How to Pick the Right Common App Prompt

As you apply to college, the odds are that you’ll face the Common App at some point. Over a thousand public and private universities use the Common App as part of their application process, making it the most popular college app essay. 

I’ve worked with over a hundred high school seniors, helping them write college essays that highlight their strengths and lessons learned. In this article, I’ll provide a guide to help you consider each prompt, brainstorm potential topics, and ultimately choose the best prompt to tell your story.

What is the Common App?

The Common App is a college application essay used by over a thousand U.S. universities, including all the Ivy League schools. The Common App gives you seven prompt options, and you pick one for your essay. Your final draft can be anywhere from 250-650 words, but I generally advise to shoot for 500 words at minimum.

What makes a good Common App essay?

It’s impossible to identify one recipe for a good Common App essay because the prompts are meant to be open-ended. Aside from the word count and prompts, there are no rules about what you can write about or how to structure your writing. 

However, there are a few aspects that tend to distinguish standout essays from those that just blend in. A good Common App essay will have thoughtful structure, be easy to read and follow, and tell an interesting story. 

More specifically, here are some of the elements that a good Common App essay will often include:

• Storytelling: Scenes, stories, or snapshots that pull the reader into your world. Some essays focus on just one story, while others utilize a montage storytelling style, jumping between related snippets or scenes that build a cohesive picture.

• Detail: Vivid description of setting, characters, or emotions. Narrative tools like dialogue, sensory detail, and imagery can provide the reader a vivid image of what stands out in your story.

• Reflection: The part where you step back and comment on the story or events. All of the prompts ask you to explain why this story matters, what you learned, what you’d do differently, or what it reveals about you.

• Theme: Usually included in your reflection and at the end of your paper, a theme is a story’s main idea, central message, or lesson learned. It explains the “So what?”

The way you organize these elements depends on how you structure your essay. Check out my essay outlines for help with that.

Common App Prompts

The prompt you pick will affect everything about your essay, including the stories or topics you focus on, and the takeaways you emphasize. Thankfully, the topics cover pretty much any story you’d want to tell.

Common App Essay Prompts:

1. (Background and Identity) 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.

2. (Lesson from Failure) 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?

3. (New Realization) Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. (Acting with Gratitude) 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?

5. (Growth and Development) Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. (Personal Interest) 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?

7. (Open) 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.

Which Common App prompt should you pick?

The best Common App essay prompt is whichever inspires your most meaningful or enthusiastic storytelling. While this might be an event or story you’ve experienced, it might also be a topic or hobby that you’ve developed. Further, you might feel inspired to write about an important part of your creative or cultural identity. Focus on the best topic and story first, and then you can decide which prompt fits it best.

Use the strategies and tips below to brainstorm ideas and choose the best prompt.

Prompt 1: Background and Identity

Prompt: 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.

Insight

This prompt does not ask for a story, but instead about a background, identity or interest. Think about your activities, hobbies, and interests that have lasted a long time. Consider cultural backgrounds, sports, creative pursuits, and things you spend a lot of time doing. 

Brainstorming Questions

• What parts of your culture impact your life, and how? Consider family, friends, ethnicity, environment, and school.

• What activities or hobbies have you continued for a long time? How has your approach changed?

• Which activities (school and non-school) consume most of your free time? Why have you spent so much time on them?

• What skill are you most proud of? How did you develop that skill? Describe your process for learning it.

Structure Ideas

• Montage of scenes: Rather than focusing on one story or event, this structure strings “snippets” or scenes to build a montage outlining your history with the topic or activity, mixing reflection throughout.

• A sequence of items: Your topic, culture, or activity may feature key items: souvenirs, trophies, photographs, jerseys, or trinkets around your room. Structure your essay in ABABAB style, with each item and its significance occupying a paragraph.

Prompt 2: Lesson from Failure

Prompt: 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?

Insight

Your experience of a “challenge, setback, or failure” is a great opportunity to demonstrate your mindset, determination for success, and approach to learning and growth. You can focus on an internal struggle–like grief, stress, overcoming nerves or fear–or an external struggle like a lost game or challenging activity. 

Your essay will probably mix internal and external struggles.

Brainstorming Questions

• What are your all-time biggest mistakes? How did each one change you?

• When was a time you failed at something multiple times, or despite intense preparation? How did you respond?

• Do you have any failures or mistakes that you’re glad happened? Why are you glad that you failed?

Structure Ideas:

• Story first, reflection second: Begin your essay by telling the story’s full, uninterrupted story, with vivid detail. Follow it with reflection, commenting on lessons learned, and explain how you grew. For more guidance, check out my AAABBB essay outline.

• “The Turning Point”: Identify the moment in your story when things changed, such as from negative to optimistic. Then, divide your story in two: before the turning point, and after. Begin your essay by telling the story, but pause at the turning point, using a reflection paragraph to zoom in on it. What went through your mind? What did you realize? What made this moment stand out? Then, finish your story, before reflecting back on the whole journey.

Prompt 3: New Realization

Prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Insight

Universities want to see evidence of you using independent and critical thinking, because these are leadership qualities. Brainstorm times when you challenged a norm–your own previous routine, a friend’s or family member’s expectations, or even a social norm in school or sports. 

Brainstorming Questions

• When did you go against what everyone else was doing? Why?

• Have you ever done something that surprised you? Why did it surprise you, and what caused you to do it?

• Have you ever intentionally changed your mindset, to become more optimistic or focused on something? What was the result?

• When did you shed a bad habit and replace it with a more productive one? What caused this change, and how did it turn out?

• Have you ever disagreed with someone in a position of power, based on what you felt was right? How did it turn out?

Structure Ideas:

• “This, I Believe” paper: Begins by introducing a key belief, moral, or idea you hold. Spend the first paragraph explaining why this philosophy is important. Then, describe the events or challenges that helped you develop or strengthen this belief. In the final paragraph or two, explain how this belief helps you in other aspects of your life.

Prompt 4: Acting with Gratitude

Prompt: 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?

Insight

Universities want to see that you show appreciation, teamwork, and curiosity toward those around you. This prompt addresses how you feel about other people, and what you notice and appreciate about the world. Aim to find something unique and personal to be thankful for.

Brainstorming Questions

• What qualities do you most appreciate in a friend or family member? When did someone display this quality?

• Which opportunities have brought unexpected blessings?

• What are some unique opportunities that you’ve had, and how have they led to unique experiences?

• Has someone ever helped you when you were in a desperate or dire situation? How did that momentum carry you forward afterward?

• Who do you look up to the most? Why do you look up to them, and what moments stand out to you when you reflect on your relationship with this person?

Structure Ideas

• “Who I Was, Who I Am Now”: Begin by describing what your life was like before the event or person impacted you–what was missing, any flaws that you perhaps didn’t realize. Then, describe the event(s) with as much sensory detail as possible. Last, reflect on how you’ve changed since then–what new perspective, approach, or attitude will you take with you?

• “Multiple Ways I Use My Gift”: Begin your essay by telling your story with full sensory detail. Then, use the majority of your essay to describe all the ways that this event, gift, or action has impacted you. For example, you can describe the people you now help, the leadership you display, the qualities you show, and hobbies or habits you’ve taken up as a result. Separate each resulting benefit into its own paragraph.

Prompt 5: Growth and Development

Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Insight

This prompt has two parts: the event itself, and then the transformation and growth resulting from the event. Think about experiences and accomplishments you’ve had that created a “ripple effect” – like a stone hitting the water and your benefits and changes that rippled and expanded from it.

Brainstorming Questions

• In which ways have you recently grown? Think about the positive impacts this growth has made on you, your community, and your environment.

• What is something you realize now, that you didn’t realize previously? What caused this realization?

• How do you help or provide service to those around you? Why do you do this, and what caused you to start doing it?

• What are your most productive habits, practices, or routines? How did you develop them?

• When was a time that you had to step up as a leader? What inspired you to step up, and why was this so important? Who did you impact? How did this event help you grow?

• What major challenges or stressful periods have you faced? How did you respond, and how did you grow as a result of the whole experience?

Structure Ideas

• Chronological, mixed storytelling and reflection: Beginning your essay with the story’s first event, using each paragraph to walk one step forward through your journey of personal growth and understanding. In each paragraph, mix storytelling and reflection. Explain what physically happened, while reflecting on how you grew at each stage. For support, use the ABABAB outline template.

• Story first, reflection second : Tell the full story of your growth, from start to finish. Then, reflect on how you changed, what you learned, and how this prepares you for new challenges.

Prompt 6: Your Interest

Prompt: 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?

Insight

Universities want to see your interest and curiosity in the world. They also want to see that you take initiative and act on these interests, creating projects and building something new. Think about projects you’ve started, things you’ve built, and tasks you’ve designed to further pursue your passions.

Brainstorming Questions

• What are your favorite projects or tasks that you’ve ever created? What inspired you to begin each project?

• How do you spend most of your free time? What are your favorite hobbies, and how do you progress at them?

• What are your goals, both school-related and non-school-related? Why are these goals important to you, and how do you work toward them?

Structure Ideas

• “A Timeline of my Relationship with ___”: Structure your essay as a chronological timeline of your relationship with your selected topic. Begin at the initiation of your relationship with the topic–years ago or months ago. Use each paragraph to chronicle a new stage in your relationship with the topic, mixing storytelling and reflection in ABABAB style.

• “Snapshots of my relationship with ___”: Pick out three or four images (“snapshots”) of your history with the topic. These can be seemingly regular, mundane moments, like working in your room or practicing with a team. Devote one paragraph to each image, bringing the mundane moment to life by describing your internal excitement, and using vivid sensory language to describe your environment and actions. 

For a more detailed breakdown of how to write the essay, check out my tips on how to write a personal statement for college.

Work 1-on-1 with Tyler