By the way, do schools prefer one Common app essay prompt over another etc?
No. The prompt is not as relevant as what you do with it. It is a springboard into a powerfully revealing story about yourself that you choose to tell.
Try taking notes for a few of the prompts, and then develop the story that draws you to it because it has the most “you” in it.
Figure out what story you want to tell, then see what prompted it firs.
Yes, choose the aspect of your personality/life you want to reveal, and then choose the prompt afterward.