1 Preview the application
The application currently takes about 10 minutes. You'll be asked questions such as:
Which problems do you think most urgently need more people working on them?
Expected effort: Medium · 2–3 minutesCould you give us a sense of what your longer-term career paths might be?
Expected effort: Medium · 2–3 minutesTell us about any interest or involvement you've had in effective altruism.
Expected effort: Low · 1–2 minutes2 Example responses
Comparing a weak answer with a strong one is the fastest way to calibrate.
Tell us about any interest or involvement you've had in effective altruism.
"I have heard about effective altruism through a few podcasts and articles. I think it's an interesting idea because it encourages people to help others and make a difference in the world."
Why it's weakGeneric and superficial. Does not demonstrate meaningful engagement with the ideas, nor explain how they've influenced the applicant's thinking or actions.
"I first encountered effective altruism about two years ago through 80,000 Hours articles on AI safety and career choice. Since then, I've read several problem profiles and career reviews, attended local EA discussion events, and shifted my career planning toward roles that could have a larger positive impact. While I'm still uncertain about the best path, ideas such as cause prioritization and career capital have significantly influenced how I evaluate opportunities."
Why it worksDemonstrates sustained engagement rather than casual awareness. Shows familiarity with core concepts and explains how they influenced real decisions. Also communicates intellectual curiosity and an impact-oriented mindset.
View examples for:
3 Common mistakes
These are the patterns we most often see hold applications back.
Answers are too vague
Limited evidence of interest in high-impact careers
Little engagement with key problem areas
Insufficient evidence of career capital
4 Recommended preparation
Before applying, we recommend reading:
📖 Approximate reading time: 30–60 minutes5 Practice your answers
Draft your responses here before starting the application. They're saved in your browser only — nothing is sent to us.
Could you give us a sense of what your longer-term career paths might be?
You can copy these responses into the application later. Estimated remaining application time: < 2 minutes
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