Will Common App essays change for 2023?
The folks at the Common Application have officially announced that the Common App essay prompt menu for the upcoming 2022-23 admissions cycle will remain exactly the same as it was the previous year. In the opinion of the College Transitions staff, the decision to stay the course was a wise one. A quick look at the data shows that the prompts, as presently constituted, received rave reviews across the board—more than 95% of admissions officers, guidance counselors, parents, and students rated the selections positively. Show
In this blog we will review:
What’s New for 2022-23?Absolutely nothing! Again, this is a good thing. The Common App seems to have found an array of topics with something to offer just about everyone. Last year, they altered prompt number four, to include an invitation to talk about gratitude, a welcome addition in this crazy pandemic-impacted world in which we find ourselves. The COVID-19 Optional EssayThe optional COVID-19 question will remain within the Additional Information section. For tips on whether to/how to best utilize this space, check out our blog on the topic — How to Answer the COVID-19 Question on the Common App. All 2022-23 Common App Essay Prompts
Which prompts are most popular?In most recent cycle reported by the Common App, the most frequently selected topic was #7, the “topic of your choice” essay. This prompt was chosen by 24.1% of applicants. Prompt #5, the “discuss an accomplishment” essay was a close second, attracting 23.7% of seniors. The bronze medal went to prompt #2, the “challenge, setback, or failure” themed essay, which netted 21.1% of Common App filers. Overall, the three most popular prompts accounted for 68.9% of applicants. Advice on brainstorming/writing your essayThe basic rules for writing a stellar college essay vary little from the general guidelines for producing any strong piece of written work: be authentic, tell a story that is personal and compelling, and diligently edit, revise, and polish your product. Writing an essay that is compelling doesn’t mean that you need to have wrestled a puma, grown up in a cult, or discovered a new galaxy at age seven. A great college essay can take place on a grand stage but it can just as effectively take place in everyday life. There is a ready supply of drama, tension, and conflict in the course of a typical day. Over the course of your life, you have undoubtedly had experiences that constitute worthy essay topics. Think it over. Talk to family and friends. Your compelling story will emerge. We also invite you to review the following resources to help with your college essay writing:
Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020). Is the Common App updated for 2023?The Common App for the 2022-2023 application cycle opened up on August 1, 2022 and is available for students to start right now. Common App has reported that this year's essay prompts will remain the same as last year. For 2022, the Common App is introducing two updates to the application.
What are the Common App essay prompts for 2023 2024?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?
Is the Common App open for 2023 2024?The Common Application Online for 2023 - 2024 is available online starting in August 2022 (application is for fall 2023). You can set up an account earlier than that day, and start planning which colleges you will apply for.
Do Common App essay prompts change every year?The common app essay prompts mostly stay the same year-to-year, with one or two new options every couple of years. However, these prompts have already been released for the 21-22 admissions cycle ( https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2021-2022-common-app-essay-prompts ), so you can go ahead and start drafting that essay!
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