Where can I find the official 2024-2025 college essay prompts for major schools?
I’m getting ready to start planning my applications and I want to get a head start on the essays. Does anyone know where I can find the official essay prompts for the 2024-2025 cycle, especially for popular schools like the UC system, Common App, and a few top private universities?
If the prompts haven’t been released yet, does anyone know when they usually come out or if there are any major changes expected compared to last year?
I’d appreciate any advice, even if it's just about where to check for updates or how to verify if the prompts are official. I want to make sure I don’t waste time writing on last year’s topics if they’re about to change.
If the prompts haven’t been released yet, does anyone know when they usually come out or if there are any major changes expected compared to last year?
I’d appreciate any advice, even if it's just about where to check for updates or how to verify if the prompts are official. I want to make sure I don’t waste time writing on last year’s topics if they’re about to change.
4 months ago
•
23 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You're definitely getting a smart head start by looking for official prompts now. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, here's where and how you can find the most accurate and up-to-date prompts for different types of schools:
1. Common App:
The Common App typically releases its essay prompts in February or March, and for 2024-2025, the prompts are usually available directly on their website under the 'First-year essay prompts' section. As of now, the Common App has officially announced that the prompts will remain the same as last year. You can verify this by checking https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2024-2025-common-app-essay-prompts (double-check for updates closer to your application season).
2. University of California (UC) system:
UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) rarely change and, as of June 2024, the same eight questions as previous years are still posted on the official UC admissions site: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/personal-insight-questions.html. UC typically announces any changes on this page, but it's always best to monitor it during early summer for any updates.
3. Top Private Universities:
Most highly selective schools (like Stanford, MIT, or Princeton) release their supplemental prompts on their admissions pages between June and August. Some, like MIT, update in June/July, while others wait until the application itself opens (usually in August). For the most current prompts:
- Visit each school’s undergraduate admissions website. You’ll usually find essay or writing supplement sections listed clearly.
- If not posted separately, start your application portal (once available)–the current prompts will appear inside.
- For T30 universities, monitoring their official admissions Instagram or Twitter/X is also helpful, as they often announce updates there.
As an example, Stanford typically posts supplement questions by early August on their admissions site. You can also check forums or admissions blogs that aggregate updates, though always verify the prompt directly from the college’s own page before writing.
Tips for staying updated:
- Bookmark prompt pages for each school you’re interested in.
- Sign up for admissions newsletters or email alerts for major schools on your list.
- Set a reminder to check official sites again in July/August—just in case there are new or revised prompts.
A quick story: One student I worked with spent weeks on a prompt from a previous year only to find that the supplemental essay topic changed slightly two weeks before the application opened. Verifying directly on the college’s site saved them a lot of last-minute stress.
If you’re unsure about a prompt’s validity, only consider it official if it appears on the university’s admissions site for the 2024-2025 cycle or within their official application portals after the new cycle opens. Writing drafts based on last year’s prompts is a good way to get started, but be flexible and ready to adjust in case of updates.
You’re on the right track—early research and verification will give you a real advantage when it’s time to write!
1. Common App:
The Common App typically releases its essay prompts in February or March, and for 2024-2025, the prompts are usually available directly on their website under the 'First-year essay prompts' section. As of now, the Common App has officially announced that the prompts will remain the same as last year. You can verify this by checking https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2024-2025-common-app-essay-prompts (double-check for updates closer to your application season).
2. University of California (UC) system:
UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) rarely change and, as of June 2024, the same eight questions as previous years are still posted on the official UC admissions site: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/personal-insight-questions.html. UC typically announces any changes on this page, but it's always best to monitor it during early summer for any updates.
3. Top Private Universities:
Most highly selective schools (like Stanford, MIT, or Princeton) release their supplemental prompts on their admissions pages between June and August. Some, like MIT, update in June/July, while others wait until the application itself opens (usually in August). For the most current prompts:
- Visit each school’s undergraduate admissions website. You’ll usually find essay or writing supplement sections listed clearly.
- If not posted separately, start your application portal (once available)–the current prompts will appear inside.
- For T30 universities, monitoring their official admissions Instagram or Twitter/X is also helpful, as they often announce updates there.
As an example, Stanford typically posts supplement questions by early August on their admissions site. You can also check forums or admissions blogs that aggregate updates, though always verify the prompt directly from the college’s own page before writing.
Tips for staying updated:
- Bookmark prompt pages for each school you’re interested in.
- Sign up for admissions newsletters or email alerts for major schools on your list.
- Set a reminder to check official sites again in July/August—just in case there are new or revised prompts.
A quick story: One student I worked with spent weeks on a prompt from a previous year only to find that the supplemental essay topic changed slightly two weeks before the application opened. Verifying directly on the college’s site saved them a lot of last-minute stress.
If you’re unsure about a prompt’s validity, only consider it official if it appears on the university’s admissions site for the 2024-2025 cycle or within their official application portals after the new cycle opens. Writing drafts based on last year’s prompts is a good way to get started, but be flexible and ready to adjust in case of updates.
You’re on the right track—early research and verification will give you a real advantage when it’s time to write!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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