The Common App Essay Prompts 2023

These article is on the common app essay prompts. The people at the Common Application have said that the essay questions for the next admissions cycle will be the same as the ones from last year. According to the staff at College Transitions, it was a smart choice to continue with the original plan. When we looked at the data, we saw that nearly everyone liked the prompts. Over 95% of admissions officers, guidance counselors, parents, and students said they were good.

In this blog we will review:

What’s new in 2023-24?
The COVID-19 essay
The Common App essay word limit
A look at all 2023-24 Common App essay prompts
Links to supplemental essay prompts for 50+ colleges
The most popular Common App prompts that students choose
Advice on brainstorming/writing your Common App essay

What’s New for 2023-24?

The Common App has a wide variety of topics that can appeal to almost anyone. Last year, they changed question number four, to ask about gratitude, which is a nice addition in this chaotic world affected by the pandemic that we are currently in.

Common App Essay Word Limit

The Common App essay word limit remains at 650 words. There is also a minimum floor of 250 words.

All 2023-24 Common App Essay Prompts

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.
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?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
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?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
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?
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.

Which prompts are most popular?

In the latest Common App report, many students chose topic #7 for their essay. This topic allows students to write about anything they want. 241% of applicants picked this prompt. Prompt #5, the essay asking applicants to discuss an achievement, came in second place with 23. 7% of seniors choosing it. The third place medal was awarded to prompt #2, the essay that focused on challenges, setbacks, or failures. This essay received 21. 1% of all the applications submitted through Common App. In general, the three most common questions made up around 68. 9% of all applicants.

Looking for Supplemental Essay Prompts and Advice?

The Essay Section of our blog has you covered with the latest prompts and tips for 50+ top colleges.

Common App Essay Prompts – Advice on brainstorming/writing your essay

The important rules for writing a great college essay are similar to the general rules for creating any strong piece of writing: be yourself, share a personal and interesting story, and carefully edit, revise, and improve your work.

Writing a captivating essay doesn’t have to involve extraordinary experiences like wrestling a dangerous animal, being raised in a cult, or discovering a new galaxy at a young age. A good college essay can be about something that happens in your everyday life. There is often enough drama, tension, and conflict in a normal day. Throughout your life, you have surely had experiences that would make interesting essay topics. Take some time to think about it and talk to your family and friends. Your compelling story will come to light.

Share this post on

Online Studying Services