CommonApp
Category: CommonApp
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The Most Underrated Section of the Common App (That Could Save Your Application)
When students approach the Common App, all eyes are typically on the personal statement, activities list, and recommendation letters. These headline sections are undeniably important—but they aren’t the whole story. Tucked quietly near the end of the application lies a section that is often skipped, misused, or misunderstood. And yet, when used well, it can…
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How to Write a Powerful College Essay That Doesn’t Sound Like Everyone Else’s
Let’s be honest: writing a college essay is a weird assignment. It’s personal—but it’s for strangers. It’s important—but it’s not a research paper. It’s meant to show who you are—but you’re also trying to impress. If you’re worried your essay will get lost in a sea of “I learned perseverance through sports” or “I realized…
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How to write the Perfect Personal Statement in 2025?
A good personal statement answers three important questions: What drives you? What experiences have shaped you? What’s your way of telling a story? And in today’s day and age of artificial intelligence, the pressure to sound perfect can be overwhelming. Let’s discuss how to write the perfect personal statement that helps you remain authentic and…
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Common App Prompt 6: Passion and Intellectual Curiosity
Common App Prompt 6 asks students to describe a topic, idea, or concept that fascinates them so deeply that they lose track of time. This is an opportunity to highlight intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, and self-motivation, all of which are qualities admissions officers seek in applicants. Breaking Down the Prompt This prompt contains two…
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Common App Prompt 5: Personal Growth Through Experience
Common App Prompt 5 invites students to discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of themselves or others. This prompt provides an opportunity to showcase self-awareness, maturity, and the capacity for introspection—qualities that are highly valued in the college admissions process. Understanding the Popularity of…
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Common App Prompt 4: A Time When You Felt Grateful
Common App Prompt 4 invites students to reflect on an experience that sparked gratitude and how it has influenced their personal growth. The full prompt reads: “Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?” This…
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Common App 2: Turning Challenges into Stories
One of the most popular Common App prompts for USA Applications, Prompt 2 asks students to reflect on an obstacle, setback, or failure that shaped them. While this might seem like an opportunity to tell a dramatic story, the real purpose of this essay is to highlight growth, resilience, and self-awareness. This prompt gives admissions…
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Common App 3: Challenging a Belief
Common App Prompt 3 asks students to reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea and to explain what prompted their thinking and the outcome. This prompt is all about critical thinking, open-mindedness, and personal growth. It gives students an opportunity to show that they can engage in intellectual debates, stand up…
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Common App Prompt 1: How to Make a Compelling Essay
The first prompt on the Common Application asks students to reflect on a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that their application would feel incomplete without it. On the surface, this may seem like a straightforward question, but crafting an engaging and unique response is what separates a good essay from a…
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Optional Essays and Interviews -U.S. College Supplemental Materials
For students applying to universities in the U.S., optional essays and interviews can often feel like unnecessary add-ons. After all, they aren’t mandatory, so why invest the time and effort? The truth is, while labeled as “optional,” these components offer applicants invaluable opportunities to stand out and connect with admissions officers on a deeper level.…