How to Write an Amazing Common App Essay (2024-2025)
Brainstorming Common App Essay topics and working with prompts (2-3 weeks) Review the Common App prompts and identify which ones get your juices flowing. You can also use our expanded prompts, given in the bullet points below, to help you brainstorm and freewrite over the summer. We're starting with Common App Essay Prompt 7, since it is ...
How to Brainstorm a Common App Essay Topic
Fill out the activities section of the common app (section 5) before you even start thinking about your essay. It will get the listing of accomplishments and extracurriculars out of your system. Then it's time to text your friends. Ask your friends for 3-5 adjectives to describe you. You don't want answers like, "tall, brown hair, big ...
Brainstorming the Common App Essay
Brainstorming the Common App Essay. You've read and reread the Common App essay prompts and chosen a topic. Now it's time to plan what ideas you could write about in your Common App essay and how you can match these back to a topic within one of the prompts. Firstly you've found a bit of time and space to mull over a few outlines and ...
How to Write the Common Application Essays 2024-2025 (With Examples)
Show, don't tell. Be specific. Choose active voice, not passive voice. Avoid clichés. Write in a tone that aligns with your goals for the essay. For example, if you are a heavy STEM applicant hoping to use your Common App essay to humanize your application, you will be undermined by writing in a brusque, harsh tone.
How to Brainstorm a Unique and Creative Common App Essay
The common app essay can provoke a lot of anxiety, but we find that, when done correctly, it provides a chance for students to showcase their personalities. When you drill down to it, the anxiety around the common app is really a brainstorming problem. As such, most of your effort should go into finding a topic (a story) that allows you to ...
Complete Strategies: Common App Essay Prompts (2023-24)
The exact word limit for the Common App essay has varied somewhat over the years, but the current range is 250-650 words. You must stay within this length; in fact, the online application won't allow you to submit fewer than 250 words or more than 650. Some schools will state that if this isn't enough space, you can send them a physical copy of ...
21 Stellar Common App Essay Examples to Inspire Your College Essay
Common App Essay Examples. Here are the current Common App prompts. Click the links to jump to the examples for a specific prompt, or keep reading to review the examples for all the prompts. Prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without ...
Brainstorming Your Common App Essay
The Common App essay is the single most important essay that you will write throughout your entire application process. CollegeVine co-founder Vinay Bhaskara will provide an in-depth guide into brainstorming for your Common App essay, walking through multiple brainstorming techniques, topic selection, and much much more.
How to BRAINSTORM Ideas for Your COMMON APP Essays
Here are 6 tips on how to start brainstorming for your COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS!0:14 - Method of Writing0:33 - "Morning Pages"1:11 - Common App Prompts1:47...
The 2023-2024 Common App Prompts (7 Example Essays & Analysis)
The Common App can allow students to submit essays, recommendation letters, and numeric measures like test scores and class rank. Below, we'll talk through the prompts, how to brainstorm and write your essay, and offer example essays and analysis. Let's dive in.
25 Elite Common App Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)
Common App Essay Example #1: Seeds of Immigration. This student was admitted to Dartmouth College. In this Common App essay, they discuss their immigrant family background that motivates them. Although family is a commonly used topic, this student makes sure to have unique ideas and write in a genuine way.
Where to Begin? 6 Personal Essay Brainstorming Exercises
6. Make a list of anecdotes, childhood memories, or stories about yourself. Then choose one and make it your "vehicle.". Finally, you should conclude your brainstorming session by searching for a vehicle: an anecdote that you can use to frame your personal statement. You can use anecdotes in your personal statement in a number of ways.
10 Best Brainstorming Prompts for the Common Application Essay
You don't need to write about anything profound, any thing "big.". 1. Think about times when you were out of your comfort zone. What happened? What did you do? 2. What is your least proud moment? How did you handle the situation? 3.
How to Write a Winning Common App Essay
The Common App Essay Common App Essay Prompts Common App Essay: Unique Challenges Recommended Timelines Preparing for Your Common App Essay Writing the Common App Essay Sample #1: Rina Sample #2: Robert Sample #3: Sarah FAQs. The Common App essay is the personal statement that students have to submit on the Common Application portal.
Common App essay brainstorming tips?
Hello! It's natural to feel a bit anxious about choosing a topic for your Common App essay, but try to view it as an opportunity to showcase your voice and what makes you unique. Here are some tips to help with brainstorming: 1. Reflect on your experiences: Consider your life experiences, both the positive and the challenging ones, as these can often be great starting points for an essay.
How to Brainstorm a Great College Essay Topic
In this video, I share a few tips on how to brainstorm a great personal statement topic. We'll talk about what makes a great topic in the first place, as wel...
The Common App: A How-to Guide
The Common App (short for "Common Application") is a platform that allows students to apply to over 1,000 colleges and universities. It's used across the U.S., including by 250+ public universities and 12 HBCU s. (And a heads up that you can apply to any of the 67 HBCUs through the Common Black College App.). Bonus: other countries like Canada, Japan, China, and various European nations ...
