Ivy Coach College Admissions Blog
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The Common Application has released the 2022-2023 essay prompts. So what will be the Personal Statement questions posed to next year’s batch of applicants? We know you’ve been up at night wondering if they’ll remain the same or if Common App. will be making some changes. We don’t want you losing too much sleep over any potential changes. So, without further ado, let’s share with you the news on next year’s Common Application essay prompts!
They’re staying the same, with one addition! As Scott Anderson writes on The Common Application’s website, “The Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2022-2023. Because as we enter the third year of a global pandemic, consistency is not a bad thing. That’s not the only reason, of course. We know from our most recent survey on the topic that over 95% of every group who responded–students, counselors, teachers, and admission officers–agree that the prompts spark effective essays. That’s why we kept them the same last year as well, with the exception of adding a new one about gratitude.”
So here are next year’s Common Application Personal Statement essay prompts [#4 is the new addition]:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful 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 all 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 own design.
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Class of 2023 Supplemental Essay Prompts
Last Updated: July 12, 2022
Because we try to help our students finish their applications by the time they head back to school in the fall, we can’t wait until the official release date of August 1 to begin supplemental essay work! We work hard to try to find out the supplemental essay prompts in advance so that our students can take advantage of their free time during the summer.
We expect that most of our students will be able to knock out half of their 2022-23 supplemental essays before August 1. This will make the month of August much more manageable!
Confirmed in WRiting:
Amherst: Amherst has posted their writing supplement instructions on their website. Pro tip: we recommend Option A!
Boston College: See the prompt options on their website by selecting “Boston College Writing Supplement.”
Cornell: Cornell has separate supplemental questions for each of its programs, which are listed on the website.
Dartmouth: Dartmouth has posted their writing supplement prompts on their website.
Emory: Emory has posted their 2021-2022 prompts on their blog.
Georgetown University: The Georgetown “Application Supplement” includes all of the required supplemental essays.
Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech’s required short answer question is listed on their website.
Liberty: Liberty’s short essay prompts are available on their website.
Providence College: Visit the website and scroll down to the “Optional Providence College Essay” section to see their prompt.
University of California: The UC system is keeping the same short answer questions for 2023 as last year.
University of Chicago: Chicago’s student-submitted essay prompts are always fun to read, but can be difficult for students to write! They are notorious for word-count changes, but verbally confirmed that question 1 is generally a few paragraphs and question 2 is generally 1-2 pages.
University of Georgia: The University of Georgia has posted its short answer prompt on the blog for 2022-2023.
University of Miami: Miami is also keeping its prompt from last cycle, for one 250-word essay.
University of Michigan: Michigan’s questions are listed on their website.
University of San Diego: San Diego’s prompts are also available on their website.
Villanova: Villanova offers both supplemental essay questions and essay-writing tips for this cycle on their website.
Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech will use the same Ut Prosim Profile as last year.
Wake Forest: Wake Forest also has a blog post with essay prompts for this cycle.
Confirmed Verbally:
Boston University: What about being a student at BU most excites you? [250 word limit]
Bucknell: Please explain your interest in your first-choice major/undecided status and your second-choice major, should you opt to list one [250 word limit].
Davidson:
1. There are just under 4,000 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College [250-300 words]
2. Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why. Examples may include hobbies, books, interactions, music, podcasts, movies, etc. [250-300 words]
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***In the land of essays, optional is never optional, unless it’s a very specific topic that truly does not apply to students in your demographic, such as the long-time Duke prompt about additional information relating to the applicant’s sexuality. If there is the slightest shred of doubt, go ahead and write the essay.