Why Colleges Ask “What Brings You Joy”
Understanding the Question’s Purpose
- College admissions teams ask questions like “What brings you joy?” to get a more holistic view of applicants beyond their academic achievements. While grades and test scores show academic potential, understanding what genuinely excites and fulfills a student reveals personality, character, and values. This question allows admissions officers to see how students find meaning, passion, and balance in their lives, which are essential traits for thriving in a college environment. By sharing what brings them joy, students have a chance to show who they are on a deeper level, making their applications feel more authentic and memorable.
How This Question Can Strengthen Your Application
- An authentic response to “What brings you joy?” offers students a unique chance to stand out and show aspects of their personality that may not be visible in the rest of their application. When students genuinely share what lights them up, it adds a distinctive layer to their profile, setting them apart from others with similar academic or extracurricular achievements. An authentic answer not only highlights individuality but also creates a sense of connection with admissions officers, as it demonstrates honesty, self-awareness, and personal reflection. Sharing something truly meaningful allows students to communicate unique qualities and passions, making their application memorable and compelling.
Sample Responses to “What Brings You Joy”
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Sample Response 1: Academic Interests and Curiosity:
- “One of the things that brings me the most joy is the thrill of diving deep into a topic and uncovering new layers of understanding. For example, I find immense satisfaction in studying literature—not just reading stories, but analyzing how words shape emotions, culture, and even history. This curiosity drives me to ask questions and explore perspectives that I may not have considered before.Similarly, I love conducting experiments in science class. There’s a special kind of excitement in forming a hypothesis, testing it, and seeing the results unfold. It’s not just about the science itself but also about the process of discovery. Every experiment feels like unlocking a small part of the world’s mysteries, and each success or failure teaches me something valuable. Learning in these ways brings me a sense of purpose and joy, and I look forward to continuing to explore my academic passions in college.”
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Sample Response 2: Creative Outlets:
- “What brings me the most joy is the ability to express myself through creative outlets, especially painting and writing. There’s something freeing about transforming an idea or emotion into colors on a canvas or words on a page. When I paint, I feel like I’m able to capture feelings and experiences that words alone can’t convey. Blending colors, experimenting with textures, and bringing a blank canvas to life allows me to create something truly personal and unique.Writing offers a different, but equally fulfilling, form of self-expression. Whether I’m crafting poetry or journaling about my day, writing helps me process my thoughts and see things in new ways. It’s a space where I can be completely myself, and each piece I create feels like a snapshot of my growth and perspective at that moment. For me, these creative activities are not just hobbies—they are essential to who I am. They bring me joy, balance, and a deeper connection to myself, and I can’t wait to continue exploring them in college and beyond.”
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Sample Response 3: Helping Others and Volunteering:
- “One of my greatest sources of joy is helping others, whether through volunteering in my community or simply being there for friends and family. For the past two years, I’ve volunteered at a local food pantry, and each time I’m there, I feel a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Seeing the positive impact, even in small acts like sorting donations or packing food boxes, reminds me of how interconnected we all are and how a little effort can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.Volunteering has taught me compassion, patience, and humility. But most importantly, it brings me genuine happiness. Helping others gives me a sense of connection and reminds me of the strength of our community. This joy motivates me to continue finding ways to give back, and I look forward to contributing to my college community in similar ways. Giving my time to others makes me feel part of something bigger than myself, which is deeply fulfilling and aligns with my values.”
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Sample Response 4: Hobbies and Extracurricular Activities
- “One of the things that brings me the most joy is cooking. I love the process of experimenting with different ingredients, learning new techniques, and creating something delicious from scratch. Cooking is like my personal escape; it lets me unwind and be creative, and the results bring happiness not only to me but also to my family and friends. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing others enjoy a meal I’ve prepared, knowing that I’ve shared a piece of myself with them.Another hobby that brings me joy is playing soccer. When I’m on the field, I feel fully present, focused only on the game. Soccer keeps me active, teaches me resilience, and brings balance to my life by helping me release stress. Whether it’s a casual game with friends or a competitive match, I always come away feeling refreshed and recharged. These activities give me a sense of purpose and balance, and they remind me of the importance of finding joy in the small things. I know these hobbies will continue to bring me joy and keep me grounded as I take on new challenges in college.”
Tips for Crafting Your Own Response
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Be Authentic and Specific
- When answering “What brings you joy?”, take time to genuinely reflect on what truly lights you up. Think about the activities, people, or moments that make you feel most alive and fulfilled. Instead of aiming to impress, focus on sharing something that’s meaningful to you. The more specific you can be, the more memorable your response will be.For example, rather than saying, “I enjoy music,” you might describe the way you feel when playing your favorite instrument, or a memory of performing in front of an audience for the first time. These kinds of details help admissions officers picture you in that moment and feel a connection to your story. Being specific and honest not only makes your response unique but also shows that you’re self-aware and thoughtful about what brings you happiness.
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Connect to Your Personal Growth
- When describing what brings you joy, try to highlight how these experiences have contributed to your personal growth. Think about the ways they’ve shaped your character, taught you resilience, or offered new perspectives. For instance, if playing a sport brings you joy, you might explain how it’s taught you discipline, teamwork, or the ability to handle setbacks. If reading brings you joy, consider how it’s expanded your worldview or deepened your empathy.By connecting joy to personal growth, you show admissions officers that your passions are not just hobbies—they’re also key elements in your journey of becoming a well-rounded individual. These connections make your answer feel richer and more meaningful, giving insight into how you’ll approach challenges, relationships, and learning in college. Sharing this growth gives admissions teams a glimpse of who you are today and who you’re becoming.
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Avoid Clichés and Overused Responses
- When answering the question “What brings you joy?”, it’s important to steer clear of clichés or overly generic responses. While it might be tempting to say something like “helping others” or “spending time with family,” these answers, although true for many, can feel less personal without specific details that make them unique to you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so a vague or predictable answer may not stand out.Instead, try to dig deeper into why these activities bring you joy. What specific experiences or moments make them meaningful to you? For example, instead of simply saying you love volunteering, you could describe how a particular experience—like mentoring younger students—helped you develop a sense of responsibility and connection to your community. By sharing a specific, heartfelt story or insight, you’ll make your response more genuine and memorable, showcasing the depth of your passions and personality.
Final Thoughts
- Answering the question “What brings you joy?” is more than just a chance to list activities or interests; it’s an opportunity to share a deeper layer of your personal identity and passion. This question allows you to go beyond the surface and give admissions officers a glimpse into what drives you, what makes you feel truly alive, and how you see the world. When you approach it thoughtfully and authentically, you not only make your application stand out, but you also offer a window into the values, experiences, and perspectives that make you unique. Take this opportunity to reflect on the things that genuinely bring you happiness and share them in a way that feels true to who you are. This authentic response will help colleges understand the person behind the application, making you a more memorable and compelling candidate. If you would like to see how College Ready can help your student in the colleg admissions process, schedule a Discovery Call today.
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