University of Virgini has an essay prompt that is required and it is: “what work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?” I’am absolutely stuck on this question. Can anyone give me example of how to respond to this prompt? And also, could I use a movie for the response?
One of my kids applied there years ago (and was admitted), and they had that same prompt. She wrote a criticism of a very popular book that lots of kids have to read in HS that she thought was just “meh” - she wrote why she didn’t like it and why she thought it remained a staple for high schoolers to read
Go ahead and use the movie - remember they are just trying to get to know you through your essay
I think you can use a movie- as long as you’re able to articulate what exactly about the movie has impacted you so deeply.
Get creative. They are intentionally broad in their prompts. A “work” can be anything. I actually used a common medical practice that affects a family member of mine as the “work” and discussed how this challenges and inspires me.
My three children were all accepted and all had a different perspective on “work.” The first picked music, the second picked a book her high school teacher had never heard of, and the third picked a an environmental science premise. The essay is supposed to give information about yourself. The “work” is just the vehicle that allows you to share.