Unveiling the Best Common App Essays 2016-17: A Comprehensive Guide to Stand Out in College Admissions

...

Are you a high school senior feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the thought of writing Common App essays? Don't worry, you're not alone. Every year, thousands of students go through the same struggle. However, with the right approach, the process can be much smoother than you might think.

The Common App essay prompts for 2016-17 have been announced, giving you plenty of time to brainstorm and write a winning essay. The prompts are designed to give applicants the opportunity to showcase their unique personality and experiences. But how do you stand out in a sea of applicants?

One key element is to take risks with your writing. Don't be afraid to tackle difficult or controversial topics. This doesn't mean you should try to shock your reader; rather, it means being honest and authentic in your writing.

Another important factor is to use vivid language that paints a picture in the reader's mind. Your essay should show, not tell, your story. Use metaphors and similes to add depth and texture to your writing.

To make your essay flow smoothly, use transition words and phrases to move between thoughts and ideas. Some examples include In addition, Furthermore, and However. These words help guide your reader through your essay and make it easier to follow along.

Statistics show that admission officers receive thousands of essays each year. This means you need to make sure your essay stands out. To do so, focus on a specific aspect of your life or experience that sets you apart from other applicants.

One approach is to write about a challenge you've faced and how you overcame it. This shows your problem-solving skills and resilience. Alternatively, you could write about a transformative experience that changed the way you think or feel.

Avoid cliches and overused topics such as travel, sports, and volunteering. Instead, try to find a fresh angle or perspective on a common topic. For example, if you want to write about your love of music, don't simply list your favorite bands. Instead, write about how music has shaped your personality and worldview.

As you write, keep in mind that your essay should be a reflection of yourself, not who you think the admission officers want you to be. Be authentic and true to yourself. Your essay should be a window into your unique perspective and experiences.

Finally, remember to edit and proofread your essay carefully. Spelling and grammar errors can detract from the power of your writing. Have someone else read your essay and give you feedback, but make sure the final product is still in your own voice and style.

In conclusion, the Common App essays are an important part of the college application process. Use these tips to craft a compelling essay that showcases your strengths and personality. Remember, the goal is to make yourself stand out in a sea of applicants. With hard work and dedication, you can create an essay that will impress the admission officers and help you get into the college of your dreams.


As the college admissions season approaches, many high school seniors are scrambling to complete their Common Application, which includes one required essay and several optional ones. The Common App essay is a crucial part of the application process, as it allows students to demonstrate their writing abilities and personal values to admissions officers.

Understanding the Common App Essay

The Common App essay prompt for the 2016-17 season is 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. This open-ended prompt gives students a lot of freedom to choose a topic that they are passionate about or that reflects their unique personality.

One important thing to keep in mind when writing the Common App essay is that it should not be a repeat of any other essays that a student has submitted to other colleges. Admissions officers can see all the essays submitted through the Common App system, so it's important to make sure that each essay is original and tailored to the specific college that a student is applying to.

Choosing a Topic

When choosing a topic for the Common App essay, students should think about what sets them apart from other applicants. Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, so it's important to choose a topic that will make a student stand out.

Some students choose to write about personal challenges or struggles that they have overcome. Others write about their passions or hobbies, while still others write about a transformative experience in their lives. Whatever topic a student chooses, it should showcase something unique about themselves that is not already reflected in their grades or extracurricular activities.

Crafting the Essay

Once a topic has been chosen, it's time to start crafting the essay. The Common App essay should be between 250 and 650 words, so it's important to be concise and thoughtful in the writing process.

One useful strategy for writing the essay is to start with a general idea and then narrow it down to something specific. For example, a student might start with the idea of hard work and then focus on a personal experience that demonstrates their work ethic. This approach helps keep the essay focused and prevents it from becoming too broad or unfocused.

Editing and Proofreading

Once the essay is written, it's important to edit and proofread it carefully. Admissions officers are looking for essays that are well-written and free from errors, so it's important to make sure that the essay is polished and professional-looking.

Students should also consider having someone else read and critique their essay. This can be a teacher, parent, or friend who has experience with college admissions and can provide useful feedback on the essay's structure, tone, and content.

The Optional Essays

In addition to the required essay, the Common App also includes several optional essays that students can choose to complete. These essays give students a chance to provide additional information about themselves or their academic careers.

One optional essay asks students to describe a time when they experienced failure and what they learned from it. Another asks students to discuss a meaningful cultural experience that has shaped their identity.

Conclusion

The Common App essay is a vital part of the college application process, as it allows students to showcase their writing abilities and unique personalities. By choosing a topic that is both original and specific, crafting a well-written and error-free essay, and taking advantage of the optional essays, students can increase their chances of standing out among the thousands of applicants to top colleges and universities.


Comparison Review of Common App Essays 2016-17

The Common Application Essay was first launched in the year 1975 as a mechanism for students to apply to multiple colleges. But, paraphrasing the famous quote, every year is a new year, and so are the essays. Each edition of the Common Application asks fresh questions that require students to introspect and share their experiences publicly. The admissions team uses these essays to select prospective students to join their college. Here’s a comparison of the Common App essays from 2016-17.

Introduction

The introduction of the essay is one of the essential parts of your piece. It should compel the reader to read on by hooking them with an exciting experience, facts or questions. In 2016-17, the admissions board provided five different prompts for students to choose from for their essay: such prompts involved sharing an experience, reflecting on a problem, describing an event, discussing a change or transition, and elaborating on a belief or idea.

Prompt #1 – Share an Experience

This prompt reads: “Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of these students, then please share your story.” With this prompt, students are asked to evaluate personal qualities and aspects of their lives that are meaningful and unique. One of the critical questions that this prompt seeks students to answer is what makes them stand out from other people?

Prompt #2 – Reflect on a Problem

This prompt reads: “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?”

This essay seeks to get insight into how students evaluate failure and what they learned from it. It emphasizes the importance of experiencing failure, learning from it, and applying this knowledge in their lives.

Prompt #3 – Describe an Event

This prompt reads: “Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”

With this prompt, the admissions team seeks to get insight into how students develop ideas and beliefs; how they challenge these thoughts and the effects that these ideas have on them. They want to know if the student can evaluate different viewpoints and use their conclusion to understand primary concepts about themselves, others, and how they relate to society.

Prompt #4 – Discuss a Change or Transition

This prompt reads: “Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.”

This essay helps the admissions team to evaluate how students respond to changes in their lives, whether it’s because of advances in technology, shifting economic trends, or other reasons beyond their control. The admissions board wants to comprehend how students create opportunities for themselves through these shifts.

Prompt #5 – Elaborate on a Belief or Idea

This prompt reads: “Some people 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, please share your story.”

This essay helps the board to get insight into the person's character and experiences that have molded their view of the world. The prompt allows students to share their worldview and beliefs in a controlled environment.

Conclusion

The Common Application Essays of 2016-17 were unique as they provided five different prompts for students to choose from, allowing them to focus on their experiences, challenges, their beliefs or ideas, changes or transitions they’ve experienced, and events. Each prompt asked a different question, and the admissions team used the essays to create a comprehensive, three-dimensional view of the student that represented how his or her qualities would fit into their respective colleges.Many students might have found it challenging to find the right topic for their essay while all the topics may seem broad, providing them with a rich opportunity to explore themselves better which is helpful in their growth journey.


Tips and Tricks for Writing Common App Essays 2016-17

Introduction

Writing a college application essay can be extremely daunting, but the good news is that the Common Application gives you the opportunity to express yourself through multiple essays. Below are some tips and tricks for writing your Common App Essays for the 2016-17 application season.

Choosing Your Topics

One of the most important aspects of any essay is choosing the right topic. This may seem like a daunting task, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Choose a topic that is not only interesting to you, but also allows you to demonstrate your strengths and skills. Ask yourself, what do you want the admissions committee to know about you?

Brainstorming and Writing Tips

Now that you have your topic, it's time to start brainstorming and writing. The key to a successful essay is to organize your thoughts before you begin writing. Make an outline or a bullet point list to ensure that all of the important points you want to convey are included in your essay.When writing your Common App Essays, remember to be concise and focused. Admissions officers are reading hundreds of essays so you want to make sure you keep their attention throughout your essay. Avoid elaborate and flowery language and make sure to clearly and effectively communicate your ideas.

Show Don't Tell

You've probably heard the phrase show, don't tell when it comes to writing before, and it's especially important in college application essays. Instead of simply stating that you're a strong leader or a great problem solver, give examples that demonstrate these qualities. Use anecdotes or personal experiences to help the reader understand how you exhibit these skills.

Authenticity is Key

Another important aspect of your Common App Essays is authenticity. Admissions officers can spot a fake from a mile away, so make sure to write in your own voice. Be honest and genuine and don't try to say what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.

Editing and Proofreading

Once you've written your Common App Essays, it's important to edit and proofread for any mistakes or errors. You may want to ask someone else to read your essays to get a different perspective. Make sure that your essay flows well and has a clear structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing your Common App Essays can be an intimidating process, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can write essays that truly showcase your unique skills and experiences. Remember to choose a topic that reflects your strengths and interests, organize your ideas before you write, use specific examples, and be authentic. Good luck!

A Guide to Common App Essays 2016-17

Thank you for reading through this comprehensive guide on Common App Essays for the year 2016-17. We hope you have gained valuable insights on how to craft a powerful essay and present yourself as the most deserving candidate for your dream college.

We understand that writing essays can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to representing your unique personality in just 650 words. However, with careful planning, research, and practice, you can deliver an essay that can help you stand out from the crowd and win the admission committee's heart.

In this article, we have focused on the six prompts provided by Common App and have given you examples to get a better understanding of how to approach each one of them. Remember, these prompts are designed to showcase your critical thinking skills, creativity, and ability to communicate effectively.

We suggest that you start brainstorming ideas and drafting your essay as early as possible, so that you have enough time to revise and edit your work. Seek feedback from your teachers, friends, and family members to get a different perspective on your essay and make the necessary changes accordingly.

While drafting your essay, keep in mind that the admission committee is looking for individuals who can add value to their campus community and make a positive impact in their chosen field of study. Your essay should highlight your achievements, goals, challenges, and future aspirations in a concise yet compelling manner.

Remember to proofread your final draft for any grammatical errors, typos, or plagiarism issues. You may also want to seek professional editing services to ensure that your essay is error-free and well-polished.

Make sure to adhere to the word limit set by Common App, as exceeding it may reflect negatively on your application. Also, avoid using common cliches or phrases that have been used countless times before. Be original and authentic, and let your personality shine through your words.

If you're struggling with choosing a topic or need help in crafting your essay, don't hesitate to seek guidance from your college counselor or professional admission advisor. They can provide you with valuable insights and feedback to help you craft an essay that reflects your true self.

Finally, we wish you the best of luck in your college admissions journey. Remember that your essay is just one part of your application, and other aspects such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters also play a crucial role in securing admission to your preferred college. So, give your best effort in all these areas, and you'll surely achieve your dreams!

Thank you once again for reading this guide on Common App Essays 2016-17. We hope it has been helpful in your quest to create a standout essay that will grab the attention of the admission committee. Best of luck!


People Also Ask about Common App Essays 2016-17

What is the Common App essay?

The Common App essay is an essay that is required for most colleges and universities for their application process. It is an opportunity for the student to showcase their personality, interests, and experiences in a way that cannot be conveyed through grades or test scores alone.

What are the prompts for the Common App essay?

The Common App essay prompts change every year. For the 2016-17 admissions cycle, the prompts 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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
  4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
  5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

How long should the essay be?

The essay must be at least 250 words but no more than 650 words.

What should I include in the essay?

The essay should showcase the student's personality, interests, and experiences. The prompts are designed to allow the student to share a story that is meaningful to them and allows them to stand out from other applicants. The essay should include specific details and avoid broad, general statements.

How important is the essay in the overall application process?

The essay is one of the most important parts of the application process and is often used by admissions officers to differentiate between applicants. It allows the student to show their personality and individuality, rather than just their grades and test scores.