Common App — Personal Statement

The Common Application personal statement (650 words) is the universal college essay shared with every Common App school.

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Next deadline
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Confirm on the official admissions site
Essays
7
Prompts
Supplement
Required
Current cycle
Platform
Common App
Accepted platform
Selectivity
Not listed
Admissions profile varies by cycle
Enrollment
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Varies by source

Build your Common App — Personal Statement application plan

Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.

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Application deadlines

Deadlines not available — check the school's official admissions page.

Supplemental essay prompts

  1. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    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.

  2. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    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?

  3. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

  4. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    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?

  5. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

  6. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    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?

  7. personal-statement650 words2026-2027

    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.

How to approach Common App — Personal Statement's supplemental essays

Prompt 1 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 2 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 3 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 4 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 5 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 6 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 7 · 650 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Example essay shell

Use this as a blank structure for a Common App — Personal Statement personal-statement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.

  1. Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
  2. Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
  3. Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
  4. End with the contribution you want to make at Common App — Personal Statement, not a compliment.

Need more help with this application?

Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.

PlanSupplemental essay guide →ResearchWhy Us essay guide →ReviewEvaluate an essay draft →

Frequently asked questions

How many supplemental essays does Common App — Personal Statement require?

Common App — Personal Statement has 7 supplemental essays listed for the current application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.

Does Common App — Personal Statement accept the Common Application?

Yes — Common App — Personal Statement accepts the Common Application.

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "Some students have a background, identity…" prompt (#1, 650 words)?

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.

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "The lessons we take from obstacles…" prompt (#2, 650 words)?

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?

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "Reflect on a time when you…" prompt (#3, 650 words)?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "Reflect on something that someone has…" prompt (#4, 650 words)?

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?

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization…" prompt (#5, 650 words)?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "Describe a topic, idea, or concept…" prompt (#6, 650 words)?

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?

What is Common App — Personal Statement's "Share an essay on any topic…" prompt (#7, 650 words)?

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.

Sources and verification

We prioritize Common App — Personal Statement's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record still needs a fresh verification pass.

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