by TA Staff
Navigating the Common App prompts can feel overwhelming, but choosing the right one and knowing how to approach it can make all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the main prompts and tips on how to effectively respond to each.
This prompt might seem like an easy win—you get to talk about yourself, after all! But don’t be fooled; it’s a double-edged sword. The biggest pitfall here is picking a topic that sounds great on the surface but actually tells the admissions officer nothing new about you. If your essay ends up merely repeating what’s already clear from your activities list or transcript, you’ve missed the point. The key is to dig deeper. What’s that one thing about you that no one would know unless you told them? What’s the story that fills a gap in your application? It’s tempting to write about the thing you’re most proud of, but make sure it adds a fresh layer to your profile.
Prompt: 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.
Ah, the “challenges and failures” prompt. This one often gets overused because it seems like an easy way to show personal growth. But here’s the kicker: not all challenges are created equal. A story about struggling with a tough class or not getting the lead in a play isn’t going to cut it unless there’s something deeply unique about your experience. And let’s be real—if you spend all your time explaining the hardship, you won’t have space to talk about how you grew from it. Remember, it’s not about the failure itself; it’s about your response. If you’re not ready to be vulnerable and honest, this might not be the prompt for you.
Prompt: 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?
This prompt is a great opportunity, but it’s not without its risks. When you choose to write about challenging a belief, you’re not just describing an event; you’re also revealing your core values. Be careful here—choosing the wrong belief to challenge can backfire if it doesn’t reflect well on you or if it feels trivial. And let’s not forget, just because you stood up in a classroom debate once doesn’t mean you’ve got a compelling essay. It’s all about the context and the impact. Think about the beliefs you’ve questioned, both in yourself and in others, and how those moments shaped your worldview. Just don’t pick something generic or surface-level—dig deep and be thoughtful.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Let’s be honest, this prompt is tricky and often best avoided unless you have a really meaningful story to tell. The problem with the “gratitude” essay is that it naturally lends itself to praising someone else, which is great in real life but not so much in a college essay where you’re supposed to be the focus. Plus, finding something truly surprising and not clichéd can be a challenge in itself. If you do choose this prompt, make sure it’s a story only you could tell, and that the gratitude is transformative. Otherwise, you might just end up with an essay that’s pleasant to read but doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
Prompt: 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?
Here’s a classic that’s often misunderstood. It’s tempting to use this prompt to write about a big win—a competition you won, a title you earned, or a project you completed. But here’s the truth: The accomplishment itself isn’t what matters most. What’s critical is how this moment transformed you. For example, instead of writing a generic play-by-play of your achievement, elaborate on how an achievement has impacted you profoundly. The real goal is to reflect on how this experience reshaped your perspective, your goals, or your sense of self. Go beyond the obvious and explore the deeper significance of the moment.
Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
This prompt sounds like an invitation to geek out about your favorite obsession—and in many ways, it is. Sure, you could write about your love for astrophysics, slam poetry, or baking the perfect sourdough, but the key here isn’t just to show off your passion; it’s to dig deeper into why this topic matters to you. Why does it captivate you to the point where hours fly by without you noticing? What does your fascination say about how you think, how you learn, and how you engage with the world? Remember, admissions officers aren’t just looking for your hobbies—they want to see your intellectual curiosity, your hunger for learning, and how you approach new ideas with enthusiasm and depth.
Prompt: 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?
Go Beyond the Surface: Don’t just describe what fascinates you; explain why it fascinates you. What does it reveal about your personality, your values, or your way of thinking?
Show Your Passion for Learning: Use this prompt to demonstrate your love for exploration and discovery. What resources do you turn to when you want to learn more? How do you feed this curiosity?
Make It Personal: Choose a topic that genuinely excites you, not just one that you think will sound impressive. Authenticity is vital—your passion needs to be real and palpable.
Connect It to Your Future: If possible, show how this topic or idea ties into your future goals or academic interests. How does this fascination shape who you want to become in college and beyond?
This prompt seems like the golden ticket to write about whatever you want. However, this prompt is only effective if you have a truly unique story that doesn’t fit any of the other categories. It’s not an excuse to write about a generic topic just because you feel like it. The freedom here can be an opportunity to showcase something unique about yourself, but it requires a high degree of creativity and focus to pull off. Make sure you’re not choosing this prompt just because it’s the easiest or most open-ended.
Prompt: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
For international school students, it’s important to know that no matter where you are on your academic journey, there is a strategic course of action available to help you achieve your admissions goals. Tokyo Academics has over 10 years of experience helping students get the grades, test scores, essays, and other factors needed to gain admission to top schools around the world. Connect with us today to see how we can help you get into the boarding schools and colleges of your dreams!