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Before you write your Common App essay, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Common App essay prompts. There are Common App essay prompts in total:
Remember, the college admissions process is holistic in nature. That means many schools are looking at more than just your grades and test scores. As such, admissions officers care deeply about how you respond to the Common App essay prompts. In a future section, we will break down what each of the Common App essay prompts is asking for. Importantly, we’ll also look at how to make sure you answer your chosen one successfully. Importantly, none of the Common App essay prompts are specifically asking you to share your goals for the future. Indeed, you do not even technically have to talk about college in your essay. As you will see below in our example of college essays that worked below, the Common App essay is solely about introducing yourself to admissions officers. Yes, each year the Common App essay prompts can change. However, the Common App essay prompts have in the past year. This is because the Common App has received a lot of positive feedback about the prompts. Now, let’s answer the question of, “What is a personal statement?” A personal statement is a general term for an essay written for an admissions process. Most personal statements introduce the applicant to a committee. Depending on what you are applying for, the personal statement may ask you to discuss your background, career goals, and personal values. The Common App essay prompts may change in subsequent years. However, it is likely that at least some, if not all, of the questions will remain the same. So, if you are a high school sophomore or junior, you can use the 2024-25 Common App essay prompts to you in thinking about what you might like to write for your personal statement. Just be sure to check the Common App essay prompts at the time you apply! This way you can make sure you are answering a current prompt.
Here are the most important Common App essay tips:
Before you start writing your Common App essay, you will want to understand what the Common App essay prompts are asking. To help you, we will break down each of the Common App essay prompts, explaining what it means and how you can answer it successfully.
How to answer all your college essay prompts in less time:
Technically you can write about any topic. But, you will want to make sure you write in a way that responds to one of the Common App essay prompts. Each of the Common App essay prompts is designed to guide you towards self-reflection. Be sure to read through the Common App essay prompts and choose the one that best allows you to explore your ideal topic.
Why does the Common App Essay—and other college essays—matter?
The first of the Common App essay prompts asks you to discuss a background, identity, interest, or talent. You might choose this prompt if there is something about you that you feel strongly represents you. For example, maybe your religion is very important to you. Or, perhaps your ability to solve a Rubik’s cube quickly is a talent that holds important meaning to you.
Common App Essay Prompts 2024–2025
Your Common App essay, unlike supplemental essays, is intended to introduce you to every school. You should not talk about why you want to attend a specific school in your Common App essay. Think about this essay as a response to the question: “Who are you?” You can edit the essay before submitting each school’s on the Common App platform. However, generally, you shouldn’t have to since the same Common App essay can be used for any school.
Brainstorming Common App Essay topics
If you have experienced some kind of hardship in your life, you might wish to respond to the second of the Common App essay prompts. While the challenge, setback, or failure you describe does not have to be monumental, it should be important to you. That is, you do not have to have tried out for the Olympics to respond to this question, but you should be able to demonstrate why your challenge, setback, or failure shaped you. Additionally, if your college essay ideas are fairly common, like a sports injury, make sure to provide your own personal take on the experience. The more specific you can be, the better.
We show students how to write their college application essays!
Essay Prompt Option #3
Share some of your ideas about the role of faith or spirituality in your life or the life of someone you know. As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We devote great time and energy to ensuring all students feel connected to the vibrant USD community, including opportunities to grow in their relationship with God while considering who they are, what they believe and who they are called to become.