Although I encountered this problem while writing Yale’s essays, it extends to all other colleges.
Is it Ok that there are some instances of repetition in common app and supplemental essays? I generally try to avoid this, but some supplemental questions are very specific and can’t be answered except with repeating some ideas discussed in my common app essay.
I’d try very hard to come up with something different for the supplemental essays that what you have already covered in the common app essay. You should have a breadth of experiences, even as a 17 year old to pull from. They can be personal, school related, community service, thoughts on the world, a hobby you like - there is so much to choose from. Not being able to come up with something different from your common app may be more telling to the Committee than you want it to be. These essays are your only real way to stand out in the crowd.
Yeah, I think I have some experiences to cover all of the essays in different contexts. The problem is, some supplementary essays are too specific and can have no 2nd meaning to elaborate on, and they ask for things that I stated in my common app essay, which I wrote before seeing any supplementary essays
^^ Then switch it up. Use your Common Application essay for Yale’s (or another college’s) supplemental essay and write an entirely new essay for the Common Application. Your goal is to tell Admissions several DIFFERENT stories about yourself that they could not glean from just reading your transcript, and looking over your awards and EC list. If any part of your essay repeats itself in another essay, then you’re wasting an opportunity to create a multi-deminsional application that allows the reader a glimpse into your soul.