12 Common App Essays That Guarantee Admission

The Common App essay is a crucial component of the college application process, providing applicants with the opportunity to showcase their unique experiences, perspectives, and writing skills. With thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of spots at top universities, it's essential to craft a compelling and memorable essay that stands out from the crowd. While there's no guaranteed formula for admission, certain essay topics and approaches have proven to be more effective than others in capturing the attention of admissions committees. In this article, we'll explore 12 Common App essays that have been known to increase an applicant's chances of admission to their top-choice universities.

Understanding the Common App Essay Prompts

The Common App essay prompts are designed to be thought-provoking and flexible, allowing applicants to choose the topic that best showcases their personality, experiences, and writing style. The prompts are typically broad and open-ended, enabling applicants to take risks and express themselves authentically. For the 2022-2023 application cycle, the Common App essay prompts include:

• 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?
• 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.
• 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 all 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.

These prompts serve as a starting point for applicants to explore their thoughts, experiences, and passions, and to demonstrate their unique perspective and voice.

Essays That Showcase Resilience and Perseverance

Essays that highlight an applicant’s ability to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of challenges are often highly effective in showcasing their character and determination. For example, an essay that describes a difficult experience, such as a personal loss or a significant setback, and how the applicant coped with it, can demonstrate their resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. Resilience is a highly valued trait in college applicants, as it suggests that they will be able to navigate the challenges of higher education and beyond.

A well-crafted essay on this topic might explore the applicant’s emotional journey, their support system, and the lessons they learned from the experience. By sharing their story, the applicant can showcase their ability to cope with stress and adapt to change, essential skills for success in college and beyond.

Essays That Highlight Passion and Creativity

Essays that showcase an applicant’s passion and creativity can be highly effective in capturing the attention of admissions committees. For example, an essay that describes a personal project or initiative that the applicant is passionate about, such as a community service project or a creative endeavor, can demonstrate their ability to think outside the box and pursue their interests with dedication and enthusiasm.

A well-crafted essay on this topic might explore the applicant’s inspiration, their creative process, and the impact of their project on others. By sharing their story, the applicant can showcase their innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, essential qualities for success in college and beyond.

Essays That Explore Identity and Culture

Essays that explore an applicant’s identity and cultural background can be highly effective in showcasing their unique perspective and experiences. For example, an essay that describes a personal experience or tradition that is significant to the applicant’s cultural heritage, such as a family tradition or a cultural celebration, can demonstrate their ability to appreciate and respect diversity.

A well-crafted essay on this topic might explore the applicant’s personal connection to their cultural heritage, their experiences with cultural differences, and the lessons they learned from these experiences. By sharing their story, the applicant can showcase their cultural awareness and empathy, essential qualities for success in a diverse and globalized world.

Common App Essays That Guarantee Admission

While there’s no guaranteed formula for admission, certain essay topics and approaches have proven to be more effective than others in capturing the attention of admissions committees. Here are 12 Common App essays that have been known to increase an applicant’s chances of admission to their top-choice universities:

1. A personal story of overcoming a significant challenge or obstacle
2. A description of a passion project or initiative that showcases the applicant’s creativity and dedication
3. An exploration of the applicant’s cultural heritage and its significance to their identity
4. A reflection on a meaningful experience or relationship that has shaped the applicant’s perspective
5. A discussion of a social issue or problem that the applicant is passionate about solving
6. A personal narrative that showcases the applicant’s resilience and perseverance
7. A description of a unique skill or talent that sets the applicant apart
8. An essay that explores the applicant’s motivations and goals for pursuing higher education
9. A reflection on a significant experience or achievement that demonstrates the applicant’s character and values
10. A discussion of a book, movie, or work of art that has had a profound impact on the applicant’s perspective
11. A personal story that showcases the applicant’s sense of humor and creativity
12. An essay that explores the applicant’s personal growth and development over time

These essays showcase a range of topics and approaches, from personal narratives to discussions of social issues, and demonstrate the applicant’s unique perspective, experiences, and writing style.