western oregon university essay prompts

You Can Still Apply Fall 2024

The application deadline for first-year students has passed, but applications are still being accepted. Late applications will be reviewed after complete, on-time applications have been processed.

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There's a lot going on. Let us help.

We're here for you, what we're looking for in our applicants.

We’re looking for applicants who are academically prepared and will actively contribute to our campus community. That’s why we use a holistic approach when we review your application. 

Grade trends and level and difficulty of courses are the most significant factors in our admission decisions. Still, we realize there are countless factors that show your true potential. Our review process considers school and community involvement, special talent, multicultural experiences, strength of character, and personal circumstances.

Strengthening Your Application

Use the essay and activities lists in your application to help the Admissions Committee learn what is important to you.

Writing Your Essay

Grades and test scores are important when applying for college admission, but it takes a lot more than "the numbers" to tell your story. The essay is a chance to give us a snapshot of who you are—your voice, your experiences, your goals. Remember that your essay is reviewed for both admission and scholarship purposes.

First-year Essay Prompts for 2024

Students are asked to respond to one of the prompts below as part of the application for admission. 

Prompt Option 1

Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?

Prompt Option 2

Share a meaningful experience and how this has helped shape you in your preparation for college. This could be related to your passions, commitments, leadership experience, family or cultural background.

Prompt Option 3

Topic of your choice. If you have written another essay that captures what you want the Admissions Committee to know about you, feel free to share it here.

Additional Optional Essay 

The “Tell us More” essay is an opportunity for you to describe any special circumstances that created challenges or opportunities for you while in high school, and what you learned from those experiences.

The content of your essay is important, but so is the quality. Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to read through your essay to catch errors and help you strengthen your message.

Most essay responses are about 500 words, but this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit. Feel free to write as much as you need to tell your story.

Be Yourself

This is a chance to share your story, so spend some time reflecting before you start writing. The best college essays make the reader feel like they know you, so write with authenticity. 

Share Your Achievements

Have you made a positive difference in the lives of others, whether in your family, community, or school? Tell us about it.

Show Your Dedication 

Demonstrating your dedication to activities and causes makes your application stand out. We want to see your commitment and passion. Tell us how those experiences affected you as a student or as a person.

Show You Care

Express your pride and appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusion of all identities . Enthusiasm for and experience within diverse environments will be key to your success here at Western and beyond.

Activities List

The activities list helps us understand how you spend your time. Provide a list of your most meaningful activities and achievements in high school, including: community involvement, volunteer experience, employment, athletics, extracurricular clubs, arts, family responsibilities, or special awards and recognition.

Please list your activities in order of importance to you and be sure to include:

• The name of the organization and/or involvement
• Your position or role
• How long you have participated
• A short description about the activities that are most significant to you. You do not need to describe all activities. For the most significant activities, please include a short description.

If you submit your application online, you can either upload your activities list to your application or type the list directly within the online form. If you apply using the paper application, please attach your activities list.  

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation aren't required, but if a teacher or counselor has written one for you, feel free to submit it with your application. Please ensure all letters of recommendation include your full name and date of birth. You or your teacher or counselor may submit a recommendation via mail or by emailing it to  [email protected] at any time, even after your application has been submitted. 

How to write a college or scholarship essay

Use these tips to write a successful essay. Practice with sample prompts or one from your applications.

Some college and scholarship applications require written responses to a specific question. These may range from a short paragraph to a longer essay.

Follow directions

This simple tip is the most important one—pay attention to what is asked. Answer the question, keep within page or word limits, and follow any special formatting requests.

Write your best

For most applications, you will only be submitting one or two written pieces. The people who read your applications assume that what they see is the best you can do. It’s your job to make sure you prove them right! Your essays should be examples of your best writing.

This is good practice no matter what you’re writing, but you’ll want to make sure you proofread these essays extra carefully. Better yet, have a friend or trusted adult proofread for you, too. You’d be surprised at the number of applicants who write that they really want to go to Oregon State University on their application to Linfield University! Thorough proofreading can prevent these simple mistakes.

