The Common App Essay Prompts Are Set—A Proven Plan to Make This Easier for Your Teen
If you have a high school junior (like I do), you’re probably starting to feel the buzz about college applications. One of the biggest components of the application—the Common App personal essay—will have the same prompts for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. So, if you’re thinking ahead (which I highly recommend), now is a great time for your teen to start brainstorming ideas.
Why Is the Common App Essay Important?
This essay is the one part of the application where a student’s unique voice truly shines. It’s not a list of accomplishments, test scores, or extracurriculars. It’s a chance for admissions officers to get a real sense of who you are—without an interview. With thousands of applications that look similar on paper, this essay is an opportunity to stand out and show what makes you you in just 650 words.
In addition to revealing personality and values, the essay demonstrates writing ability. Can you communicate clearly? Can you tell a compelling story? Can you follow grammar and structure rules? All of these are important!
The 2025-2026 Common App Essay Prompts
These prompts remain the same, so if your student wants to get a head start, they can begin drafting now.
- 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.
- 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?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- 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?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- 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?
- 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.
A Proven Plan: Three Steps to a Stress-Free Common App Essay
The Common App officially opens for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle on August 1, 2025, but you can create your Common App account now and start filling in the general information. It will save and transfer over to the 2025-2026 application on August 1. Some schools begin accepting completed applications on that very day, so having the essay completely finished before August 1 can reduce stress significantly. Here’s how to break it down into manageable steps:
Step 1 (March-May): Brainstorm & Reflect
- Read through the prompts and think about personal experiences that would make a strong essay.
- Jot down key moments in your life—challenges, growth, passions, or impactful people.
- Talk through ideas with a parent, mentor, or college counselor.
Step 2 (June-July): Draft Without Pressure
- Start writing without worrying about perfection—just get ideas on paper.
- Let the essay sit for a few days, then come back with fresh eyes.
- Revise for clarity, structure, and depth—does it sound like you?
Step 3 (Before August 1): Refine and Finalize
- Polish grammar, flow, and tone—but don’t over-edit to the point where it loses personality.
- Have a trusted person review it, but make sure it still sounds like your authentic voice.
- Once it’s solid, drop it into the Common App as soon as the portal opens.
Many students wait until August or September, which adds unnecessary stress. Having the essay done before August 1 allows for a smoother application process!
What NOT to Do: Common Parent Pitfalls
As parents, we all want to help our kids succeed, but sometimes our best intentions create more stress. Here are some things to avoid:
- Micromanaging the Process
- Constantly asking if they’ve worked on the essay or reminding them of deadlines can backfire. Instead of helping, it can create unnecessary pressure and cause them to shut down.
- Instead, set expectations early—ask how they’d like you to support them and step back when needed.
- Over-Editing Their Work
- Admissions officers can spot an essay that’s been written or heavily edited by a parent. They know how 17- and 18-year-olds write.
- Give feedback, but don’t rewrite. Ask open-ended questions like, “Does this sound like you?” or “How do you feel about this section?”
- Forcing Your Timeline on Them
- If you’re a “get it done early” type and your teen works best under pressure, don’t force your schedule on them.
- Instead, have an open conversation early about their timeline and help them create a plan they’ll stick to.
- Pushing for Perfection
- Many teens already put immense pressure on themselves to make this essay perfect.
- Encourage them by reminding them: Their story matters. They don’t need a life-changing experience—admissions officers just want to know who they are.
- The extraordinary can be found in the ordinary.
At the end of the day, I realized that my relationship with my teen was more important than this essay. That’s why, in our household, I’m now choosing to have someone else help my kids with their essays. I know that’s not possible for everyone, but if you need an outside perspective, we’re here to help.
Need Help? We Offer an Essay Review Package
If you want to outsource this part of the process and get professional feedback, we can help! We offer an essay review package for $150 per essay, which includes:
- A brief onboarding questionnaire to get to know the applicant
- An intro interview to learn more about them
- Up to two rounds of edits per essay
This can be a great way to ensure your student’s voice comes through clearly while also getting expert insight. Click here to get started.
Final Thoughts & A Smart Next Step
The Common App essay is one of the most important parts of the application, and now that we know the prompts are staying the same, students can get started early! Avoid last-minute stress by following a simple step-by-step approach.
But don’t stop at the essay! Before your student hits submit, make sure you’re looking beyond the sticker price listed on a college’s website. What really matters is your family’s net price.
That’s where MyCAP comes in. When you create a free MyCAP account, you’ll complete a personal profile, and we’ll estimate your actual costs at each school—including projected merit scholarships and need-based grants. Understanding financial fit early can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises.
For more college planning insights, check out our blog at College Aid Pro and visit the Common App website for more details.
Happy writing!
