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Why? The essay you write for the Common App is sent to basically every school that you apply to.  \nThe Common App essay is 650 words, and you have 7 prompts to pick from. (But note: It doesn’t matter which prompt you pick. In fact, I recommend you write your essay first and then choose the prompt to match it.)  \nHere are those Common App prompts:  \n1. 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.  \n2. 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?  \n3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?  \n4. 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?  \n5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.  \n6. 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?  \n7. 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.  \nSo before diving into our Common App essay examples, here’s what to keep an eye on.  \nCollege admissions officers are looking for three things in your essay:  \n1. Who is this person?  \n2. Will this person contribute something of value to our campus?  \n3. Can this person write?  \nThe reader should get a clear picture of what you value and how you’ll put those values into action.  \nHow do you write a great common app essay?  \nI’ve got so much to say about this it would make your head spin. But, here are the basics.  \n1. Brainstorm (I think it’s the most important step) .  \n2. Structure your essay according to your topic.  \n3. Draft. Revise. Repeat.  \nIf you just want to see some great Common App essay examples, keep scrolling.  \nBe warned: some of these common application essay examples may inspire you.  \nNote that almost none of these students actually titled their essays; for the Table of Contents, I’ve simply titled them based on their first line or general topic.  \nCommon App Essay Example \\#1  \nHome  \nAs I enter the double doors, the smell of freshly rolled biscuits hits me almost instantly. Itrace the fan blades as they swing above me, emitting a low, repetitive hum resembling a faint melody. After bringing our usual order, the “Tailgate Special,” to the table, my father begins discussing the recent performance of Apple stock with my mother, myself, and my older eleven year old sister. Bojangle’s, a Southern establishment well known for its fried chicken and reliable fast food, is my family’s Friday night restaurant, often accompanied by trips to Eva Perry, the nearby library","cbCailJlTHhcV1wL","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailJlTHhcV1wL","pdf",655932,22,"English","# Common App essay overview\n## What the Common Application is\n## Word limit and prompt structure\n## Common App prompts (1-7)\n# What admissions officers look for\n## Identity and personal contribution\n## Writing quality\n# How to write a great Common App essay\n## Brainstorming\n## Essay structure and revision cycle\n# Common App Essay Examples\n## Example 1: Home","[{\"question\":\"What are the Common App essay word limit and prompts you can choose from?\",\"answer\":\"The Common App essay is 650 words and offers 7 prompts to choose from. The guidance emphasizes that the prompt choice is less important than the story you write.\"},{\"question\":\"What do admissions officers look for in a Common App essay?\",\"answer\":\"The essay should clearly show who the applicant is, how they can contribute value to the campus, and whether the applicant can write effectively. It should also make the reader understand the applicant’s values and how they act on them.\"},{\"question\":\"What basic steps are recommended for writing a strong Common App essay?\",\"answer\":\"The recommended process is to brainstorm first, structure the essay around the chosen topic, then draft and revise repeatedly. The approach stresses iterative improvement rather than a single draft.\"}]","10 Outstanding Essays - Common App Essay Examples | PDF",55]