This year, a new prompt replaced an old (and highly unpopular) prompt. Let’s take a look:
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?
If you’re a regular blog reader, you might remember that a few weeks ago we wrote this blog post about this prompt when it came out. We stand by our assertion that this is a pretty good prompt. We also stand by the fact that it has major pitfalls. Let’s start there.
We’re confident that you can think of an experience that aligns with the prompt. Maybe you were having a bad day and your friend surprisingly took a responsibility off of your plate, or you had a pleasant conversation with someone who reminded you that things aren’t so bad, after all. But it’s important to keep in mind the goal of the common app essay, which is to give the reader of your essay a glimpse of one of your many personality traits. Please keep that in mind while brainstorming.
If you really feel called to this prompt, think about it like this: “When did someone do something small for me that reminded me that I am ____________”? As for the blank space? It represents the quality that you’re trying to portray. We realize that this framing makes it harder to come up with a story, but that’s kind of the point. We all like reading about joy, and we know that the pandemic was the most written about topic last year, but this reframe will hopefully prevent you from just telling a story about another person being nice to you.
Let’s say that you wanted to cook dinner for your family one weekend but you got caught up studying for midterms and never had time to go to the store. Your sister knew that cooking would be fun for you, so she stocked the fridge with your favorite protein and produce. This small favor allowed you to do what you love: showcase your creativity in the kitchen and cook a meal for your loved ones. This is just one example of a moment of gratitude that led to your ability to be who you are, a chef!
If you’re able to come up with a story, be mindful of breaking form. Most prompts follow a similar structure: one sentence about reflection, and a second question that asks you to explain things further. Rather than answering the second question, infuse your response to it into the story. A lot of people come to us with a common app essay that looks like this: there’s a story, and then there’s a 100-word paragraph that explains the story. That’s not good, and that’s why brainstorming is key. You’re looking for a story that answers all of the questions, that speaks to who you are and how you think, and has a beginning, middle, and end.
Get in touch with us here if you’d like to work with someone one-on-one.