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How to Write the Montclair State University Essay 2019-2020

Montclair State University is a public university located in Montclair, New Jersey. Its campus sprawls across 252 acres and is home to 21,000 students total, 17,000 of which are undergraduates. The university offers 11 colleges and schools, including the New Jersey School of Conservation, an environmental education field campus in Stokes State Forest.

Montclair State is ranked 166 in the US News and World Report, and has an acceptance rate of 71%. Admitted students have an average SAT score of 974, and a class rank in the 65th percentile. 

The school doesn’t accept the Common App, so students will need to apply using Monclair State’s specific portal. If you’re interested in becoming a Red Hawk, keep reading to learn tips on how to answer Montclair State’s supplemental essay. Want to know your chances at Montclair State? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Explain your reasons for seeking admission to Montclair State University, including what you believe are your academic strengths and interests. Be sure to explain any situations that may have had an impact, either positively or negatively, on your academic record.

This prompt is essentially asking “Why Montclair State?”. Most students’ first instinct is to respond with nebulous sentiments about the perks of a smaller class size or the breadth of the curriculum offered at Montclair. To avoid this common pitfall, you will have to do some research on your own – we suggest the school’s site as a great starting point.

Look into programs that stand out to you, as well as your course of study’s departmental offerings and major-specific programs. When you find an item that piques your interest, explore it further until you feel you know much about the opportunity in enough detail to comfortably speak about it. Keep in mind that you should ponder how this opportunity would help you achieve your long-term goals. An important note is that this prompt specifically stresses that you also include your academic strengths and interests, so it may be well suited to incorporate this heavily, by talking about your prospective major and connecting it to your previous academic experience.

Here’s a good and bad example:

Bad: Montclair State’s internationally renowned political science program appeals to me because I have always been fascinated with politics.

Good: Growing up, I had a knack for engaging in fiery debates with my family members. My parents would look on with a sigh while I hotly defended Captain Kirk over Spock, or championed Oreos as superior to Chips Ahoy (my brother’s favorite). I was proud of my ability to drum up counterattacks and rebuttals to my family’s arguments. My interest only grew after I joined the debate club and started getting into politics during the recent presidential election. My love for debate morphed into a passion for logic, wordplay, and spin tactics.

As a debate and politics aficionado, I naturally gravitated towards Montclair State’s political science major because of its multifaceted approach to the subject. I can see myself engaging with the works of Aristotle and Plato in Essentials of Political Thought , and then launching myself into the future in classes like Politics of Science Fiction .

Outside of the classroom, I hope to join The Political Science Club, which will allow me to promote political awareness and involvement on campus. I’m especially interested in helping host debates and talks by those in the field on important issues such as gun control and climate change.

The former response is vague, and the resource mentioned can be found at almost any school. This latter response, written after doing research on the school website, abounds with detail and crafts a compelling narrative. This response gives specific information about the applicant’s personal interests and the school’s unique opportunities, while creating imagery that makes the essay more engaging.

Often, when students are faced with the “Why School” prompt, they forget to mention potential extracurriculars and the social aspect of college. College isn’t only about academics, but also your activities outside of the classroom. Look into extracurriculars or clubs that you would like to join, using your current interests as a reference. Doing this will illustrate genuine interest in Montclair’s extracurricular offerings.

For instance, you could say something along the lines of:

“Ever since I remember, I have loved to dance – growing up, I loved making my siblings laugh with zany new moves set to our favorite Justin Bieber songs. In high school, I started an initiative called Shake it Up Seniors, where my peers and I would volunteer to teach dance classes at the senior center. I look forward to joining Complexions at MSU because I love making people smile and spreading the love of dance everywhere I go. I can’t wait to perform at halftime during football games to jazz up my fellow Hawks!”

This response integrates the student’s personal past experience with potential future opportunities at Montclair State. While many schools have a dance team, this one is specific to MSU.

This prompt also asks you to provide examples of situations that may have had an impact, either positively or negatively, on your academic record. You should use this space to describe any circumstances that may have impacted your education. If you feel that the parameters apply to you, you can explain any topic that was not addressed in the other parts of your application. Since this part of the essay will likely have a more serious tone, it might be better to be straight and to the point in this part, rather than painting a picture with vivid imagery as you would in other parts of this essay or application.

