THE FACTS

• All applications processed at commonapp.org.
• One 650 word essay sent to all colleges.
• Five common app essay topics to choose from.
• Individual colleges may have their own essay requirements: these are known as supplementals.

THE PURPOSE OF APPLICATION ESSAYS: THEY ARE ABOUT YOU!

• They tell a personal story about you to help persuade an admissions officer that you’re a good candidate for the school.
• They reveal your passions and what you’re proud of.
• They tell us something about your goals, your interests and your personality.

COMMON ELEMENTS IN THE COMMON APP ESSAY QUESTIONS

• You are asked to be personal, and tell an “I” story.
•  There are questions within the question.
•  They are looking for you to find a specific experience within your life to discuss.
•  You are asked to reflect on how the experience affected you: what you learned, how you changed, how you’ve grown.

HOW TO BE YOUR BEST IN AN ESSAY

• Sell yourself: reveal your best qualities.
• Have a positive attitude about everything the experience has taught you.
• Be strategic and selective with your accomplishments.
• Provide evidence of your leadership ability.
• Where possible, mention goals.
• Reflect on what you have learned.

HOW TO DISCUSS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, LEADERSHIP AND GOALS

•  Be strategic and selective in what you include. There isn’t room for everything.
• Choose long term involvements and things you are passionate about.
• Where appropriate, demonstrate your leadership qualities: creative thinking, initiative, perseverance, conflict management and ability to work well with others.
• Where possible, share specifics academic interests, personal goals, career aspirations and dreams for the future.

HOW TO DISCUSS DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES

• Be direct and honest.
• Don’t overshare.
• Reflect on what the experience taught you.
• Focus on the positive where possible by demonstrating what you’ve learned.

SUPPLEMENTALS: THREE BROAD CATEGORIES

• 1) straightforward questions about experiences, interest in the school or program.
• 2) creative questions about “you.”
• 3) critical thinking questions about philosophical, moral and cultural issues.

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN WRITING SUPPLEMENTALS

• Keep your responses simple and packed with information.
• Take time to consider your answer and say something specific.
• Show your thought process, how you arrived at an answer to a moral or philosophical question.
• Where appropriate, relate the question to something personal.
• Take extra care to ensure that this is your best writing even when answers are short.

WRITING RULES TO REMEMBER

• Answer the question.
• Tell the truth.
• Keep to the required word length.
• Show us instead of telling us.
• Be specific.
• Use simple language.
• Edit and Proofread.
• Tell a good story.