Popular Essay Prompts

By Rajkamal Rao  

High school students already know that the most crucial subjective part of their college application is, without a doubt, the college essay.  

Popular Essay Prompts

Always check with your college about the latest essay requirements, but here's a good list.

ApplyTex Topic A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? [Standard required essay for Texas A&M].

UT Austin changed its essay requirements for Fall 2025.


Common App

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.

Texas A&M

Required essay: "Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? 500-700 words."

Supplements: You will see the following two supplemental prompts in the writing section.

Essay topic 1: Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. 250 words.

Essay topic 2: Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. 250 words.

TAMU Engineering supplement: Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside. Max 500 words (preferred: 350 words).

Stealth supplements: In the Common App, Texas A&M also requires answering these five "stealth supplements" in the scholarship section of the application, that is, after the writing section.

1. Why have you chosen to apply to Texas A&M University? 50 words

2. Why have you chosen your academic major(s)? 50 words

3. Briefly describe any educational plans you have beyond earning your bachelor's degree. 50 words

4. What are some of your life goals and objectives? 50 words

5. How do you show leadership in your life? How do you see yourself being a leader at Texas A&M University? or ( Describe an example of your leadership. Be sure to describe your actions and the actions of those around you and to explain what you accomplished). 550 words

You enter your responses in the box underneath each question - just like you do the main supplements or the platform essay in the writing section.

The stealth supplements do not appear on the ApplyTex platform.

Please contact us for more information.

A Note About Rao Advisors Premium Services
Our promise is to empower you with high-quality, ethical, and free advice via this website.  But parents and students often ask us if they can engage with us for individual counseling sessions.

Individual counseling is part of the Premium Offering of Rao Advisors.  Please contact us for more information.