New Common App Essay Prompts for 2013-2014

Parents Forum
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<p>The New York Times posted an article today announcing that the 2013-2014 Common Application will have five new essay prompts:</p>

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Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.</p>

<p>Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?</p>

<p>Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?</p>

<p>Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?</p>

<p>Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.</p>

<p>The Common App will still be a stickler for essay lengths, as we reported in October. However, the maximum has increased to 650 words. (The previous limit was 500 words.) The Web-only application will not accept essays with fewer than 250 words.

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<p>Full article at:</p>

<p>Common</a> Application Releases New Essay Prompts - NYTimes.com</p>

<p>and also in Inside Higher Ed:</p>

<p>Common</a> Application's New Essay Prompts | Inside Higher Ed</p>

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<p>I liked this year’s essay topics, so I’m glad I won’t have to deal with the Common App next year! I think that the 500 word limit was fine also, because it forced me to cut out less important parts of my essay.</p>

<p>I like the environment topic though, it’s interesting! :)</p>

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<p>I thought I would hate the restriction, but I actually don’t. The expansion to 650 words is good. And the prompts are vague enough that I don’t see much changing. Especially the first one, you can basically discuss anything.</p>

<p>Oh well, I’m done with the commonapp anyway. :D</p>

4

<p>Apparently they got rid of the EC short answer :frowning: </p>

<p>Common Application:
Since many of you are asking: the current short answer question (discuss an activity) will NOT be part of the main application in CA4. Instead, members will choose whether or not to ask this question (or a version of it) on their writing supplements.</p>