<p>My daughter had about 8 schools she was interested in and getting her to write the essay was the hardest part. Some schools have set prompts such as Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, [MIAD</a> - 1st-Time Freshmen](<a href=“http://www.miad.edu/content/view/198/65/]MIAD”>http://www.miad.edu/content/view/198/65/) ,and some tell you what they are looking for, ie “In one or two pages, describe what brought you to apply to MCAD. What are your plans in five and ten years after graduation with a BFA degree?” (Minneapolis College of Art & Design, [MCAD:</a> BFA Deadlines](<a href=“http://www.mcad.edu/showPage.php?pageID=1106]MCAD:”>http://www.mcad.edu/showPage.php?pageID=1106). ) Others are a little more general, altho they do tell you what they are looking for in a “Statement of Purpose” (School of the Art Institute Chicago, [How</a> to apply : SAIC - School of the Art Institute of Chicago](<a href=“http://www.saic.edu/admissions/ug_admiss/apply/index.html#process/SLC_627]How”>http://www.saic.edu/admissions/ug_admiss/apply/index.html#process/SLC_627)). She could not and did not use one “blanket” essay for each school, but wrote according to what the school was asking for. I think that’s why she only ended up applying (and being accepted) to the 3 on her short list. Only 1 of the schools she was considering used the common app.</p>