by Sarah M. Prompt 7: “Share an essay on a 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.” This prompt is an opportunity to tell your own story in your own way. If you don’t have any idea what you want to write about and you’re brainstorming from scratch, a different prompt will most
by Michelle P. Common App prompt #6 asks: 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? A lot of students find it fun to write for this Common App prompt, seeing as the entire focus of the prompt is about a
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
by Lillie W. Two years ago, a new prompt showed up among the Common App’s standard seven personal statement options, a question that invited students to talk about an experience that made them grateful. As several public commentators remarked at the time, Prompt #4 stood out against the other six essay options in a couple of significant ways. Its wording is, “Reflect on something that someone has done for you
by Molly R. Previous Essay Narwhal blogs have shared tips and tricks for Common App Prompts #1 and #2. This week, we’re pleased to share some insights for lucky #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? As with other Common App questions, it’s best to be specific and share positive growth. Admission officers want to
by Michelle P. From sleeping late past an alarm clock to losing a contact lenses or misspelling a word in a hasty text message—failures and mistakes are a natural part of life. A previous post dives into Common App prompt #2 about failure and challenges for Essay Narwhals. This post will offer some additional insight for students hoping to make this Common App essay on failure into their big win
