Writing Your Personal Essay
The personal essay is your chance to show admissions officers who you are beyond your grades and test scores. It's one of the most important — and most stressful — parts of the application.
The Common App Prompts
The Common Application offers seven essay prompts each year. While the specific prompts may change, they generally ask you to reflect on:
- A meaningful experience or achievement
- A challenge or setback you've overcome
- A belief or idea that's important to you
- Something that sparks your curiosity
ℹ️ Note
You can also choose the "topic of your choice" prompt — it gives you the most freedom, but you'll need a strong, focused idea.
The Writing Process
1. Brainstorm
Don't start with the prompts. Start with yourself. Make a list of:
- Moments that changed how you think
- Activities or passions that define you
- Stories only you could tell
2. Draft
Pick your strongest idea and write a rough draft. Don't worry about word count or polish — just get the story down.
3. Revise
This is where the magic happens. Read your draft aloud. Cut anything that doesn't serve the story. Make sure your voice comes through.
4. Get Feedback
Share your essay with a teacher, counselor, or trusted adult. Ask them: "Does this sound like me? Do you learn something new about me?"
⚠️ Avoid These Pitfalls
- Don't write what you think they want to hear
- Don't summarize your resume — the essay is for what's NOT in your application
- Don't use a thesaurus to sound smarter
- Don't wait until the last minute
Word Count
The Common App essay has a 650-word limit. Aim for 500–650 words.
What's the word limit for the Common App personal essay?