Is it okay to use the same essay for multiple college applications?
I’m working on my personal statement for several college apps, and I’m starting to notice that a lot of the essay prompts are basically asking the same thing. For example, the 'describe a challenge' prompt comes up a lot. Is it acceptable to just submit the exact same essay to different schools if the prompts match?
I want to make sure I’m not missing out or hurting my chances by not customizing every single essay. Did any of you reuse your essays, or is that a bad idea? I appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share.
I want to make sure I’m not missing out or hurting my chances by not customizing every single essay. Did any of you reuse your essays, or is that a bad idea? I appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share.
4 months ago
•
64 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Reusing your main personal statement across multiple applications is actually very common and completely acceptable, as long as the prompts are truly similar or identical. The Common App, for example, is designed so students can write one essay and send it to many schools. If you craft a thoughtful, well-written essay that answers the prompt, you absolutely can and should use it where appropriate.
That said, it's a good idea to double-check each prompt and ensure your essay directly addresses what's being asked. For example, some prompts might ask about a challenge you faced while connecting it specifically to how it shaped your future goals. In that case, a generic "overcoming a challenge" essay might fall a bit short unless you add a sentence or two to discuss the impact on your goals.
What many students do is write a strong "core" essay, then tweak it slightly for each school if there are subtle differences in the prompts. For instance, say you're writing about how moving to a new city in tenth grade was difficult but helped you become more adaptable. One school might ask about a challenge, while another asks about a time you grew as a leader. You could use the same essay structure, but adjust the reflection at the end to focus on leadership for the second school.
Where you really can’t reuse essays word-for-word is in supplemental questions that are unique to each school, like "Why do you want to attend our college?" These should always be customized, as admissions officers look for specific reasons why you're interested in their institution.
For many students, reusing an essay for similar prompts helps save time and lets them polish one really strong story instead of spreading themselves thin. So yes, you can definitely reuse your essay where it fits, just stay alert to any differences in prompts or instructions. If you feel unsure, ask a teacher or counselor to review your essay and the prompts together. A lot of applicants before you have done the same thing successfully!
That said, it's a good idea to double-check each prompt and ensure your essay directly addresses what's being asked. For example, some prompts might ask about a challenge you faced while connecting it specifically to how it shaped your future goals. In that case, a generic "overcoming a challenge" essay might fall a bit short unless you add a sentence or two to discuss the impact on your goals.
What many students do is write a strong "core" essay, then tweak it slightly for each school if there are subtle differences in the prompts. For instance, say you're writing about how moving to a new city in tenth grade was difficult but helped you become more adaptable. One school might ask about a challenge, while another asks about a time you grew as a leader. You could use the same essay structure, but adjust the reflection at the end to focus on leadership for the second school.
Where you really can’t reuse essays word-for-word is in supplemental questions that are unique to each school, like "Why do you want to attend our college?" These should always be customized, as admissions officers look for specific reasons why you're interested in their institution.
For many students, reusing an essay for similar prompts helps save time and lets them polish one really strong story instead of spreading themselves thin. So yes, you can definitely reuse your essay where it fits, just stay alert to any differences in prompts or instructions. If you feel unsure, ask a teacher or counselor to review your essay and the prompts together. A lot of applicants before you have done the same thing successfully!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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