Topic A
Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.
Topic B
Choose an issue of importance to you—the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope—and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
Topic C
There may be personal information you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.
THE COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY
Personal Essay Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. Please indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box. This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. 1 Evaluate a signifiant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. 2 Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. 3 Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. 4 Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. 5 A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix.