College Essays
Some colleges use the essay to help them select their students, while others do not require an essay. Most, however, do not object to having an essay submitted. Because competition for admission is keen, an essay might help the committee select you even though you might not meet their entrance criteria.
REMEMBER
THE PURPOSES
OF YOUR ESSAY
Common Application Essay Prompts
REMEMBER
THE PURPOSES
OF YOUR ESSAY
- Show them you can write well. Avoid being too generic. The folks reading these essays are bound to see a LOT of the same thing over and over again. How will you stand out?
- Show them that you can reflect on who YOU are. This sounds easy, but take it seriously. It can be tempting to just phone this in ("I'm a dedicated hard worker who achieves whatever I put my mind to.") While this sounds good, it's incredibly formulaic and doesn't really say much about who you are as a unique individual.
- Show them that they want you as a student. Colleges and business see you as an investment. Why should they invest in you?
Common Application Essay Prompts
- 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.
- 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?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.