NEW Common App Prompts for 2017/18!

The Common Application just released the main essay prompts for the 2017/2018 applications.  There are now SEVEN of them!  I've done a thorough review of them and feel strongly that applicants should cross off 3 of these prompts right away...

There were no prompts for the last cycle so the changes are catching many by surprise.  The Coalition App and Universal App both had the "create your own prompt" prompt which the Common App hasn't had since 2013. Now they are bringing it back!

The 2017-2018 Common App Essay Prompts Are:

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. [No change]
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? [Revised]
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised]
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. [No change]
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised]
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? [New]
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. [New]

I've done a thorough review of these and feel strongly that applicants should eliminate 3 of these right away.  Work with me and I'll explain which ones and why.

Are you a junior and ready to start your essays?  We're ready to help! Click here to set up your initial consultation TODAY.

Introduce Yourself!

Time to build a resume!  A Personal Achievements Resume is a written showcase of YOU - everything that is not on your transcript goes on here.  Leadership, community service, travels, summer camps, businesses you have created, jobs you have held, ministries you have led.  The works!

So, get out your computer, fire up Word, and start typing.  Start with the summer after 8th grade and continue on.  Have your mom check it - have dad take a look - make sure nothing got left out.  Include enough description so that someone who has never heard of the programs you list will know what they are, how significant your contribution was, how much time per day/week/year you spent on it, and when you were involved in it.  At the information gathering stage, just organise by category (work, community service, clubs, leadership, sports, etc.) or by time period (summer of 2010, 2010/11 school year, etc.)

Once that is done, refine it into a presentable format.  Actually have TWO copies of this on your computer - the list, complete with the descriptions of every item, and the formal presentation version.  Make this look very elegant, refined, businesslike.  Include enough information about each item for clarity, but that is all.  Organise this by category, not epoch.  Leadership, Community Service, Entrepreneurial Ventures, Employment, Sport, etc.

Once you are done creating your presentation version, be sure to use the Spell Checker. TYPOS are TABOO!

Update this at the end of each summer, over Christmas break, and at the end of the school year, before you launch into your summer endeavors.