Common App announces 2024-2025 Common App essay prompts
February 27, 2024. We are happy to announce that the Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2024-2025. Our decision to keep these prompts unchanged is supported by past research showing that overall satisfaction with the prompts exceeded 95% across our constituent groups - students, counselors, advisors, teachers, and member colleges.
How to Brainstorm a College Essay
College Essay Brainstorming Step #3: Evaluate. When we underwent Step #2, we eschewed evaluative thinking and tried to let our brains be as "unfiltered" as possible. Now, we want to turn that evaluative thinking back on and start to filter what ideas or topics would be the best possible options for this particular essay.
Common App Essay Prompt 7 Example and Guide 2024-2025
Common App Essay Prompt 7 Example Guide. Writing the Common App is easier said than done. Honestly, the bulk of the work you'll do mentally is in the brainstorming phase, but that doesn't mean writing won't be a challenge. The most important thing to remember is (and we've said it before!) that this needs to be a story, and a story has ...
How to Write Common App Essay Prompt 3
Prompt 3 Essay Example and Analysis. One consultant with CollegeVine wrote her essay on this topic about the experience of growing up with a unique name and feeling pressured to be different from other people. She would sacrifice her own wishes and preferences just to make unconventional choices. Finally, she challenged the idea of being different.
What is the Common App?
Prepare Your Personal Statement Ahead of Time: The Common App allows you to view essay prompts early. Take advantage of this by brainstorming, organizing, and drafting your personal statement well before the application opens. Be Aware of Application Deadlines: Use a calendar to track deadlines. Submit your application early to avoid last ...
Application Prompts for 2024-2025
Common Application essay. You'll choose one Common Essay prompt to respond to in 250-650 words. These prompts are common to all schools who accept the Common Application, and you can view the prompts here. Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and ...
Common App Essay Prompt 6 Example and Guide 2024-2025
With that kinda stern warning, let's talk brainstorming. Common App Essay Prompt 6 Example Topics. Fundamentally, this prompt needs to be answered with a story, but you need to zero in on a small moment on your journey with this topic. Since the prompt is pretty specific, there are really only a few genres of story you can tell, but you have ...
Reminder: Common App system refresh
Each year, the Common App goes offline to prepare for the new application cycle. The 2023-2024 first-year application will close for students and recommenders at 5 pm ET on July 28, and the transfer application will close for students and recommenders at 5 pm ET on July 29.
Common App Essay Prompt 2 Example and Guide 2024-2025
Now, let's talk about how to brainstorm ideas for Prompt #2. Common App Essay Prompt 2 Example Topics. This prompt is begging for a story, which is one of the reasons we like it. A good failure/setback/challenge essay has a few elements: ... If you need help brainstorming or writing your Common App essay, reach out to us today. Tagged: common ...
5 Books About The College Application Process To Read This Summer
Harry Bauld's On Writing the College Application Essay is a classic guide that has helped countless students craft essays that stand out in the decades since its original publication in 1987. A ...
COMMENTS
Brainstorming Common App Essay topics and working with prompts (2-3 weeks) Review the Common App prompts and identify which ones get your juices flowing. You can also use our expanded prompts, given in the bullet points below, to help you brainstorm and freewrite over the summer. We're starting with Common App Essay Prompt 7, since it is ...
Fill out the activities section of the common app (section 5) before you even start thinking about your essay. It will get the listing of accomplishments and extracurriculars out of your system. Then it's time to text your friends. Ask your friends for 3-5 adjectives to describe you. You don't want answers like, "tall, brown hair, big ...
Brainstorming the Common App Essay. You've read and reread the Common App essay prompts and chosen a topic. Now it's time to plan what ideas you could write about in your Common App essay and how you can match these back to a topic within one of the prompts. Firstly you've found a bit of time and space to mull over a few outlines and ...
Show, don't tell. Be specific. Choose active voice, not passive voice. Avoid clichés. Write in a tone that aligns with your goals for the essay. For example, if you are a heavy STEM applicant hoping to use your Common App essay to humanize your application, you will be undermined by writing in a brusque, harsh tone.
The common app essay can provoke a lot of anxiety, but we find that, when done correctly, it provides a chance for students to showcase their personalities. When you drill down to it, the anxiety around the common app is really a brainstorming problem. As such, most of your effort should go into finding a topic (a story) that allows you to ...
The exact word limit for the Common App essay has varied somewhat over the years, but the current range is 250-650 words. You must stay within this length; in fact, the online application won't allow you to submit fewer than 250 words or more than 650. Some schools will state that if this isn't enough space, you can send them a physical copy of ...
Common App Essay Examples. Here are the current Common App prompts. Click the links to jump to the examples for a specific prompt, or keep reading to review the examples for all the prompts. Prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without ...
