Common App Tool - Best Essay Prompt for You

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!

Do you feel confident about what you want to include in your Common Application Essay?*
- Yes, I feel confident about what I want to include in my essay.
- No, I don't feel confident about what I want to include in my essay.
What do you want to include in your Common Application Essay?*
- There is something unique about me that I want to include in my essay.
- I have already written an essay that I would like to use for the Common Application.
- Other

For your essay do you think it would be easier for you to tell a story about yourself or to describe what you would like to accomplish in the future?*
- I would be better at writing an essay that tells a story about myself.
- I would be better at writing an essay that describes what I'd like to accomplish in the future.

Did you experience a period of personal growth that you can write about?*
- Yes, I experienced personal growth when I took a stand for something I believed in.
- Yes, I experienced personal growth from an accomplishment or event.
- No, I didn't experience any personal growth that I can write about.

Is there a challenge that you want to solve or is there some knowledge that you want to pursue?*
- Yes, there is a specific challenge that I want to solve.
- Yes, there is a specific area of study that I want to pursue because I'm passionate about it.
- No, I have some other future interest that I would like to write about.

What would be easiest for you to tell about yourself?*
- I learned from a setback or failure and grew personally from it.
- I accomplished or experienced something that helped me grow.
- I solved a unique problem.
- None of these would be easy for me to write about.

When you had your setback or failure was there a positive solution?*
- No, there really wasn't a positive solution.
- Yes, I have a good solution to talk about.
Did you or someone else come up with the solution to the setback or failure.*
- I came up with the solution to the setback or failure.
- Someone else came up with the solution to the setback or failure.

Is there something about your life history or background that makes you especially unique that you can write about?*
- Yes, there is something about my life history or background that makes me unique that I can include in my essay.
- No, there is nothing about my life history or background that makes me unique that I can include in my essay.
Is there a unique accomplishment that you want to talk about in your essay?*
- Yes, I have a unique accomplishment that I want to talk about.
- No, I don't have a unque accomplishment that I want to talk about.
Do you have a unique talent that you want to talk about in your essay?*
- Yes, I do have a unique talent that I want to talk about.
- No, I don't have a unique talent that I want to talk about.
Do you have a unique hobby or interest that you would like to talk about?*
- Yes, I have a unique hobby or interest that I would like to talk about.
- No, I don't have a unique hobby or experience that I would like to talk about.

Have you taken a stand for something you believed in even if it was met with criticism?*
- Yes, I have taken a stand for something I believed in.
- No, I haven't taken a stand for something I believed in.
Can you describe what inspired you to take a stand?*
- Yes, I can describe what inspired me to take a stand.
- No, I can't describe what inspired me to take a stand.
Do you feel that your story about taking a stand would be appropriate and relatable for the reader?*
- Yes, I feel that my story about taking a stand would be appropriate and relatable for the reader.
- No, I don't feel that my story about taking a stand would be appropriate and relatable for the reader.

Have you been faced with a challenge or problem, and can you tell a good story about how you solved it?*
- Yes, I have been faced with a challenge or problem, and I can tell a good story about how I solved it.
- No, I haven't been faced with a challenge or problem that would be a good story to tell.
When you solved the challenge or problem did it bring meaningful change to something you value?*
- Yes, when I solved the challenge or problem it brought meaningful change to something I value.
- No, when I solved the challenge or problem it didn't bring meaningful change to anything I value.

Was there a moment in your life that fundamentally changed you as a person?*
- Yes, there was a moment in my life that fundamentally changed me as a person.
- No, there hasn't been a moment in my life that fundamentally changed me as a person.
Did you have a unique experience that changed you as a person?*
- Yes, I did have a unique experience that changed me as a person.
- No, I haven't had a unique experience that changed me as a person.
Did you attain personal growth from an accomplishment or event?*
- Yes, I attained personal growth from an accomplishment or event.
- No, I haven't attained personal growth from an accomplishment or event.

Is there a pursuit of knowledge that you are especially passionate about?*
- Yes, there is a pursuit of knowledge that I'm especially passionate about.
- No, I don't have a pursuit of knowledge that I'm passionate about.
Does this pursuit of knowledge match what you want to study in college?*
- Yes, my pursuit of knowledge matches what I want to study in college?
- No, my pursuit of knowledge doesn't match what I want to study in college?

Have you already written an essay that you love that describes you well?*
- Yes, I have written an essay that I love that describes me well.
- No, I don't have a current essay that describes me well.
Is your essay between 250 and 650 words or can it be edited to that length?*
- Yes, my essay is between 250 and 650 words or I can edit it to be that length.
- No, my current essay won't work if it needs to be between 250 and 650 words.
If you had an opportunity to talk with a college admissions officer, does this essay cover what you would tell them about yourself?*
- Yes, this essay covers what I want to tell an admissions officer.
- No, this essay doesn't cover what I want to tell an admissions officer.

Would you like to write an essay that describes what is unique about you?*
- Yes, I would prefer to write an essay that describes what is unique about me.
- No, I would prefer to write a different type of essay.

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
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: 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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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 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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

Essay Prompt #5:
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay
We recommend that you choose:

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: 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.
Here are tips for writing a great college admission essay

Common App Tool – Best Essay Prompt for You

Step 1 of 15