Hello everyone! I'm in a bit of a pickle as I'm preparing to write my Common App Essay for the 24-25 application period. Does anyone know where I can find the prompts? And maybe some tips on how to tackle them? Any help is highly appreciated!
Sure! The Common Application essay prompts for the 2025-2026 application cycle should be the same as the current ones, as they typically remain consistent from year to year. Here they are:
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. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
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 design.
As for tips:
1. Focus on Anecdotes: One way to approach these prompts is by telling a story or an anecdote. This can make your essay more memorable and better demonstrate your abilities and character.
2. Be Authentic: The essay should reflect who you are. So avoid trying to sound overly intellectual. Rather, choose a topic that genuinely interests you or is personally meaningful to you.
3. Balanced Reflection: While painting a picture of an experience is key, it's also crucial to reflect on what that experience meant to you or how it changed your outlook.
4. Write, Revise, Write: It can be helpful to write multiple drafts. You may find that your message or perspective might change as you write more.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.