What are the 2024-2025 college essay prompts and how should I approach them?

Great questions—starting early is a smart move! To begin with, the Common Application typically announces its essay prompts in the spring, and for 2024-2025 they've kept the prompts the same as last year. The seven prompts offer a lot of flexibility; you can usually find them directly on the Common App website. Here are some of the main prompts most students choose from:

1. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
2. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
3. Share an essay on any topic of your choice (it can also be one you’ve already written).

Most colleges that use the Common App also require supplemental essays. As far as lists go, the best resource is each college's official admissions website, since schools publish their supplements there. Several websites and online forums compile them as well, especially once they start rolling out in June and July, but you should always check the college’s site to confirm the latest versions. Examples of typical supplements include “Why Our College?,” “Describe an activity or experience that is important to you,” and “How would you contribute to our campus community?”

When it comes to organizing your writing, many students start by drafting their Common App essay over the summer. This is usually the longest and most open-ended piece, and it forms the core of your application story. Once you feel good about your Common App essay's direction, you can focus on the school-specific supplements, tailoring them to each college’s values and prompts.

One useful strategy is to create a spreadsheet with deadlines, word counts, and essay topics for each school. This way, you can spot overlaps (for instance, if two schools both ask, 'Describe a community you belong to') and reuse or adapt essays when appropriate—just make sure to personalize each one for the college!

Here’s how you might approach your process: over the next few weeks, pick a couple of evenings to brainstorm topics for the Common App essay, jotting notes or outlining your favorite ideas. Once you commit to a topic, try to write a rough draft before your AP classes get extra busy. As supplements come out, prioritize early deadlines (like those for public universities) and use 'essay banks' to keep track of your best stories.

Personal example: Last year, a student I worked with made a color-coded Google Sheet to track their essays. They started with the Common App, then slotted 'Why us?' responses in batches, using a master answer they personalized for each school. This system kept them from getting overwhelmed and held them accountable without sacrificing performance in their AP classes.

If you're able to, aim to finish the personal statement before senior year starts, or by early September, so you can revise while balancing homework. Remember, the key is progress over perfection—and no one gets it right on the first try. Good luck, and reach out for more specific advice if you need help with a particular prompt!