I'm starting to work on my college applications and I'm wondering if I need to write separate essays for each school I apply to, or if I can use the same essay with minor tweaks. What's the best approach?
Hi there! It's great that you're starting to work on your college applications. The answer to your question depends on the requirements of each college you're applying to. Some colleges might have their own unique essay prompts, while others might accept the Common App or Coalition App essay.
It's always a good idea to tailor your essays as much as possible to each specific college. If the essay prompt is different, it's important to write a new essay that addresses the prompt directly. However, if the prompts are similar, you may be able to use the same essay with minor tweaks, just make sure it still feels personalized for each college.
When my child applied to colleges, they had a strong Common App essay that they tweaked slightly for some schools, but they also wrote a few completely new essays for other colleges with unique prompts. So, it's possible to balance reusing some content while also creating new essays where necessary. Good luck with your applications!
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