, you are writing about “what are your plans” and writing something lively. It will send good vibes to the reader as they will unconsciously receive the idea that your plans must be excellent. Next, give a background about your past achievements. Do not get carried away. This paragraph needs to be holistic yet short and crisp. The last line of your introduction part must serve as a bridge to the first body paragraph. Try to check a future plan example essay before you start with your essay.

Keep a strict check on the length of body paragraphs as they must be equal. Divide your plans for the future into several chunks. Every paragraph must be dedicated to one central area. The last line of each one should be written so that the reader does not feel in a different realm when they get to the next paragraph. Remember, your words must help the reader spiral down smoothly to the conclusion. So, transition words and connectors will help a lot.

Writing Conclusions for a Future Plans Essay

Now, most of you might have developed the habit of writing a conclusion carelessly. It is always treated as a foster child in the world of writing by many. Do not repeat this. Keep it as breezy as you wrote your introduction paragraph. A summary of your plans will not do justice. Instead, highlight the main points and end your essay with a positive future-oriented note. Before writing this essay, check out some future plan examples and not forget to see how people make future plans.

The last finishing touches before finalization of your essay require you to edit your work to perfection. Here it would help if you were doing the following:

Essay Revision

Revise your work for any structural or organizational problems. It means checking your paragraphing and the way you have used transitions throughout. Look out for instructions like the word count and formatting, and make sure you have done what is expected.

Essay Proofreading

It is a practice of going through your work again to identify any surface mistakes. These include typos, spelling mistakes as well as grammatical ones. You can take help from editing tools like Grammarly or turn towards a reliable friend to provide an unbiased and unfiltered review of your essay on future plans in life.

Make Citations

Finally, if your work demands you to insert references from other sources, do not forget to include them at the end of your essay about the future. A failure to do so, in that case, can mean a reduction in scores.

Short Example of a College Essay About My Future Plans

My Future Plans Essay

It is said that the future is unpredictable. However, it does not mean that we cannot prepare and make plans for it. Having plans are like motivators; they guide us all along. I happen to have a clear set of goals and aims. It does not stop here, as there are plan Bs and Cs too. Being a college student, I am open to the thought of having much turbulence in life.

My education and career goals are somewhat elaborate. I want to get a business degree from the finest business school out there. In the long term, I expect to become a marketing manager. For this reason, I have started working as an unpaid intern in several marketing departments to get experience. Other than this, I am also offering free sales services. It will polish my negotiation skills as I ultimately want to be someone who runs a department.

Apart from the financial goals, I plan to visit the Grand Canyons. The adventurer inside me wants to experience an adrenaline rush in the wild. The plan does not end here as the mountaineer inside me wants to attempt a climb at Annapurna. I have been practicing mountain climbing all my life, which I have been looking forward to. Next year, I plan to visit Dubai. The famous base jump from Burj Khalifa is on my bucket list.

Speaking of the bucket list, I want to marry jill, my fiancé. We have been planning our wedding since forever. A house in the suburbs, two beautiful kids, and peaceful life is what I want. To give my family complete attention, I have started investing my savings in multiple businesses. So, in the long term, I will not have to worry about supporting myself and my family. Like the other adventures that I have planned, I want to go on multiple vacations with my family.

Future planning has helped me stay positive. It has aligned everything that I do with the more significant goals. Without this bucket list, I would have never wanted to work as an intern. The hustler inside me wants to go on all of the adventures, from the base jump and Annapurna to hosting a birthday party for my 2-year-old. My plans are huge yet achievable, and the catch is that I have to take every step mindfully and stay determined.

You should be confident enough by now to write a future planning essay by yourself. Although, there are other ways to go about it as well. These can make your life slightly more manageable. What are they? Let’s find out:

Buy Pre-written Essay Examples On The Topic

The widespread use of the internet has been changing lives globally. You can also benefit from it in this regard if you are still struggling with the idea of how to write a future plans essay. Use online writing services to acquire professional assistance for helping you come up with a plan. There are several options that you can avail of. However, you need to be careful while making your pick. Choose a website that is reliable and credible. One such option is EssayZoo. You can purchase pre-written essays to get fresh ideas if you are not sure about your plans.

Use EduJungles To Write Your Essay From A Scratch

Another technique for acing this task is to assign the professionals with precise requirements and wait for them to customize the essay just for you. Go to Edu Jungles and ask them: "Who will help me write my paper in an hour ?". They will ensure keeping your choices in consideration while crafting your essay. This way is a little bit more fitting, keeping in mind that an essay about the future is very personal and varies from person to person.

We use cookies. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control them by clicking cookie policy .

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how do i write a college essay about my future goals.

I have some pretty clear goals for my future, and I think writing about them in my college essay might help me stand out. How can I approach this topic in a way that's engaging and doesn't sound like I'm just listing my ambitions? Thanks for any suggestions!

Hey there! Writing about your future goals is a great idea for a college essay, and it can definitely help you stand out. The key is to tell a story that highlights your goals while also showcasing your personality and experiences.

