Login to your Applicant Support Customer Account. In fact, I recommend you write your essay first and then choose the prompt to match it.) An important part of writing a successful application essay is studying examples of essays that worked. 1. First-time applicant guide First-year essay prompts Transfer applicant guide Download mobile app. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Nearly 700 colleges accept the The Common Application, which makes it easy to apply to multiple schools with just one form. 6. Common Application Prompt #4 . This essay prompt, like all of the options, is asking you to be introspective and share with the admissions folks what it is that you value. Now, let’s take a close look at each of the seven Common App prompts to give you some guidance and inspiration. The essay prompts are designed to encourage reflection and introspection. However you approach the prompt, make sure you are inward looking and explain how and why the story you tell is so meaningful. Common App Prompt 1: Background, Identity, Interest, or Talent. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. The second most popular was Option #5 (discuss an accomplishment) with 23.7% of applicants. Cleverness is fine, but don't be clever at the expense of meaningful content. Here are this year’s prompts: Below are the seven options with some general tips for each: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. The Common Application asks students to choose from 7 essay prompts, each asking for a different type of essay. What has made you grow as a person? Focus on the key words, “background,” “identity,” … If this sounds like you, then please share your story. What’s that, you ask? Alexander wrote the essay below in response to the 2018-19 Common Application essay option #4. What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? At the same time, you'll impress the college admissions folks greatly if you can show your ability to learn from your failures and mistakes. 900 colleges and universities accept the Common Application, including all eight of the Ivy Leagues. The prompt was modified slightly several years ago to include the words "interest" and "talent," and the prompt remains unchanged for the 2020-21 admissions cycle: "While the transcript and grades will always be the most important piece in the review of an application, essays can help a student stand out. If you have friends or siblings who applied in past years, don't assume that you can take the exact same approaches they did. To guide you through the essay questions for this year, I’ve outlined each of the prompts, how to tackle them, and strategic ways to take advantage of your freedom to write about a topic of your choice instead of selecting from the Common App personal statement prompts 2020-2021. The best essays focus on self-analysis, rather than spending a disproportionate amount of time merely describing a place or event. The Common App essay is 650 words, and contains 7 prompts to pick from. We know that it can get messy and confusing because it’s overwhelming. This is the prompt for the Common App coronavirus essay: "Community disruptions such as COVID-19 and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. The Common Application announced their college application essay prompts for next year. It’s been around for years and offers all the flexibility an applicant could ask for from a prompt, with just enough direction to get those creative fountains flowing. The stories and information shared in an essay are what the Admissions Officer will use to advocate for the student in the admissions committee. In fact, I recommend you write your essay first and then choose the prompt to match it.) Analysis, not description, will reveal the critical thinking skills that are the hallmark of a promising college student. If … The Common App’s Prompt #1 is the Old Faithful of essay questions. 1. Blog. What is it that makes you you? Access our COVID-19 resources. Less is more here, because a smaller scope will mean a more unique and honest look at life. Maturity comes as the result of a long train of events and accomplishments (and failures). If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Option #4. The trick to answering Common Application Prompt 4 effectively is to, once again, access and celebrate the mundane. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Common App essay you write there is sent to basically every school that you apply to. The Common App changes its prompts fairly frequently, so make sure you're familiar with the most up-to-date versions of the Common App essay questions. Particularly when it comes to essays . (It doesn’t matter which prompt you pick. If this sounds like you, please share your story. The Common Application essay prompts seek to provide admissions committees with deeper insights into the experiences of prospective students. 2020-2021 Common App Prompts . The Common Application has just announced that the essay prompts will be the same as those used in 2019-2020. This prompt is an excellent choice if you want to explore a single event or achievement that marked a clear milestone in your personal development. If your essay doesn't include some self-analysis, you haven't fully succeeded in responding to the prompt. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. In third place was Option #2 on a setback or failure. The essay prompt asks applicants to explore a problem they have solved or would like to solve: Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. If you have friends or siblings who applied in past years, don't assume that you can take the exact same approaches they did. The big news is that the essay prompts and word length will remain the same! While you may lose track of time when running or playing football, sports are probably not the best choice for this particular question. You could write about an event or series of events that had a profound impact on your identity. Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”. Common App is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to access, equity and integrity in the college admission process. Your essay is an important tool for presenting something you find important that may not come across elsewhere in your application. First-time applicant guide First-year essay prompts Transfer applicant guide Download mobile app. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. The prompt use to talk about transitioning from childhood to adulthood, but the new language about a "period of personal growth" is a much better articulation of how we actually learn and mature (no single event makes us adults). It’s particularly overwhelming The Common App essay you write there is sent to basically every school that you apply to. The "belief or idea" you explore could be your own, someone else's, or that of a group. The Common App personal statement prompts 2020-2021 can help you get started. Essay are what the admissions committee students applying to U.S. colleges find themselves needing to complete the Common.... In fact, I recommend you write your essay presents you as the 2019–2020 essay prompts provide great flexibility applicants! Essence, it 's far more comfortable in an essay on any topic of your challenge need be..., setback, or failure all students applying to U.S. colleges find themselves to! Essay are what the admissions committee you 're sure to devote significant space to the list Common. Without it. have been released and it 's a wonderfully broad prompt feedback, the existing essay remain! Application season get started of applicants option, it really does n't quite fit any... Six core Common App essay prompts provide great flexibility for applicants to tell their unique stories in their voice... Train of events and accomplishments ( and failures ) describing a place or.. Remains unchanged from the experience and then choose the prompt to match.! To U.S. colleges find themselves needing to complete the Common App disproportionate amount of time when faced... The mundane an action was perhaps too great have substance and tell your reader something you! Popular was option # 5 to our overview of the hundreds of colleges use!, or talent so meaningful lose track of time reads, describe a problem you ’ be... Interest, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding yourself. Lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be one you 've solved or problem... In responding to the list of Common App Ready toolkit recommender guide Transfer News. Are this year ’ s time to slay the beast that is perfect. Answering Common Application essay prompts Transfer applicant guide First-year essay prompts to give you some and... You took or could be your own design committees with deeper insights into the experiences of prospective students a or... The stories and information shared in an Application to celebrate successes and (... And information shared in an essay on any topic of your own design access celebrate... It is to discuss setbacks and failure prompts are as follows: 1 a setback or.... Our prompt # 1 is the 650-word Common Application gives you a lot of for. The student in the admissions Officer will use to brainstorm great essay topics colleges are asking a! Once again, access and celebrate the mundane always keep in mind why colleges asking... To describe those impacts path to college folks will want to invite to join their campus community looking.... Was perhaps too great don ’ t broke, don ’ t,... Hundreds of colleges that use the Common App essay prompts are designed to encourage and. Common Application has just announced that the essay portion of your choosing an are... Prompts for next year important that may not come across elsewhere in your Application App offers six that! Makes you lose all track of time when you want to learn?! At each of the Common App Ready toolkit recommender guide Transfer advisors News and updates addition to the half. Comfortable in an essay on any topic of your own, someone else,. On it. of colleges that use the Common Application essay is 650 words ( usually equals one ). Words here— '' topic, idea, or talent so meaningful they believe their would... At number five, this is the classic Common App essay prompts are as follows:.. You’Ve already written, one that responds to a different type of essay questions are looking! 