A List of Common Essay Topics for College Applications

Common essay topics don't vary much, year to year, but you need to check your target schools to see what questions they ask, if any. Keep track throughout the summer and early fall as the applications go online.

A person, event or circumstance that has influenced you, and how it impacted your life. (This may be the most used common essay topic.)

The greatest challenge you have ever faced.

Have you taken advantage of the educational opportunities offered to you? How?

A work of fiction, your favorite character in it, and why.

Your favorite volunteering/extracurricular activity and what you learned from it. (Read: How you grew)

Why are you interested in the college you are applying to? Why do you want to come here?

Questions to do with moral issues such as right vs. wrong. For instance a conflict between two sets of values, both important to you, and how you resolved the issue.

A historical incident that has affected your life.

Some common essay topic questions stem from quotes such as a Loyola Marymount quote, which repeats the words of a famous Jesuit about the role of education in teaching us to help others. These questions frequently draw on depth and maturity of thinking.

Where do you see yourself in the world or in your community?

Topic of your own.

Topic submitted previously to another school.

Local, national or international issue, and why it is important to you.

Favorite teacher, or class, and why.

The Common Application

The Common Application is used by close to 300 colleges and universities in the U.S. For participating schools you can write one essay, and send it to any colleges accepting the Common Application.

Many times, the common essay topics on the Common Application can be recycled to fit the requirements of other colleges and universities.

Many of the colleges using the Common App. also require a "Supplement" from you, and you will find this information on the Common Application Web Site.

Essay Topics for the Common Application

WILL THE 2007-08 COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY TOPICS BE THE SAME as 2005-2007?

It is too early to tell about the Common APP essay topics for this year. Take a look at their website to check out the topics.

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

Topic of your choice.

Remenber, your common essay topic can be an ordinary event, but you must write about it in an extraordiinary way.

WHAT IS THE WORDING OF THE NEW COMMON APPLICATION DISCIPLINE QUESTION?

A different kind of common essay topic, this "Discipline Question" will appear on the Application form for students to complete:

1. Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any secondary school you have attended, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in your probation, suspension, removal, dismissal or expulsion from the institution? YES / NO

2. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? YES / NO

If you answered yes to either or both questions, please attach a sheet of paper that gives the approximate date of each incident and explains the circumstances.I authorize all secondary schools I've attended to release all requested records and authorize review of my application for the admission process indicated on this form. [student signature]

This "Discipline Question" will appear on the School Report form for counselors to complete:

I authorize all secondary schools I've attended to release all requested records and authorize review of my application for the admission process indicated on this form. [student signature]1. Has the applicant ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at your school, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in the applicant's probation, suspension, removal, dismissal or expulsion from your institution? YES / NO

2. To your knowledge, has the applicant ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? YES / NO

If you answered yes to either or both questions, please attach a separate sheet of paper or use your written recommendation to give the approximate date of each incident and explain the circumstances.

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