Start by reflecting on your past experiences and achievements that have led you to these goals. You could talk about a specific moment or event that inspired your ambition, and then explain how it has driven you ever since. This helps to show your passion and dedication towards your goals.

Next, focus on your present efforts to work towards these goals. You could mention any relevant extracurricular activities, internships, or projects you've been involved in that align with your future aspirations. This demonstrates your commitment and hard work.

Finally, discuss your future goals in a way that ties everything together and shows the admissions committee how you plan to make a positive impact in the world. Remember to be authentic and genuine in your writing, and don't be afraid to show some vulnerability. Good luck with your essay!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Essay on My Future Plan

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Future Plan in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Future Plan

My dream job.

I want to be a teacher. I love sharing knowledge and helping others learn new things. Teaching young minds sounds exciting and rewarding. I plan to study hard to understand the subjects I wish to teach.

Education Goals

To become a teacher, I need to finish school with good grades. Then, I’ll go to college to study education. I’ll also read lots of books to gain more knowledge.

Helping My Community

As a teacher, I will not only teach in a classroom but also help my community. I want to start free classes for kids who can’t afford school.

Staying Healthy

I understand that to do all this, I must stay healthy. So, I will eat well, play sports, and get enough sleep. This will keep my mind sharp for my future plans.

250 Words Essay on My Future Plan

When I think about my future, the first thing that comes to mind is my dream job. I want to become a teacher. Teachers help students learn new things and make them smart. I love the idea of going to school every day to teach kids how to read, write, and understand math. It makes me happy to think about helping them grow up to be smart and kind people.

To be a good teacher, I need to study a lot. My plan is to finish high school with good grades and then go to college. In college, I will learn how to teach and understand different subjects. I will also learn how to make classes fun so that students will love coming to school.

I also want to help my community. As a teacher, I can start clubs for students after school. These clubs can be about sports, music, or even helping animals. I think this is a great way to make my town a better place.

Staying Healthy and Happy

My future plan also includes staying healthy. I want to eat good food, play sports, and get enough sleep. A healthy body means I can be a happy and energetic teacher.

In the end, my future plan is all about becoming a teacher, learning a lot, helping my community, and staying healthy. I am excited to work hard and make my dreams come true.

500 Words Essay on My Future Plan

Introduction to my future plan.

Thinking about the future can be exciting and a little bit scary. But making plans for what I want to do helps me feel ready for what’s coming. My future plan is like a map that guides me to reach my dreams. I want to share my plan with you, so you can see how I’m preparing for the years ahead.

First, I want to focus on my studies. School is very important because it teaches me all sorts of things that I need to know for my future. I plan to work hard in all my subjects, especially in math and science, because I dream of becoming an engineer. After finishing high school, my goal is to go to a good university where I can learn more about engineering and how to solve problems.

My Dream Career

As I mentioned, I dream of becoming an engineer. I love building things and figuring out how stuff works. As an engineer, I will be able to create new things that can help people in their everyday lives. I also want to make sure that the things I build are safe for the environment. To reach this dream, I need to learn a lot and get experience by maybe working on small projects with friends or family.

Staying Healthy and Active

I know that to do well in school and work, I need to be healthy. So, part of my future plan is to stay active by playing sports and eating healthy foods. I enjoy playing soccer, and it’s a great way for me to exercise and have fun with my friends. Keeping my body and mind healthy will help me focus on my goals.

Learning New Skills

Besides school and sports, I want to learn new skills that can be useful in life. I plan to learn how to cook, so I can make delicious and healthy meals for myself and my family. I also want to learn how to manage money wisely. Knowing about money will help me save for important things like college and maybe even my own house one day.

Helping Others

I believe it’s important to help people and make a difference in the community. In the future, I want to volunteer and help others who might need it. Whether it’s teaching younger kids to read or helping clean up a park, I want to do my part to make the world a better place.

My future plan is all about reaching my dreams while staying healthy and helping others. I know that if I work hard and stay focused on my goals, I can make all these things happen. It’s like a journey that I’m getting ready for, and I’m excited to see where it will take me. By sharing my plan, I hope to inspire others to think about their future and make plans that will lead them to success and happiness.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on My Future Goals In Life
Essay on My Favourite Weather
Essay on My Favourite Subject History

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Future Plans Essay: Graduate Personal Statement Writing Strategy

EssayEdge > Blog > Future Plans Essay: Graduate Personal Statement Writing Strategy

Writing about the future in a graduate personal statement can be an enjoyable task. Planning your career, thinking ahead to achieving your goals, and “dreaming big” are the best parts of writing about the future.

Graduate personal statements should always include some of the following components in a paragraph devoted to the future.

Forecast your short term and long term goals. (Include interim goals, if applicable.)
Define your future career, offering specific details.
Develop ideas and plans as to how the graduate degree will contribute to your future career.
Project industry growth, increased demand for employees. Relate it to your specific field.

