The 2026-2027 Common App Essay Prompts Explained Every year I get questions from parents and students about the Common App essay prompts. Which prompts do colleges like most? Does my student need to write about a challenge? Will it hurt my chances if I select Prompt 7, the "catch-all"? Here's the short answer: It doesn't matter which prompt you choose. As a college essay coach, I have worked with more than 100 students applying to colleges across the United States. One of the biggest...

Last summer, I spoke with Mollee Francisco at Edina Magazine about the challenge that college applicants face to craft personal statements that are both authentic and outstanding, all in just 650 words. I think her piece sums up a lot of what's special about the essay writing process, and why I love guiding students through it. You can check out the article here: https://edinamag.com/college-application-essays-are-an-introspective-journey/. And read on for the rundown of the essay-coaching...