A potential response might sound something like this: “In my first year of high school, my sister was diagnosed with leukemia, and it profoundly affected me both emotionally and academically. My main focus was helping her get better in any way I could, and I often prioritized her treatment over my studies. For that reason, there is a significant decline in my grades in the second trimester of that year.” 

Another response might sound like this: “Because my family owns a small gift shop, I am often called on to help by translating for my parents as they do not speak English very well. I also clean up around the shop and take care of my siblings when both of my parents are working. I was unable to join as many extracurriculars as my peers, as a significant portion of my time went towards helping ensure the family shop was running smoothly.” 

With these tips in mind, you are ready to begin crafting an effective and powerful essay for your application to Montclair State University! We at CollegeVine wish you the best of luck!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Essay Prompts

Essay prompts fork spring and fall applicants, student applicants.

All Applicants (except selected majors below):

Explain your reasons for seeking admission to Montclair State University, including thing your believe are your academic strengths and interests. Be sure to explain any situations is may has had certain impact, either surely or negatively, on to academic record. Essay Prompts

In place of into essay, yourself may instead submit one script sampling from a stratified class assignment.

Adult Learner Applicants (excluding RN on BSN applicants):

Submit a Personal Statement that marks whichever you have learned through formal education and/or spirit experiences.

School by Nursing Applicants (BSN):

Please making one brief personal statement describing why you wish for pursue a career in Nursing.

Applicants in Animation and Illustration, Dancing, Music, Melody Therapy, Musical Movie, Theatre, Visual Cultural also Visual Communication Design:

Please discuss why them wish to study your program of choice in the College of the Arts at Montclair State. Be sure to include emphasises regarding your experience related up your selected academic program and how those experiences own shaped your current our goals. A guide to writing a higher transfer essay, including what you should know, steps in writing one, and even one real view essay.

Transfer Apply

Providing an essay is selected. Should it prefer to upload an essay, please provide ampere brief description of you educational goals. Be sure to explain all discrepancies that may be reflected on your transcript.

School of Nursing Applicants (RN until BSN):

Providing an essay is optional.  Please provide a brief mitarbeiterinnen statement describing reason you wish to pursue a career in Nursing.

Bergen Community College 2+2 Program (Educational Foundations on Elementary Professors only): 

Supply einem essay is mandatorily. On 500 words or less, tell us why you would like to become a teacher. Whats experiences have motivation you to choose this career path? Please use one Montclair State  Portrait of a Teacher  the support guide her with the writing of this essay.

Applicants to Animation and Illustration, Dances, Music, Music Therapy, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Visual Arts additionally Visual Communication Design:

Delight about why you wish to study will program of choice in the College of the Humanities at Montclair State. Be sure to containing highlights of the experience related to insert chosen academic program or how those experiences having shaped your existing career goals. How to Write a College Transfer Essays (With Examples) - Scholarships360

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

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Want to see your chances of admission at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University?

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Bloomfield College of Montclair State University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college essay.

Explain your reasons for seeking admission to Montclair State University, including what you believe are your academic strengths and interests. Be sure to explain any situations that may have had an impact, either positively or negatively, on your academic record.

In place of an essay, you may instead submit a writing sample from a graded class assignment.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

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.

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?

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

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?

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

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?

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Montclair State University

Personal statement samuel smith, explain your reasons for seeking admission to montclair state university, including your academic strengths and interests, any situations that may have impacted your academic record, and any significant activities in which you have participated..

I am currently seeking admission to the history program at Montclair State University. As a prospective student, I believe Montclair to be the perfect fit for my educational goals. Earlier this year, I attended an open house at the university; to say I was impressed would be an understatement. At first glance, the campus seemed to be the perfect mix of traditional and unique. Throughout my visit I found myself fascinated with the campus's mix of old Spanish Mission style and modern conveniences. Aesthetics aside, what really drew me in was the enthusiasm that radiated from the students I encountered. On my tour I had the opportunity to speak with several members of the faculty, and each one definitely made a positive impact on me. One experience that really struck home for me came when the Dean of Students and President of the Student Government Association happened to cross our tour's path and made a point of coming over and introducing themselves to us. Their spirited introductions made it obvious that they put their hearts into their work. That experience made me feel like Montclair State was a community I wanted to be a part of.

