The Common Application Personal Statement is a story about you. To tell that story, you must answer a prompt. A prompt is a question the college asks you. The Common Application has 7 prompts, you pick one that you want to respond to.
These are the directions from the Common Application:
The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. (The application won’t accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
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.
This prompt asks you to write about something important in your life—like your background, identity, interest, or talent—that shows who you are. The most important thing is to CHOOSE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO YOU. Think about why it matters, what it says about you, and what you’ve learned. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or impressive. What matters is your REFLECTION. For example, maybe you learned patience cooking with your grandma or built confidence by tutoring others in math. Focus on one story or idea that reveals something real about you. Explain how it shaped you and what you want colleges to understand. This prompt works well if your background or experience plays a big role in who you are. Possible topics include personal growth, cultural roots, life-changing moments, or meaningful relationships.
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 asks you to write about a challenge, setback, or failure — and more importantly, WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT and HOW IT CHANGED YOU. The focus isn’t on what went wrong, but on HOW YOU RESPONDED and GREW FROM THE EXPERIENCE. Colleges don’t expect perfection. They want to see that you can handle tough times, reflect, and become stronger. Maybe you learned to lead, became more resilient, or found a new way to solve problems. Pick a specific moment, KEEP THE TONE POSITIVE, and explain HOW IT HELPED SHAPE WHO YOU ARE. This prompt works well if you have a story where you turned a HARD TIME INTO A CHANCE TO GROW or SHOW STRENGTH.
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
This prompt asks you to describe a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea — and to REFLECT ON WHY YOU DID IT and WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARD. Colleges want to see HOW YOU THINK, WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, and HOW YOU RESPOND when you face something you disagree with. Maybe you spoke up in class, questioned a family rule, or challenged something you always believed. What made you do it? How did others react? Most importantly, WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF? This is a good prompt if you're SOMEONE WHO THINKS DEEPLY, ASKS TOUGH QUESTIONS, or ISN'T AFRAID TO SPEAK YOUR MIND. Just make sure your story shows REFLECTION, GROWTH, and the VALUES behind your actions. It’s a great way to show you THINK CRITICALLY, CARE ABOUT IDEAS, and can STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE while staying RESPECTFUL and THOUGHTFUL.
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 prompt asks you to think about a time when someone did something kind for you that made you feel happy or thankful in a surprising way — and to explain how that feeling of gratitude changed or motivated you. It’s not about the kind act — it’s about HOW IT AFFECTED YOU. What did you learn? How did it inspire you? Did it change the way you see others or make you want to do something kind in return? Maybe someone’s kindness caught you off guard, or you didn’t expect to feel so moved by it. If you have a story that shows HOW SOMEONE’S POSITIVE INFLUENCE SHAPED YOU or PUSHED YOU TO GROW, this could be a great prompt for you. Note: This is one of the tougher essays to pull off, so be sure to have a STRONG AND CLEAR STORY.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
This prompt asks you to write about an accomplishment, event, or realization that helped you grow and understand yourself or others better. It’s not about showing off — it’s about how you changed because of the experience. What did you learn? How did you grow? What do you understand now that you didn’t before? Focus on how the MOMENT that affected you. Your story should reveal your values, personality, or maturity, not just what happened. Think more about the LESSON than the event. This prompt works well if you’ve had a meaningful experience that helped you GROW, SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY, or UNDERSTAND PEOPLE better. You don’t need all the answers — just show that you’re learning and open to more. Stay thoughtful and humble.
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?
This prompt asks you to write about a topic, idea, or concept that you find so interesting, you lose track of time when thinking about it. The keyword is ENGAGING. Colleges want to know what EXCITES you, what you’re CURIOUS about, and how you THINK. What sparks your interest? Why do you love learning about it? How do you explore it — through books, teachers, conversations, or online? You can write about anything — from science or politics to jokes, sports, or art. What matters is why it’s important to you and how it shows your personality and way of thinking. This prompt works well if you’re passionate about something and LOVE LEARNING. Be sure to reflect on how this interest has helped you grow and how it might shape your future. Keep it personal and show what drives you.
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.
The key word here is "choice." This prompt lets you write about any topic, but it must teach admissions officers something meaningful about you. For example, if you have a critical essay on a character from Jane Eyre, ask yourself: Does it show something about you? Does it reveal how the book changed you or shaped your views? Will it help the admissions officers learn more about you? If not, it’s not the right choice for your college essay. Your essay must show your PERSONALITY, GROWTH or VALUES. It’s about reflection. After reading it, colleges should feel like they know you better. This prompt is a last resort. It can work well if you have a strong story or essay that doesn’t fit other prompts but still reveals something important about who you are. Focus on what matters to you, how you’ve grown, and what you want colleges to understand about you beyond grades and test scores.
Do not worry about picking a prompt just yet!
Watch the video.
Go to your CounselMore Essay Folder (in FILES tab) and complete doc Step 1: Understanding the Prompt.
Then continue to Step 2.