Examples of common app essays 2017. Common Application Essay Prompts 2017 2022-11-17

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The Common Application is a standardized undergraduate college application that is accepted by over 750 colleges and universities in the United States. As part of the application process, students are asked to submit one or more essays, depending on the specific requirements of the schools to which they are applying. These essays are meant to provide insight into a student's character, interests, and goals, and to demonstrate their ability to write effectively. In 2017, the Common Application released a set of essay prompts that applicants could choose from. The following are examples of Common Application essays that were written in response to these prompts:

Prompt #1: 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.

Example:

"As the child of immigrant parents, I have always felt a sense of determination to succeed. Growing up in a low-income household, I knew that going to college was the key to a better future. My parents sacrificed so much to give me the opportunities they never had, and I am grateful for their sacrifices every day.

But my background also gave me a unique perspective that has shaped my character and ambitions. My parents' experiences as immigrants gave me a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and determination. It also taught me to never take my opportunities for granted, and to always make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.

I am proud of my heritage and the values that have been instilled in me by my parents. I believe that these values will not only serve me well in college, but will also shape the person I become in the future. Whether it is in my academic pursuits or my future career, I know that I will always work hard and strive for success, just like my parents did before me."

Prompt #2: 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?

Example:

"When I was a junior in high school, I was heavily involved in the debate team. I loved the thrill of competition and the satisfaction of winning. But in the state championship tournament, I faced my biggest challenge yet.

I was up against a seasoned debater who was known for her impressive research and rhetorical skills. I knew that I had to bring my A-game if I wanted to have a chance of winning. But despite my best efforts, I was thoroughly trounced in the competition. It was a humbling experience, and I left the tournament feeling defeated and discouraged.

But as I reflected on the experience, I realized that I had learned a valuable lesson. I had been so focused on winning that I had neglected to fully prepare for the competition. I had relied too heavily on my natural talent, instead of putting in the hard work and research that was required to succeed.

After that experience, I knew that I needed to change my approach if I wanted to achieve my goals. I started working harder and putting in more time and effort into my debates. And eventually, all of that hard work paid off. I won the state championship the following year, and it was one of my proudest accomplishments.

I learned that obstacles and setbacks are inevitable, and it's how we respond to them that determines our success. I now approach every challenge with a greater sense of determination and resilience, knowing that hard work and perseverance are the keys to overcoming any obstacle."

Prompt #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking?

Common Application Essay Prompts 2017

examples of common app essays 2017

Every girl deserves the chance to dream, I am just lucky mine came true. At school I saw opportunities to affect real change and launched a series of green chemistry campaigns: the green agenda engaged the school community in something positive and was a magnet for creative student ideas, such as a recent project to donate handmade organic pet shampoo to local dog shelters. Flashback to almost four years ago, when I walked into the guard room for the first time. Appreciating these nuances — the light, dark, smooth, and rough — has cultivated my growth mindset. The introduction is notably suspenseful and draws readers into the story. While I have been fortunate in many ways, I have had my share of challenges growing up in Lebanon.

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25 Elite Common App Essays That Worked (And Why) for 2022

examples of common app essays 2017

Let them see if your tone in your essay is professional or polite. Fifty-five years later and he still works hard on the field. One argued that the anti-police rhetoric of the protest was appalling; the other countered by decrying the clear presence of race discrimination still in the country. Although I initially viewed the job as a prison sentence which I had been condemned to serve for 8 hours per day, the care center would eventually come to serve as a clarion call, challenging each and every preconceived notion I held in regards to a globally misunderstood population, and by extension facilitate the development of a more socially conscious personal character. I returned to China a year later to lead my team through their first Chinese-hosted international competition.

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Guide to the 2017

examples of common app essays 2017

Looking back on it as I exit the field after halftime once again, I am so proud of myself. I felt that every move I made, it was a gamble between success and failure. What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? I can spend hours picking out ingredients, looking for the right ingredients, and tweaking a recipe. My wardrobe consisted mainly of track shorts, Nike shoes, and tournament t-shirts. It is crazy to think that it took losing him for me to find my true self. The only difference is I have a choice, but mostly I still chose to eat.

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7 Common App essay examples for 2023

examples of common app essays 2017

And just as my parents expect much from me, the first of my family to attend college, I have grand expectations for this field of study. After two unsuccessful attempts, I got in. My thirst and and hunger for the knowledge of anything and everything was, and remains, insatiable. I expanded my bubble to Google+ critique groups, online discussion groups, blogs, writing competitions, and clubs. I sat across from a woman named Lila who told me how child services had taken away her four-year-old daughter because of her financial and living situation. Should I just make something up? Whether it is by trying a new recipe using taro, making a risky fashion choice with wide-legged pants, or listening to a new music genre in Spanish, I always act with curiosity first. How do we know this? I initially did not see the connection between my love for cooking and my passion for chemistry, but as soon as my father pointed it out, it made perfect sense to me.

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Harvard College Sample Essay 2016

examples of common app essays 2017

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. The persona of Dorian Gray is so complicated a psychologist could analyze it for hours on end! I have had the opportunity to cook for a large crowd a few times during family events, but I hope to do it more often as I have started volunteering at local soup kitchens. A year of lab practice taught me how little I knew about ingredients, so my training continued with independent research on toxins. In biology, for example, we studied the debates over evolution and climate change. I did not need a characterized maternal figure to show me how to be a young lady. My mother lacked the courage to start over so she stayed with him and slowly let go of her dreams and aspirations. Deep down I was an East-Asian influenced bibliophile and a Young Adult fiction writer.

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10+ Outstanding Common App Essay Examples

examples of common app essays 2017

What is the difference between the common app essay and supplemental essays? By senior year, I was pleased my exploration had gone well. While I chased down answers to questions as limitless as the universe, I fell in love with learning. Still, I lingered on and immersed myself in something I knew I was good at and did not have to be social: academics. Thematically, the student uses the idea of shyness to connect the different memories they draw out of their journals. However, there are still missing pieces at the periphery: experiences to have, knowledge to gain, bad jokes to tell. Over time, my taste buds began to mature, as did I.

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Common Application 2016

examples of common app essays 2017

Now, I often think about my father and how someone whom I resent so much could have introduced me to something I love so much. Over the years, no matter how angry I felt, the floor mat was there to absorb my frustration. He is not your standard image of perfection without that golden shine. Eyes darting across the ever changing expanses of the city, I refused to lift my gaze in fear of missing anything. Based on many published college application essays, most people think the personal statement is synonymouswith a story about overcoming a difficult past or a failure.

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Common Application 2017

examples of common app essays 2017

How consumed are you by this passion you are choosing to pursue academically? Sometimes, they needed me to be the cashier; other times, I was the youngest waiter on staff. Did you try something new? Until that moment, my cheers had felt sincere. Everything appeared to come effortlessly for Max and, while we share an extremely tight bond, his frequent time away with friends left me feeling more and more alone as we grew older. My love of details applies to my schoolwork too. While basketball has equipped me with leadership skills and life experiences, it is only one part of who I am. He was stoic and traditional; I was trying to figure out who I was and explore my interests.

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Common App Essays

examples of common app essays 2017

However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. My mom had been diagnosed with Ovarian cancer my freshman year of high school. My bilingual brain hadn't yet matured and lacked the English tongue. It all started with hair. That shows you are curious and a strong thinker. What prompted you to act? The Common App essay is also commonly referred to as the college personal statement.

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