As we head into summer, now is the time for rising high school seniors to start seriously thinking about their Personal Statement for the Common Application, the cornerstone of their college applications!

This year’s prompts will be the same as last year’s, and the optional community disruption question (formerly known as the COVID-19 Prompt) remains available to those students who would like to additionally provide a brief explanation of extenuating circumstances they may have faced during their high school career.

2024-25 Common App Personal Statement Prompts

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.

All essay prompts have a 650 word maximum.

See: https://www.commonapp.org/blog/common-app-announces-2024-2025-common-app-essay-prompts