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common app essay prompt 1 background identity interest talent

Common App Essay Prompt 1: Background, Identity, Interest, or Talent

July 6, 2023

Writing your Common App essay about your background, identity, interest, or talent is a great way to stand out from the crowd–if you zero in on what the essay prompt is really asking you. Exercise care in choosing to write on Common App Essay Prompt 1. If you fully understand what the prompt is asking, you’ll be better able to write a fantastic Common App essay that can help you shine in the admissions office.

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Tips for Prompt #3 of the Common App Essay: Questioning or Challenging a Belief or Idea

September 25, 2024 / Jared Hobson
How do your beliefs and ideas shape who you are as a person? The Common App essay prompt #3 focuses on how those beliefs or ideas being challenged can reveal
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Student writing a college admissions essay

Don’t Be Afraid of (The Failure) Prompt #2 of the Common App Essay

September 21, 2024 / Jamie Berger
Great College Advice's Jamie Berger discusses Prompt #2 of the Common App essay, the failure prompt.
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Essay Tips for Prompt #1 of the Common App: Sharing Your Story of What Makes You Unique

September 11, 2024 / Jared Hobson
Writing your Common App essay about your background, identity, interest, or talent is a great way to stand out from the crowd–if you zero in on what the essay prompt
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Common App Essay: Choose Your Own Topic

September 5, 2024 / Jared Hobson
Not sure what to write about for your Common App college essay? Do not fear. You can write about virtually anything – as long as your essay contains fundamental elements.
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Tips for the Common App Essay Prompts

August 27, 2024 / Jared Hobson
Are you having a difficult time getting started on your Common App personal essay? Here are some tips from Great College Advice.
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College Admissions Planning for High School Juniors 

August 20, 2024 / Jared Hobson
How should high school juniors begin preparing for college admissions? This article outlines what juniors can do to kickstart the college admissions process.
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