Regarding goals, short term goals usually include those which can be achieved in the next 3 – 5 years. Long term goals extend beyond 10 years or more. Interim goals apply to some career paths, but not all. The interim goals fall between the short and long term goals outlined in the personal statement for graduate school and depend upon the industry or program.

Need help? Check out EssayEdge editing services:

Your graduate personal statement should relate your future plans to your motivation to achieve these plans. If you introduce the idea of your long term goal in the opening paragraph of a personal statement for graduate school, then it is usually a good idea to return to the idea at the conclusion of the statement. This will remind the reader of your theme, your introduction, and your desire to pursue a career in the field discussed in the graduate personal statement.

Graduate Personal Statements have Never been More Important

Another important part of the section on the future plans in graduate personal statements is the opportunity to focus on the application of the intended degree program to those plans.

The writer of a personal statement for graduate school should include information about desirable coursework in the program and professors of interest who teach those courses. If research is an element of the program, then a discussion of the research lab, its purpose, and the professors in charge of the lab, as well as any past relevant personal research experience , would be a good inclusion in this graduate personal statement.

A graduate personal statement could also benefit from some discussion of future alumni networking and community-building within the program. Potential synergistic relationships, whether in the medical, scientific, business, commercial, or artistic world, could benefit careers and should be noted in the graduate personal statement.

We hope that the answer to a question like,” Should I use a proofreading service for grad school ?” is obvious to you. The requirements for graduate-level papers are rigorous, but they let schools choose the most decent applicants. If you have already finished your essay, send it to us and use the promo code above to get a nice discount.

Writing Tips for a Career Goals Essay (2023)

Jennifer Finetti Mar 1, 2023

Get our best scholarship practices, insights & tips delivered to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

For your college scholarship essay, you may be asked about your career goals. The scholarship committee wants to see how investing in your education will help your career. Do you have a definitive plan? Will a college education fit into that plan? These are the answers they want to see.

In this guide, we will provide some scholarship essay examples about career goals to jumpstart your essay writing.

Writing tips for career goals scholarship essays

Here are some quick tips for writing career goal scholarship essays:

Write about career goals that tie into the scholarship. This doesn’t mean you have to lie about your career goals to make them fit. Find a way to relate them to the scholarship committee or other elements of the scholarship.
Be precise about your career goals. Avoid vague statements that suggest you do not have a plan. Judges like to see determination because it shows they’re making a worthy educational investment.
Discuss how your education will help you achieve your career goals. The scholarship will assist with your education. Show a connection between the two so they can see why you deserve this scholarship.
If you mention multiple goals, indicate which one you feel most strongly about. Longer essays may allow you to mention a backup plan, but the committee needs to see where your focus lies.
Avoid cliché statements. Describe how your specific talents, experiences, and degree pursuits will help you succeed.
Point out solutions, not problems. You may mention struggles you’ve had in the past, but pinpoint how you will learn from them. Moreover, show how those struggles led to your career goals.
Organize your thoughts in a fluid manner. This will most likely be in chronological order, starting with your degree and progressing through your career growth.
Write, revise, rest, revise. This goes for any essay writing. Write the first draft from start to finish. Then read through it and edit any grammar or flow errors. Take a break, preferably overnight, and then re-read your content with fresh eyes.

The fastest path to earning scholarships

Simplify and focus your application process with the one-stop platform for vetted scholarships.

Example 1: Scholarship essay about career goals (100 words)

In a 100-word scholarship essay, you need to quickly make your point. There is not enough room for a lengthy intro or backstory. Use concise, comprehensive statements to deliver the most information in the fewest words.

I’m a sophomore at Texas Tech University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Companion Animal Science. After graduation, I hope to attend Texas A&M to become a veterinarian serving rescue organizations and animal shelters. I was born and raised in the south, where it is common for people to abandon animals in rural areas. Those animals then go into a rescue – emaciated, frightened, and confused. I want to work with rescues to provide affordable veterinary medicine to the animals they save. This scholarship would help me continue my education and potentially save thousands of abandoned animals in the future.

Word count: 99

Example 2: Scholarship essay about career goals (250 words)

With a 250-word scholarship essay, you have a little more room to discuss the details of your career goals. You can explain situations from your past that inspired your career pursuits. You could use one paragraph to talk about your short-term goals and another to talk about your long-term goals. Just make sure the big picture ties into the scholarship.

My name is Patrick Holden and I am a freshman at the University of Michigan, majoring in English and minoring in linguistics. I plan to become an English teacher, but this wasn’t always what I had in mind. When thinking about my future, I always saw myself in some sort of corporate office, perhaps as an executive assistant or a loan officer at a bank. My father works in the finance office for a car dealership and my mother works at a call center. I assumed I would follow a similar, albeit boring, path in life. In my junior year of high school, everything changed. My English teacher inspired me in ways I could have never imagined. She got me to love writing, literature, etymology, and everything about the English language. She made me want to be a better student in all of my classes, and she helped me see the value of education. I decided then that I wanted to inspire other students just as she did for me. My parents are unfortunately not able to contribute much toward my college expenses. I have earned a tuition scholarship based on my ACT score, but I still need additional funding for books and supplies. English majors have particularly high book costs because we have to purchase multiple books for each class. With the help of this scholarship, I could afford to continue my degree and become an English teacher.

