Do colleges provide specific essay prompts for applications?
I'm a rising senior starting to look at college applications, and I'm honestly not sure how the essay part works. Do each of the colleges give you a prompt that you have to answer, or do you just write about anything you feel like? Also, is the Common App essay the same for all schools or do individual colleges require extra essays?
I want to get started on my essays early this summer but I'm confused about what I'm supposed to be writing. Any advice or a list of which schools have their own prompts would be super helpful. I'm interested in a mix of public and private universities if that makes a difference.
I want to get started on my essays early this summer but I'm confused about what I'm supposed to be writing. Any advice or a list of which schools have their own prompts would be super helpful. I'm interested in a mix of public and private universities if that makes a difference.
7 months ago
•
52 views
Lydia Schooler
• 7 months ago
Advisor
Most colleges do provide specific essay prompts for their applications, but how these work can vary depending on the school and the application platform they use.
For schools that use the Common Application (the most popular platform), you’ll find one main essay prompt known as the “Common App Personal Statement.” There are about 6-7 prompts to choose from, but you select just one and write a 650-word essay. This essay will go to every school on your list that accepts the Common App. For example, you might pick a prompt like “Describe a time when you faced a challenge or failure. How did it affect you and what did you learn?” and use your personal story to answer it.
However, many schools also require additional essays, called “supplemental essays.” These are unique to each college and often ask about topics like your academic interests, why you want to attend that specific school, or how you'll contribute to their community. If you’re applying to a mix of public and private universities, you’ll probably see a range of requirements. For instance, state schools like University of California campuses have their own set of ‘Personal Insight Questions,’ while private schools like NYU or Vanderbilt have their own supplemental prompts.
The best way to know what you’ll need to write is to check each college’s admissions website or log in to the Common App and add schools to your list—this will show you all required essays. Also, some schools post their supplemental essay prompts for the next cycle in the spring or early summer, so you can get started before applications officially open in August.
Here’s how you might organize your process: Start drafting your Common App personal statement first, since that essay goes to the most schools. Then, as prompts for your target colleges are released, make a document or spreadsheet to track which schools need which essays (and note word counts—they can range from 100 to 650 words!).
For a specific example: If you’re applying to the University of Michigan, you’ll do the Common App essay and also write two short supplementals about your interests and community impact. If you’re looking at the University of California system, you’ll skip the Common App essay but answer their four unique prompts.
The sooner you browse the websites for your top-choice schools, the better, since you’ll get a head start on the prompts. Summer is a great time to brainstorm and draft your essays while there’s less schoolwork to juggle. Good luck!
For schools that use the Common Application (the most popular platform), you’ll find one main essay prompt known as the “Common App Personal Statement.” There are about 6-7 prompts to choose from, but you select just one and write a 650-word essay. This essay will go to every school on your list that accepts the Common App. For example, you might pick a prompt like “Describe a time when you faced a challenge or failure. How did it affect you and what did you learn?” and use your personal story to answer it.
However, many schools also require additional essays, called “supplemental essays.” These are unique to each college and often ask about topics like your academic interests, why you want to attend that specific school, or how you'll contribute to their community. If you’re applying to a mix of public and private universities, you’ll probably see a range of requirements. For instance, state schools like University of California campuses have their own set of ‘Personal Insight Questions,’ while private schools like NYU or Vanderbilt have their own supplemental prompts.
The best way to know what you’ll need to write is to check each college’s admissions website or log in to the Common App and add schools to your list—this will show you all required essays. Also, some schools post their supplemental essay prompts for the next cycle in the spring or early summer, so you can get started before applications officially open in August.
Here’s how you might organize your process: Start drafting your Common App personal statement first, since that essay goes to the most schools. Then, as prompts for your target colleges are released, make a document or spreadsheet to track which schools need which essays (and note word counts—they can range from 100 to 650 words!).
For a specific example: If you’re applying to the University of Michigan, you’ll do the Common App essay and also write two short supplementals about your interests and community impact. If you’re looking at the University of California system, you’ll skip the Common App essay but answer their four unique prompts.
The sooner you browse the websites for your top-choice schools, the better, since you’ll get a head start on the prompts. Summer is a great time to brainstorm and draft your essays while there’s less schoolwork to juggle. Good luck!
Related Questions
Students also ask…