Search results: common app

From large research universities to small liberal arts colleges,over 800 colleges in the United States use the Common Application. As such, virtually all students applying to U.S. colleges find themselves needing to complete the Common Application. The 2021-2022 application has six core prompts, one free-form prompt, one additional information section, and the optional COVID-19 prompt that appeared in […]

In 2021, the Common App announced that prompts will remain unchanged from the 2020-2021 school year, with the exception of prompt #4. The Common App prompts have remained the same for the past four years, so to even have one new prompt is quite a change from years prior. This article will explain how students […]

Many students feel the need to show admissions officers that they are super capable essay writers, and that can lead to a lot of embellished and flowery words and phrases. But what readers often remember the most, even in a lot of the most beautiful prose, is the story. What was the setting? What was the conflict? How was it resolved? How did our hero overcome the conflict and what lessons did he or she learn? The story is the meat-and-potatoes of the admissions essay, and the reason for this is that a story containing all of these elements will not only leave a lasting impression in the minds of the admissions officers, it will tell them what they need to know about how you deal with adverse situations and how you are able to glean important lessons from them. A protagonist who fights against all odds and becomes better and wiser for the struggle is probably someone who will perform excellently in a tough program at a top-tier college.

Get the Most Out of Your Common Application Essay Experience The Common App announced their essay prompts for the 2021-2022 school year back in January. But, as we all know, time flies and there will soon be thousands of college hopefuls scouring the internet trying to find the best advice for writing this critical essay. […]

The Common Application Essay has been updated for 2017-2018. This means that some of the prompts have changed from previous years. This video looks at prompts 5-7 and gives some suggestions for brainstorming and responding to these individual prompts. Who will find this information useful? Students applying to US colleges with the Common Application This […]

The Common Application Essay has been updated for 2017-2018. This means that some of the prompts have changed from previous years. This video analyzes essay prompts #2-4 and gives some suggestions for brainstorming and responding to these individual prompts. Who will find this information useful? All students applying to US colleges through the Common Application […]

This videoprovides an in-depth analysis for prompt #1 of the 2017-2018 Common Application essay: “Meaningful background, identity, interest, or talent.” Thisprompt reads: “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.” Understanding […]

The Common Application is the largest college application organization in the United States and with good reason. As a non-profit organization (the largest application organization in the country by far), the Common Application essay can decide who enters the school or their choice and who will not. This video gives present and future applicants an […]

Choosing the best prompt on the Common Application essay to tell your personal story is the first step towards making a strong impression on the admissions committee and getting accepted into the college of your choice. This video looks at each prompt on this year’s Common App essay in detail and gives tips for brainstorming […]

While the Common App provides highly broad topics for its required 650-word essay, it's possible that you have a story you want to narrate that doesn't fit within those categories. Fortunately, the Common App is once again using the "topic of choice" category for the 2021-2022 admissions season. You can write about whatever you want, as long as the paper is a personal statement.

A college admissions essay is a space in which you can highlight what makes you unique and prove how successful you would be in navigating a new and challenging environment like college. While all the Common App essay topics focus on these elements, prompt #6 allows you to dive deeper into demonstrating the breadth of […]

Your college admissions essay is a way to open a conversation with your admissions officers. In 650 words, you have the opportunity to share details about yourself as if you were fellow passengers on a long plane ride. Astrong personalstatement can quickly win over admissions officers because they find you likable, thoughtful, intelligent, and self-aware. […]