Is it okay to reuse the same essay for multiple college applications?

It's totally understandable to feel overwhelmed by the number of college essay prompts, especially when so many seem to overlap. In reality, many students do reuse their essays for different applications, as long as the prompts really are asking for the same thing.

If two schools have similar personal statement prompts, it's fine to use the same essay (or a slightly tweaked version) for both. The Common App personal statement is a great example—most colleges accept it, so you only need to write that major essay once unless a specific school asks for something dramatically different.

However, it's important to be careful with supplemental essays. School-specific prompts, like "Why do you want to attend our college?" or programs that ask about your academic interests, require a more customized response. Admission officers can usually spot a generic or copy-pasted essay, especially if it mentions the wrong school by accident (a surprisingly common mistake!).

Here’s an example: Say two schools ask, “Describe a community you belong to and your place in it.” If your story about volunteering at your local library fits both, you can reuse the main narrative. Just check if each prompt has a small difference—maybe one asks more about your impact, while another focuses on personal growth. Make small adjustments to show you read and understood what they want.

Many students find it helpful to create a few core essays that cover popular themes and adapt them as needed. This saves time while still letting you personalize each response. For instance, I remember helping a student use her "overcoming obstacles" story for three colleges, but she tweaked the ending in each essay to connect to a specific school’s values or campus opportunities.

In short, reusing essays is okay as long as you make sure they fit each prompt and feel tailored for each school. Double-check for school-specific details, and try to personalize wherever possible, especially in supplementals. Balance your time wisely—but don’t sacrifice quality. If you pace your writing and keep track of the essays you’ve written, things get a lot more manageable!