Be yourself

Essays are an opportunity for admissions and scholarship committees to learn about you and your experiences that aren’t captured by your GPA or test scores. Use your essay to show them what’s important to you and to let your personality shine through. A note of caution: funny essays can be great to read, but if no one’s ever told you you’re funny, this isn’t the time to try.

Remember you have an audience

Most of the time you won’t meet the person who is reading your application, so it can feel like you don’t have an audience. It’s important to remember that you do. Keep in mind that you don’t know the politics, religion, or personal beliefs of the person who is reading your application. Choose a topic that matter to you, but be careful not to offend.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

There’s no question that writing essays can be time consuming. Reduce the amount of time you spend by reusing your work when possible. Many prompts are only slightly different from one another. With some careful editing (and proofreading!), you should be able to recycle an essay for one application into a usable essay for another.

Sample essay prompts from Oregon colleges

Common Application

A standard application used by 10+ colleges in Oregon as well as more than 900 colleges around the U.S. so you can apply to multiple schools with just one application. Some colleges may have additional essay questions.

Choose one of the prompts to write an essay of between 250–650 words.

• 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.

Other college applications

Many colleges ask additional essay questions. Often the admissions committee is looking to see you understand how the college would be a good fit for you and your future goals.

• Why do you want to want to attend [college name]?

Other colleges may ask you to focus on specific skills that will help you succeed in college, such as leadership, community service, or commitment to diversity.

• The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?

Many colleges also offer students who don’t meet minimum entrance requirements or who have struggled in school an opportunity to explain their specific circumstances.

Sample essay prompts from Oregon scholarships

OSAC Scholarships

Limit per statement is 1,000 characters (approximately 150 words).

• What are your specific educational plans and career goals and why? What inspires you to achieve them?
• What have you done for your family or community that you care about the most and why?
• Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.
• Describe a significant change or experience that has occurred in your life. How did you respond and what did you learn about yourself?

The Ford Family Foundation

Limit per statement is 150 words.

• Choose one: Describe a skill or ability you have developed that you are proud of. How did you develop it and why is it important to you? -or- Describe a topic idea or concept you find so engaging it makes you lose track of time. Why does it interest you and what do you do when you want to learn more?
• Choose one: Think of the place(s) you grew up or consider home. What lessons have you learned living there and how have they shaped who you are today? -or- What are you known for among people who know you well? What would you like to be known for and how will college help you achieve that?

PNACAC Scholarship

• Record a video (no more than one minute in length) responding to one of the following prompts. What would you like to be doing in 10 years, and how does college help you get there? -or-
• How has your college/career counselor, school counselor or advisor helped you (and/or others) in finding the right college fit and what would you like to say to them?

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Graduate Programs

Home » How To Apply

Application open

Now is the time to apply for graduate school! Applications received by priority review deadlines are provided the first opportunity for scholarships. Don’t delay; apply today!

Graduate Students

Accelerated undergraduate to master’s pathway (aump), international students, non-degree seeking students.

Required Graduate Application Materials

• Bachelor’s Degree or pending bachelor’s degree completion before first term of admission
• Have a 3.0 cumulative or higher GPA, or passing MAT/GRE
• GPA requirement: A student who has an undergraduate GPA of 2.50 to 2.99 can be admitted conditionally for the first 9 credit hours. Students can petition for conditional graduate admission via the online prompt within the application. * Conditionally admitted students will not be able to receive financial aid until they become fully admitted students and a program plan is on file.
• Transcipts unofficial transcripts can be used for application process, but you will be prompted to submit official prior to full admission.
• Have $60 fee ready for processing
• If you are applying as an International Student , please visit the Office of International Education and Development . We currently do not have any programs that support immigration requirements for International students.

Program Application Materials

Each program has their own unique set of materials required for admission. Please view their application requirements prior to starting the online application.

