What is the Common Application? The Common Application, or Common App, is used by over 500 colleges and provides a streamlined way to apply to most major colleges. Instead of inputting profile information and written personal statements for each college, the Common App allows students to prepare the same information and same personal statement essay only once. These application materials will be sent to all schools a student applies to via the Common App. The personal statement essay is a long essay written on one of five prompts provided by the Common App. While many schools also require additional questions or supplemental essays, these can also be uploaded and submitted to individual schools through the Common App.
Common App Personal Statement Prompts
The Common App personal statement prompts for the 2015-2016 Application Cycle are listed below.
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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
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 or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
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 or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
To learn more about Sequoia Academy's approach to Personal Statements, click here.
Selected Schools on the Common Application
Schools which accept the Common App in the 2015-2016 Application Cycle include:
|
|
|
For more information on the Common Application or to create an Applicant Account, visit www.commonapp.org.