What's the difference between common app essay and personal statement?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
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<p>What's the difference between common app essay and personal statement?</p>

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<p>The “personal statement” is often merely an alternative way of addressing the main college admission essay, which, in many cases, is the common application essay.</p>

3

<p>So, is the common application essay the personal statement? I still don’t understand if I have to write a personal statement…</p>

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<p>The personal statement is the primary common app essay, and it is required</p>

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<p>can anyone tell me that do i need to send universities/colleges any personal statement…ARE THE COMMON APPLICATION ESSSAYS AND PERSONAL STATEMENT THE SAME THING?..do i need to send a personal statement…</p>

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<p>They are not exactly the same thing necessarily but can be. Most state universities require a “personal statement” and the ones in out state that do offer a couple prompts to choose from. The classic default prompt aligns with prompt #1 from the common app. Other schools might use a different slant - some ask about diversity, challenges, academic goals, etc. The term “personal statement” is a catch-all for a longer (500ish word) essay that is not specifically the common app.
What you need to do is read their directions and send them what they ask for. It will be there in specific terms.</p>