Does anyone know what essay prompts are used by colleges in or near York, Maine?

Colleges in and near York, Maine, tend to use a mix of the Common Application (which has standard personal statement prompts) and their own supplemental questions, depending on the school.

For example, the University of New England (UNE) is a popular choice in the area. They accept the Common App, so you'll be able to pick from their general prompts – like reflecting on a time you questioned a belief, describing a background or talent meaningful to you, or discussing a problem you solved. These are pretty standard across most schools that use the Common App.

UNE doesn't always require a supplemental essay, but in some cases (for honors programs, certain majors, or scholarships), they may ask for additional short essays. These could ask why you chose your intended major or what draws you to UNE specifically. For example, a recent prompt asked applicants to explain their interest in a certain program and how it connects to their future goals.

Other smaller colleges within driving distance, like the University of Southern Maine and Saint Joseph's College, also rely heavily on the Common App prompts. Most Maine schools don’t have wildly unique prompts, but sometimes you’ll run into "Why Us" or major-specific supplementals. If you look at schools just over the state line in New Hampshire (like the University of New Hampshire), the prompts remain similar: a Common App essay and, sometimes, a short answer on what interests you about their offerings.

As you brainstorm, I recommend:
- Starting with the Common App prompts and drafting ideas for each one. That way you’ll be ready no matter which prompt a school uses.
- Looking up each college’s admissions page by late summer since essay questions can change year to year.
- For supplementals like "Why this college?", be super specific—mention faculty, programs, or clubs unique to that school. For example, if you’re drawn to UNE’s marine science program, talk about a specific hands-on research opportunity you’d want to join.

If you want to avoid clichés, focus on a defining personal experience or a moment when you changed your mind about something. If you already know what major you’re interested in, tie your essay to experiences that made you passionate about that field.

Bottom line: Most colleges near York stick to familiar prompts, but double-check requirements for your particular list and use the summer to bank some stories and ideas that could work for both main essays and any supplements that pop up.