North Shore English College Prep class helps guide students with the 2025–2026 Common Application essay prompts!

It’s time! At North Shore English, we aim to help guide students in their college application process and with their writing of the 2025–2026 Common App personal essay no matter where they live. Contact us for help, wherever you are in the process at www.northshoreenglish.com or call +1.262.960.3581. Let Northshoreenglish.com help you get into their first choice school or top 100 universities across the globe!

This year’s prompts remain unchanged—and that’s good news! These time-tested questions continue to give students space to reflect, connect, and express who they truly are.

College Essay Planning at a Glance

• No rush to write now—focus on reflection and brainstorming first.

• Instructors and Resources available to help with this process.

• Create a Common App account before August 1 to carry over all responses, including your personal essay.

• Two updates to the “Additional Information” section are coming August 1—read below for details.

2025–2026 Essay Prompts

1. Background, identity, interest, or talent

What part of your story feels essential?

👉 Think about a moment when your background shaped how you saw the world. How did it challenge or empower you?

2. Lessons from obstacles

Every challenge holds a lesson.

👉 Was there a moment of failure that led to unexpected growth? Reflect on what changed within you.

3. Challenging a belief or idea

Your voice matters.

👉 Have you ever questioned the status quo? What did you learn about courage or open-mindedness?

4. Unexpected gratitude

Small kindnesses can shift everything.

👉 Did someone lift your spirit in a surprising way? How did their gesture shape your mindset or motivation?

5. A spark for personal growth

Growth often begins with one meaningful experience.

👉 What moment helped you understand yourself or others on a deeper level? Why did it leave a mark?

6. An idea that captivates you

What ignites your curiosity?

👉 What do you love learning about simply for the joy of it? How does that fascination shape how you see the world?

7. A topic of your choice

Your voice, your stage.

👉 Is there a story that doesn’t neatly fit the other prompts—but still needs to be told? This is your moment.

New “Additional Information” Questions: Effective August 1, 2025

What’s changing:

• “Community disruption” becomes “Challenges and circumstances”, with broader scope

• Word/character limits reduced to:

• First-year: 300 words max

• Transfer: 1500 characters max

New question language includes experiences like:

• Limited access to study space or internet

• Health issues or caregiving responsibilities

• Discrimination, displacement, or trauma

• Natural disasters or war-related hardship