What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Need help understanding common app essay prompt 6

I'm planning to write my common app essay and I find prompt 6 interesting, but I'm having a hard time understanding it. Can anyone help explain it to me or give me some ideas on how to approach it? Thanks!

10 months ago

Prompt 6 of the Common App is as follows: "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?"

To break it down, this prompt asks you to write about something that genuinely fascinates you, so much so that you often find yourself immersed in it and lose track of time. It can be an academic subject, a hobby, or anything else that you are deeply passionate about. The key is to select something that genuinely captivates your attention and curiosity.

Here are a few steps for approaching this prompt:

1. Reflect on your interests and passions: What grabs your attention, and when do you find yourself totally absorbed in a topic or activity? This could be anything from playing an instrument, researching a historical event, problem-solving in advanced math, or advocating for a social cause.

2. Explain why it captivates you: Analyze the reasons why this particular topic, idea, or concept is so engaging for you. What about it sparks your curiosity or excites you? Is it related to a personal experience, a larger goal, or a specific aspect of your identity?

3. Describe how you explore it: Mention the resources, people, or activities you utilize to pursue this interest further. This can include books, websites, documentaries, podcasts, mentors, or any other way you learn more about your chosen topic.

4. Connect to your personality and aspirations: Finally, explain how your passion for this topic has shaped your character, growth, or aspirations. Reflect on what it has taught you and how it has influenced or inspired your future goals.

For more information on this prompt click here: https://blog.collegevine.com/common-app-prompt-six

Remember to personalize your essay and tell a compelling story to keep the reader engaged. Use anecdotes or specific examples to illustrate your points, and make sure your voice and personality shine through. Ultimately, this prompt is an excellent opportunity to highlight your intellectual curiosity and showcase your genuine passion for a topic, idea, or concept. Good luck!

10 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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.