Applying to college is a pivotal moment for many high school students, and the personal statement is a key component of the Common Application. The prompts provided for the 2024-2025 application cycle are designed to give students the opportunity to showcase their individual perspectives, experiences, and aspirations. Here is a complete list of the essay prompts you can choose from:
Identity and Background: 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.
Learning from Challenges: 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?
Questioning and Challenging: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Impact of Gratitude: 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?
Personal Growth and Understanding: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Passion for a Topic: 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?
Free Choice: 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 thoughtfully crafted to allow you to reflect deeply on your personal journey, values, and goals. As you prepare your application, consider which prompt allows you to best express an authentic and impactful story that adds a unique dimension to your application profile. To get inspired, students can engage in our core value exercise, key object exercise, and milestone exercise, which are designed to help uncover meaningful themes and stories for your personal statement.
Looking to navigate the 2024-2025 Common App personal statement? Check out ivieai.com!
