How to write an essay for UC Prompt 3:
This prompt gives you the opportunity to talk about your passions and show off your extracurricular activities. Make sure to connect the importance of the activity to a certain experience or story to give the essay direction.
Don't write a generic essay — find an example of advice that was specific and personal to you. Explain why it was so important, and connect it to a specific example in which you did or did not follow it.
Digress Part II. Begin writing a scene that contains some descriptions or actions. Produce 4-10 sentences, then stop. This is your first paragraph. Reuse this paragraph but change the topic in some active way. Or even an abrupt change.
How to write an essay for UC Prompt 4:
30. Digress. Begin writing a scene that contains some descriptions or actions. Produce 4-10 sentences, then stop. This is your first paragraph. Then digress where the thoughts grow naturally out of what you have, then take on a life of their own. Use one of the following prompts:
For this situation, if you made a poor decision, focus on the way you would change it. On the other hand, if you made a good decision, focus on what influenced you to make that decision and how it has changed you. You might think you have to pick an example where you took a risk, but your essay could be more memorable if you choose a candid example of when you chose to play it safe.
For this prompt, stay away from figures that are likely to be written about by hundreds of potential students (presidents, Mother Teresa, etc.), and pick a figure you are actually passionate about and interested in, rather than what you think sounds most academic. If you want to go personal and choose a family member, make sure you have a memorable and unique reason.
This is a great opportunity to get creative and share a funny experience! Try transitioning the experience into a more serious explanation of how it changed you — for example, maybe it encouraged you to be more considerate toward others' feelings.
This example writing prompt comes straight from our book :
For this essay, don't hesitate to get silly or serious — but make sure you go all the way whichever side you choose! Pick an issue that doesn't come immediately to mind. Try to pinpoint a specific "a-ha" moment your opinion changed, and make sure to give an example of how your changed perspective has influenced your behavior.
How to write an essay for UC Prompt 6:
To answer this prompt, go beyond the generic career and family goals. Try to answer things with a personal spin — maybe talk about goals you have for yourself as a person (e.g., to be more kind) or something unique you want to check off your bucket list!
How to write an essay for UC Prompt 7:
With this prompt, get creative. Don't simply put 10 things you enjoy — get specific! Pick something you love and give your top 10 — maybe top 10 memories of your life, top 10 favorite books, top 10 quotes, etc. Make sure you give clear explanations of the items on your list as well. The more specific your list is, the better.
How to write an essay for UC Prompt 8:
This essay topic is a great opportunity for humor. Choose a unique topic that others might not think of, and whatever you choose, make sure you know a lot about it!
What is a prompt question in an essay
This example was for creative writing, but the same idea could be applied to essays and expository pieces of writing. Satire can be a valid approach to writing something.
What are the 2024-25 Common App essay prompts?
The defining factor for this essay is what book or movie you choose. Stay away from pop culture novels that many people may use (Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, etc.) and try to pick a book you have read in school or something unique you read for fun that stayed with you. However, don't use a book you didn't enjoy! Inauthenticity will always come through in your writing.