Common App 2025: Personal Growth and Understanding

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

Common App 2025-26 essay prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

5 scored dimensionsScore range: 0–5Word count: 250–650

Scoring Dimensions

1Catalyst Event and Significance

2Growth Process and Development

3New Understanding

4Writing Quality and Narrative Structure

5Future Impact and Application

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