How do you write a great common app essay?

According to the , the common app essays topics are as follows:

This is your opportunity to make a compelling personal statement to admissions officers at schools that use the Common App. When you log into your Common App account and navigate to the "Writing" section, you'll be presented with a list of seven essay prompts and detailed directions for completing each. One of the seven popular app essay prompts requires you to write college essays between 250 and 650 words long.

It is a crucial component of the college application process, as each institution that accepts the Common App will assess your essay to gain insights into your character, background, and potential value as a student.

Now you have October to complete your secondary essays. November is usually when early action/early decision deadlines hit. So by the end of October, you will have completed your application for anywhere you’re applying early; now you can use the last few weeks of November to complete any remaining secondary essays for schools with December or January due dates (most regular decision deadlines).

Why does the Common App Essay—and other college essays—matter?

The Common App essay is a personal statement and your primary writing sample that is a part of the Common Application, an online application platform used by over 900 colleges, universities, and colleges across the US.

That’s why we have the perfect solution for you. Let’s explore our Common App essay examples. These will help you make stand out and show off your unique skills and experiences.

Keep in mind that some institutions may require additional essays along with the Common App essay, so be sure to review the specific requirements for each school you're applying to.

Writing a college application essay can be a difficult and intimidating endeavor. With limited word counts, strict prompts, and high expectations to create a stand-out composition that accurately portrays you for admissions officers and other school representatives, it can take a lot of work to know where to begin!

Brainstorming Common App Essay topics

Common App Prompt #2: 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?

Read college essay examples from admitted students

The process of writing your can be challenging. Luckily, many college admissions essay examples will help inspire your work and give you confidence as you enter the next step in your educational journey.

But this isn’t simply a collection of college essay examples.

Author:
Class Year: Princeton University 2021
Type of Essay: Common Application Personal Statement – The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
School Acceptances: Princeton University

This essay could work for prompts 1 and 7 for the Common App.

From that day forward, I kept pushing myself, slowly, one step at a time. I signed up for more presentations, volunteered to lead meetings, and even joined the debate team. Each time I spoke, I felt the fear shrink, bit by bit. It didnât disappear overnight, but it no longer had the same power over me. And eventually, something surprising happened: I started to enjoy speaking in front of others. What once seemed like an impossible hurdle had become a way for me to express myself, to share ideas, and to connect with people.

This essay could work for prompts 1, 2 and 7 for the Common App.

Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.

Let’s review the seven that inspired our Common App essay examples: