New Common Application Questions for 2013-2014

If you were thinking of using your older brother's common app essay from last year to help write your own for this year, it's not going to work!

Last week, The Common Application board of directors announced new prompts for the 2013-2014 essays. After two years of discussion, the new topics were formulated to better encourage applicants to present information about their personalities, character and other traits that aren’t otherwise available to colleges through test scores, grades, or extracurricular activities.

The total word count for the responses has changed from 500 words to 650 words.  Here are the Common Application essay questions for 2013-2014:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.


• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?


• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?


• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

One prompt which has been eliminated allowed students to come up with their own prompt.  This was used 33% of the time last year.