Word count: 240

Example 3: Scholarship essay about career goals (500 words)

With 500 words or more to play around with, you have plenty of space to talk about your career goals. Maintain the same theme throughout the scholarship essay. Each paragraph should connect to the next, and they should all work together to describe your career plan. Avoid making disconnected statements for the sake of word count. In the end, the scholarship committee should have a clear view of your educational plans and professional aspirations.

Internet marketing has gone from an optional method of advertisement to a vital step in business outreach. Even small businesses in remote towns look to the internet to attract customers and spread the word about their services. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing with an emphasis on Digital Marketing. With this training, I will be able to enter a profession that will only grow year by year. When I was younger, I found print advertisements to be fascinating. I loved reading the newspaper with my father just to see the full-page ads in between stories. When I got older though, those ads became less appealing because they were not adaptive. They seemed dated, static and ill-fit for changes in society. That’s when I discovered internet marketing. It was still in its infancy when I was in middle school, but by the time I graduated high school, it had become a staple in business development. I loved the way internet marketers had to constantly adjust to fit Google’s algorithms, new mobile devices, and new audiences. I knew this was the career for me. Originally, I planned to focus solely on business marketing because there were not many digital marketing degrees available. Over the last two years though, several schools throughout the country have developed internet marketing courses that explain fundamental methods of search engine optimization, website analytics, and more. These are the foundations I will build my career around. The best part about internet marketing is that there is always something new to learn. I can use my creative mind and exploratory nature to try new advertising methods that help businesses succeed. Every time they do well, I do well. This is the kind of job fulfillment most people can only dream of, but my educational plan and job prospects will allow me to achieve it. I have picked up some freelance jobs online to supplement my studies and help pay for my education. It is difficult to maintain a steady stream of income in freelance because I spend so much time on my school work. This scholarship could offset some of the costs and reduce my workload as a whole. While I will still work throughout the semester and full-time in the summers, having extra financial aid would greatly reduce my stress in college. I look forward to a future where I can use my marketing skills to help business owners achieve their career goals. I plan to spend the first few years after graduation working for a successful, long-standing digital marketing company. After I have enough on-the-job training to feel confident in my abilities, I will open my own internet marketing company in Chicago, where my family lives. I have a clear picture of where I will be in the next 10 years, and I know this degree is going to help me get there.

Word count: 481

Scholarship Essay

Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

6 Tips to Writing a Great Scholarship Essay

You Need, We Provide: New Features, Filters and Functions

From Zero to Hero – in a Jiffy: How one student earned a $10,000 scholarship

Get started with scholarshipowl.

Simplify and focus your application process with the one-stop platform for vetted scholarships

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write the perfect harvard essay: 3 expert tips.

College Info , College Essays

Aiming for the world-renowned Harvard University? As part of the application to this prestigious Ivy League school, you'll be required to submit responses to five short answer questions.

This is actually a big change! In years past, Harvard offered an optional supplemental essay opportunity that applicants could write to add extra flair to their application. This year, Harvard has opted to require responses to five short answer prompts and completely omitted the optional, supplemental Harvard essay prompt.

But what should you write about for your Harvard essay short answers? What are the different Harvard essay prompts to choose from, and how should you answer them so you can give yourself your best shot at getting in?

In this guide, we give you advice for each Harvard essay prompt as well as tips on how to decide what to write. But before we look at the prompts, let's go over what Harvard actually requires in terms of essays.

Feature Image: Gregor Smith /Flickr

What Essays Do You Need to Submit to Harvard?

Those applying for admission to Harvard must submit an application through either the Common Application or the Coalition Application . For your Harvard application, you'll need to write a personal essay in response to one of the prompts provided by the Common App or Coalition App (depending on the system you're applying through).

This essay is required for all applicants and should typically be about 500-550 words long (and must be less than 650 words). To learn more about this essay, check out the current prompts for the Common App and Coalition App on their official websites.

In addition to this required essay, Harvard first-year applicants are required to submit 250 word (max) responses to five short answer questions .

Here are the prompts for the five required 2023-2024 Harvard short answer questions :

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?

Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.

How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

Now, you might be wondering: is Harvard offering an optional supplemental essay opportunity as part of this year’s application process? No. This year, Harvard is not accepting optional supplemental essays as part of the first-year admissions process . The optional supplemental essay has been offered in previous years, but not for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. The five short answer questions listed above are part of what’s called the Harvard first-year application supplement. But they aren’t the same thing as the supplemental essay from years past! And the important thing to remember is this: these short answer questions–and the entire Harvard supplement–are not optional. You’ll have to answer all five questions if you want to be considered as a candidate for admission!

