Anaylysis of Common App Essays Prompt #6

Common App Essay Prompt

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.

This prompt is not a trap; it's an invitation. It signals that the admissions committee trusts you to share something meaningful that they haven't already asked about. While its freedom can feel intimidating, your activity list is the perfect tool to ground your essay and prevent it from becoming too broad or abstract. This is your chance to share the story that you think is most important for them to know about you.

Use an Activity to Showcase a Core Personality Trait

The other prompts often guide you toward stories of growth or challenge. This prompt allows you to write about a static, core part of your character. Pick an activity that is the perfect vehicle for demonstrating a key trait like humor, patience, creativity, or intellectual curiosity.

• Example 1 (Trait: Fairness and Grace Under Pressure): Your activity is "Umpire for Little League Baseball." The essay isn't about baseball; it's about the character required to make a tough, unpopular call in a tense game with parents yelling from the sidelines. It’s a story about your ability to maintain composure, apply rules fairly, and handle conflict maturely.
• Example 2 (Trait: Meticulous Creativity): Your activity is "Miniature Model Builder (Independent Hobby)." You can tell the story of spending fifty hours recreating a historical building in miniature. This showcases a unique blend of artistic vision, historical appreciation, and extreme patience—qualities that are hard to demonstrate elsewhere.
• Example 3 (Trait: Observational Humor): Your activity is "Cashier at a Grocery Store." Your essay could be a funny, insightful reflection on the different "types" of shoppers you see every day. This reveals a sharp, observant mind and a sense of humor, making you a memorable and relatable applicant.

Use an Activity to Tell a "Slice of Life" Story

Not every meaningful experience is a dramatic story of growth or failure. This prompt is perfect for a quieter, more reflective essay that focuses on a single, meaningful moment. These "slice of life" stories can be incredibly powerful in their subtlety.

• Example 1 (A Moment of Connection): Your activity is "Working at a Public Library." Your essay could describe a single, ten-minute interaction where you helped an elderly patron find a book about their long-lost hometown. The essay is about that small moment of shared humanity and the quiet joy found in connecting someone with a piece of their past.
• Example 2 (A Moment of Focus): Your activity is "Long-Distance Running." The essay doesn't have to be about winning a race. It could be about the experience of a single, solitary training run at dawn. Describe the rhythm of your breathing, the changing light, and the mental clarity you achieve, showing a reflective and disciplined side of your personality.
• Example 3 (A Moment of Discovery): Your activity is "Urban Gardening." Your essay could focus entirely on the moment you successfully grew a pineapple from a cutting on your apartment balcony. It’s a small victory, but it tells a story of curiosity, perseverance, and your ability to find wonder and create life in an unexpected environment.

Use an Activity to Explore a Niche Interest or "Quirk"

This is your chance to be unforgettable. Do you have a hobby or passion that makes people say, "Wow, that's different"? An essay about a niche interest shows that you have a genuine, self-driven passion for something beyond the typical resume-builders.

• Example 1 (A Unique Skill): Your activity is "Competitive Cup Stacking." Your essay can explore the intense focus, dexterity, and community surrounding this unconventional sport. It shows you can find dedication and joy in something purely for the love of it, and you don't take yourself too seriously.
• Example 2 (An Unusual Collection): Your activity is "Collector of Antique Maps." Your essay isn't just about the maps themselves. It's about what they represent: a fascination with how borders change, how cities evolve, and how history is drawn and redrawn. It showcases a deep, intellectual curiosity in a unique and tangible way.
• Example 3 (A Specialized Role): Your activity is "Beekeeper's Assistant." An essay about the intricate social structure of a beehive and your role in maintaining its delicate balance is fascinating and memorable. It tells a story about your comfort with science, your respect for nature, and your ability to work in a highly specialized, focused environment.