2021-22 college applicants, like those who came before them, will have
seven
(that's right, seven) essay prompts to choose from. This wide range of questions, meant to inspire candidates in their search for compelling personal stories, is ideal for exploring essay topics of all tones, styles, and subjects.
What should I write my Common App essay on?
A strong Common App essay can be written
on virtually any topic
. Pizza, community service, grandmothers, barnacles…you name it, and admissions officers have probably read an essay about it.
How many Common App essays are required 2021?
2021-22 college applicants, like those who came before them, will have
seven
(that's right, seven) essay prompts to choose from. This wide range of questions, meant to inspire candidates in their search for compelling personal stories, is ideal for exploring essay topics of all tones, styles, and subjects.
Do Common App essays change from year to year?
The Common Application released their essay prompts early this year. Usually, the prompts are an exact repeat from the previous year (as has been the case for four years) but this year
they're changing it up
—just what you need this year, more change.
How many Common App essays are required 2020?
Students applying to colleges that use the Common Application will typically need to respond to one of
seven essay prompts
. For the 2020-21 application cycle, the length limit for the essay is 650 words. That limit includes the essay title, notes, and any other text that you include in the essay text box.
How many Common App essays are required 2022?
The Common Application is a website that allows over 2 million students to apply to over 900 colleges each year, using one platform. It requires
one general Common App essay
that is then sent to any colleges using the app.
How long should a college essay be 2021?
The word count on the essays is
250-650 words
. The application will not accept an essay that is over or under this number. While you don't have to get to 650, aim to be closer to 650 words than 250. Students who are working with International College Counselors will work directly with their counselors on the essay.
How do you begin an essay?
- Keep it short and focused.
- Introduce the topic.
- Grab the reader's attention.
- Give some context.
- Introduce your main points.
- What to avoid.
- Remember.
- Quiz. Find out how much you know about writing an essay introduction in this short quiz!
How long is a 500 word essay?
Answer: 500 words is
1 page single-spaced or 2 pages double-spaced
. Documents that typically contain 500 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles.
What are the best college essay topics?
- Prompt #1: Share your story.
- Prompt #2: Learning from obstacles.
- Prompt #3: Challenging a belief.
- Prompt #4: Solving a problem.
- Prompt #5: Personal growth.
- Prompt #6: What captivates you?
- Prompt #7: Topic of your choice.
- Describe a person you admire.
How long is a 650 word essay?
Answer: 650 words is
1.3 pages single-spaced or 2.6 pages double-spaced
. Documents that typically contain 650 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles.
Which Common App prompt is the most popular?
According to the folks at the Common Application, in the 2018-19 admissions cycle,
Option #7 (topic of your choice)
was the most popular and was used by 24.1% of applicants. The second most popular was Option #5 (discuss an accomplishment) with 23.7% of applicants. In third place was Option #2 on a setback or failure.
What college admissions look for in an essay?
Admissions officers look for students
whose essays reveal their character and perspective through their real experiences
, not contrived situations. Admissions officers say most essays they read are safe, generic and do nothing to make them remember or want to advocate for the students who wrote them.
Is it better to apply through Common App or directly?
A:
The Common App
is a powerful tool, so use it!
Even more helpful, you can fill out The Common Application once and send it to any of the 456 Common App schools. This is a huge time saver. Don't be afraid that colleges will pay less attention to The Common App than their own application—they won't.
How many college essays do you have to write?
Most schools require
1-3 supplemental essays
, though some may require more or none at all (see our list of top colleges without supplements). These supplemental essays tend to be around 250 words, though some may be just as long as your main essay.
What should you not write in a college essay?
- Never rehash your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
- Never write about a “topic”
- Never start with a preamble.
- Never end with a “happily ever after” conclusion.
- Never pontificate.
- Never retreat into your thoughts.
- Never hold back.
- Never give TMI.
