Can I apply with the same(ish) college app essays as I did last year?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I applied to colleges last year and i was not accepted to my desired college therefore I took a gap year..now can I apply to the same colleges I applied to last year with the same essays?.</p>

<p>If not can it be the same topic but kinda different?</p>

<p>i am really confused, as I don't have any OTHER great thing to write about...</p>

2

<p>Your essays could have been what got you rejected,so going with those same essays again is NOT a great idea.Rather write new essays–how is it that you have nothing to write about when you took a gap year?Surely you must have experienced a lot throughout that period?</p>