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4,000+ Common App Essay Samples: Find Your Inspiration Today!

Introduction

The Common App essay is your chance to introduce yourself to college admissions officers and share your unique experiences and perspectives. It's an opportunity to showcase your writing skills and demonstrate why you're an exceptional candidate for their institution. With thousands of essays available to read, finding the right sample to inspire your own writing can be daunting. In this comprehensive guide, we've compiled 4,000+ Common App essay samples to help you get started. Whether you're looking for guidance on a specific topic or need a fresh perspective, you're sure to find something that resonates with you.

Common App Essay Prompts

The Common App essay prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle are:

common app essay samples

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.
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?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking, and what was the outcome?
Describe a problem you've solved or a project you've completed. What was the challenge, and what was your process in addressing it?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does this subject captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Common App Essay Examples

1. Identity

4,000+ Common App Essay Samples: Find Your Inspiration Today!

2. Challenges

3. Beliefs

4. Accomplishments

5. Growth

Common App Essay Prompts

Additional Resources

Disclaimer: The essay samples provided in this article are intended for informational purposes only. They should not be considered as model answers or templates. Students should use these samples as inspiration and guidance for developing their own unique essays.