Additional items may include:

• Current Resume
• Essays or Writing Samples
• Recommendations
• Test scores
• Completion of Online Forms

Process: You will be notified via email regarding the status of your application throughout the process, including any missing components. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Student Resources

• Course Catalog
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• Graduate Programs Calendar
• Policies and Resources

Submit Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for GPA and degree conferral verification. Official Transcripts are not required for WOU graduates with an established permanent file.  You are required to submit transcripts from each degree granting institution. Transcripts must be sent directly from the college or university where credits were earned, to Western Oregon University. Paper transcripts must be unopened and bear the college or university seal. Electronic transcripts are accepted if sent from the registrar or institution’s secured electronic submission system (such as Parchment, EDI). You may provide the following address for electronic submissions: [email protected]

By mail: WOU Graduate Admissions, 345 Monmouth Ave N, ADM 107, Monmouth, OR 97361

For more transcript information, please visit our website .

Once you create an account and start your application

You will not be obligated to fill out every section in one sitting, but after two months of inactivity, your information will be deleted from the database. You can return to your account at any time to complete your application. After it is submitted, you will be unable to access your application and should contact   [email protected] to reset your application or make changes. 

University Requirements for Admission

Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree   (or international equivalent) from regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree.   Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived.  

Full Admission

To be considered for full admission, applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent (on the U.S. 4.0 scale) from the degree granting institution(s).   Students with less than 3.0 can also pro vide  passing MAT/GRE  scor es to be fully admitted.

Conditional Admission

A student who has an undergraduate GPA of 2.50 to 2.99 can be admitted conditionally for the first 9 credit hours. Applicants will be prompted to complete an online petition for conditional admission during their application process. * Conditionally admitted students will not be able to receive financial aid until they become fully admitted students and a program plan is on file.

Important Online Payment Information:

On the last page of the application, applicants should select one of the following options regarding the $60 application fee payment.

• Credit/debit card:  WOU accepts MasterCard, Discover, and Visa online. A 2% service fee is charged for credit/debit card payments.
• Electronic check (E-Check):  You can make an electronic payment from your checking or savings account. Enter your bank routing number and account number, along with the Login ID you used to create your application. No service fee is charged for E-Check payments.
• Check:  If you wish to pay with a check, please submit your application without payment. Checks should be made out to “Western Oregon University” and can be mailed to: Graduate Admissions Office, Western Oregon University, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth, OR 97361. Please list the applicant’s name in the memo line.
• Veterans and Active Military:    Western Oregon recognizes the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Honorably discharged Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces by exempting them from paying the $60 admissions application fee. Provide a copy of your DD-214, or, for current military members, a copy of your most recent military orders, Enlisted Records Brief (ERB), or Officer Records Brief (ORB).  Submit the online application without payment. Graduate Admissions Coordinator will email you to request further paperwork.

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WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

University of Oregon 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Oregon 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community

As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks unique. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you who you are, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of the two following options will guide you in sharing those thoughts.

Describe an experience with discrimination, whether it was fighting against discrimination or recognizing your contribution to discriminating against a person or group. what did you learn from the experience in what ways will you bring those lessons to the university of oregon.

Discrimination can take many forms and be based on a number of things — race, socioeconomic background, disability, gender (to name a few) — and we have all witnessed it in some way, whether we were the targets or not. When approaching this essay, remember that admissions is looking for awareness, not perfection. Admissions doesn’t expect you to have solved a worldwide problem, but they do want to know that your eyes are open to who is being left out or treated unfairly, and whether or not you have taken it upon yourself to do something about it. Have you worked toward inclusion in a club or organization? Do you support girls who break into male-dominated sports? How? The second way to answer this is to recount a time when you were on the wrong side of discrimination. Be vulnerable here, but be sure to analyze why you acted, be it youthful ignorance, implicit bias, or wrong-headed cultural “norms” — this will show admissions that you are self-aware and reflective. It’s important to show that you have learned from your mistakes and are evolving. Lastly, how will you bring those lessons to U-O? Will your actions speak louder than words? Do you want to volunteer in local Special Olympics events? Will you get involved in an LGBTQ+ rights group? Let admissions know that you care and are working for a more inclusive future in your way, however that may be.

