Common Application Essay Questions

Class of 2026, it’s your turn! Each year we wait for the announcement of the Common Application essay questions that the next class of applicants will use as they apply to college this fall. These prompts are designed to spark thinking and allow the students to tell their story beyond what a college can see in the grades, activities, and other shared information.

The Common App is used by over 1,100 colleges across the nation. It’s likely that your high school student will use it to apply to some colleges. The application goes “live” every year on August 1st.

If you are the parent of a rising senior, you may be surprised to realize how soon the application season will start!

You will find the complete list of prompts you can choose to write about below.

If your student will complete a Common Application in the fall, you might not know that your student can get a jump start filling it out.

Why is this jump start important?

We see it every year. New seniors tackling a new year of school and activities (and just being seniors!) now have the whole college application process on top of that. Starting early is such a popular idea that we created a College Application Workshop to help—especially with the essay question struggles.

Every year, we bring in an outside personal statement writing expert to focus just on the essay portion. They teach students how to do this work, and they share valuable tips about topics and the writing process.

Click to read more about the College Application Workshop and order your package today.

In the meantime, students can take a moment to read these. Perhaps they can start a notebook to document their thoughts about what essay prompt speaks to them. All early thinking is a great way to be prepared.

2025-6 Common Application Essay Prompts

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 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?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. 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?
7. 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.

Optional Challenges and Circumstances Prompt

Some students may have experiences in their lives beyond the challenges most of us experience. The Common App provides an OPTIONAL essay prompt that students can use IF they want to share about those challenges. Here is the wording of that prompt:

Sometimes a student’s application and achievements may be impacted by challenges or other circumstances. This could involve:

• Access to a safe and quiet study space
• Access to reliable technology and internet
• Community disruption (violence, protests, teacher strikes, etc.)
• Discrimination
• Family disruptions (divorce, incarceration, job loss, health, loss of a family member, addiction, etc.)
• Family or other obligations (care-taking, financial support, etc.)
• Housing instability, displacement, or homelessness
• Military deployment or activation
• Natural disasters
• Physical health and mental well-being
• War, genocide, or other hardships

If you’re comfortable sharing, this information can help colleges better understand the context of your application. Colleges may use this information to provide you and your fellow students with support and resources.

Would you like to share any details about challenges or other circumstances you’ve experienced?* ( ) Yes ( ) No

Please describe the challenges or circumstances and how they have impacted you.

 

Updated 2/2025

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