Common App Essay Prompt 4 Guide

Are you starting your college applications using the Common App portal and need to write the Common App essay? If so, you may have read the 2024-25 essay prompts, which can be found here. Whether you have already decided that you want to write about Prompt 4 or if you are just checking to see which prompt you will be able to answer best, this post is here to give you an in-depth guide about how to answer Prompt 4 so that you can craft an interesting essay! 

Common App Essay Prompt 4 Guide

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? (250-650 words)

To effectively answer this prompt, you should keep the following points in mind. 

• Set the scene: Start your essay off with a story, memory, or statement that grabs attention. More information on how to craft a good hook can be found here. You could describe a moment when someone showed you kindness. This sets the scene for the rest of the essay. 

   

• Introduce the person: Briefly introduce the reader to the person who did something for you that made you happy or thankful. What is your relationship with this person - a friend, family member, teacher, or even a stranger?

   

• Describe the act of kindness: Clearly explain what this person did for you that made you happy or thankful. This could range anywhere from a grand gesture to a small, impactful action. Provide specific details so the reader can understand why this act of kindness stood out to you. A good example can be seen here. 

   

• Share your emotions: Explain how this act of kindness made you feel. Was it unexpected and did it surprise you? Did it come at a time when you were feeling low and helped lift your spirits? Did it come from a person who you didn't expect it from? Did it make you feel shocked, moved, thankful or happy? Explaining your emotions will help the reader connect with your essay more deeply. 

   

• Explain its meaning: Outline why this act of kindness was so meaningful to you. For example, did it come at a time when you needed support? Did it come from a person that was significant to you? Did this act of kindness address any of your personal struggles or needs? 

   

• Perspective changes: Explain whether this act of kindness changed your perspective about people and gratitude. Did it make you see this person differently or help you realize the importance of generosity towards others? A good example of this can be seen here. 

   

• Feeling gratitude: Explain the gratitude you felt after receiving the act of kindness. How did it make you feel to experience kindness from another person? Explain whether this increased your appreciation of the person who was kind to you. A good example can be found here.

   

• Spreading the joy: Discuss whether this act of kindness inspired you to spread joy by being kind to someone else. You can discuss how your feelings of gratitude inspired you to help others in your community and make them feel happiness or thankfulness in the same way you felt it. 

   

• Personal growth: Describe if this act of kindness and its aftermath helped you grow as a person. This could be in the form of learning to be more thankful, helping others in need, keeping an eye out for those who may be struggling, etc.

We hope that this guide has helped you identify some things to keep in mind when tackling Prompt 4 of the Common App essay. Good luck with your college applications!