The Common App prompts for 2015-2016!
Are you applying to U.S. colleges this fall? Ready to get a jump start on your college applications? How about writing the main essay for your Common Application?
The official 2015-16 Common Application Essay Prompts appear below. They are quoted from the official website of the Common Application. Find additional information at:
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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Athena Advises
Yes, you must choose one of these prompts for your essay. You may have heard older students say, "We just wrote about whatever we wanted."That was then, and this is now. As of last year, the "topic of your choice" option disappeared. Furthermore, there is some new language in this year's prompts. The new language is noted in italics on the Common App web page at the link above.
If you are applying to universities outside the U.S., the prompts above might get your creative juices flowing. And if you're a younger student, the prompts may inspire you to start thinking about who you are and the experiences that have meant the most to you.
Contact Athena Mentor. We're listening!
Dr. Marlena CorcoranFounder and CEOAuthor of Year by Year to College, on amazon.com, amazon.de and many national amazon sites