What types of essay prompts do colleges usually use?

Colleges use a variety of essay prompts, and getting familiar with the most common types can really take away some of the stress.

Most schools that use the Common App will ask you to submit a personal statement. The Common App’s prompts are usually quite open-ended and focus on areas like personal growth, a significant challenge you’ve faced, a topic or idea that fascinates you, a moment when you questioned a belief, or a unique talent or background. For example, one prompt asks you to "Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time."

Aside from the personal statement, many colleges also require supplemental essays. These are often more targeted, and you’ll see a few common types:

1. "Why Us" Essays: Schools like to know why you want to attend. For example, "Why Yale?" or "How will you contribute to our campus community?" Here, they want to see you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested. Try to connect your personal interests and experiences to what the college offers. For instance, if you’re passionate about marine biology and the college has a strong program and research opportunities in that field, mention that specifically.

2. Community/Identity Essays: Many prompts ask you to reflect on your background, culture, or a community you belong to. For example, "Reflect on a community you are part of. What did you learn from it?" These are great for sharing personal stories, such as a time you helped your neighborhood start a recycling project or supported a friend in a crisis.

3. Challenge/Resilience Essays: Some ask about challenges or failures and what you learned from them. While you can write about adversity, colleges want to see growth, self-awareness, and specific actions you took. Even if you haven’t had a dramatic challenge, you can focus on smaller, meaningful moments—like mentoring a struggling classmate or rethinking your approach after a failed project.

4. Creativity and Interests: Occasionally, you’ll see more playful or creative prompts. The University of Chicago is famous for these, with questions like, "What can actually be divided by zero?" or "Where’s Waldo, really?" These allow you to show your original thinking. If you love a quirky subject or have a unique hobby, this is the place to showcase it.

It’s wise to start brainstorming stories or moments in your life that show who you are, what matters to you, and what excites you. Making a list now means you’ll have a bank of ideas to draw from, even if the prompt seems random at first. And remember, you don’t have to have a life-changing experience—often, the little things reveal the most about us, as long as you reflect deeply on them.

If you feel stuck by a specific prompt in the future, try breaking it down into smaller parts or reflecting on the emotions and lessons behind your experiences. That approach will help no matter what angle a college throws at you!