Finally, what our office has been waiting for–the official release of the 2023 Common App essay prompts! And in the true spirit of Groundhog’s Day, these prompts are a repeat of last year’s menu of options. 

1. 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.

2. 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. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. 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?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. 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?

7. 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.

Even though we are facing six more weeks of winter (according to Punxsutawney Phil), we’ll soon be kicking off essay writing season here at DC College Counseling. After all, it’s never too early for juniors to begin thinking about their college essays. 

As we all know, essay writing isn’t an exact science, and if you search for advice to guide you through the college essay process, you’ll find a plethora of myths and misinformation. That’s why we’ve decided to do a tell-all today. We’re confronting some of the biggest college essay rumors and exposing the real truth.

Rumor #1: The topic of your essay should be extraordinary. 

The Truth: The majority of teenagers haven't been to the Olympics or climbed Mt. Fuji. That's okay! What makes a topic extraordinary is the way in which a student gives meaning to a particular experience, no matter how big or small. 

Rumor #2: The essay should sound like a professional wrote it.

The Truth: Of course a college essay should be polished and error-free, but it is very important to edit carefully so that the student's authentic voice is not lost. Admissions committees know applicants are high school students, and they want the essay to sound like a teenager wrote it.

Rumor #3: The admissions committee won’t actually read your essay.

The Truth: The admissions committee WILL read the essay, because they matter. A great essay can help a student stand out and will increase the likelihood of acceptance.

Rumor #4: It’s okay to ‘stretch’ the truth.

The Truth: College essays ask students to reflect on personal experiences and offer their genuine perspective on the world. There's no such thing as an authentic essay if it's not honest - and the committee will see right through it.

Rumor #5: A five-paragraph structure will earn you an A on your college essay. 

The Truth: The college essay doesn’t have any steadfast rules about structure, and there’s certainly no grading rubric by which students are scored. By definition, this essay is personal and creative. Be organized, but don’t be constrained by the traditional academic mold (it would actually be very odd to have a traditional five-paragraph structure for a personal essay - no thesis, either!).

Rumor #6: Never show weakness. 

The Truth: Applicants should always ‘put their best foot forward,’ but that doesn’t mean trying to appear perfect. Discussing a weakness can actually make for a reflective and relatable piece of writing–if it’s done correctly. Students should use their weakness as the starting point for positive growth and transformation, not as a negative excuse or limitation.

Rumor #7: Lead with your achievements.

The Truth: The college essay is the one space where a student can show who they are beyond grades, test scores, and titles. So instead of wasting these precious 650 words repeating information the admissions committee can find elsewhere in the application, students are better off telling an actual story that reveals something new about them. 

Rumor #8: If you don’t have a good idea, borrow one from someone else. 

The Truth: There are literally thousands of sample college essays available online, and it might be tempting to ‘borrow’ an idea, especially if a student is suffering from writer’s block. Remember, though, that the college essay is a PERSONAL essay. A student can’t possibly write a successful personal essay if the feelings and experiences are real.. it just won’t seem authentic. Oh and did we mention that plagiarism is never a good look!?

Rumor #9: Bad writers need not try or apply.

The Truth: Just because a student struggles with writing doesn’t mean they can’t produce a strong college essay. They just need the right structure and support. That’s why it’s so important for students to follow an organized writing process–one that involves brainstorming, drafting, and revising– and carve out enough time for each part of the process. Enlisting the help of trusted adults (like us or parents!) is also recommended. We just went through some of our recent student essays to pick some examples that we thought were particularly excellent, and it struck me that two of the three were from boys whose parents were very concerned about the college essay process. And now we just chose them as some of the best!

Rumor #10: The college essay process is stressful. ‘I’m a terrible writer. Nothing exciting has ever happened to me. This is the most important essay I’ll ever write, so it has to be perfect.’

The Truth: The college essay process is often anxiety-inducing for students, but it doesn’t have to be! We encourage students to shift their mindset. Instead of treating the college essay as a high-stakes, mandatory assignment, approach it as a creative opportunity to show off who you are. The writing process will still take time- there are no magical shortcuts- but with the right attitude, it can actually be fun. And the skills you gain during the process will be a tremendous asset in college and beyond!

Do you need support with the college essay process?

Please click here to book a Meet-and-Greet or an essay coaching session.