2023-24 Common App Essay Prompts

Hello there! I'm starting to think about college applications and I was wondering if anyone knows the Common App essay prompts for the 2023-24 application cycle? Are they the same as previous years or have they changed? Any advice helps. Thank you!

Hello! The Common App essay prompts for the 2023-24 application cycle have remained the same as previous years. Here's a list of the prompts:

1. 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.

2. 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?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. 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?

7. 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.

As you begin working on your essay, make sure to reflect on your experiences and choose a topic that truly resonates with you. Focus on providing a unique perspective or showcasing a personal quality that distinguishes you. Good luck with your applications!