Common Application: Personal Essay
The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

 

1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

 

Please write an essay (250-650 words) on the topic selected.

 

 

556-word version
Only 3 seconds left on the clock and I was ready to take the biggest shot in my life. As I let go of my feet from the ground, I saw the guard of the opposing team also letting go of his feet with his right hand reaching to snag the ball before it made the downward projectile toward the basket. But I was just few split seconds quicker and I could already feel the exhilaration...

 

544-word version
Only 3 seconds left on the clock and I was ready to take the biggest shot in my life. As I let go of my feet from the ground, I saw the guard of the opposing team also letting go of his feet with his right hand reaching to snag the ball before it made the downward projectile toward the basket...

 

 

511-word version
...As the ball slid from the last inches of my finger tips and sailed, I instantly knew I was going to make the shot. Then came the guard’s right hand slashing onto my right arm, throwing my balance off in mid air and I came down on my left foot...

 

 

490-word version
...As the ball slid from the last inches of my finger tips and sailed, I instantly knew I was going to make the shot. Then came the guard’s right hand slashing onto my right arm, throwing my balance off in mid air and I came down on my left foot...

 

 

360-word version
...I mindlessly blamed every circumstantial aspect of mundanity from the brand new Air Jordan Bred I wore that day instead of the well-broken-in Air Jordan Retro I used to wear all the time to what it seemed like an unusually long arm reach of the guard...