Scene to read · Motivation, Self-awareness
Due at five
You are a third-year student choosing your last elective before applying to competitive graduate programs.
You keep talking about an advanced statistics course that is known for low grades. Your advisor, Pablo, recommends an easy film elective instead; your grade average is just above the cutoff you need. Your close friend Omar has come to the advising office with you, and the form is due at five today.
The scene
Pablo: One bad grade drops you under the cutoff. Take film. Protect the average.
Omar: You've talked about that stats course for a year. You light up about it.
Pablo: That's fair. But admissions sees the number before anything else.
Omar: And then you spend a semester bored. The form's right there. Which one?
The two questions
- 1Which course would you choose, and why?
- 2Describe a time you chose between a safer option and a harder one you cared about. What did you learn?
What raters look for
- Motivation
- Shows genuine, sustained drive and a clear reason for choices, including when work is unglamorous.
- Self-awareness
- Recognizes own biases, limits and emotions, and seeks and uses feedback.
Answer scenarios like this on the real timers
Answer both questions on the clock, and get each one scored 1–9 the way raters score. Your first set is free, no card.
Practice free
