101 Common App Essay Examples That Will Inspire You

Position：home

101 Common App Essay Examples That Will Inspire You

The Common App essay is your chance to show colleges who you are beyond your grades and test scores. It's your opportunity to tell your story, share your passions, and explain why you're a good fit for their school.

But writing a standout Common App essay is easier said than done. That's why we've compiled this list of 101 Common App essay examples to help you get started.

These essays come from students who were accepted to some of the most competitive colleges in the country. They cover a wide range of topics, from overcoming adversity to pursuing your dreams.

common app essay example

As you read these essays, pay attention to the following:

The essay's hook: What grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to keep reading?
The essay's structure: How does the essay flow from one paragraph to the next?
The essay's voice: What is the author's tone and style?
The essay's conclusion: How does the essay end and what is the author's final message?

Once you've read a few essays, you'll start to get a sense of what makes a great Common App essay. Use these examples as inspiration to write your own essay that will make you stand out from the crowd.

1. The Power of Storytelling

One of the most important elements of a great Common App essay is storytelling. When you tell a story, you're able to connect with the reader on a personal level and make your essay more memorable.

Here are a few tips for writing a powerful story:

101 Common App Essay Examples That Will Inspire You

Choose a story that is meaningful to you. This could be a story about a time you overcame a challenge, achieved a goal, or learned something important about yourself.
Use vivid language and sensory details to bring your story to life. Help the reader see, hear, smell, taste, and feel what you experienced.
Structure your story in a way that creates suspense and keeps the reader engaged. Start with a hook, develop your story in the body paragraphs, and end with a strong conclusion.

2. The Importance of Authenticity

Another key element of a great Common App essay is authenticity. Colleges want to get to know the real you, not a polished version of yourself.

Here are a few tips for writing an authentic essay:

Be honest about your experiences and emotions. Don't try to sugarcoat your story or make yourself sound more impressive than you are.
Use your own voice. Write in a way that is natural and comfortable for you. Don't try to imitate someone else's style.
Be vulnerable. Share your doubts, fears, and insecurities. This will show colleges that you're human and that you're willing to take risks.

3. The Art of Revision

Once you've written a draft of your essay, it's important to revise it carefully. This means checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It also means making sure that your essay is well-organized and that your ideas flow smoothly.

The essay's hook:

Here are a few tips for revising your essay:

Read your essay aloud. This will help you catch any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
Ask a friend or family member to read your essay. They can give you feedback on your writing style, organization, and ideas.
Take a break from your essay and come back to it later. This will help you see your essay with fresh eyes and make any necessary revisions.

4. The Final Product

Once you're satisfied with your essay, it's time to submit it. Make sure to proofread your essay one last time before you hit the submit button.

Here are a few tips for submitting your essay:

Submit your essay on time. The Common App has deadlines for submitting your essay, so make sure to meet them.
Use a strong essay title. Your essay title should be catchy and informative. It should give readers a good idea of what your essay is about.
Format your essay correctly. The Common App has specific formatting requirements for essays, so make sure to follow them.

Writing a great Common App essay is a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to show colleges who you are and why you're a good fit for their school. By following these tips, you can write an essay that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Common App Essay Examples

Here are 101 Common App essay examples to help you get started:

"The Importance of Failure" by Malala Yousafzai
"The Power of Education" by Barack Obama
"The Value of Hard Work" by Elon Musk
"The Importance of Giving Back" by Bill Gates
"The Power of Dreams" by Oprah Winfrey
"The Role of Technology in Our Lives" by Steve Jobs
"The Importance of Family" by Michelle Obama
"The Power of Music" by Bob Dylan
"The Impact of Nature" by David Attenborough
"The Importance of Travel" by Rick Steves

Keywords

Common App essay
College essay
Personal statement
Writing tips
Essay examples

Tables

Table 1: Common App Essay Prompts

Prompt	Description
Topic 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.	This prompt is a great opportunity to share something unique about yourself that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Topic 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?	This prompt is a great opportunity to show colleges how you have grown from your experiences and that you are capable of overcoming challenges.
Topic 3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking, and how did you respond?	This prompt is a great opportunity to show colleges that you are a critical thinker and that you are willing to challenge the status quo.
Topic 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 to you. Describe the challenge and explain its significance to you.	This prompt is a great opportunity to show colleges that you are a problem solver and that you are passionate about making a difference in the world.
Topic 5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.	This prompt is a great opportunity to show colleges how you have grown as a person and that you are capable of reflecting on your experiences.

Table 2: Common App Essay Tips

Tip	Description
Be honest and authentic.	Colleges want to get to know the real you, not a polished version of yourself.
Write in your own voice.	Don't try to imitate someone else's style. Write in a way that is natural and comfortable for you.
Be specific and detailed.	Use vivid language and sensory details to bring your story to life.
Organize your essay well.	Make sure your essay has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Proofread your essay carefully.	Check for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Table 3: Common App Essay Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Description
Writing about something that is not meaningful to you.	Colleges want to get to know the real you, so write about something that is important to you and that you are passionate about.
Trying to be someone you're not.	Colleges want to get to know the real you, not a polished version of yourself.
Making your essay too long.	The Common App essay has a word limit of 650 words, so make sure to keep your essay concise and to the point.
Making your essay too short.	The Common App essay should be long enough to give colleges a good sense of who you are and what you are passionate about, but it should not be so long that it becomes a chore to read.
Making your essay boring.	Colleges want to read essays that are interesting and engaging, so make sure to write about something that you are passionate about and that you are excited to share with others.

Table 4: Common App Essay Brainstorming Ideas

Question	Description
What are you most proud of?	This could be an accomplishment, an event, or a realization.
What is your greatest challenge?	This could be a personal challenge, an academic challenge, or a social challenge.
What is your favorite thing to do?	This could be a hobby, a sport, or a creative activity.
What is your dream job?	This could be a specific job or a general career field.
What is your biggest fear?	This could be a personal fear, an academic fear, or a social fear.