The Common App essay is a crucial part of the college application process, allowing students to showcase their unique experiences, perspectives, and writing skills. A well-crafted essay can make a significant difference in a student's application, helping them stand out from the crowd and demonstrating their fit for a particular college or university. In this article, we will explore examples of good Common App essays, highlighting key elements that make them effective and providing insights for students looking to craft their own compelling essays.
Understanding the Common App Essay Prompts
The Common App essay prompts are designed to be thought-provoking and flexible, allowing students to choose the topic that best showcases their personality, interests, and experiences. The prompts typically include a range of options, such as discussing a challenge or obstacle, describing a meaningful experience or relationship, or exploring a passion or interest. 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 are designed to be flexible and allow students to showcase their unique experiences and perspectives.
Characteristics of Effective Common App Essays
So, what makes a good Common App essay? There are several key elements to consider:
- Strong narrative voice: A compelling essay should have a clear and distinct narrative voice, showcasing the student’s personality and perspective.
- Well-structured storytelling: The essay should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a logical flow of ideas and effective use of transitions.
- Specific details and examples: The essay should include specific details and examples to illustrate the student’s points and make the story more engaging.
- Self-reflection and analysis: A good essay should demonstrate the student’s ability to reflect on their experiences and analyze their own thoughts and feelings.
- Effective use of language: The essay should showcase the student’s writing skills, with clear and concise language, varied sentence structure, and effective use of literary devices.
By incorporating these elements, students can craft a compelling and effective Common App essay that showcases their unique experiences and perspectives.
Examples of Good Common App Essays
Here are a few examples of good Common App essays, each showcasing a different approach and style:
Example 1: “The Sound of Silence” - This essay tells the story of a student who struggled with anxiety and found solace in the quiet moments of her daily life. The essay is written in a lyrical and introspective style, with a strong focus on the student’s emotional journey.
Example 2: “The Art of Failure” - This essay explores the student’s experience with failure and how it taught them the importance of perseverance and resilience. The essay is written in a humorous and self-deprecating style, with a strong focus on the student’s personal growth and development.
Example 3: “The Power of Food” - This essay describes the student’s passion for cooking and how it brought them closer to their cultural heritage. The essay is written in a descriptive and sensory style, with a strong focus on the student’s emotional connection to food and their community.
These examples demonstrate the diversity of approaches and styles that can be effective in a Common App essay, and showcase the importance of finding a unique and authentic voice.
Analyzing the Essays
Let’s take a closer look at each of these essays, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, and identifying key elements that make them effective:
| Essay | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Example 1: “The Sound of Silence” | Strong narrative voice, effective use of sensory details, emotional resonance | May be too introspective, lacks a clear narrative arc |
| Example 2: “The Art of Failure” | Humorous and self-deprecating tone, strong focus on personal growth, effective use of anecdotes | May come across as too lighthearted, lacks a clear thematic focus |
| Example 3: “The Power of Food” | Descriptive and sensory language, strong emotional connection to the topic, effective use of cultural context | May be too focused on the topic, lacks a clear narrative voice |
By analyzing these essays, we can identify key elements that make them effective, such as strong narrative voice, effective use of sensory details, and emotional resonance. We can also identify areas for improvement, such as the need for a clearer narrative arc or a more focused thematic approach.
Conclusion and Future Implications
In conclusion, the Common App essay is a crucial part of the college application process, allowing students to showcase their unique experiences, perspectives, and writing skills. By understanding the prompts, characteristics of effective essays, and analyzing examples of good essays, students can craft a compelling and effective essay that showcases their authentic voice and perspective. As the college application landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential for students to stay focused on the key elements that make a good essay, including strong narrative voice, well-structured storytelling, and effective use of language.
The future implications of the Common App essay are significant, as it continues to play a critical role in the college application process. As admissions committees become increasingly holistic in their approach, the essay will remain a vital component of the application, allowing students to showcase their unique experiences and perspectives. By staying focused on the key elements of a good essay and continuously improving their writing skills, students can ensure that their essay makes a lasting impression on admissions committees and helps them stand out in the competitive college application landscape.
What are the most common mistakes students make when writing a Common App essay?
+Some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a Common App essay include not starting early enough, not showing rather than telling, and not proofreading carefully. It’s essential to give yourself plenty of time to write and revise your essay, and to use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Additionally, make sure to proofread your essay multiple times to catch any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.
How can I make my Common App essay stand out from the crowd?
+To make your Common App essay stand out from the crowd, focus on telling a unique and authentic story that showcases your personality and perspective. Use specific details and examples to illustrate your points, and experiment with different writing styles and techniques to find what works best for you. Additionally, make sure to showcase your passions and interests, and highlight your achievements and accomplishments.
What role does the Common App essay play in the college application process?
+The Common App essay plays a crucial role in the college application