The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others ?

Diversity applies to many facets of who we are, including but not limited to: cultural heritage, ethnic background, gender, socioeconomic upbringing, or an inter-sectional combination of all of the above. No matter who you are, you bring something to the table. How will your differences help to enrich your future community at U-O? Maybe reflect on how you influence those around you now, and then mentally place yourself on campus as a college student doing the same. Maybe you’ll share your love of Korean BBQ or your knowledge of Flamenco dancing. Maybe you’ll get on stage with the college improv team and make your peers laugh with your satirical social commentary. No matter what you have to offer, admissions wants to know how you’ll share it and how you’ll contribute positively to U-O’s diverse community.

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How to Write the University of Oregon Essays 2019-2020

The University of Oregon is a public research university located along the scenic Willamette River. UO houses a Professional Distinction Program that offers students internship opportunities and career workshops. UO also includes the highly ranked College of Education, as well as thriving football and track programs. 

University of Oregon has an acceptance rate of 78%. Applicants can apply via the Common Application, Coalition Application, or a school-specific application. All platforms require a main application essay for UO, and they also provide a second optional essay. Honors College applicants must complete an additional essay. 

For All Applicants

The first prompt is required ONLY if applying via the UO portal; Common App and Coalition Application students submit the main Common App and Coalition Application essay instead of this below prompt.

The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO’s Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

The admissions committee wants to learn more about you as an individual. You have a wider range of acceptable topics for this prompt, however you should avoid discussing academic-related subjects as they will clearly shine through the other parts of your application. The prompt asks you to focus on something that wouldn’t be discussed in a traditional college application. 

You should also take note of the optional essay that focuses on your identity in the context of equity and inclusion. If your topic is within this realm, consider saving it for the second prompt and using this space to talk about another interest. Writing about different topics will allow you to provide the admissions committee with the most information about yourself. 

This prompt naturally lends itself to a narrative structure. Remember the classic writing adage, “show, don’t tell.” Instead of simply telling the reader that you are president of Key Club, describe the time you supervised the food drive. Instead of simply telling the reader about your dream to become a doctor, describe a meaningful volunteer shift at your local hospital. 

Tie your personal experience into an important underlying themes or insights. Explain why this activity or goal is important to you. For example, why is your work with Key Club important to you? Do you feel most personally fulfilled when you engage in community service? Why do you want to be a pediatrician? Do you have a passion for medicine and children? 

The best essays will tie concrete examples about your topic to a broader theme that tells the reader something about you. 

Optional: As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of these two options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting the Equity and Inclusion website. (500 words)

This prompt asks you to reflect on the importance of either recognizing difference or supporting equity and inclusion. Your response should also explain how your unique personal identity will more broadly connect to the campus community.

There is no right answer to this topic, however your response should be something that is a clear part of your identity. Save hobbies or interests for the first essay prompt, which asks you about anything that wouldn’t be included in other parts of your application. 

For example, you could discuss your socioeconomic status, your cultural background, or your sexual orientation. You do not need to stick to one aspect of your identity to fully answer this prompt and you should feel free to discuss the intersectional parts of your identity. 

Once you have described your personal identity, you should explain how your personal perspective helps you understand the importance of either recognizing differences, or supporting equity and inclusion. Why do you believe recognizing differences is important? How do you believe a university or individuals can support diversity or inclusion? 

For example, you could describe how sharing information about your culture at your high school’s annual international fair allowed you to see the beauty in a community that celebrates different cultures. You could discuss how being president of your school’s Gay Straight Alliance allowed you to work on various equity and inclusion initiatives, which in turned reaffirmed your passion for supporting these causes. 

You will also need to explain how your personal identity will connect with the broader campus community. How will your bring your identity with you to UO? Will you join a culturally based club? Will you help educate your peers on your identity? Will you do academic research into your culture to gain a new perspective? 

