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Last year's seven prompts are baack!

While it may be just a little early for juniors to take that deep dive into application season, the Common App has nonetheless announced their plans for the 2022-23 application season.  Last year's essay prompts will return, allowing applicants to choose among seven excellent options, including the ever-popular #7, "topic of your choice."

The optional COVID-19 question also returns this year, available in the Additional Information section of the application. Here, students have an opportunity to share information about personal COVID-19 impacts in their lives.

The seven choices available to students are:

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.
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?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. 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. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. 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. 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.