The good news is that each short answer topic is very open ended, and they give you plenty of room to express who you are and how and why you’re the perfect fit for Harvard!

How to Write the Harvard Short Answers: Every Prompt Analyzed

In this section, we go through the five required Harvard supplement essay prompts and offer you tips on how to write effective, powerful short answers…in 200 words or less!

Prompt 1: Diversity

This first Harvard essay prompt is all about what you can bring to campus that will positively contribute to student diversity. Though we tend to think of race/ethnicity when using the word "diversity," you can actually interpret this word in a number of ways.

As a large and prestigious institution, Harvard strongly values students who have different and unique backgrounds and experiences, so it's important for them to admit students who embody these values as well.

This prompt is essentially a version of the diversity essay, which we talk about in more detail in our guide.

Here are some key types of diversity you can discuss (note that this is not an exhaustive list!):

Your ethnicity or race
A unique interest, passion, hobby, or skill you have
Your family or socioeconomic background
Your religion
Your cultural group
Your sex or gender/gender identity
Your opinions or values
Your sexual orientation

Tips for Answering This Prompt

Choose a personal characteristic that's had a large impact on your identity. Don't talk about your family's religion if it's had little or no impact on how you see and define yourself. Instead, concentrate on the most significant experiences or skills in your life. If you play the theremin every day and have a passion for music because of it, this would be a great skill to write about in your essay.
Be clear about how your unique characteristic has affected your life and growth. You don't just want to introduce the experience/skill and leave it at that. How has it molded you into the person you are today? How has it influenced your ambitions and goals?
Be sure to tie this characteristic back to the diversity at Harvard. Basically, how will your experience/skill/trait positively influence the Harvard student body? For example, if you come from a specific cultural group, how do you believe this will positively impact other students?

Prompt 2: Important Intellectual Experience

With this prompt, Harvard wants you to focus on an intellectual or learning experience that's had a big impact on you in terms of your personal growth, your academic/intellectual interests and passions, the field of study you want to pursue, etc.

This intellectual experience could be anything that's intellectually stimulating, such as an essay or book you read, a poem you analyzed, or a research project you conducted.

Note that this experience does not need to be limited to something you did for school —if you've done anything in your spare time or for an extracurricular activity that you think fits this prompt, feel free to write about that.

For example, you could write about how you found an old copy of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species at a garage sale, and how reading this prompted you to develop an interest in biology, which you now intend to major in and eventually make a career out of.

This is also an ideal prompt to highlight a particular interest or passion you have that differs from the academic field you want to study in college.

For instance, perhaps you're applying for admission as a computer science major, but you're also a huge fan of poetry and often take part in local poetry readings. Writing about a poem you recently read and analyzed could illuminate to the admissions committees a different, less prominent side of your personality and intellectual interests , ultimately showing that you're open minded and invested in gaining both new skills and experiences.

Choose an experience that had a significant impact on you . Don't talk about how reading Romeo and Juliet in eighth grade made you realize how much you enjoyed writing plays if you were already writing plays way before then! Pinpoint an intellectual experience that was meaningful to you, and write about it honestly.
Be specific about the intellectual experience you had and clearly relate it back to your strengths and interests . In other words, what kind of impact did this experience have on you? Your academic goals? Your future plans? For example, instead of writing about how a scientific paper on climate change made you think more deeply about the environment, you could talk about how this paper prompted you to form a recycling program at your school, take a class on marine biology, and so forth.

Prompt 3: Non-Academic Defining Experiences

This prompt is asking you to discuss experiences you've had that involved traveling, living, learning, and/or working in some capacity outside of the formal classroom. Most importantly, you’ll need to explain what kind of effect that experience has had on you.

Here are examples of experiences you could talk about for this essay:

Any extracurricular activity you engage in, particularly a spike approach, if you’ve got one (learn more about creating your spike approach in our complete guide !)
Living or traveling abroad
Moving to a new place or living in multiple places
Working a part-time job
Working a temporary job or internship somewhere outside your own community
Helping with finances, caregiving, or maintaining a family business (like a farm or lawn care business, for example)
Choose a truly significant experience to talk about. Although your experience doesn't need to be life-changing, it should have had a noteworthy impact on you and who you've become. If, for example, you traveled to Mexico with your family but didn't really enjoy or learn much from the trip, it's better to avoid writing about this experience.
Make sure to talk about how this travel/living/work experience has affected you. For example, say you spent a couple of summers in high school visiting relatives in South Africa. You could write about how these trips helped you develop a stronger sense of independence and self-sufficiency—traits which have made you more assertive, especially when it comes to leading group projects and giving speeches.
Don't be afraid to get creative with this essay. For instance, if you lived in a country where you at first didn't understand the local language, you could open your Harvard essay with an anecdote, such as a conversation you overheard or a funny miscommunication.

