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Understanding the Common App Essay Prompts and How to Approach Them
1. 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.
 ICC Tip: This is the “tell us who you are/what you will bring to our school” prompt. If you have a unique cultural background or deep passion that has contributed to or largely shaped your identity, this is your chance to share it. Select a topic that genuinely defines who you are—something that has shaped your perspective; influenced your growth, aspirations, and choices; and one that would make you feel that your application was incomplete if you left it out. When answering this prompt, focus on storytelling. Instead of just stating facts about your background or interests, bring the reader into your world. Most importantly, reflect on why this part of your identity or experience matters.
2. 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?
ICC Tip: Colleges love resilience. However, we recommend that you avoid writing about minor struggles (like getting a B on a test) or purely negative stories. Instead, show how you overcame a more substantial adversity, demonstrating your perseverance, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. Make sure the focus is on personal growth, not just the challenge itself. Colleges don’t expect perfection—they want to see how you handle difficulties and what you learn from them. Colleges value students who adapt, persist, and turn setbacks into learning experiences.
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
ICC Tip: This prompt offers a great opportunity to showcase critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. Colleges want students who engage deeply with ideas and are willing to challenge their own perspectives. If you’ve ever spoken up about an issue, changed your mind on a significant topic, or taken a stand for something, this is a great prompt. Be sure to reflect on why this moment mattered and how it shaped your perspective. Note that the outcome is less important than your reflection. Show your ability to think independently, engage with complexity, and grow from the experience.
4. 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?
ICC Tip: Gratitude can be powerful. Rather than writing a generic “thank you” to a person, focus on a moment when an act of kindness or generosity shifted your perspective or changed the way you interact with the world. Keep the essay about your growth and response, rather than just writing about the person you’re describing. Be sure to reflect on how this experience shaped your goals, values, or approach to challenges.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
ICC Tip: The key here is to showcase growth. Pick a moment that led to real personal growth, not just an achievement on paper. Maybe you learned something new about yourself through a leadership role, a job, a personal challenge, or even a small but profound moment. Be introspective and explain how this event changed your perspective or direction in life.
6. 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?
ICC Tip: This is the “intellectual curiosity/passion” prompt. Choose a topic that truly and authentically excites you, whether it’s a niche area of science, an artistic passion, or even a personal hobby. The key is to demonstrate enthusiasm and depth of engagement. Colleges want to learn what matters to you and why. If you consider yourself a lifelong learner, this could be your prompt.
7. 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.
ICC Tip: If none of the other prompts resonate with you, this is your «catch all» option. Just make sure that your essay tells a story about who you are, your values, and your experiences. If you have an essay that combines multiple prompts or have a creative, unconventional idea that doesn’t neatly fit into the other categories, this is your prompt.
IMPORTANT UPDATES TO ADDITIONAL ESSAYS
There have been a few updates to two sections of the Common App.
The current “Community Disruption” question will now be known as the “Challenges and Circumstances” question, broadening its scope to encompass a wider range of student experiences. The word and character limits for this section remain the same (250 words for first-year applicants; 1250 characters for transfer applicants).
Meanwhile, the word count for the “Additional Information” section has been reduced. First-year applicants will now have a maximum of 300 words instead of 650, while transfer applicants will be limited to 1500 characters instead of 3500.
The updated language of the “Challenges and Circumstances” question that students will see beginning August 1, 2025, is:
Sometimes a student’s application and achievements may be impacted by challenges or other circumstances. This could involve:
- Access to a safe and quiet study space
- Access to reliable technology and internet
- Community disruption (violence, protests, teacher strikes, etc.)
- Discrimination
- Family disruptions (divorce, incarceration, job loss, health, loss of a family member, addiction, etc.)
- Family or other obligations (caretaking, financial support, etc.)
- Housing instability, displacement, or homelessness
- Military deployment or activation
- Natural disasters
- Physical health and mental well-being
- War, genocide, or other hardships
ICC Tip: The newly revised “Challenges and Circumstances” question allows students to provide important context for admissions readers. Given the essay’s limited length, the focus should be on explaining how a specific life experience has impacted a student’s academic journey, rather than deep personal reflection or a broader growth narrative.
ICC Tip: The “Additional Information” section of the Common App is an opportunity for students to provide crucial information that doesn’t fit elsewhere in their application. Students can use it to elaborate on unique projects, independent research, or other significant experiences that don’t fit in the main Activities section.
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
No matter where your family is in the college admissions process, International College Counselors can help you with every aspect, including building and honing the college list, fine-tuning college applications, and writing admission essays. The expert team at International College Counselors includes former college admission officers, high school directors and counselors, and writing professionals with a combined 250+ years of experience, helping students and families successfully navigate the college application journey. For personalized guidance, contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or email Marlene at marlene@internationalcollegecounselors.com. |
