What are the college essay prompts for the Class of 2025?
I'm a rising senior about to start working on my college applications this summer, and I'm getting a little overwhelmed trying to find the actual essay prompts for the Class of 2025.
I've checked a few college websites and see some of them already have prompts up, but others don't seem to be updated yet for the coming cycle. Is there a place where all the new prompts are collected, or do I have to check each school individually? Also, does anyone know if the Common App prompts are staying the same as last year, or are they changing?
Just want to make sure I get a head start and don't accidentally answer last year's prompt instead of this year's. If you have any tips for where you found the latest prompts or which schools change theirs a lot, please let me know.
I've checked a few college websites and see some of them already have prompts up, but others don't seem to be updated yet for the coming cycle. Is there a place where all the new prompts are collected, or do I have to check each school individually? Also, does anyone know if the Common App prompts are staying the same as last year, or are they changing?
Just want to make sure I get a head start and don't accidentally answer last year's prompt instead of this year's. If you have any tips for where you found the latest prompts or which schools change theirs a lot, please let me know.
4 months ago
•
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Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Staying organized with essay prompts is a super smart move, especially since not every college updates their website at the same time. Here’s what you need to know as a rising senior for the Class of 2025:
The Common App prompts for the 2024-2025 application cycle (which is for the Class of 2025) have remained the same as last year. If you’re using the Common Application, you can review their official website where the current prompts are already available. Typically, they announce any changes by February or March, but for this cycle, no changes were made, so you’re safe to start brainstorming using the 2023-2024 prompts.
Coalition and other major platforms also rarely change their prompts year to year; however, always double-check each application site directly to confirm. Some schools, especially highly selective ones like the University of Chicago, Stanford, and MIT, may release brand new or creative supplements every year and sometimes wait until July or August to post them. Checking each college’s official admissions site is the most reliable way, but there are some centralized resources. Sites like the Common App, Coalition App, and individual college admissions offices are best. You can also check well-established college admissions blogs for prompt roundups, but always verify with colleges directly.
Many schools’ main essay stays the same, but their supplemental prompts can change quite a bit. For example, Boston College, Dartmouth, and the University of Virginia have been known to tweak or swap out their supplemental essay questions.
One tip is to create a spreadsheet with your college list and update it as you confirm each prompt—add columns for link sources and release dates. This way you’ll keep track of which prompts are finalized and which you’re still waiting on. For those that aren’t updated yet, set a reminder to check again in mid-July and after August 1st, which is when many schools launch their application portals.
To sum up: The Common App prompts are not changing for the Class of 2025, and checking each school’s website is most accurate for supplements. Start with the prompts you know are firm, but hold off on writing supplement essays if a school hasn’t updated their site yet. That, plus keeping an organized tracking system, will help you get a real head start and avoid working off outdated prompts.
The Common App prompts for the 2024-2025 application cycle (which is for the Class of 2025) have remained the same as last year. If you’re using the Common Application, you can review their official website where the current prompts are already available. Typically, they announce any changes by February or March, but for this cycle, no changes were made, so you’re safe to start brainstorming using the 2023-2024 prompts.
Coalition and other major platforms also rarely change their prompts year to year; however, always double-check each application site directly to confirm. Some schools, especially highly selective ones like the University of Chicago, Stanford, and MIT, may release brand new or creative supplements every year and sometimes wait until July or August to post them. Checking each college’s official admissions site is the most reliable way, but there are some centralized resources. Sites like the Common App, Coalition App, and individual college admissions offices are best. You can also check well-established college admissions blogs for prompt roundups, but always verify with colleges directly.
Many schools’ main essay stays the same, but their supplemental prompts can change quite a bit. For example, Boston College, Dartmouth, and the University of Virginia have been known to tweak or swap out their supplemental essay questions.
One tip is to create a spreadsheet with your college list and update it as you confirm each prompt—add columns for link sources and release dates. This way you’ll keep track of which prompts are finalized and which you’re still waiting on. For those that aren’t updated yet, set a reminder to check again in mid-July and after August 1st, which is when many schools launch their application portals.
To sum up: The Common App prompts are not changing for the Class of 2025, and checking each school’s website is most accurate for supplements. Start with the prompts you know are firm, but hold off on writing supplement essays if a school hasn’t updated their site yet. That, plus keeping an organized tracking system, will help you get a real head start and avoid working off outdated prompts.
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Camille Luong
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