College Essay Prompts 2024-25
For the 2024-25 application cycle, several universities and the Common App have updated their essay prompts. Below are some of the most common and widely used prompts that students may encounter when applying to various colleges and universities in this application season.
Common App Essay Prompts (2024-25)
These are the most commonly used prompts as they apply to nearly 700 institutions via the Common Application. Students are asked to respond to one of the following prompts within 250-650 words:
- Background or Identity: Share a story about your background, identity, or talent that is so meaningful your application would be incomplete without it.
- Lessons from Obstacles: Discuss a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn?
- Challenging a Belief: Reflect on a time you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What was the outcome?
- Gratitude and Impact: Describe a time when someone did something that made you feel happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude motivated you?
- Personal Growth: Write about an accomplishment or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- What Captivates You: Discuss a topic, idea, or concept that makes you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you, and how do you continue learning more?
- Topic of Your Choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice.
University of California UC Berkeley College Application Essay Prompts
The University of California system requires students to respond to four out of eight prompts, with each response capped at 350 words:
- Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
- What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
- Reflect on a time when you made a significant contribution to your community.
- What have you done to make your school or community a better place?
- Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you took to overcome it.
- What academic subject excites you, and why?
- What have you gained from your involvement in school activities?
- What is your favorite creative project or hobby, and how has it influenced you?
UW College Application Essay Prompts 2024
The University of Washington requires a personal statement (650 words) and a shorter essay (300 words). Here are college application essay prompts examples for UW:
- Personal Statement: Tell us about a time when your worldview was challenged. How did you respond?
- Describe how you have positively impacted your community. What motivates you to do so?
- The University of Washington seeks students who are curious and passionate about learning. Share an academic subject that fascinates you and explain why.
- Discuss your interest in the major you’ve chosen. How did your experiences contribute to this choice?
- Describe an accomplishment or event that sparked personal growth and helped define who you are.
- How will you contribute to fostering diversity at the University of Washington?
- Short Essay: Discuss how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
A&M College Application Essay Prompts
Texas A&M offers the following prompts for the 2024 application cycle:
- Essay A: Describe a life event, issue, or experience that has shaped who you are today.
- Optional Short Answer: Tell us about the person who has influenced you the most and why.
- Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?
- If there are additional personal challenges or hardships that have shaped your academic journey, share them here.
- For Engineering applicants: Describe your engineering interests and any experiences you’ve had that led you to this field.
- Discuss a time you led a group or project, and what you learned from that experience.
- How do you plan to contribute to the Texas A&M community??
Boston College Application Essay Prompts
Boston College has a range of supplemental essay prompts. Choose one of the following (400 words):
- Please discuss how you plan to achieve your short and long-term career goals following graduation from Boston College. What challenges will you face and how will you leverage your academic and professional experiences to achieve these goals?
- Please introduce yourself to the BC community. Feel free to be creative in expressing your message.
- If you have not had coursework in core business or if your standardized test scores are low, how you plan to prepare for the quantitative rigor of the BC MBA, MSF, or MSA curriculum?
- Explain an aspect of your candidacy in more detail.
- What unique perspective will you bring to the Boston College community?
- Discuss how your interests and aspirations align with Boston College’s commitment to the liberal arts.
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
BYU College Application Essay Prompts
The BYU essay section allows students to express their individuality and values through specific prompts. Here are seven prompts for the 2024 application process, designed to assess applicants' character and commitment to the university’s mission.
- What have you done to contribute to your community or family, and what did you learn from that experience?
- Share an example of a time when you helped resolve a conflict. What did you learn from the experience?
- Why do you want to attend BYU, and how will you contribute to the BYU community?
- BYU emphasizes spiritual development. How have you pursued spiritual growth in your life?
- Describe an academic experience that has shaped you.
- What goals do you have for your time at BYU, and how do you plan to achieve them?
- How have your experiences prepared you for the unique environment at BYU?
University of Michigan College Application Essay Prompts
Students applying to the University of Michigan must answer the following:
- Why Michigan: Describe the unique qualities of the University of Michigan that make it a good fit for you (250 words).
- Community Essay: Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests?
- Diversity Essay: Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong and describe that community and your place within it. (300 words).
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Leadership Experience: Discuss an activity or organization in which you played a leadership role. What impact did you have, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Describe an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
- What are the challenges and/or opportunities you foresee as part of your future academic journey? How do you plan to address them?
Virginia Tech College Application Essay Prompts
Virginia Tech asks applicants to respond to several short answer questions (120 words each):
- Service and Leadership Essay: Share a story that exemplifies your leadership qualities. How did you handle the situation and what did you learn about leadership from the experience?
