Part of completing a college application is submitting an essay or personal statement. Many applications ask an applicant to choose from a set of provided essay prompts. Students use the prompts to guide them in writing an essay or personal statement that showcases their unique qualities and experiences.
To begin the process, students should read over all the prompts to choose one that encourages them to reflect on their backgrounds, challenges, personal growth, and passions. It is important to select a prompt that they can relate to and expand on, to compose a compelling, authentic essay.
Students can select from one of the 2025-26 common application essay prompts:
- 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 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?
- 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?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- 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
Some may ask, ‘What About the Common Application Topics?’ The prompts are different from the common application essay topics. Some colleges allow students the option to write on a topic of their choice rather than use a prompt. Click here to select from one of the common application essay topics.
Check out Team Tutor’s suggestions for organizing and beginning the essay.
Team Tutor offers a full range of academic tutoring, test prep, and study skills services, including executive functioning support, for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Call us today at 215-657-1981 or visit www.teamtutor.com.