What are the current Common App essay prompts?

The Common App releases a set of essay prompts each year, and they tend to stay pretty consistent. For the 2025 admissions cycle, there are seven prompts to choose from. Common app prompts cover a range of topics like personal growth, challenges you’ve faced, beliefs you’ve questioned, moments of gratitude, or a topic of your choice. The goal is to give students a chance to tell a meaningful story that reveals who they are. You can pick the one that feels most natural and authentic to you. These prompts are designed to inspire reflection and help you share something personal. You can find the full list directly on the Common App website. Choose wisely and make sure the prompt helps you tell your best story.