How to Crush Minerva’s Writing & Expression Challenges

If you’re applying to Minerva, you’ve probably realized by now that our application is not a “send us an essay and your transcript” kind of application. Rather, we designed an application process that allows us to get to know you, the real you! And that starts with the Challenges, where we assess how you think and how you communicate. 

We frequently hear from our applicants that the Writing and Expression challenges seem most daunting. So, here are some tips from our Admissions Officers on how to make sure you’re set up for success when taking them.

Our Tips for the Writing Challenge

1. First rule: it has to be your work

As tempting as it may be to use AI (Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Meta, or others) to help you write, it is the quickest way to be disqualified as an applicant. AI-generated text is extremely easy to detect, even if you have attempted to hide it. Do also turn off all Google Chrome extensions that provide grammar or writing help.

You are the one we will be admitting, so make sure you are 100% responsible for that decision.

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2. Stop rewriting your first sentence

Start writing, and keep going! One of the biggest reasons we see folks not able to finish the writing challenge is that they keep on re-writing the first sentence or two.

Just start. Get your ideas down. You can refine later.

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3. Answer the actual prompt

It sounds obvious. It’s not. It can be really easy to get distracted by a particular detail or in an attempt to be as creative as possible. It is definitely okay to be creative, but answering the prompt is your #1 job in the writing challenge.

Extra tip: All of our prompts are about real-world scenarios, so try to place yourself within the “story” before attempting to answer.

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4. Structure = clarity

Good writing has structure. Does yours? When you are done with a paragraph or with the whole essay, does your writing have a structure that is easy to follow?

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5. Proofread

Spelling and grammar matter; not because we’re nitpicky, but because we want to understand you. Save at least one minute at the end to reread your work. Fix obvious errors. Clean up confusing phrasing.

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6. Practice writing like it’s a skill (because it is)

The best way to practice for a writing challenge is to write! This is the only way you can prepare for the Writing challenge.

If you aren’t very good at getting started, there are thousands of prompts out there that will help you write out a few paragraphs to upgrade your skills and your fluency (aka, your ability to write on command).

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7. Be yourself

Be yourself in your writing. You are the only one who can write your essay, and that is the person we want to get to know. Don’t try to make your writing anything other than a good representation of your ideas about this particular prompt.

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Our Tips for the Expression Challenge

1. Test your tech

Make sure your screen sharing works. Make sure your mic works. Make sure your internet is stable.

You have had to do this for all of the challenges, but it is extra important within the Expression challenge.

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2. Find a quiet space

Background noise makes it harder to hear your responses. Turn off the fan. Close the door. And let people in your home know you’re recording. This way, they won’t accidentally interrupt you while you are recording.

A little prep goes a long way.

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3. Structure your response

Just like writing, strong spoken responses have structure. So, make sure you don’t get too caught up in a particular detail and forget the “point” of what you are saying.

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4. Use the full two minutes

Responses under one minute rarely show the kind of depth necessary to fully answer the questions. You don’t need to ramble, but give your ideas space to breathe. Develop them. Explain your reasoning.

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5. If you don’t understand the prompt, listen again

Listen to the prompt again if you don’t understand it the first time. Remember, you can always listen again, but you cannot go out and research an answer with Google or AI.

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6. Practice out loud

The best practice for the Expression challenge is to have someone interview you. Have someone you trust ask you questions and try to respond with a two minute timer on your phone. 

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7. Talk about things you genuinely care about

Try to choose things that you genuinely care about when you are answering. Your passion will come through in your responses when you care about your ideas.  If you don’t care about your response, it is hard to make a good one.

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8. This is not a therapy session

While it may feel like a confessional format, it isn’t necessary to reveal things that you would only tell a close friend, and it may make it more difficult for you to share a well structured response if you are thinking more about vulnerability than the consistency of your answer.

Share thoughtfully. Stay structured. Focus on communicating ideas clearly.

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9. Don’t overthink the camera

If staring at yourself on screen makes you nervous, don’t. Look at the camera or slightly away from your own image. The expression challenge works best if you are facing the screen, but you don’t have to stare directly at yourself on the recording if that makes it harder for you to respond.

Final Thoughts

Both challenges are about one thing: how you think and communicate. Minerva is a place for people who are ready to engage deeply with ideas and communicate them effectively. The Writing and Expression challenges are your chance to show exactly that.

We’re excited to see what you have to say.

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