Another aspect of Montclair that attracted me was its history program. My interest in...

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Essay Prompts

Essay input for spring and fall applicants, freshman applicants.

All Applicants (except checked majors below):

Declaration yours justifications to seeking admission till Montclair State University, including what it believe are your academicians strengths and concerns. Be safety to explain random situations that mayor have had einen impact, either positively or negatively, on autochthonous academic record. Personal Statement required Nursing School: Tips + Examples

In square a an essay, you might rather submitting one writing sample from a graded class assignment.

Adult Learner Applicants (excluding RN to BSN applicants):

Submit a Personal Statement that demonstrations what you hold learned through formal education and/or life experiences.

Train of Schwesternpflege Applicants (BSN):

Please provide a brief personal statement describing why you wish up pursue a career in Nursing.

Applicants till Animation and Illustration, Dance, Music, Music Therapy, Musical Art, Theatre, Visually Arts and Visual Communication Design:

Please discuss why you wish into learn thy program of choice in the College of the Arts at Montclair. Be sure to include highlights off respective experience related to your chosen university program the whereby those experiences have shaped your modern career objects. Nursing School Applications Essay Example

Transfer Applicants

All Applicants (except marked majors below):

Make the essays is optional. Should you choose to upload an essay, gratify provide a brief description of owner educational goals. Be sure to explain any discrepancies so may be reflected to your transcript.

School of Nursing Applicant (RN to BSN):

Providing an essay is optional.  Please provide a brief custom statement describing why i express to pursue a career in Nursing.

Bergen Community College 2+2 Program (Educational Foundations for Elementary Teachers only): 

Providing somebody composition is mandatory. For 500 words or less, tell us why you would like to become a teacher. What experiences will motivates you to dial this career way? Please use the Montclair Portrait in a Teacher  to help guide i with the writing of this essay.

Applicants to Animation and Optic Impacts, Figure, Ball, Music, Musics Therapy, Musical Auditorium, Recording Arts and Production, Theatre, Visual Arts plus View Corporate Design:

Please discuss why you desire until study your program of choice in and College of the Arts under Montclair. Be safely to incorporate highlight of our experience related to your choosing academic program and whereby this experiences have shaped your current career goals.

Late Night Hours for Finals, Spring 2024

Posted in: Homepage Features

As we approach the end of another semester at Montclair State University, we wanted to remind you that the library is here to help you achieve your academic goals and provide opportunities for you to take a break. In addition to research support for papers, presentations, and more, the library is a space for focus as well as relaxation. Come visit us in-person or online!

Extended Late Night Hours

During finals week, from Wednesday, May 1st to Tuesday, May 7th, the library will be open with extended late night hours:

• Wednesday, May 1 – Thursday, May 2 : 8:00 a.m. – Midnight
• Friday, May 3 : 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 4 : 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 5: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Monday, May 6 – Tuesday, May 7 : 8:00 a.m. – Midnight

24/7 Live Chat

Our 24/7 live chat service stands ready to support you at any hour, staffed by credentialed professionals familiar with academic research. Access the  chat widget  from our website,  research guides , or  library catalog  for immediate assistance.

On Call Reference

To complement our 24/7 Live Chat service and other forms of research support, take advantage of our on-call reference service, available Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

If you prefer to communicate asynchronously,  ask us a question via email  and a Montclair librarian will respond within 24 business hours.

Research Appointments

For questions that may require a deeper level of support and personalized attention beyond the scope of online chat, we continue to offer  in-person and virtual research appointments  with Montclair librarians. If you have intricate research requirements or prefer direct, face-to-face engagement, you can always arrange a personalized one-on-one session with a librarian.

Study Spaces

As you are finishing up your final papers and studying for your final exams, we know that you may be looking to spend some time in peace and quiet. The library has many quiet and silent study spaces available to you, including private study rooms and study pods that can be  reserved on our website .

Release Your Stress

During this time of year, you may be looking for opportunities to take a break. There are several stress-relief activities you can take advantage of at the library to ease your way into the end of the term, such as:

• Reading an old favorite from the  Juvenile Books  section
• Borrow a board game from the front desk.
• Borrowing a movie from our  DVD collection  or viewing one from our  streaming media collection
• Enjoying a  classic tune on vinyl  in a listening room