Here it is -- the last of this year's Common Application's essay question options. Below I break down the best way to approach the fifth and final prompt, which asks students to discuss notable events and accomplishments in their lives.
PROMPT #5: Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
The final prompt is another one that offers endless choices and flexibility, and an essay inspired by it can tackle anything from a formal event to a very small occurrence. Students should keep in mind that, like the word “place” in Prompt #4, both “accomplishment” and “event,” are words that leave themselves open to interpretation. A formal event or accomplishment might encompass anything from obvious landmarks like birthdays and 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, taking a car ride, or eating a particularly meaningful meal. In my experience, the smaller, less formal events often make for more surprising and memorable essays; but as with any of the other prompts, as long as you can answer with originality and put a unique twist on your subject matter, all ideas -- formal and informal, big and small -- are fair game. What were the moments in life that fundamentally changed you as a person? When did you learn something that made you feel more adult, more capable, more grown up? Did responding to an attempted burglary while you were home alone show you your own strength and power to make quick, effective decisions under pressure? Maybe regular car rides after school with your mom provided you with a solid foundation for your relationship until you got your license and started to drive to school on your own. What did you learn about your desire for independence? What from those discussions everyday with your mom stuck with you on those new rides alone? The most important thing to keep in mind when searching for these moments is that element of transition and transformation. The event or accomplishment you discuss should be something that helped you understand the world around you through a different, more mature lens.
Did you miss my explanation of Prompts 1-4? Fear not! Find them on the CEA website along with other tips and tricks for writing the Common Application essay.
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