My Common Application: Writing

The My Common Application: Writing section can take several hours to complete.

Items marked with a red asterisk * are required. You are not required to complete items that do not have the red asterisk.

Introduction

In the My Common Application: Writing section, you will learn about the personal essay and two optional questions. You will learn:

• The purpose and goals behind the personal essay
• Tips on how to approach the personal essay
• Prompts for the personal essay
• Resources with more advice about how to write the personal essay
• The purposes and uses of the two optional questions. One is the “Challenges and Circumstances” question (250 words).  The second is an “Additional Details/Qualifications” question (300 words).
• Advice on whether or not to write a response for one or both of the two optional questions
• If you choose to respond to one or both optional questions, advice is provided on what information to include

Take some time to reflect on the Common App writing prompts, choose your topic, and write your essay(s).

The length of time the writing section takes varies for each student, but it will take at least several hours.

Tips & Reminders

• When writing the personal essay, think about telling a story from your life that reveals something about your character, values, or experiences.
• Many students do not respond to either of the optional questions.
• In deciding whether to respond to the Challenges and Circumstances question, think about the specific examples and impacts mentioned in the question. If any of these are particularly relevant for you, then you might consider answering this question.
• The question asking you to share “any additional details or qualifications not reflected in your application“ is helpful if you need to share information that may have impacted your high school career.  This could include learning differences, as well as an explanation of course choices, additional activities, other experiences, or ongoing challenges you think are important to share with colleges. Colleges want to understand your circumstances, challenges, and opportunities, and will not know these details unless you tell them.  Your response to either of these questions should be brief, straightforward, and clear.