Prompt 4: Harvard and Your Future

This Harvard essay prompt is pretty self-explanatory: it wants you to discuss how you intend to use your education at Harvard after you graduate—so in a future job or career, in grad school, in a particular research field, etc.

Basically, how will your college education help you achieve your future goals (whatever those may be)?

If you’re still undecided about the field(a) you want to study at Harvard, don’t panic! It’s okay to think outside the box for this prompt.

Maybe you don’t know what you want to major in yet, but you do know that you share Harvard’s values and want to bring those values to the world after you graduate. Whether you’ll do that by joining the Peace Corps or heading back to your hometown to volunteer for a few months before starting your career, just be specific about how Harvard is the right school to put you on the path to your future!

Be careful when talking about your future goals. You don't want to come off too idealistic, but you also don't want to sound too broad or you'll come across unfocused and ambivalent. Try to strike a balance in how you discuss your future dreams so that they're both attainable and specific.
Clearly connect your goals back to your current self and what you've accomplished up until this point. You want to make it clear that your goals are actually attainable, specifically with a Harvard education. If you say you hope to start your own interior design business after graduation but are planning to major in biology, you're only going to confuse the admissions committee!
Emphasize any ways Harvard specifically will help you attain your academic goals. For example, is there a club you hope to join that could connect you with other students? Or is there a particular professor you want to work with? Don't just throw in names of clubs and people but specifically explain how these resources will help you reach your goals. In short, show Harvard that what they can offer you is exactly what you need to succeed.

Prompt 5: Your Future Goals

How you hope to use your college education

This Harvard essay prompt is pretty self-explanatory: it wants you to discuss how you intend to use your education at Harvard after you graduate —so in a future job or career, in grad school, in a particular research field, etc.

Should You Choose This Prompt?

If you have a pretty clear vision for your future goals during and after college, this is a perfect prompt to choose for your Harvard essay.

If, on the other hand, you're still undecided about the field(s) you want to study or how you intend to use your major, you might want to choose a different prompt that's less focused on your future and more concentrated on how past events and experiences have shaped you as a person.

Prompt 6: List of Books

A list of books you have read during the past twelve months

Of all Harvard essay prompts, this one is by far the most unique.

Here, you're asked to simply list the books you've read in the past year. This essay is more than just a list, though—it's a brief overview of where your intellectual interests lie. These books may include works of fiction or nonfiction, essays, collections of poetry, etc.

Have you read a lot of diverse and interesting books in the past year? Are you an avid reader who loves dissecting books and essays? Do you enjoy a creative approach to college essays? If you answered yes to these questions, then this prompt is a perfect fit for you.

Even if you haven't read a ton of books this past year, if you were especially intrigued by some or all of what you did read, you could certainly use this prompt for your essay.

Instead of just listing the titles of books you've read, you might want to include a short sentence or two commenting on your reaction to the book, your analysis of it, why you enjoyed or didn't enjoy it, etc., after each title. Be sure to vary up your comments so that you're highlighting different aspects of your personality. Also, don't just regurgitate analyses you've read online or that your teacher has said—try to come up with your own thoughts and interpretations.
Don't feel the need to stick to only the most "impressive" books you read. The Harvard admissions committee wants to see your personality, not that of a pretentious applicant who claims to have only read Jane Austen and Ernest Hemingway. Be honest: if you read Twilight in a day, why not make a short joke about how addictive it was?
Go beyond a chronological list of books. It'll be far more interesting if you list the books you read in a more unique way. For example, you could organize titles by theme or in the order of how much you enjoyed them.

Prompt 7: Honesty

The Harvard College Honor code declares that we "hold honesty as the foundation of our community." As you consider entering this community that is committed to honesty, please reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty.

As you can see with this quotation, Harvard strongly values honesty and integrity. Therefore, if you go with this prompt, you're essentially telling Harvard that you, too, embody a powerful sense of morality and honesty.

Was there a specific time in your life when you had to make a difficult choice to be honest about something with someone?
Could this incident be considered morally ambiguous? In other words, was the "right thing to do" somewhat of a gray area?
If you didn't make the "right" choice at the time, how did you come to terms with or learn from this decision? What were the consequences, and what did this experience teach you about your own morals and how you value honesty?
Be wary of the topic you choose to write about. Don't discuss a situation in which you did something obviously unethical or, worse, illegal. These types of situations are very black and white and therefore don't pose much of a moral dilemma. Additionally, talking about such an experience might make you seem dishonest and immoral, which you absolutely do not want Harvard to think about you!
Try to find a topic that isn't black and white. Choosing "gray" incidents will help emphasize why the choice was so difficult for you and also why it's affected you in this way. For example, say your friend calls you crying right before you have to leave to take the SAT. Do you skip the test to comfort your friend, or do you hang up and leave? This kind of situation does not have an evident "right" answer, making it an ideal one to use for this essay.
You could also discuss a time when you did not make the "right" choice—and what you learned from that mistake. As long as you look closely at why you made the "wrong" choice and what this incident taught you about integrity, your essay will be interesting and relevant.

