What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Can someone share successful PIQ question examples?

Feeling a bit stressed here trying to draft my Personal Insight Questions. It feels like everything I write sounds generic. If anyone's comfortable sharing, I’d love to see some examples of PIQs that stood out or just tips on making them unique to my own experiences.

9 months ago

Hey there! I understand the stress of drafting your Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). Remember, the key to a successful PIQ is to focus on what makes your experiences and perspective unique. Think of moments that define you, no matter how small they may seem at first. For instance, I had a student who wrote about the lessons learned while baking family recipes handed down through generations. The subject itself might seem common, but they connected it to broader themes of heritage, resilience, and innovation. They discussed how adapting these recipes to modern dietary restrictions taught them to think creatively and uphold traditions adaptively, showcasing their problem-solving skills and respect for family history. You might also consider moments where you've shown leadership or innovation, faced a challenge, or engaged deeply in an activity you're passionate about. Be reflective, inject your voice, and don't shy away from what’s real and true for you — even if it seems mundane at first. Your authenticity is what will make your PIQs stand out.

9 months ago

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.