GPTPrompts.AI

Common App
Essays.

Your story matters. Master the 650-word personal statement that works for 1000+ colleges using strategic AI collaboration.

Updated Dec 2026

Understanding the Common App Essay's Purpose

The Common Application personal statement is your opportunity to share your story with over 1,000 colleges and universities. This 650-word essay is one of the most important pieces of your college application, revealing who you are beyond grades, test scores, and activities lists.

Strong Common App essays are deeply personal and reveal genuine insight, demonstrate self-awareness and maturity, use specific details and vivid storytelling, maintain authentic voice throughout, and show rather than tell who you are. This essay should make admissions officers feel like they know you after reading it.

Understanding the Seven Prompts

Seven Paths to Your Story

The Common App offers seven intentionally broad prompts to allow maximum flexibility. Nearly any meaningful story can fit at least one prompt. Choose based on your story, not which prompt sounds most impressive.

Common App Prompts Overview:

  • Prompt 1: Background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful your application would be incomplete without it
  • Prompt 2: A time you faced a challenge, setback, or failure and how you responded
  • Prompt 3: A time you questioned or challenged a belief or idea
  • Prompt 4: Reflecting on something someone has done for you that made you happy or grateful
  • Prompt 5: An accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked personal growth
  • Prompt 6: A topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that you lose track of time
  • Prompt 7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice

Building Effective AI Prompts for Common App Essays

Successful AI-assisted Common App writing requires providing rich, specific context about your story, experiences, and what you want to convey. Generic prompts yield generic essays.

Effective Brainstorming Prompt

"I'm brainstorming Common App essay topics. My potential ideas include: learning to embrace my biracial identity after feeling caught between two cultures, overcoming my fear of public speaking by joining debate team, teaching my grandmother to use technology which deepened our relationship, my obsession with urban planning and how I spend hours on city design software, and failing to make varsity soccer and how that taught me about finding meaning beyond external validation. Help me evaluate which story would make the most compelling, revealing essay and which Common App prompt fits best."

Common App Essay FAQ