Which Common Application Essay should you choose?
There are seven essay questions on the Common Application. You only need to answer one.
Use this tool, so you pick the best essay question for you!
We recommend that you choose:
Essay Prompt #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.
Explanation: If you have a unique talent, interest or something in your history or background that sets you apart from your peers, then Prompt #1 is the ideal way to convey that to college admissions. When you write this essay, be sure it truly describes what is meaningful about you. This Prompt #1 is the best way to let a college know why you are unique. Your essay needs to be between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Explanation: This Prompt #1 is the best way to let a college know why you are unique. It sounds like you have something unique about you, so this is the best essay for you to write. This essay prompt is the most flexible and gives you the freedom to express to college admissions how you see yourself and what makes you special. Make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Essay Prompt #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?
Explanation: Since you found a solution to a setback or failure, this will make a great essay. It gives you the opportunity to show that you are resilient. Try to keep your story as positive as possible. Make sure not to dwell on the setback or failure in your essay. It is important that you spend more time in your essay describing how you came up with and implemented the solution. Your essay must be between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Essay Prompt #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Explanation: Since you can describe how you questioned or challenged a belief or idea, this is a great essay for you. Your essay will give you the opportunity to showcase your consideration, persuasive skills, and passion to colleges. In describing how and why you took a stand, write your essay in a positive, productive direction without sounding arrogant. Make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Essay Prompt #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.
Explanation: Since you can tell a story about a problem you solved, this essay can be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and provide insight into how you deal with challenges. When you describe the problem that you solved make sure to weave in what is unique about you in a meaningful way. Also, it is important to detail a few of the steps you took to solve your problem. Your essay needs to be between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Explanation: Since you are passionate about solving a specific problem, this is a great essay topic for you. It is important that you describe how the problem arose and who will benefit when you solve it. It is also important that the problem you choose is linked to your life and the world in a meaningful way. You have an opportunity to reveal something valuable about yourself to admissions, so be sure to link the problem you highlight to your passions, actions, or aspirations. Don’t forget to detail at least a few steps you would take to solve the problem. Make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Essay Prompt #5:
Explanation: Your reflection on what you have learned and how you have grown will be a source of great insight for admissions. This is a terrific opportunity for you to use your essay to highlight your intangible qualities that don’t show up anywhere else on an application. Also, make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Essay Prompt #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?
Explanation: Since you have a passion for a pursuit of knowledge that you want to study in college, this is a great essay question for you. This essay is an opportunity for you to give college admissions a window into your mind. It also allows you to highlight your passion for learning and show a desire to proactively challenge yourself. It is important to make sure that the topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging is relatable to your reader. Make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Essay Prompt #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.
Explanation: You already have written an essay that you feel describes you perfectly to college admissions. Since the essay you have already written doesn't fit any of the other six Common Application essay prompts, then Prompt #7 is the best for you. Make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.
Explanation: It doesn't sound like your vision for your Common Application essay fits into the other six potential essay prompts. That's ok, because Essay Prompt #7 allows you to write any essay that you would like. Make sure that your essay is between 250 words and 650 words. We also recommend asking someone you trust to read your essay to provide feedback and to double check grammar and spelling.