<p>Well, can you?</p>
<p>How often do colleges have the same essays?</p>
<p>meh often enough, though some optional ones are unique. also depends on what schools you are applying to for example chicago has some unique ones. general rule of thumb is that there will always be a "why ___" essay, or a "why (major)" essay. also common app is reuseable for all common app schools.</p>