Prompt 8: Citizens and Citizen-Leaders

The mission of Harvard College is to educate our students to be citizens and citizen-leaders for society. What would you do to contribute to the lives of your classmates in advancing this mission?

This prompt might sound a little vague, but all it wants to know is how you'll have a positive impact on both your classmates and on other people after graduation. Put simply, what kind of leader/citizen will you be at Harvard? After you graduate from college and enter the real world?

This prompt is similar to Prompt 5 in that it wants to know what kind of person you'll become after you leave college and how you'll positively influence society.

If you're a natural-born leader and have had at least a few significant experiences with leading or facilitating things such as club activities, field trips, volunteer efforts, and so on, then this Harvard essay prompt would be a great fit for you.

Focus on a time when you led others and it resulted in a positive outcome. For instance, you could write about your position as team captain on your school's soccer team and how you would gather your teammates before each game to offer words of encouragement and advice on how to improve. You could then describe how your team began to perform better in games due to clearer communication and a stronger sense of sportsmanship. Make sure to answer the critical question: how did you lead and what ultimately made your leadership style successful?
Discuss what kind of role your leadership skills will have at both Harvard and after you graduate. The prompt is asking about your classmates, so you must specifically address how your leadership skills will contribute to the lives of your peers. How will your past experiences with leading help you approach group projects, for example? Or clubs you join?
Make sure to mention how you'll be a good citizen, too. By "citizen," Harvard essentially means a productive member of both the school and society in general. Basically, how have you contributed to the betterment of society? This is a good place to talk about experiences in which you played a crucial supporting role; for instance, maybe you helped out with a local volunteer initiative to feed the homeless, or maybe you joined a community project to build a new park in your town.

Prompt 9: Taking Time Off

Each year a substantial number of students admitted to Harvard defer their admission for one year or take time off during college. If you decided in the future to choose either option, what would you like to do?

Here, you're being asked what you plan to do with your time if you decide to defer your admission to Harvard or take time off during college. For example, will you travel the world? Work a full-time job? Do an internship? Take care of a sick relative?

Obviously, Harvard doesn't want to read that all you're going to do is relax and play video games all day, so make sure to think carefully about what your actual plans are and, more importantly, how these plans will benefit you as a person and as a student.

Only choose this Harvard essay prompt if you're pretty certain you'll be taking time off from college at some point (either before or during) and you have a relatively concrete idea of what you want to do during that time.

Be specific and honest about your plans. While many students like to take time off to travel the world, you don't just want to write, "I plan to backpack Europe and learn about cultures." Think critically about your desires: why do you want to do this and how will this experience help you grow as a person? Don't just reiterate what you think Harvard wants to hear—be transparent about why you feel you need this time off from school to accomplish this goal.
Be clear about why you must do this at this particular time. In other words, why do you think this (i.e., before or during college) is the right time to do whatever it is you plan to do? Is it something you can (or must) do at this exact time, such as a one-time internship that won't be offered again?

Prompt 10: Diversity

Harvard has long recognized the importance of student body diversity of all kinds. We welcome you to write about distinctive aspects of your background, personal development or the intellectual interests you might bring to your Harvard classmates.

This final Harvard essay prompt is all about what you can bring to campus that will positively contribute to student diversity. Though we tend to think of race/ethnicity when using the word "diversity," you can actually interpret this word in a number of ways.

This prompt is essentially a version of the diversity essay , which we talk about in more detail in our guide.

The main question to ask yourself before choosing this prompt is this: do you have a unique background or interest you can write about?

If any of these topics stand out to you and you can easily come up with a specific characteristic or experience to discuss for your essay, then this is a solid prompt to consider answering.

Be clear about how your unique characteristic has affected your life and growth. You don't just want to introduce the experience/skill and leave it at that. How has it molded you into the person you are today? How has it influenced your ambitions and goals?

Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions combines world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've guided thousands of students to get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit and are driven to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in:

A Real Harvard Essay Example

Our resident full SAT / ACT scorer and co-founder of PrepScholar, Allen Cheng , applied to, got into, and attended Harvard—and he's posted his own Harvard supplement essay for you to look at. You can read all about Allen's essay in his analysis of his successful Harvard application .

Allen describes his essay as "probably neutral to [his Harvard] application, not a strong net positive or net negative," so it's important to note that this Harvard essay example is not representative of exactly what you should do in your own Harvard supplement essay. Rather, we're showing it to you to give you a taste of how you could approach the Harvard essay and to demonstrate the kinds of simple mistakes you should avoid.

Writing a Memorable Harvard Essay: 3 Tips

To wrap up, here are three tips to keep in mind as you write your Harvard supplement essay.

#1: Use an Authentic Voice

Having a clear, unique, and authentic voice is the key to making yourself stand apart from other applicants in your Harvard application—and to ensuring you're leaving a long-lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Therefore, write your essay in the way that comes most naturally to you, and talk about the things that actually matter to you. For example, if you love puns, throwing one or two puns into your essay will emphasize your goofier, non-academic side.

