Common Application Essay Changes for 2013-14

Savvy high school juniors begin the process of drafting their college essays well in advance of the start of their senior year. If you are amongst this ambitious group – now is the time to start brain-storming and thinking about working on the early iterations. It’s important to note that the Common Application https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx, which is used at nearly 500 colleges and universities has changed its essay prompts for 2013-14 and increased the number of words allowed for the essay from 500 to 650. No essay can be less than 250 words. Don’t forget that many schools that accept the Common App still ask for additional information, including extra essays. Perhaps the biggest change is the decision to drop an essay prompt that allowed students to write about a topic of their choice. While lamentable to some, most students should be able to find their voice as the five new prompts are really quite broad and multi-faceted.

Here are the new essay prompts for 2013-14:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Good luck, and remember everyone has a unique story to tell!