https://www.commonapp.org/blog/announcing-2025-2026-common-app-essay-prompts
Common App 2025–2026: Updates & Full List of Essay Prompts
If you're applying to U.S. universities through the Common App in 2025–2026, here’s what you need to know:
1. The seven essay prompts remain unchanged from last year. 2. The "Community Disruption" question has been renamed "Challenges and Circumstances" to encompass a broader range of life experiences. 3. The word limit for the "Additional Information" section has been reduced to 300 words (previously 650).
2025–2026 Common App Essay Prompts
You can choose from one of the seven prompts below or create your own topic.
⭐️ 1. Background, Identity, Interests, or Talents "Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful that their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story."
⭐️ 2. Lessons from Challenges "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?"
⭐️ 3. Questioning or Challenging a Belief "Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?"
⭐️ 4. The Power of Gratitude "Describe something someone has done for you that made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?"
⭐️ 5. Personal Growth & New Perspectives "Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others."
⭐️ 6. A Passion That Captivates You "Describe a topic, idea, or concept that you find so engaging that you lose track of time. Why does it fascinate you? Where do you turn when you want to learn more?"
⭐️ 7. Topic of Your Choice "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 a completely original idea."
