7 Outstanding Common App Essay Examples 2024
College applications got you stressed over the essay? The looming shadow of the Common App essay, the pressure to stand out, show yourself authentically, and avoid sounding like every other applicant can feel overwhelming. We’ve all been there. Before you resign yourself to writer’s block, let’s help you drive toward inspiration.
In this blog, get ready to learn more examples with 7 outstanding Common App essay examples for 2024! These real-life success stories aren’t just examples; they’re blueprints for crafting your powerful narrative.
7 Common App Essay Prompts
The Common App essay provides 650 words to tell your story, with 7 thought-provoking college app essay prompts to guide you. While the topic is flexible, your voice and experiences are what truly matter.
Here are those Common App prompts:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that 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? What was the outcome?
- 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?
- 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 track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- 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 designs.
7 Common App Essay Examples for US Students
Explore Top 7 Common App essay examples for 2024, which can serve as a source of inspiration for crafting your captivating personal narrative.
Common App essay example #1
As I sit down to reflect on the experiences that have shaped me into the individual I am today, one aspect stands out vividly: my background as a product of cultural fusion. Growing up in a household where two distinct cultures coexist, I have come to realize that my identity is full of diverse traditions, beliefs, and values.
My story begins with the convergence of Eastern and Western influences. My father, a first-generation immigrant from China, brought with him the rich culture of Chinese customs, language, and cuisine, while my mother, a native of the United States, instilled in me a deep appreciation for Western ideals of individualism, freedom, and expression. From an early age, I found myself creating a delicate balance between these two worlds, embracing the best of both cultures while forging my path forward.
One of the most profound aspects of my cultural backgr