Since the Common App and the Coalition App both have “topic of your choice” prompts, does that mean my child can pick any prompt from either app and submit it for both applications (as a “choice” topic for the other application). Or is that considered “tacky” to be maybe obviously recycling an essay from another application’s prompts?
Personally, under typical circumstances I would choose from one of the given prompts… and not the “anything you feel is so meaningful your app would be incomplete without it.” For some reason, that one just smacks of " I think I’m a very special case" to me.
I’m not talking about the “so meaningful” prompt. I’m talking about “submit an essay on the topic of your choice” – where the topic just so happens to be a prompt from the other application.
Coalition prompt 5.
http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/essays.html
Common app prompt 7.
https://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018-essay-prompts
For example, is it OK to submit a Common App prompt 4 essay as a Coalition App prompt 5 response?
Bump
@AroundHere In response to the original post, I’ve never thought of it like that but I think it’s a smart idea. It’s definitely OK imo. Are you sure the essay can’t fit the other prompts though? What about after a little bit of adjustment/editing? I would only do what you described as a last resort though as admissions people all know the prompts for both app systems.
She kinda went off in her own direction–the current draft is “topic of your choice” for both apps. It’s inspired by a couple different prompts at the same time. (Described that way, it sounds unfocused, but it does actually read well.)