Applying to colleges can be a daunting task, but one crucial component of your application that can make a real difference is your essay. The Common Application offers a set of essay prompts that allow you to highlight your unique experiences and personality. In this blog post, we'll dive into the new essay prompts for 2024 and provide tips to help you craft compelling responses. Let's get started with the prompts:

The Prompts

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 obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Approaching the Prompts

Each of these supplemental essays offers an opportunity to present different facets of who you are. It's essential to choose the prompt that resonates most with your experiences and the message you want to convey to the admissions committee. Here are some tips for each prompt:

Prompt 1:

For this prompt, think deeply about what defines you. Is it a particular talent, such as playing an instrument or mastering a sport? Or perhaps it's a cultural background that shapes your worldview? When writing, aim to connect your story to how it has influenced your development and ambitions. For personalized advice and brainstorming, consider using Sups AI to explore unique aspects of your identity.

Prompt 2:

Challenges shape us, and sharing a heartfelt story about a challenge and its impact can be powerful. Focus on reflection and growth. What did you learn about yourself? How did this experience shape who you are today? Don't forget to leverage Sups AI for feedback to ensure your story is compelling and insightful.

Prompt 3:

Intellectual curiosity and critical thinking are vital traits for college students. Describe a moment when you challenged a widely-held belief or your own perspective. Discuss the motives behind your actions and the outcomes. Using Sups AI can help you frame your essay in a way that highlights your critical thinking skills and intellectual growth.

Prompt 4:

Gratitude and unexpected acts of kindness can greatly impact us. This prompt invites you to reflect on a meaningful gesture that made you feel thankful. Explain how this experience motivated you or changed your approach to life. Crafting an essay with emotional depth can be challenging, so utilize Sups AI to refine your narrative.

Prompt 5:

Discussing personal growth involves identifying a pivotal moment in your life. Reflect on an event or realization that led to significant development. How did this experience transform your understanding of yourself or others? Tools like Sups AI can help pinpoint the impactful moments in your story.

Prompt 6:

Passion is a compelling trait. For this prompt, focus on an idea or topic that you are deeply interested in. Explain why it captivates you and your methods for deepening your understanding. Using Sups AI to brainstorm can help ensure your enthusiasm effectively shines through in your essay.

Prompt 7:

This open-ended prompt allows for creativity and freedom. Choose a topic that allows you to convey your unique voice and experiences. Whether it’s an existing piece or a new creation, take advantage of Sups AI to receive feedback and enhance your essay’s impact.

Writing your supplemental essays doesn't have to be overwhelming. By selecting the right prompt and using resources like Sups AI for guidance and feedback, you can craft compelling essays that showcase your individuality and strengths. Get started today and take a step closer to your dream college!