Essay Prompts 2020-2021
Common Application Essay Prompts
Choose one of the following to write a maximum of 650 words about.
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please
share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success.
Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what
did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted
your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual
challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no
matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to
identify a solution.
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth
and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time.
Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that
responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
University of California Personal Insight Questions
Respond to 4 of the 8 prompts; limited to a maximum of 350 words each.
- Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively
influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
- Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving,
original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you
express your creative side.
- What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and
demonstrated that talent over time?
- Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or
worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
- Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to
overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
- Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered
your interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
- What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
- Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes
you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?