When applying to colleges, you’ll usually encounter two main types of essays. The first is your personal essay—your main story about who you are. This is typically around 500–600 words and is sent to most (if not all) of the schools you apply to through platforms like the Common Application. Think of it as your opportunity to introduce yourself beyond grades and test scores.

The second category is supplemental essays. These vary widely from school to school. Some colleges may not require any additional essays, while others might ask for two, five, or even more. The length can range from a short 50-word response to a 500+ word essay. Because each college sets its own prompts and requirements, it can feel overwhelming at first.

Don’t worry—we’ve broken down a few helpful tips and included common essay prompts for you to practice with. You’ll also find extra resources and sample personal and supplemental essays to guide you as you start drafting your own.

The personal essay is one of the most important parts of your application because it shows admissions officers who you are beyond the numbers (your test scores and grades). You can also look at it as a way to showcase your personality and character through how and what you choose to write about. The great thing about the personal essay is that there isn’t a “correct” way to write one—it just has to show who you are so admissions officers can see if you would be the right fit for their program.

Here is listed the 2025-2026 Common App personal statement writing prompts:

1) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2) The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3) Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4) Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5) Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6) Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7) Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design

Here are a few tips for your personal statement:

1) Start Early - Ideally, you should start writing your personal essay during the summer between your junior and senior year of high school. This gives you ample time before the first round of most applications is due, while also allowing you to reflect on 2–3 years of high school experience.

2) Reflect/Brainstorm Before You Begin Writing - Think about past experiences. These can be from school, at home, or any extracurricular activities outside of school. Reflect on how these experiences have shaped who you are today, who you want to become, and how you see the world.

3) Find What Makes You Unique - Admissions officers read many personal statements, so it’s important to showcase what makes you unique so your essay stands out among the many applications they read each year. You don’t need to have an elaborate story to make your personal statement uniquely yours—you can also take a different perspective or a creative approach when writing about a topic.

Resources to writing your personal essay:

Tips, brain storming tools, examples, and more with the College Essay Guy:  https://www.collegeessayguy.com/cwiab-student-11-essay-essentials

Sample Essays from the College Essay Guy: https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/personal-statement-examples

Tips and General Information about College Applications with SuperTutorTV:

Brain Storming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgE47HGphGM

Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys25IoqNHNk

Writing a "WOW" Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAtFF47Ce4k

How to Start and End Your Essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5_mURFZgvA

Supplemental college essays are additional short responses required by many colleges alongside the main personal statement. These essays give admissions officers a deeper understanding of your interests, values, and how you would contribute to their campus community. Prompts often ask why you are interested in that specific school, how your experiences have shaped you, or what academic or extracurricular areas you hope to pursue. Unlike the general personal statement, supplemental essays should be tailored to each college and demonstrate genuine interest, clear goals, and how you align with the school’s opportunities and values.

Here are some common supplemental essay prompts students often see:

1) “Why This College?” - Explain why you want to attend this specific school. This usually includes academic programs, professors, research opportunities, campus culture, values, or location.

2) “Why This Major?” - Describe what sparked your interest in your intended field of study and how you plan to pursue it in college and beyond.

3) Community or Identity Essay - Share about a community you belong to or an important aspect of your identity, and how it has shaped your perspective.

4) Diversity & Contribution Prompt - “How will you contribute to our campus community?” Colleges want to know what perspectives, experiences, or skills you will bring.

5) Challenge or Adversity Essay - Discuss a challenge you’ve faced, how you handled it, and what you learned from the experience.

6) Extracurricular/Activity Expansion - Some schools ask you to elaborate on a meaningful activity, leadership role, or passion.

7) Short Creative or Fun Prompts - A few colleges include unique or creative questions (e.g., favorite quote, intellectual curiosity question, or “what excites you?” prompts) to better understand your personality.

Here are a few tips for writing your supplemental essay:

1) Be specific about the college - Show that you have done your research by mentioning specific programs, classes, clubs, or opportunities that interest you. Explain why these opportunities matter to you and how they connect to your goals, rather than writing a response that could be used for any school.

2) Answer the prompt directly and clearly - Supplemental essays are often short, so make sure every sentence counts. Stay focused on the question being asked, avoid going off-topic, and make sure your response clearly highlights your experiences, values, and interests.

3) Show personality and authenticity - Admissions officers want to learn more about who you are beyond grades and test scores. Use your own voice, share meaningful experiences, and be honest about your interests and goals. Authentic, thoughtful responses will stand out more than trying to sound overly formal or “perfect.”

SuperTutorTV Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SupertutorTV

College Essay Guy Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Collegeessayguy