Welcome to Part Two of our guide on the Common App Essay! In the first part, we covered the basics: what the Common App Essay is, how to begin, and where to seek help. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at this year’s questions.
In this section, look at how the Common App has changed in the past couple of years and what those changes mean for you. Then, we’ll break down each question, explain what the admissions committee is looking for, and share strategies to help you answer them in a way that highlights your unique strengths and experiences.
Whether you’re unsure where to start or need inspiration for how to structure your answers, we’ve got you covered. With the right approach and a bit of guidance, you’ll be able to craft an essay that stands out from the crowd and leaves a lasting impression on the admissions teams.
Changes to the Common App
Starting August 1, 2025, the Common App essays introduced two notable changes.
The first change is to the “challenges and circumstances” section. Starting August 1, 2025, this question will be reworded to include a wider array of life circumstances. The Common App website includes the following circumstances:
- Access to a safe and quiet study space
- Access to reliable technology and the internet
- Community disruption (violence, protests, teacher strikes, etc.)
- Discrimination
- Family disruptions (divorce, incarceration, job loss, health issues, loss of a family member, addiction, etc.)
- Family or other obligations (care-taking, financial support, etc.)
- Housing instability, displacement, or homelessness
- Military deployment or activation
- Natural disasters
- Physical health and mental well-being
- War, conflict, or other hardships
The second major change will be regarding the word count for the “Additional Information Section”. The word limit will be reduced from 650 words to 300 words.
Understanding the Common App Essay Prompts
The Common App Essay is designed to help admissions officers understand who you are beyond your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. The essay is your opportunity to tell a meaningful story about yourself and reflect on the experiences, values, and perspectives that have shaped you.
One of the most common misconceptions about the Common App essay is that students need to choose the “best” prompt. In reality, admissions officers care far more about the quality of the story than the specific question selected. Many successful essays could fit under multiple prompts.
As you review the prompts below, focus less on finding the perfect answer and more on identifying experiences that reveal something meaningful about who you are. The strongest essays are reflective, personal, and specific. They help readers understand not just what happened, but why it mattered.
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.
What it’s asking:
This prompt invites you to share something that has fundamentally shaped who you are. This could be an aspect of your identity, a cultural background, a significant interest, a talent, or an experience that influences how you see the world.
Things to think about:
- What makes you unique?
- Is there an experience or interest that appears throughout many aspects of your life?
- What would an admissions officer miss if they only looked at your transcript and activities list?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
Many students assume this prompt is only for discussing cultural identity or extraordinary talents. In reality, it can be used to explore any experience that has significantly influenced your perspective. Focus on why this part of your identity matters rather than simply describing it.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success.
What it’s asking:
This prompt is about resilience, growth, and self-reflection. Admissions officers want to understand how you respond when things don’t go according to plan.
Things to think about:
- What challenge genuinely changed you?
- How did you respond?
- What did you learn about yourself?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
Avoid treating yourself as the hero who effortlessly overcame adversity. The most compelling essays often include moments of uncertainty, frustration, or failure. The focus should be on your growth, not the obstacle itself.
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea.
What it’s asking:
This prompt explores intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and your willingness to engage with different perspectives.
Things to think about:
- Did you challenge an assumption you once held?
- Did a conversation or experience change your perspective?
- How did your thinking evolve?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
The goal isn’t to prove you were right and others were wrong. Admissions officers are often more interested in your thought process than the outcome. Show your ability to listen, reflect, and consider complexity.
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way.
What it’s asking:
This prompt focuses on gratitude and the impact others have had on your life.
Things to think about:
- Who has influenced you unexpectedly?
- How did their actions change your perspective?
- How has that experience shaped your own behaviour?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
The essay isn’t actually about the person who helped you. It’s about how their actions affected your growth and understanding. Be specific about the impact that they had and what you have done since.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth.
What it’s asking:
This prompt asks you to identify a turning point, a moment that changed how you viewed yourself or others.
Things to think about:
- Was there a moment that shifted your perspective?
- Did an accomplishment lead to unexpected growth?
- How are you different because of this experience?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
The realization doesn’t need to be dramatic. Often, seemingly small moments can reveal profound personal growth. Focus on reflection rather than achievement.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time.
What it’s asking:
This prompt allows you to showcase your curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Things to think about:
- What excites you intellectually?
- What do you research simply because you enjoy it?
- How do you pursue this interest outside the classroom?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
Admissions officers love seeing genuine curiosity. The topic itself doesn’t need to be academic or directly related to your intended major. The key is showing your authentic engagement.
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice.
What it’s asking:
This prompt gives you complete flexibility to tell the story that best represents you.
Things to think about:
- What story are you most excited to tell?
- Which experience reveals something important about your character?
- Is there a meaningful narrative that doesn’t fit neatly into the other prompts?
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
Many students are drawn to this option because it feels less restrictive. However, the same principles still apply: focus on reflection, specificity, and personal growth. Choose this prompt if it helps you tell your strongest story, not simply because it offers the most freedom. This is also not a place to share an essay you’ve written previously; instead, think of it as a last resort. When the story you want to tell doesn’t fit with any other prompt, this is where it can fit.
Remember: there is no “best” Common App prompt. Admissions officers are not evaluating which question you chose; they are evaluating the story you tell and the insights it provides into who you are.
As you brainstorm, don’t start by choosing a prompt. Instead, make a list of meaningful experiences, challenges, interests, accomplishments, and moments of growth. Once you’ve identified your strongest story, you’ll often find that it fits naturally into one or even several of the prompts above.
The strongest Common App essays aren’t memorable because of the prompt. They’re memorable because they reveal a thoughtful, reflective, and authentic person behind the application.
If you’d like personalized feedback and expert guidance, our educational consultants and writing coaches are here to help! Book an appointment with us today, and let’s work together to make sure your Common App Essay stands out.
Plus, stay tuned for Part Three of our series next month! We’ll be diving into the dos and don’ts of brainstroming, drafting, and editing your essay.
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch!
Admissions is a dynamic field and process. This post was written in June of 2026, and the information discussed was accurate at the time of writing, but that information may be different when you are reading this post. Please check each institution’s website for the most recent information.
