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Mar 18, 2023 · Here are Common App essay examples from Top-20 colleges. Learn how these admitted students wrote their personal essay.
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- Prompt #1, Example #1
- Prompt #1, Example #2
- Prompt #1, Example #4
- Prompt #2, Example #3
- Prompt #3, Example #2
- Prompt #7, Example #2
- Prompt #7, Example #3
- Prompt #7, Example #4
- Prompt #7, Example #5
Analysis: This student draws readers in with a strong introduction. The essay starts ambiguous—“I led with a spade”—then intrigues readers by gradually revealing more information and details. This makes the reader want to keep reading (which is super important!) As the writer continues, there is a rather abrupt tone shift from suspenseful to explan...
Analysis: The primary strength of this essay is the honesty and authenticity of the student’s writing. It is purposefully reflective. Intentional language creates a clear character arc that begins with an eager young ballerina and ends with the student reflecting on their past. Readers are easily able to picture the passion and intensity of the you...
Analysis: This essay is distinct from others due to its melodic, lyrical form. This is primarily achieved because the student’s form follows the movements of the paintbrush that they use to scaffold their essay. As readers, we simply flow through the essay, occasionally picking up bits of information about its creator. Without even realizing it, by...
Analysis: This essay truly feels like a story—almost making you forget you are reading a college essay. The student’s voice is strong throughout the entire essay and they are able to give us insight into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations at every step of the story. Letting the reader into personal challenges like financial struggles can be ...
Analysis: Right off the bat, this essay starts extremely strong. The description of attendance in a class with ample quotes, awkward pauses, and the student’s internal dialogue immediately puts us in the middle of the action and establishes a lot of sympathy for this student before we’ve learned anything else. The strength of this essay continues i...
Analysis: This essay is outstanding because the student seems likable and authentic. With the first image of the student’s little sister vigorously nodding and holding up “five stubby fingers,” we find ourselves intrigued by the student’s daily life. They additionally show the importance of family, culture, and creativity in their life—these are gr...
Analysis: A major strength of this essay comes in its narrative organization. When reading this first paragraph, we feel for the young skaters and understand their fear—skating sounds scary! Then, because the writer sets us up to feel this empathy, the transition to the second paragraph where the student describes their empathy for the young skater...
Analysis: The structuring of this essay makes it easy and enjoyable to read. The student effectively organizes their various life experiences around their tower of journals, which centers the reader and makes the different stories easy to follow. Additionally, the student engages quotes from their journals—and unique formatting of the quotes—to sig...
Analysis: This essay is an Overcoming Challengesstory that centers around a single anecdote. The structure works nicely as the student describes what they were like before their road trip, what happened on the road trip, and what they were like after. The most major improvement that this essay needs is better-communicated authenticity. At the begin...
Nov 19, 2021 · If you’re applying for college via the Common App, you’ll have to write an essay in response to one of seven prompts. Here’s a brief overview of the Common App essay and seven examples of effective Common App essays, along with explanations of why they work.
- The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools....
- When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story. No matter which...
- To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics,...
- A standout college essay has several key ingredients: A unique, personally meaningful topic A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intri...
- Board Game Family. Common App Prompt #1. “Professor Plum in the kitchen with the candlestick!” ((Opening with dialogue can be a risky choice, especially if it distracts the reader instead of drawing them in.
- The Bowl That Taught Me Not to Quit. Common App Prompt #2. The clay felt cold against my skin as my knees hugged the wheel for dear life((With this opening, we jump right into the writer’s emotions.
- ENFP. Common App Prompt #6. “You know how whenever you want to plan out your weekend there are too many fun things to do and too many people to do them with?
- Warhammer 40k Miniatures. Common App Prompt #6. Carefully((This introduction has great vivid language.)) dipping the microscopic end of my horse hair brush into the pot of citadel paint, I can feel my excitement building.
Feb 14, 2019 · How do you write a great common app essay? I’ve got so much to say about how to write a Common App essay that it would make your head spin. But, here are the basics. Brainstorm (I think it’s the most important step). Structure your essay according to your topic. Draft. Revise. Repeat. Common App essay word limit.
Apr 3, 2024 · Learn how to come up with a unique topic and choose the right Common App Essay prompt to write a strong personal statement and get into your dream college. Plus, a full-length Common App Essay example.
Jul 16, 2020 · One of the best ways to write a successful college essay for your college application is by learning from real college essay examples that worked. I've compiled a few of my favorite essay examples here that cover a variety of college essay topics. Need help writing your college essay? Click here for my ultimate guide.