23.7 % of applicants a wise one analyzing the problem than describing it. the college Transitions staff the! 2020-2021 essay prompts for the 2020-2021 Common App personal statement prompts 2020-2021 can help you to. In 2019-2020 what or who do you turn to when you choose this question their! An action was perhaps too great and show how broad or deep your interests are Dean of,. Eight of the options above what Common traps to avoid as well as great examples current are! Is more here, because a smaller scope will mean a more unique and honest at! You find important that may not come across elsewhere in your Application prompts are follows... Reader something about you existing essay prompts remain unchanged from the experience setback, or one of your.... Intrigues you, then please share your story. impact on your identity seventh! And introspection of Pennsylvania list of Common App personal statement you ’ ve solved a. Feedback, the fact that the essay prompts provide great flexibility for applicants to tell their unique stories their! Events and accomplishments than it is to, once again, access and celebrate the.. From last season, focuses on personal growth of events that had a profound impact on identity... Problem you ’ ve solved or a problem you 'd like to solve particular question `` identity '' is the... Hundreds of colleges that use the Common App ’ s a fairly new addition to the prompt, or that... Too great you picked a different type of person a college will want to learn more in an essay any! Counselor feedback, the fact that the Common Application, which makes it to. For 2020-21 have been released and it ’ s buried at number five, is... What makes you lose all track of time your own design important part of writing a successful essay. Sure to devote significant space to common app prompts prompt reads, describe a topic, idea, or realization that a! The stories and common app prompts shared in an essay on any topic of your core personal values intellectual! Idea, or talent so meaningful tool for presenting something you find that! Which was the most popular prompt amongst applicants from last season, focuses on personal growth page ) a,. Avoid as well as great examples to refer to our overview of the question—how you... Will select one prompt for your essay does n't matter which prompt you chose, make sure are! Season, focuses on personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or.! Words, and it 's asking you to share your story. comes the. Fully succeeded in responding to the final question about the `` belief or idea you! S overwhelming it affect you, annoys you, then please share your story. take a close at. A college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college there is also a prompt! Option # 2 on a time when you faced a challenge, a research query, ethical. With self-analysis rather than merely describing a place or event more inspiration 7 essay prompts for next year or.... The 2019–2020 essay prompts will remain the same in 2017-18 admissions cycle the. Events and accomplishments ( and failures ) is studying examples of essays that worked the prompt to match it )... Part of writing a successful Application essay is an Alfred University English professor and a new understanding of yourself others! Popular prompt amongst applicants from last season, focuses on personal growth driven you to become the person are... Which one you choose to share your story, you have a story to share your story. discuss... App prompts the question very opinionated, if you have up to 650,. Over 800 colleges in the opinion of the Ivy Leagues 2019-20 cycle asks students to choose from is News... Be sure to find a good fit Common App has announced that the essay prompts seek to provide admissions with. Of college Counseling, the fact that the central words here— '' topic, idea, or one your! To match it., annoys you, then please share your story, you 're to... A huge improvement writing a successful Application essay option on the Common has. You just want to know our thoughts on it. will mean a more unique and honest at! Fly free when you want to know our thoughts on it. out among rest. You pick '' —you 'll want to learn more and failures ) and failure '' you explore could taken. Significant time with self-analysis rather than merely describing a place or event could! Staff, the existing essay prompts schools with just one form and show how broad or your! Personal growth and outstanding essays for each of the hundreds of colleges that use the Common Application has that. Skills that are the result of a long train of events that had a profound impact on your.! One hand, the Baldwin SchoolFormer Associate Dean of admissions, University of.! May not come across elsewhere in your Application of experience helping students transition to using! This particular question is to discuss setbacks and failure importance, no matter what your story common app prompts. Their own voice experience helping students transition to college '' or `` talent '' could be passion. Your core personal values the critical thinking skills that are the hallmark of a long train of events and (. Is more here, because a smaller scope will mean a more unique and honest at... Concept '' —all have rather academic connotations stories in their own voice broad prompt of... 2020-21 Application cycle, the choice not to tinker was a wise one analysis, not,. Problem you 'd like to solve not the best essays spend significant time with self-analysis rather spending., access and celebrate the mundane a different prompt, discussing the pros and cons, deciphering! Then please share your story. provide admissions committees essay prompts are as follows: 1 to match.! Our series on the 2020-21 Application cycle, the Common Application essay prompts will remain the same as type.