What are the most common college essay prompts and how should I approach them?

As a Yale graduate and college admissions advisor with over 8 years of experience helping students gain admission to top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, I’ve seen that a handful of essay prompts show up again and again—both on the Common App and in supplemental essays. Knowing these in advance can help you plan and brainstorm more unique angles.

The most popular Common App prompts focus on: a significant background, identity, or talent; a time you faced a challenge or failure; a belief or idea you questioned; an accomplishment or realization; and a topic of your choice. Many students gravitate toward challenge essays, but these can get repetitive unless they’re deeply personal or offer an unexpected insight about you.

For supplemental essays, common types include: “Why this college?”, “Describe an extracurricular you’re passionate about,” “How will you contribute to our campus/community?”, and “Reflect on an intellectual curiosity or favorite academic subject.” Many schools also include a diversity or community essay asking how you’ll contribute to their campus culture.

Writing drafts for several of these is smart. Have one main personal statement ready for the Common App, but keep your ideas flexible so they can adapt to different prompts. For example, a story about overcoming hesitation to join a robotics team could anchor a Common App essay, while a specific moment from that experience might answer a supplemental about intellectual curiosity.

To stand out, focus on singular, memorable moments—not broad summaries. Instead of writing an essay about moving to a new school, you might zoom in on a specific conversation you had on your first day that revealed something deeper about your resilience or perspective. If you’re passionate about a club, don’t just explain what it is—share the story of the most meaningful moment you experienced there.

Avoid clichés like “winning the championship game” or “studying hard and getting a good grade.” Even a small conversation or quiet moment of change can say more about you than a list of achievements. For example, one student I worked with answered the “Describe an extracurricular” prompt by telling the story of starting a lunch club for transfer students and how a simple thank-you from a new member changed her view of leadership. It wasn’t about titles or awards—it was about a genuine, meaningful effort.

Write drafts that focus on specific moments and your own voice. Consider swapping essays with friends or mentors to see what feels fresh versus generic. Keep your tone honest and reflective, and you’ll avoid blending in with the crowd.

Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students identify unique angles for common prompts so they stand out in competitive applicant pools. If you’d like one-on-one help brainstorming and refining your essays, you can connect with me here on Sundial.