Common App
Undergraduate personal essays for the Common Application. 12 rubrics available, each scoring your essay across multiple dimensions with specific feedback.
Common App essay reviewPrimary applications · 8
Common App: Personal Growth and Understanding
For Prompt 5: the accomplishment, event, or realization that changed how you understand yourself or others.
Common App: Background, Identity, Interest, or Talent
For Prompt 1: a story so central to who you are that your application would be incomplete without it.
Common App: Lessons from Obstacles
For Prompt 2: a challenge, setback, or failure — what you did about it and what it changed in you.
Common App: Engaging Topic or Concept
For Prompt 6: the topic that makes you lose track of time — and what your obsession says about you.
Common App: Questioning or Challenging a Belief
For Prompt 3: a belief you questioned, what prompted your thinking, and where it landed.
Common App: Narrative Craft
An opinionated review for scene-led essays: one main moment, causal movement, earned meaning, and a fitting end.
Common App: Intellectual Vitality
An opinionated review for ideas-led essays: curiosity, self-directed inquiry, visible reasoning, revision, and open questions.
Common App: Gratitude and Motivation
For Prompt 4: something someone did for you that surprised you — and how it changed what you do.
Secondary essays · 4
Common App Supplemental Essay — Why Major
A prompt-led review of the academic direction you want an admissions reader to understand.
Common App Supplemental Essay — Community
A prompt-led review of the community relationship you want an admissions reader to understand.
Common App Supplemental Essay — Diversity / Perspective
A prompt-led review of the perspective you want an admissions reader to understand.
Common App Supplemental Essay — Extracurricular
A prompt-led review of the commitment you want an admissions reader to understand.