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Are you using the Common App portal and need to write the Common App essay? If so, you may have looked over the 2024-25 essay prompts, which can be found here. Whether you have already decided that you want to write about Prompt 3 or if you are just deciding which prompt fits your experiences best, this post is here to give you an in-depth guide about how to answer Prompt 3 so that you can craft a strong essay!
Common App Essay Prompt 3 Guide
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? (250-650 words)
To effectively answer this prompt, you should keep the following points in mind.
Grab attention: Start your essay off with an opening that grabs attention. More information on how to craft a good hook can be found here. For example, you could describe the moment when you first encountered the belief or idea that you challenged.
Describe the belief/idea: Clearly explain the belief or idea you questioned. This could be a personal value, societal norm, an ideology you heard through a friend or on TV, etc. You should explain it in enough depth for the reader to understand the importance of this belief.
Explain the significance: Thoroughly discuss the significance of this belief or idea. What part of it made you want to question the belief? You should explain if this is something that you questioned from the first time you heard of it, or whether it was something you initially accepted as a social norm but slowly came to question later on in your life.
Discuss your thought process: You should provide evidence as to why you started to question this belief. Did something change in your values that made you see this belief in a new light? Did you gain a new perspective through a conversation with a new person, or by participation in an event? You should make sure to address these points in your essay. A good example can be found here.
Highlight your emotions: How did you feel while questioning this belief? Questioning an established belief could have made you feel intimidated, confused, or anxious. Talking about your emotions during this questioning period can give your essay a more personal touch.
External pressure: If applicable, explain any external pressure you felt as you navigated your changing beliefs. For example, did any of your friends or family members have opposing views or try to get you to stick to your old beliefs? Did you receive any backlash from opening up about your changing beliefs? A good example can be seen here.
Personal growth: Discuss how you grew as a person due to this experience. Did it make you more open-minded, confident, empathetic, etc? Highlight how questioning this belief helped shape you into the person you are today. Has this experience inspired you to challenge any other beliefs or ideas?
Discuss the outcome: You should discuss the outcome of challenging this belief or idea. Did it help you gain a better understanding of yourself and others? Were you able to change anyone else's beliefs as a result of your mindset change? A good example of a positive outcome can be seen here.
Future implications: Describe how the skills you gained from this experience will help you in the future and in college. For example, did it develop your critical thinking, interpersonal skills, openness to other points of view, etc?
We hope that this guide has helped you identify some things to keep in mind when tackling Prompt 3 of the Common App essay. Good luck with your college applications!
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