Common App Essay Prompts 2025-2026 Are Live! Now Go Live (and Notice) Your Life! Common App Essay prompts are newly released for 2025-2026 college admissions, everyone's most relaxing season of life! Spoiler alert, the Common App essay prompts are the same as last year, which doesn't mean much to anyone who wasn't applying last year! Before you freak out (unless you enjoy a good freakout, which, by all means, you do you), I'm writing a post to make you happy. Note- The Common App website itself offers some basic resources for getting started on the personal essay, to encourage reflection. And this is a good time for reflection and introspection! When Should I Start My College Essay? Now-- Sort of. For most students, summer before senior year is plenty early enough to draft the essay proper, with the goal of a very strong draft before September hits. However, there are things you can do in the Spring of junior year that will lead you towards an incredible, magnetic Common App essay. This requires increasing your awareness, yes, but without trying too hard at all. It is possibly even pleasurable! I call this, how to write your college essay without writing it. Gather enough notes, and your college essay will start to crystallise for you. Really. How to Start Your Best Common App Essay Without Even Trying My 3-step college essay writing-ish process Notice your own thoughts, feelings, actions and passions Take Notes (in docs or voice memos) Organise your content What to notice to start your essay... Notice your own thoughts. Where does your mind go? When you're walking down the street, in your room, commuting? With family, your bestie? Doing something terribly boring? How quickly do you turn on something to listen to, and what are you listening to? How often are you looking up and out versus down at a device- yes, even while walking? What are you taking in? OK, my friend. TAKE NOTES. That's right- on Continue Reading …
Common App Prompts
Common App Prompt #4 is “Grateful” and Then Some
Common App #4 Is New and Gratitude Never Gets Old With the addition of the new Common App Prompt #4, students are encouraged to find something positive in their lives they can reflect on-- and this is a good thing. The prompt reads: “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?” The Common App website even links to Angela Duckworth’s Character Lab where you can learn more about why science is giving a big thumbs up to gratitude and kindness practices. But just because it's certified as good for you, doesn't mean it necessarily leads to good writing. This is where a little guidance and some examples can go a long way. Continue Reading …