How to Write for Common App Prompt #5 – Personal Growth
by Sarah M.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Prompt #5 is the most quintessential college essay prompt. Indeed, any prompt that you choose to answer will eventually come back to the formula asked for here: a moment or experience that led to a process of personal growth.
Although you may find inspiration in other prompts, the key words in this one—realization, personal growth, understanding of yourself—are themes that are essential to any successful Common App essay.
What distinguishes this prompt from the others is the focus on the moment. Whereas essays for other prompts might use a series of moments or a gradual realization, Prompt #5 asks you to narrate a singular event that ultimately had a significant impact on the way you think and act. Thus, it’s a good prompt to choose if you want to focus on one especially rich anecdote.
That said, the words “accomplishment” and “event” leave plenty of room for interpretation. A formal event or accomplishment might include anything from obvious landmarks like birthdays or weddings to achievements like earning an award or receiving a promotion. More informal examples might include something as simple as meeting a special person in your life, going on a road trip, or eating a particularly meaningful meal. Indeed, smaller and less formal events can often make for more surprising and memorable essays.
Regardless of what kind of event you choose, the key to this essay is personal growth. Colleges already know your accomplishments: the rest of your application is devoted to listing them, whether academic, athletic, or artistic. This essay is a chance for them you see you reflecting on those accomplishments: how you came to them, how you think about them, or how they have helped you develop into the person you are today.
A few things to think about when brainstorming for this prompt:
- What small but unexpected event has stuck in your mind over time?
- What’s the most meaningful conversation you ever had with a friend?
- Have you ever made a small decision that turned out to have a big impact?
- When did you learn something that made you feel more mature, capable, or grown up?
- How have you changed during the last year or two? Why is that?