The 2014-2015 college application season has begun with some truly excellent news. The application gods have blessed this year’s applicants, reissuing the same essay prompts from last year’s wholly renovated Common Application. This means students can begin brainstorming their Common App essay topics right away. Right now. This minute.
While it is true that the Common Application essay prompts are quite flexible, it is still helpful to know just what admissions will be looking for when they read personal statements in each of these categories. What are these questions really asking you? How do the prompts intend to pull students down the path of self-reflection? How can they be used to showcase a student’s best assets and personality?
In my next five posts, I will break down each of the Common App's essay prompts, delivering tips and tricks to answering each of these provocative questions. Keep in mind, students only have to choose and respond to one of the five choices. Now, for the first breakdown!
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This question is beautiful and broad. Talk about your background story. What, in your seventeen years on this earth, has helped shape the person you are today? It can be something as small as seeing an episode of a television show, or as large as moving to a foreign country. That said, it has to be dynamic – specific to you and who you are and no one else. I consider this prompt as a gift to students – it is often the catch-all for those who want to write about a subject that doesn’t fit within the confines of the other four prompts. That said, this prompt is best answered when it really does showcase a student’s history and personal growth. Did a Wednesday night family bowling tradition help shape the way you think about family, teamwork and the power of rituals? Does your crazy dyed-blue hair define you? Did going to a Picasso exhibit in New York City inspire you to start an art collection that has since expanded beyond the borders of your bedroom? What do you love and why do you love it? How would you define yourself and what influences in your life led you down your current path? What funny story do you tell friends and family over and over again and why do you think it always comes up? How are these stories and qualities representative of who you are at your core?
Stay tuned for an explanation of Common App Essay prompts 2-5, and check out College Essay Advisors' brainstorming tips to help get your creative juices flowing.
