<p>I know I can use essays I've written for non-Common-App schools, but would I be killing my chances by applying to Yale, Harvard, and Rice with a topic like "Describe an idea or experience you find intellectually exciting, and explain why." or "Write a note to your future roommate"? (both of them distinct Stanford topics) Any thoughts?</p>
<p>As long as it's a good essay, they really wouldn't care (or even know, for the most part). Just don't head it: "An Idea I Find Intellecually Exciting: a Copy from the Stanford University Application of this Year." They don't know whatever prompt you self-fashioned if you check "topic of choice."</p>
<p>So I take it I don't have to actually provide a question of my choice and answer it -- just write away?</p>
<p>Yup. Writing your title actually takes up words. Just dive right in.</p>
<p>Yeah, my "topic of choice" was an old UChicago prompt.</p>