What is the Common Application?

The Common Application is a portal that allows the applicant to apply to multiple universities at the same time. The Common App currently serves over 1000 institutions.

The 2023-24 Common App asks you to choose one out of seven prompts, for an essay ranging between 250-650 words. This essay (known as the main essay) is submitted to all the universities you apply to via the Common App. You also answer supplemental questions specific to each particular university, and submit these through the same portal. Most universities ask you to provide 3-5 supplemental answers each; if you are applying to ten selective universities, you will write around 30-40 essays. Universities that are less selective usually have fewer supplemental essays.

What are college admissions officers looking for in the Common App main essay?

Many students find the Common App main essay very challenging, as they are often unused to writing personal essays.

This essay is all about revealing your character, your values, and your personality. Remember, your intelligence and achievements are on display already in the rest of the application! One of the most common mistakes I see is accomplished students using the main essay to show how hard-working and intelligent they are. But…your scores and grades already tell the Admissions Committee you posses the latter qualities in abundance! Unless you overcame exceptional hardship in your academic life, don’t write about your Math Olympiad performance. Instead, use your 650 words to show who you are. What’s your story? Why do you do the things you do? Why do you love what you love?

How do you write the best college admissions essays?

The admissions officer will read hundreds of applications, and hundreds of essays. Therefore, you must write something memorable so you can grab the officer’s interest. You also want to ensure that your essay isn’t cute, quirky, or controversial just for the sake of standing out. Your essay should be memorable because it is an authentic and interesting story.

After reading your essay, think about how the admissions officer would summarize you in one sentence. Do you want to be that generic student who worked really hard and handled a lot of stress to make a 4.6 weighted GPA? (Answer: Nope!)

Caveat: The most important part of your application is your academic record. The greatest essay in the world will not compensate for grades/scores that fall well below the school’s requirements.

What is a Supplemental Essay for college?

In addition to the main essay, universities ask specific supplemental questions in order to better evaluate the applicant's fit with the particular institution. The supplemental questions usually seek to probe why the student wants to attend that particular university, why the student chose that particular major, and why the student would be a good match for that particular university. Please see below Purdue's supplemental prompts, for an example.

Supplemental essay Questions from Purdue

1. How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)

2. Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)

The supplements are all about researching the university you wish to attend, and showing you’ve done your homework. You need to dig deep and understand the culture, the academics, and student life in the university of your choice. Please don’t write information from the university’s landing page in your supplements! Show the Ad Com that you understand why you chose to apply there.

Please start the research process early. Visit the campus if you can, speak to a professor from the department you’re interested in, and talk to current students and alumni.

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