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Health & Fitness

New College Common App Essay Topics Announced

Heading to college this fall? This post (first in a series) will help you write a winning common application essay.

Madeleine Parish, Neighbor
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If you were thinking of using your older sister’s or best friend’s common app essay from last year to help write your own for this year, think again!

Last week The Common Application Board of Directors announced new prompts for 2013-2014 essays. After two years of discussion, the new topics were formulated to better encourage applicants to present information about their personalities, character and other traits that isn’t otherwise available to colleges through test scores, grades, or extracurricular activities.

So (drum roll), here are the Common Application Essay Questions for 2013-2014:

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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.

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

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

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

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

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    In addition, the maximum word count has been increased from 500 to 650 words.

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    How do these changes affect how to write a winning common app essay?

    Stay tuned over the next three weeks for tips to help you do just that.

    In the meantime, if you’d like further information, contact me at (203) 273-4728 or at mppwriter@gmail.com.

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