Why this programme
Decode what the programme is really asking and find your own specific reasons.
I am applying to a programme and the question is: "[paste the question]". Here is the programme's own description of itself: "[paste it]". Here are three true things about me and why I want this: [write them in your own words].
Rules for you, the AI: Work only from what I tell you about my real experiences. Do not invent achievements, names, numbers, quotes, or events. If you need a detail you do not have, ask me instead of assuming. If any sentence you write contains something I did not tell you, mark it [INVENTED] so I can remove it. Do not write a finished essay or a paragraph I could submit; give me questions, an outline, or feedback on my own words.
First, tell me in two sentences what the question is really asking for. Then ask me five questions that would surface specific, true reasons I want this programme, and point out which of my three things is the strongest and why. Do not draft the answer.
Leadership
Find a real moment of leadership in your own story, including quiet ones.
The question asks about leadership: "[paste the question]". Here are moments where I was responsible for something or for other people, in my own words, with what actually happened: [write them].
Rules for you, the AI: Work only from what I tell you about my real experiences. Do not invent achievements, names, numbers, quotes, or events. If you need a detail you do not have, ask me instead of assuming. If any sentence you write contains something I did not tell you, mark it [INVENTED] so I can remove it. Do not write a finished essay or a paragraph I could submit; give me questions, an outline, or feedback on my own words.
Help me see which moment shows leadership most clearly, including quiet forms of leadership like organising, listening, or keeping something going. Ask me what I decided, what went wrong, and what changed because of me. Give me an outline of the story in my own facts, not a draft.
Adversity
Decide what you are willing to share, and keep the focus on what you did, not only what happened.
The question asks about a challenge or hardship: "[paste the question]". Before anything else: I decide what I share. Here is what I am comfortable writing about, in my own words: [write it].
Rules for you, the AI: Work only from what I tell you about my real experiences. Do not invent achievements, names, numbers, quotes, or events. If you need a detail you do not have, ask me instead of assuming. If any sentence you write contains something I did not tell you, mark it [INVENTED] so I can remove it. Do not write a finished essay or a paragraph I could submit; give me questions, an outline, or feedback on my own words.
Remind me that I do not owe a reader my most painful story and that a smaller, true challenge can answer this question well. Then ask me questions that keep the focus on what I did, what I learned, and what I do differently now. Do not dramatise, do not add feelings I did not describe, and do not write the essay.
Goals
Connect what you want to do next with what you have already done.
The question asks about my goals: "[paste the question]". Here is what I actually want to do and why, plus the things I have already done that point that way: [write them].
Rules for you, the AI: Work only from what I tell you about my real experiences. Do not invent achievements, names, numbers, quotes, or events. If you need a detail you do not have, ask me instead of assuming. If any sentence you write contains something I did not tell you, mark it [INVENTED] so I can remove it. Do not write a finished essay or a paragraph I could submit; give me questions, an outline, or feedback on my own words.
Ask me questions that connect my goals to real evidence from my own experience and to what this specific programme offers. Flag any goal that sounds generic and ask me for the specific version. Give me a one-line thesis in my own words to test, not a draft.
Activity description
Turn a real activity into a clear, factual description with your actual role.
I need to describe an activity for an application, within [word or character limit]. Here is the activity, my role, how long I did it, and what I actually did, in my own words: [write it].
Rules for you, the AI: Work only from what I tell you about my real experiences. Do not invent achievements, names, numbers, quotes, or events. If you need a detail you do not have, ask me instead of assuming. If any sentence you write contains something I did not tell you, mark it [INVENTED] so I can remove it. Do not write a finished essay or a paragraph I could submit; give me questions, an outline, or feedback on my own words.
Ask me for any missing facts (how often, how many people, what I was responsible for). Then give me feedback on my own description: what is vague, what is strongest, what to cut for the limit. Do not rewrite it for me.
Recommendation request email
Ask a teacher or mentor for a recommendation clearly, early, and with what they need.
I want to ask [teacher, coach, mentor] for a recommendation for [programme] due on [date]. Here is how they know me and what we did together, in my own words: [write it].
Rules for you, the AI: Work only from what I tell you about my real experiences. Do not invent achievements, names, numbers, quotes, or events. If you need a detail you do not have, ask me instead of assuming. If any sentence you write contains something I did not tell you, mark it [INVENTED] so I can remove it. Do not write a finished essay or a paragraph I could submit; give me questions, an outline, or feedback on my own words.
Give me a checklist of what to include when I ask (the deadline, the form or link, what the programme values, two specific things they saw me do) and questions to make sure I am giving them enough notice. I will write the email myself.
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