Overview
Key insight: The prompt matters less than your story. All 7 prompts are designed to learn about you. Pick the one that best fits a story you want to tell—don't force your story into a prompt.
What Admissions Wants
- • Your authentic voice
- • Specific details and stories
- • Self-awareness and growth
- • Something they can't learn elsewhere
Requirements
- • 250-650 words (use most of it)
- • Same essay goes to all Common App schools
- • Supplements are separate
All 7 Prompts Analyzed
"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."
Good for:
Core identity pieces, cultural heritage that shaped you, skills you've developed over years
Avoid:
Generic diversity statements, surface-level hobbies, anything that reads as a resume
"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?"
Good for:
Genuine setbacks with real reflection, failures that changed your approach, challenges you're still working through
Avoid:
Humblebrag "failures," trauma without growth, overly polished triumph narratives
"Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?"
Good for:
Intellectual evolution, changing your mind about something important, questioning your own assumptions
Avoid:
Political rants, judging others' beliefs, superficial "realizations"
"Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?"
Good for:
Small acts of kindness that meant a lot, unexpected help, moments that shifted your perspective
Avoid:
Generic thank-you notes, focusing too much on the other person instead of you
"Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others."
Good for:
Genuine turning points, realizations that changed behavior, growth you can demonstrate
Avoid:
Resume achievements, external validation without internal change
"Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?"
Good for:
Genuine intellectual passions, niche interests you can speak deeply about, self-directed learning
Avoid:
Broad topics without depth, interests you can't actually discuss, fake passion
"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."
Good for:
Stories that don't fit other prompts, creative approaches, your strongest writing regardless of topic
Avoid:
Essays rejected from other prompts, overly experimental pieces, anything risky without purpose
Choosing Your Prompt
Write first, match later. Write about what matters to you, then pick the prompt that fits.
Prompt 7 is always available. If your story doesn't fit, use the open prompt.
No prompt is "better." Admissions doesn't prefer certain prompts. They care about your answer.
Answer the prompt. Whatever you choose, make sure you actually address it.