Back By Popular Demand: 2016-2017 Common Application Keeps Same Prompts and Now Rolls Over
Juniors rest easy. The Common Application is keeping the same prompts as last year. These prompts give you great options. You can even start working on the application now as all accounts will roll over except for essays.
According to the Common Application, last year 47% responded the the first prompt, which is essentially a topic of your choice, while 22% wrote about an accomplishment in prompt 5, 17% about a lesson from a failure, 10% about a problem solved, and 4% about challenging a belief or idea.
It’s too bad more students didn’t write about challenging a belief or idea, because every time they do community service or volunteer they are doing so, as are students who are fighting for their education. Here are the returning prompts:
2016-2017 Essay 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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.