Jumpstart Your Common App 2024-2025 Application
Attention high school seniors! The questions have been announced and now is the time to start working on your application. As you begin your rough drafts, remember these questions are designed to give you the opportunity to share your unique story and showcase your individuality to admissions committees. Now is the perfect time to start preparing by engaging in deep, reflective thinking about these prompts to craft compelling and authentic responses.
Why Should You Start Early?
Starting your Common App essays early has several advantages. Firstly, it allows ample time for thoughtful reflection and self-discovery. The more time you dedicate to understanding the prompts and reflecting on your experiences, the more nuanced and genuine your essays will be. Secondly, it reduces stress by spreading the workload over several months, rather than cramming during the busy fall semester. Finally, early preparation allows for multiple drafts and revisions, ensuring your final submission is polished and well-crafted.
The 2024-2025 Common App Essay Prompts
Here are the prompts for the upcoming application cycle:
- 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 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?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- 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?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- 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.
How to Approach the Prompts
- Reflect Deeply: Take the time to think about your life experiences, challenges, accomplishments, and passions. Reflect on what has shaped you and how you want to present yourself to colleges.
- Brainstorm Ideas: For each prompt, jot down initial thoughts, memories, and potential stories. Consider how each experience has influenced your personal growth and aligns with the prompt.
- Be Authentic: Admissions officers are looking for genuine, personal responses. Avoid writing what you think they want to hear; instead, be honest and true to yourself.
- Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts into a clear structure. An outline helps ensure your essay has a logical flow and effectively communicates your message.
- Draft and Revise: Write multiple drafts, focusing on refining your ideas, improving clarity, and eliminating unnecessary details. Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or family members to gain different perspectives.
- Proofread: Carefully proofread your final draft to correct any grammatical errors, typos, or inconsistencies. A polished essay demonstrates attention to detail and dedication.
Additional Resources
Visit the official Common App website and take advantage of their Common App Ready tool to assist you with the application process, additional writing requirements, and submission guidelines.