Great news! The Common App essay prompts for the 2025–2026 application cycle will stay the same. This decision is based on positive feedback from students, teachers, and colleges, allowing students to craft meaningful essays without worrying about significant changes.

 

📝 2025–2026 Common App Essay Prompts:

Students can choose from the following prompts to share their stories:

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 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?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. 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?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

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?

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

 

💡 My Essay Advice for Students:

College essays are a process, but don’t stress! The prompts are available early, so students have time to reflect and brainstorm. Here are some tips to help:

📌 Don’t rush: Take your time exploring different ideas before picking a topic.

📌 Use the right resources: Check out our essay writing tips and view sample essays

📌 Start early: Creating a Common App account before August 1 ensures all responses, including essays, roll over smoothly.

 

✨ What’s New?

Beginning August 1, 2025, two important changes will affect the optional “Additional Information” section:

 

📌 New “Challenges and Circumstances” Question:

This new section expands on the previous “Community Disruption” question, allowing students to discuss a broader range of personal challenges that may have affected their education.

📌 Reduced Word Limit for “Additional Information”:

The word limit for this section will be shortened to 300 words (previously 650).

These changes are designed to streamline the process while giving students room to share essential context about their experiences.

 

🔎 What Can You Share in the New “Challenges and Circumstances” Question?

This update invites students to share personal experiences that impacted their education, including:

🏡 Housing instability, displacement, or homelessness

📶 Limited access to technology or study space

🌎 Community disruptions (violence, protests, etc.)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family disruptions (divorce, job loss, health issues, etc.)

💡 Discrimination or systemic barriers

🩺 Physical & mental health challenges

🌪️ Natural disasters

🎖️ Military deployment or activation

🛑 War, genocide, or other hardships

 

💡 Final Tip: Create a Practice Account!

🔹 Why? A practice account lets you explore the first-year student application experience—perfect for those who want to familiarize themselves with the process without actually applying. It looks just like a regular student account, but you won’t be able to submit applications.

 

✉️ Pro Tip: Use a different email (school email) than your personal one!  This will prevent possible errors later.

 

How to Set It Up:
➡️ During account creation, select “Education Professional” or “Parent or Other Adult.”
➡️ If you decide to apply for college later, you can always create a real first-year student account!

🔄 Need to Switch? If you’re ready to submit applications, you can change your account type anytime:
1️⃣ Click your avatar in the header.
2️⃣ Go to Settings.
3️⃣ Select “Change My Account Type” and complete the form.

 

✅ Get hands-on experience before you apply! 🎯

 

I’m here to support students in making their applications shine. Remember, you’re not alone in this process. I have a wealth of resources and support available to help you tell your story in a way that truly represents who you are! 🚀