College Essay

Common App Essay Prompts (7) 

(1) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 

(2) The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 

(3) Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 

(4) Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 

(5) Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 

(6) Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 

(7) Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

5 Tips for Writing a Strong College Essay: 

(1) Choose a Topic That Matters: Select a topic that is meaningful and personal to the applicant. 

(2) Be Authentic and Genuine: Let the applicant's personality shine through and avoid trying to impress with generic or overly formal language. 

(3) Address the Prompt Directly: Ensure the essay directly addresses the prompt and provides a clear and focused response. 

(4) Proofread Carefully: Ensure the essay is free of grammatical errors and typos. 

(5) Get Feedback: Ask trusted individuals, such as teachers or counselors, to review the essay and provide feedback. 

NOTE 

Students will see two changes to the optional “Additional information” questions as of August 1, 2025. 

(1) The current “Community disruption” question will be updated to a “Challenges and circumstances” question. The new question language will expand to capture a broader range of impacts students may experience. The word/character limit will remain the same (first-year app 250 words max, transfer app 1250 characters max). 

(2) The “Additional information” question word/character limit will be reduced. The first-year app limit will be reduced from 650 to 300 words max. The transfer app limit will be reduced from 3500 to 1500 characters max.