2021-2022 Common Application essay topics
April 13th, 2021As high school seniors work their way toward thoughtful enrollment decisions this month, juniors are putting their all into making spring term as successful as possible. While we don’t want to shift juniors’ attention from school obligations, we thought a peek at Common Application essay topics might provide a fun outlet for creative thinking.
The Common App just announced its essay prompts for the 2021-2022 application year and there is only one change: the replacement of one less popular choice with this new prompt, which we love.
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?
Essays allow a unique opportunity for colleges to learn more about their applicants. Think of the essay as an opportunity to tell your story, to be open and authentic and let your true qualities shine through.
With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time for juniors to begin the brainstorming process, whether for this new prompt or one of the others. Trust us, you want to get ahead of that demanding senior schedule!
Article referenced below from The Common App, published February 16, 2021 by Scott Anderson
2021-2022 Common App Essay Prompts
The Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2021-2022 with one exception. We will retire the seldom used option about solving a problem and replace it with the following:
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?
We will also retain the optional COVID-19 question within the Additional Information section.
The new prompt is inspired by scientific research on gratitude and kindness, specifically the benefits of writing about the positive influence of other people in our lives.
This mindset resonates with Common App President & CEO Jenny Rickard. “Particularly at this challenging time, we can help students think about something positive and heartfelt in their lives,” she explains. “And we can do it explicitly.”
