Time for a change! The Common Application main essay prompts have been the same for many years, but this year – starting on August 1 – applicants will face new essay prompts.

There are other changes, too. In previous years, applicants were given a word limit of 500 words, but this was actually a guide; there was no real limit, and essays with, say, 700 words were still allowed. This year, though, a text box will cap essays at 650 words. Another important difference: There is no longer an open-ended question where students can ask and then answer their own question.

The five new essay prompts are:

•    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.

The intention is to find out more about the applicant. What are your interests? What are your passions? Where are you from? How will you add to the campus community? What will you bring with you to college, and what do you hope to gain? How do you react to particular situations?

Start by brainstorming topics for each essay prompt, or – perhaps more importantly – eliminate those essays that you know you don’t want to write. Then create an outline for what you want to say, and write an interesting opener. You can open with a simple sentence or a short paragraph, but you want to intrigue admissions officers. You want to entice them to keep reading. “I experienced failure at age 15 when I was taking surfing lessons…” is not as exciting as “I nearly drowned. I kept reaching for the surface but all I could feel was the weight of the ocean on top of me. I gasped for air and tried to scream for help but no sound came out.”

Do you see the difference?

In your writing, be authentic and use vocabulary that you would normally use. Also, try not to read too many sample essays to avoid others’ words from too strongly influencing your own. Some people write quickly, while others need to revisit their work after a few days. Whatever your method, show others your essays and watch their reaction. Ask them if you come across as a likable person. Find out what made sense to them, and what needs revision.

Revise, rethink, rewrite if necessary, but don’t overdo it – instead, be yourself and show admissions officers who you are, in your own words.

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