What Are The Essay Topics For Common App?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • 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.

What should my common app essay be about?

Your should

illustrate something about you beyond what's in the rest of your

. Try to write about a topic you haven't talked about elsewhere, or take a different angle on it. A college essay is not a resume—it's the best opportunity to show off your unique personality to admissions committees.

Do common app essay topics change?

The Common App essay prompts

will remain the same for 2021

-2022 with one exception. We will retire the seldom used option about solving a problem and replace it with the following: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way.

What is the most common common app essay prompt?

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 are good common app 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 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.

Do colleges give you an essay topic?

Since many colleges allow students to choose from a few different prompts, addressing

the topic of your choice

is an easy way to tell your story within the constraints of an essay. When writing, consider the admissions officer who will read your essay.

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 , short blog posts, and news articles.

How do you begin an essay?

  1. Keep it short and focused.
  2. Introduce the topic.
  3. Grab the reader's attention.
  4. Give some context.
  5. Introduce your main points.
  6. What to avoid.
  7. Remember.
  8. Quiz. Find out how much you know about writing an essay introduction in this short quiz!

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 , short blog posts, and news articles.

How do I choose my Common App essay?

  1. DO give your essay significance. …
  2. DO contextualize your essay. …
  3. DO focus your essay on yourself. …
  4. DON'T exaggerate or undersell. …
  5. DON'T submit an unstructured essay. …
  6. DON'T leave the prompt unanswered.

What should you not talk about in a college essay?

  • Résumé of your life and achievements. …
  • Sports injury, challenge, or success. …
  • Immigrant story. …
  • Tragedy – death, divorce, abuse. …
  • Working hard in a challenging class. …
  • Someone you admire (a person you know or historical figure) …
  • Volunteer trip.

How many essays are required for Common App?

You'll submit

one essay

through the Common Application for all your schools. Some colleges may ask you to also answer a few supplemental questions.

Do you have to write all the Common App essays?


You must submit the Common App essay to all schools that require it

, but you don't have to write a separate statement for each Common App college (though some schools may ask you to submit supplemental essays — more on this later).

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 is prompt essay?

An essay prompt is

a statement that presents a specific topic or issue, followed by a set of questions which require an essay response

. Essay prompts are frequently used in English composition courses and college entrance exams to test writing, analytical, and reasoning skills.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.