The 2017-2018 Common App. essay prompts have been released and we wanted to share with our Stoodnt community. One of the new Common Application essay prompts reads: “Share an essay on any topic of your choice. This allows for maximum flexibility and creativity as it allows for an essay you have already written, one of your own design, or one that responds to another prompt. Well done, Common Applicantion. Makes life simpler for our students.
Here are the 6 other essay prompts, remember the 7th is a essay choice of your own.
The first prompt is just like last year: “Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.” The next 2 prompts as well as the 5th prompt are a bit different. They read: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?” “Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?” And “Discuss an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”
The fourth prompt is exactly the same as last year: “Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.” The sixth prompt is a new one: “Describe a topic, idea or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”
Would love to hear your thoughts on the changes. Please leave comments in the section below.