Using your voice here is important because it humanizes your application. The essay is the only chance you get to show the admissions committee who you are and what you actually sound like, so don't pretend to be someone you're not!

The only thing to look out for is using too much slang or sounding too casual. In the end, this is still a college essay, so you don't want to come off sounding rude, disrespectful, or immature.

In addition, don't exaggerate any experiences or emotions. The Harvard admissions committee is pretty good at their job—they read thousands of applications each year!—so they'll definitely be able to tell if you're making a bigger deal out of something than you should be. Skip the hyperbole and stick to what you know.

Ultimately, your goal should be to strike a balance so that you're being true to yourself while also showcasing your intelligence and talents.

#2: Get Creative

Harvard is one of the most difficult schools to get into (it only has about a 4% acceptance rate! ), so you'll need to make sure your essay is really, really attention-grabbing. In short, get creative with it!

As you write your personal essay, recall the classic saying: show, don't tell. This means that you should rely more on description and imagery than on explanation.

For example, instead of writing, "I became more confident after participating in the debate club," you might write, "The next time I went onstage for a debate, my shoulders didn't shake as much; my lips didn't quiver; and my heart only beat 100 times instead of 120 times per minute."

Remember that your essay is a story about yourself, so make sure it's interesting to read and will ultimately be memorable to your readers.

#3: Edit and Proofread a Lot

My final tip is to polish your essay by editing and proofreading it a lot. This means you should look it over not once, not twice, but several times.

Here's the trick to editing it: once you've got a rough draft of your essay finished, put it away for a few days or a week or two. Don't look at it all during this time —you want to give yourself some distance so that you can look at your essay later with a fresh perspective.

After you've waited, read over your essay again, noting any mistakes in spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation. Take care to also note any awkward wording, unclear areas, or irrelevant ideas. Ask yourself: is there anything you should add? Delete? Expand?

Once you've done this step several times and have a (nearly) final draft ready to turn in, give your essay to someone you can trust, such as a teacher, parent, or mentor. Have them look it over and offer feedback on tone, voice, theme, style, etc. In addition, make sure that they check for any glaring grammatical or technical errors.

Once all of this is done, you'll have a well-written, polished Harvard essay ready to go— one that'll hopefully get you accepted!

What's Next?

If you've got questions about other parts of the Harvard application, check out our top guide to learn what you'll need to submit to get into the prestigious Ivy League school .

How tough is it to get into Harvard? To other selective universities ? For answers, read our expert guide on how to get into Harvard and the Ivy League , written by an actual Harvard alum!

What's the average SAT score of admitted Harvard applicants? The average ACT score? The average GPA? Learn all this and more by visiting our Harvard admissions requirements page .

Want to write the perfect college application essay? We can help. Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges. Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Free Samples
Premium Essays
Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
Essay Writing Help
About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ

Essays on future plans

Studentshare
future plans
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PRIVACY POLICY
COOKIES POLICY

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Future Plan

Future Plan Essay Examples

My vision for the future: a fulfilling life in 20 years.

Here in 20 years from now essay I will explore my future plans and inspirations. So I see myself as a successful entrepreneur running my own sustainable business. I envision a future where I have achieved financial stability and created a positive impact in the...

Embracing Life after School's Journey of Growth and Discovery

Graduating from school marks a significant milestone in one's life. For years, school has been a structured environment, a place of learning, growth, and social interaction. As students step into the realm of life after school, they embark on a new journey filled with opportunities,...

Unleashing the Potential: My Future Plan and Academic Aspirations

As a high school senior, I have spent a lot of time thinking about my future plan, a part of it I wrote in this essay. I have always been passionate about science and technology, and I plan to pursue a degree in computer science....

My Hopes for the Future

The canvas of the future stretches before us, awaiting the brushstrokes of our dreams, aspirations, and actions. As I contemplate what lies ahead, I am filled with a sense of anticipation and determination. My hopes for the future are anchored in the pursuit of personal...

Embracing the Unknown: a Personal Understanding of the Future

Understanding career opportunities, in my future essay sample I will sgare my plane for career development. I am currently in my second year of study in architecture at Coventry University. My plan is to be a registered architect as my future career. It is not...

Personal Future Plans and Goals in Education

There was experience in my life that ahs showed what I really want to do in the future. Within the future plans and goals essay I will share some plans through personal experience of working as a teacher and what it has changed in my...

Sharing My Future Plan and Career Goals after Graduation

My future plan after graduation is revealed in this essay. After graduation, I really want to pursue a career in marketing. I have always been fascinated by the power of branding and advertising, and I believe that a career in marketing will allow me to...

My Plans to Become a Practicing Consultant in Business Questions

After careful consideration of the various ways to advance my career, I decided to apply to Depaul University Masters program in Accounting. The hope is that this masters programme will equip me with advanced skills and applicable knowledge I require for management and leadership; I...

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!