<p>Hey guys, </p>
<p>So I spent a long time working on my essay for a school that has their own essay prompt and I was wondering if I could use it for my common app?
Would it look bad if I was recycling an essay? </p>
<p>And if it is okay should I put the prompt in the essay as well?
like "Please write an essay about...."
[Enter my essay] </p>
<p>?
thanks!</p>
<p>that’s basically what ‘topic of your choice is for’ so go ahead- i don’t know if writing the prompt is necessary, but write it if you think it makes the point of your essay more clear.</p>
<p>If that school was on the list on Common App members, I would not use it. That school would have access to both the Common App and their own supplement, so instead of having two original essays from you (Common App + supplement), they will only have one (Supplement essay for common app + supplement essay).</p>
<p>However, if you mean that you have written an essay for a school that is not a member of the Common App, and you want to recycle that essay for the schools who are members of the Common App, go ahead and recycle that essay. Maybe a bit confusing; I hope you understand what I am trying say.</p>
<p>You have to take into account a couple things when doing this. The thing is that a school like Harvard knows the essays that UPenn asks to do, because they basically don’t change. So if you just send a very specific essay, they’ll think you aren’t making an effort. However, many schools have a lot of options that truly provide insight, such as I think an option for one of the Ivies is something along the lines of “What is your favorite book and why”. You could recycle an essay like that. Best of luck.</p>
<p>P.S. Don’t write the prompt. If you know how to write an essay it should be clear in your introduction.</p>