“The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” – Muriel Rukeyser
Perfect Common App
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou “And now, my watch begins.” – You, staring at a blank Google Doc If you’ve been staring at your screen, wondering how to pour your entire personality into 650 words, you’re not alone. And if this tiny word count feels like a life-or-death literary masterpiece and your brain is short-circuiting between writing about world peace and your love for pizza, then welcome to the Hunger Games of high school writing- the Common App. But don’t worry! With a little focus, creativity, and a dash of vulnerability, you can absolutely nail it. This essay is your chance to show admissions who you really are beyond the grades, scores, and extracurriculars. So let’s break it down, step by step, and give you the tools you need to make your essay unforgettable. First Things First: What Is This Essay Really About?
Perfect Common App
The Common App essay is your chance to show colleges who you really are. It’s the one place where they get to hear your voice and learn more about your background, interests, and experiences beyond your grades and test scores. It’s a chance to show that you’re more than just another applicant with good marks. The goal? Make them want you on their campus. The essay is 650 words max, so make each one count! You’ve got prompts to choose from, but the secret is not in the topic itself. It’s about how you make the topic yours. You have to pick one prompt out of seven and they range from “share your background” to “describe something you’re obsessed with” to “just… write something.”Perfect Common App
Feel overwhelmed? We get it. But remember, the prompt is just a guide. The essay is about you, so pick something that feels authentic and meaningful. It doesn’t have to be a groundbreaking event; it could be a moment of realization, a small but meaningful change, or something you care about deeply. Show What Makes You Unique Tolstoy says, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” What does that have to do with your essay? Well, when you write about your achievements, everyone else applying probably has similar ones. Yes, you might have scored high in the math Olympiad or volunteered at an orphanage but so have a lot of other people. So, how do you stand out? Don’t focus just on your achievements. Instead, show the personal journey that led you there. Maybe you’re a math whiz, but what if you also spent countless nights learning to play the guitar? Or perhaps how you became the School Pupil Leader after overcoming extreme shyness. That’s the kind of story that reveals your growth and your ability to reflect. Vulnerability here isn’t a weakness; it’s your strength. Pro Tip: No one’s perfect. Seriously. And admissions committees don’t want to hear about how you aced everything in life. If your essay reads like a resume of your personal achievements, you’ll sound, well, very robotic. The trick is to show that you’ve had challenges, setbacks, and even failures and how you overcame them. Pick one thing! As tempting as it might be to mention every extracurricular activity under the sun, do not do that. A jack-of-all-trades essay just doesn’t do it. Pick one subject or theme and explore it in depth. If it’s your love for baking, don’t just say you’re good at it. Describe the soft dough under your hands, the smell of fresh cookies dancing through the house. What does baking teach you? Why does it matter? In short, writing about a failure? Superb! Just don’t skip the part where you evolved from it. Writing about an achievement? Remember to mention about the identity crisis you had halfway through, and how you came out stronger. Don’t jump from volunteering to debate to Shakespeare to your dog’s birthday party. Stay in one lane and drive it like you stole it. A Few Topics to Avoid Now, before you start penning your masterpiece, there are a few topics you should stay 9 feet away from. We know it’s always easier to write about that first high school romance or the deep psychiatric sessions you’re still going to, but these can backfire. If the story is too fresh or unresolved, it might leave the reader with more questions than answers. And let’s not forget, everyone writes about their accomplishments- so present the journey that’s worth reading. (High school relationships, mental health struggles you’re still processing, things that happened years ago (with no connection to present you, things that are obvious from your application (like your SAT English score that tells you’re English Nazi) -DO NOT WRITE ABOUT IT). Structure matters. Don’t wing it! Great essays are words put together as a story- it flows naturally. Do you remember your 4th grade English Language teacher from school? And what makes a story good? A clear beginning, middle, and end. Think of your essay as a mini narrative with a hook (something that grabs attention), a central theme (that ties it all together), and a conclusion (that makes them reflect on your story long after reading). And while you’re at it, make sure your essay is concise. Stick to the point and keep it engaging.Perfect Common App
And revise. Storytelling is an art.Perfect Common App
The Revision Process Revision is the hard part. Don’t fall for the trap of thinking your first draft is your final draft. It is not. Go over your work multiple times, checking for clarity, tone, and structure. Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing. Ask yourself: Does this sound like me? Is there anything I can tighten up? Anything to cut? Slash and burn. Rebuild. Make it you. Every little tweak can make a big difference.Perfect Common App
Homework? Yup. Before you even touch the Common App draft, warm up with the MIT prompts. They’re juicy, personal, and make for great practice.Perfect Common App
Attempt questions like:- What do you do just for the joy of it?
- How have you contributed to your community?
- What’s your academic jam right now?
- What shaped your dreams and worldview?
Perfect Common App
Final Northgate Tips for Success: Be yourself. Show, don’t tell. Be honest. Proofread. Don’t stress. Keep it real, stay true to yourself, and remember it’s about depth, not breadth. You have got this!Written By – AKOSMEETA HAZARIKA
