How do I choose the right Common App prompt for my story?

Think of the prompts like different doors at a party. One of them leads straight to the story you actually want to tell. The others? Closet, coat room, maybe the basement. If you’re bending over backward to make your essay “fit,” chances are you’ve picked the wrong door. Instead, start with the story that wants to be told. Then scan the prompts and see which one fits like a favorite hoodie. Most prompts are flexible, but the right one will make your story feel like it belongs there. And here’s the gut check: if writing it feels energizing (even fun?), you’re on the right track. If it feels like trying to build a bunk bed with no instructions and three extra screws, step back and try a different route.