Back in 1975, administrators from 15 colleges got together and decided to create one application that students could use to apply to any or all their colleges. This was the birth of the “Common App” ...

One of the essay prompts on the Common Application is: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without ...

Sarah Lawrence College released a new essay prompt for applicants on Tuesday, just ahead of the launch of this year’s Common App. It directly quotes language used in the Supreme Court’s June 29 ruling ...

Writing college essays that stand out is a critical step in the college admissions process. College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and a compelling essay can make a ...

Colleges will ask what about your experiences mattered to you and why. Write down the details now while they're fresh in your ...

The Common App is the primary way that students apply to more than 1,000 colleges and universities in the US. In 2023, it processed close to 7 million applications from 1.25 million students around ...

Tell us about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. Reflect on a moment when your actions made a difference for others. Describe one of your passions and why it lights you up. These aren't ...

College application essays are where you can demonstrate your writing skills and let your unique voice shine. “They’re such an amazing and crucial opportunity to really shape how admissions officers ...

Applying to multiple colleges used to be a tedious, time-consuming task. Each school had its own application form and its own slightly different set of required fields. Applying to 12 colleges meant ...