Your GPA and SAT don’t tell the full admissions story

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographics, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

For Applicants to the Honors College

The CHC faculty are involved in the review of applications to the Honors College, and are eager to learn about how you think, and how your mind works. Please write an essay that responds to one of the three quotations below. Reflect on how the quotation relates to your own experience, beliefs, and attitudes.

The Clark Honors College offers University of Oregon students an engaged learning community. The Honors Program offers students honors-specific courses with small class sizes, a residential living-learning community, and an honors-specific academic building that serves as the hub of the program. Students in the Honors Program complete a thesis about a novel research topic under the close mentorship of a faculty member. 

This prompt seeks to assess your critical thinking skills and your perspective on the world. Consider brainstorming all three quotation options before you choose your essay topic. Select the prompt that allows you to most clearly connect the theme to your personal experiences and belief system. 

Regardless of which prompt you choose, your essay should try to tie your concrete experiences into your broader personal beliefs and attitudes. These prompts allow for large degrees of abstraction, however your response will be far stronger if you can illustrate the abstract points you are trying to make with everyday examples. Remember the classic writing adage, “show, don’t tell.” 

Option A – Hannah Arendt: “Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it, and by the same token save it from that ruin which except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and the young, would be inevitable.” (650 words)

This quote emphasizes the value of education to society. Your response should explain why you believe education is key to creating a better world. Use your personal experiences with education to explain why you believe education is important. 

For example, did you have a pivotal academic experience that inspired you outside of the classroom? Did you watch younger children become more generous towards each other after you taught them a lesson about caring? Did you watch a poorly behaved child become happier when you tutored him and he learned to express himself without physical fighting?

For example, you could write about how your class on the prison system inspired your passion for prison reform and your desire to become a lawyer. You could then explain how your personal experience convinced you of the value of education because you wouldn’t have known about the injustice in the world without your education. 

Option B – Maya Angelou: “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.” (650 words)

This prompt focuses on your thoughts on prejudice. While the other two quote options invite personal examples, not everyone has personal examples of prejudice. If this is the case for you, you can describe your feelings on current events or historical issues instead. That said, the strongest essays will share more about who you are, and that’s difficult to do if you have no personal stories to share. You might first want to consider the other two prompts instead.

This prompt mentions three distinct time periods: the past, present, and future. Even if you do have relevant personal stories, you likely will need to mention the historical relevance of the specific issue behind your anecdotes. For example, you might talk about how you’re Native American, but you don’t have close ties to your culture. This is because your mother was actually forced into adoption in the 1960s though the Indian Adoption Project , an attempt by the U.S. government to make Native Americans assimilate into “white culture.” The project was motivated by the idea that white culture was superior, or more civilized, which is clear prejudice. It tore thousands of children away from their homes, and cut their ties to native lands, which allowed the government to then seize that land for itself. All of this “threatens the future” of Native American culture and lands, “renders the present inaccessible” to the student (as they’ve been removed from their culture), and this period of history is also largely unknown to most Americans, which “confuses the past.”

Option C – John Steinbeck: “I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.”

This prompt emphasizes the importance of empathy. Remember the classic “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Your response should explain why you believe empathy is important and first impressions aren’t necessarily accurate. 

For example, have you ever judged someone and realized that your first impression was entirely inaccurate? Did you have a notoriously cranky family member who you later learned was in poor spirits because they were battling a disease? Did you learn that someone you judged to be boring due to their quiet demeanor was actually a very talented artist or musician?

Tie your experience into your broader thoughts on the topic. For example, you could discuss how you always feared your Aunt Esther due to her cantankerous demeanor when you were a child. You could then explain that after Aunt Esther passed away in your teens, you learned that she was an ardent social justice activist when she was younger. You could use your example to explain why first impressions are not always what they seem, and that you wish you made an effort to get to know Aunt Esther while she was alive. 

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Oregon State University | OSU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

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.

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