New Common Application Essay Prompts are Here!

Each August/September, thousands of high school rising seniors create an on-line account with the Common Application website (www.commonapp.org)  This is when those often dreaded essays, "go live". The Common Application and its essays are accepted at over 4,000 institutions of higher learning. The essay is critical as it must remain the same for each school to which a student applies. Colleges/universities often additionally request a Supplemental Essay(s) specific to their institution.

This year marks the first year of a few recently-instituted changes to the essay prompts. In the past, students had one of six prompts from which to respond, with the last prompt allowing applicants to write about anything they saw fit.

This year, there are only five prompts and #6 has been eliminated. In addition, the Common Application Essay must be at least 250 words AND cannot go over 650 words.

While many guidance counselors, parents, and students initially worried about the changes, the truth is, not too much has changed at all! College admissions personnel still employ the essay (or essays) to get to know applicants' values, personalities, life stories, unique attributes, etc. They understand that a student is so much more than grades, standardized test scores, and G.P.A.'s.

The summer is a perfect time for rising seniors to begin to develop their all-important Common Application essay and to explore their particular colleges' Supplemental Essays (also available on the Common App website).

Here are the NEW essay prompts for 2013-2014:

1) Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2) Recount an incident where you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

3) Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

4) Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

5) Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

If you really think about it, any essay one could write, IF one is being mindful of the colleges' attempts to get to know you better as a person, could easily address at least one of these prompts.

Colleges are not looking for a "correct" or perfect answer. They simply want to get to know the real you! So, after you've taken a well-deserved break from the academic demands of junior year, get to the computer and start jotting down ideas for your essay! You'll be so glad you got a head start this summer and willtruly be in a better-prepared position to apply to colleges Early Decision I/II/EA than those who procrastinated.