Writing college essays that stand out is a critical step in the college admissions process. College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and a compelling essay can make a ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. As the CEO of Command Education, I write about emotionally intelligent leadership and education. This week, the Common Application ...

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. At certain moments of the year, high school students who are applying to ...

Tell us about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. Reflect on a moment when your actions made a difference for others. Describe one of your passions and why it lights you up. These aren't ...

The Common App is the primary way that students apply to more than 1,000 colleges and universities in the US. In 2023, it processed close to 7 million applications from 1.25 million students around ...

Students typically fill out the “Common App,” which is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. Most of the questions are straightforward, with the exception of the Activities section ...

Every year more than a million students use the Common Application, a standardized electronic form accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, to apply to college. And every year since 1976, the Common App, ...

The Common App will retain its seven essay prompts for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, continuing its emphasis on personal storytelling. The decision allows students to work with familiar questions ...