- Innovation and Creativity: Describe a time when you solved a problem in an innovative way. What was the challenge, and how did you approach the solution creatively?
- What is the most significant challenge you have faced? How did you address it and what did you learn?
- Reflect on a situation in which you helped resolve or mediate a conflict. How did you contribute, and what was the outcome?
- Virginia Tech values inclusion and diversity. How have you worked to promote a sense of belonging within your school or community?
- Describe a personal experience that has contributed to your intellectual and personal growth.
- What inspired you to pursue the field of study you are applying for, and how have your experiences helped prepare you for it?
Tips on How to Tackle Common College Application Prompts
Responding to college application prompts can feel daunting, but understanding what to say in a college application essay can significantly strengthen your application.
Here are some helpful tips for addressing the most common prompts:
- Why Do You Want to Attend This College/University?
Be Specific! Admissions committees can easily spot generic responses. Research the college's unique programs, faculty, and campus culture. Mention specific aspects that resonate with you, demonstrating genuine interest and effort.
For example, if a university offers a renowned program in your field, explain why it excites you and how it aligns with your career goals. A clear thesis statement here will help articulate your main reasons, making your essay more focused. - Describe a Person You Admire.
Focus on Personal Impact. Choose someone whose influence has significantly shaped your values or outlook. Rather than simply listing their achievements, reflect on how they inspired you to grow or change. Share personal anecdotes that illustrate this influence and how it aligns with your aspirations. - Discuss an Accomplishment, Event, or Realization That Sparked Personal Growth.
Emphasize Reflection. While recounting your experience, focus on what you learned and how it changed you. Be honest about challenges and vulnerabilities, as admissions officers appreciate authenticity and introspection. Use vivid details to bring your story to life and illustrate your growth effectively. - What Captivates You?
Show Your Passion. Write about a topic or activity that genuinely excites you. Avoid trying to impress the admissions committee with what you think they want to hear. Instead, use transition words to guide the reader through your thoughts, showcasing your curiosity and enthusiasm for this interest. Detail how you pursue this passion, mentioning books, mentors, or experiences that have deepened your understanding. - Reflect on a Time You Faced a Challenge.
Highlight Resilience. Admissions committees value perseverance. When describing a challenge, focus on your response and what you learned. Be specific about the steps you took to overcome the obstacle and how it shaped your character or perspective moving forward. - If You Could Create Your Own College Course, What Would It Be?
Be Creative and Thoughtful. This prompt allows you to express your interests and academic passions. Describe the course's content, objectives, and why it would be valuable. Consider integrating your personal experiences or insights into the topic to showcase your unique perspective. - Write About a Topic of Your Choice.
Make It Meaningful. Since you have the freedom to choose, select a topic that resonates deeply with you. Focus on conveying your personality and values. Avoid generic topics; instead, delve into something that reveals who you are and why it matters to you. Ensure you ask yourself how and why this topic is significant.
Common Features of 2024-25 College Prompts
The overarching theme of many college application prompts revolves around introspection and personal growth. Institutions are encouraging applicants to reflect on their unique college essay topics that highlight experiences shaping their identity and worldview.
Additionally, colleges prioritize diversity, inclusion, and curiosity, seeking students who are not only self-aware but also enthusiastic about contributing positively to their future campus communities. This focus underscores the importance of authenticity in expressing one’s personal journey and aspirations.
Here’s a downloadable PDF containing the Common App essay prompts. Check it out:
College Application Essay Topics To Avoid
When writing your college application essay, it's important to steer clear of certain topics. Here are some subjects to avoid:
- Clichés: Familiar themes like “winning the big game” or “helping the less fortunate” can sound generic. Focus on unique personal experiences instead. For example, share a lesser-known moment of teamwork or resilience in a different context.
- Tragedies: While sharing a personal loss can show depth, it may also come across as heavy. Instead of dwelling on grief, discuss how you found hope or healing afterward, emphasizing growth and resilience.
- Controversial topics: Divisive subjects like politics or religion can alienate readers. Reflect on how your values and experiences shape your perspective without sparking controversy.
- Failure: Rather than making failure the central theme, focus on the lessons learned and your journey. For instance, discuss how you adapted after a setback, showcasing a growth mindset.
- Generic content: Admissions committees read countless essays that sound alike. Ensure your essay is personal and specific, diving into details of a singular experience that reveals your personality and aspirations.
- Negativity: While it’s natural to discuss challenges, maintain a positive tone. Instead of focusing on frustrations, highlight your determination and optimism in overcoming obstacles.
To wrap it up, we’ve covered a lot of ground in this blog about college application essays. We explored unique prompts, important topics to consider, and what to avoid to make your essay stand out.
Remember, the key is to reflect on your personal experiences and showcase your individuality.
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