The Common App essay is the single most important essay that you will write throughout your entire application process. CollegeVine co-founder Vinay Bhaskara will provide an in-depth guide into brainstorming for your Common App essay, walking through multiple brainstorming techniques, topic selection, and much much more.
Here are 6 tips on how to start brainstorming for your COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS!0:14 - Method of Writing0:33 - "Morning Pages"1:11 - Common App Prompts1:47...
The Common App can allow students to submit essays, recommendation letters, and numeric measures like test scores and class rank. Below, we'll talk through the prompts, how to brainstorm and write your essay, and offer example essays and analysis. Let's dive in.
Common App Essay Example #1: Seeds of Immigration. This student was admitted to Dartmouth College. In this Common App essay, they discuss their immigrant family background that motivates them. Although family is a commonly used topic, this student makes sure to have unique ideas and write in a genuine way.
6. Make a list of anecdotes, childhood memories, or stories about yourself. Then choose one and make it your "vehicle.". Finally, you should conclude your brainstorming session by searching for a vehicle: an anecdote that you can use to frame your personal statement. You can use anecdotes in your personal statement in a number of ways.
You don't need to write about anything profound, any thing "big.". 1. Think about times when you were out of your comfort zone. What happened? What did you do? 2. What is your least proud moment? How did you handle the situation? 3.
The Common App Essay Common App Essay Prompts Common App Essay: Unique Challenges Recommended Timelines Preparing for Your Common App Essay Writing the Common App Essay Sample #1: Rina Sample #2: Robert Sample #3: Sarah FAQs. The Common App essay is the personal statement that students have to submit on the Common Application portal.
Hello! It's natural to feel a bit anxious about choosing a topic for your Common App essay, but try to view it as an opportunity to showcase your voice and what makes you unique. Here are some tips to help with brainstorming: 1. Reflect on your experiences: Consider your life experiences, both the positive and the challenging ones, as these can often be great starting points for an essay.
In this video, I share a few tips on how to brainstorm a great personal statement topic. We'll talk about what makes a great topic in the first place, as wel...
The Common App (short for "Common Application") is a platform that allows students to apply to over 1,000 colleges and universities. It's used across the U.S., including by 250+ public universities and 12 HBCU s. (And a heads up that you can apply to any of the 67 HBCUs through the Common Black College App.). Bonus: other countries like Canada, Japan, China, and various European nations ...
February 27, 2024. We are happy to announce that the Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2024-2025. Our decision to keep these prompts unchanged is supported by past research showing that overall satisfaction with the prompts exceeded 95% across our constituent groups - students, counselors, advisors, teachers, and member colleges.
College Essay Brainstorming Step #3: Evaluate. When we underwent Step #2, we eschewed evaluative thinking and tried to let our brains be as "unfiltered" as possible. Now, we want to turn that evaluative thinking back on and start to filter what ideas or topics would be the best possible options for this particular essay.
Common App Essay Prompt 7 Example Guide. Writing the Common App is easier said than done. Honestly, the bulk of the work you'll do mentally is in the brainstorming phase, but that doesn't mean writing won't be a challenge. The most important thing to remember is (and we've said it before!) that this needs to be a story, and a story has ...
Prompt 3 Essay Example and Analysis. One consultant with CollegeVine wrote her essay on this topic about the experience of growing up with a unique name and feeling pressured to be different from other people. She would sacrifice her own wishes and preferences just to make unconventional choices. Finally, she challenged the idea of being different.
Prepare Your Personal Statement Ahead of Time: The Common App allows you to view essay prompts early. Take advantage of this by brainstorming, organizing, and drafting your personal statement well before the application opens. Be Aware of Application Deadlines: Use a calendar to track deadlines. Submit your application early to avoid last ...
Common Application essay. You'll choose one Common Essay prompt to respond to in 250-650 words. These prompts are common to all schools who accept the Common Application, and you can view the prompts here. Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and ...
With that kinda stern warning, let's talk brainstorming. Common App Essay Prompt 6 Example Topics. Fundamentally, this prompt needs to be answered with a story, but you need to zero in on a small moment on your journey with this topic. Since the prompt is pretty specific, there are really only a few genres of story you can tell, but you have ...
Each year, the Common App goes offline to prepare for the new application cycle. The 2023-2024 first-year application will close for students and recommenders at 5 pm ET on July 28, and the transfer application will close for students and recommenders at 5 pm ET on July 29.
Now, let's talk about how to brainstorm ideas for Prompt #2. Common App Essay Prompt 2 Example Topics. This prompt is begging for a story, which is one of the reasons we like it. A good failure/setback/challenge essay has a few elements: ... If you need help brainstorming or writing your Common App essay, reach out to us today. Tagged: common ...
Harry Bauld's On Writing the College Application Essay is a classic guide that has helped countless students craft essays that stand out in the decades since its original publication in 1987. A ...