<p>Get ready for some non-stop questions...</p>
<p>How do people start writing their college essays when the applications aren't even up yet? Are the prompts usually the same each year? If so, where can I see them?</p>
<p>What is the common app essay? Is this one essay or a series of different essays? I assume I can then use this/these for all my common app college applications.</p>
<p>As for schools that don't use common app, will I end up writing a different essay for each school? How many essays does the typical applicant end up writing?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Usually, the common app question are the same from year to year. For schools that use the common app, it is already up on the common app website. For schools that do not use the common app, check on their website periodically to see if they're up. </p>
<p>The common application gives you 5 choices. You only have to write one and you can pick whichever one to write. The basic gist is "tell us something about yourself". And yes, you can use the same essay for all of your schools. </p>
<p>For schools that do not use the common app, usually they will have essays similar to the common app. Usually. Some schools create really wacked topics, like U of Chicago (although they have switched to common app). You can tailor your common app essay if you want. But use it with caution. Typical number really depends on how a) lazy you are, b) how well you can adjust your essays. </p>
<p>Good luck</p>