We’ve been waiting for this one: it’s finally time to dig into Prompt #7, the crown jewel of the Common App essay prompts.
Why do we love it so much? Because it gives you complete freedom to write about literally anything. Now, look, “anything” doesn’t mean throwing together a rambling stream-of-consciousness essay. You still need structure, intention, and a story that says something real about who you are.
As you probably know, your Common App essay is a big deal. It goes to almost every college on your list and is one of the few parts of your application that isn’t a bullet point or a number. That means this is your moment to step out from behind the statistics and let admissions officers see the person applying, not just the applicant.
Prompt #7 can feel intimidating because of how open it is, but that’s exactly what makes it powerful if you use it right. Ready to tackle the most flexible (and, we’d argue, most fun) Common App prompt? Let’s get into it.
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.
Before we jump into how to write for Prompt #7, let’s start with what not to do.
Yes, this prompt is open-ended, but that doesn’t mean you can submit just anything. It still needs to function as a college essay. The Common App says you can share something you’ve already written, but please, do not copy-paste your Scarlet Letter paper from junior year. No admissions officer wants to read that, and it’s not going to help your case. Also, a few schools (like Princeton) will ask you to submit a graded essay along with your supplement, so why waste that here?
We also don’t recommend using this prompt to tell them something they already know, that isn’t really about you, or comes across as a humblebrag. This means skipping stories that are already reflected in your activities list, essays about what you want to major in, or a story about how hard your grandparents worked. We also want to say that you do not have to write about personal traumas or hardships, and writing about that is not going to be your golden ticket into college. There are very few exceptions to this, and if you think your situation falls into that category, please reach out to us, because we’d like to help. For things that fall short of catastrophe, we recommend putting that in the Additional Information section.
It’s important to remember that most admissions officers are not that much older than you. A lot of them are recent grads of the colleges you’re applying to, and culturally, they’re more similar to you than others. Basically, they wanted Eras Tour tickets, and they’ve played Fortnite. Being approachable and likable in your essays will go a long way.
With those ground rules in place, let’s talk about how to actually brainstorm for this prompt in a way that lets you take full advantage of its flexibility while keeping your essay personal, memorable, and genuinely you.
Common App Essay Prompt #7 Example Topics
Staring down the “write about anything” prompt can feel like a cruel joke when you have no idea where to start. Totally fair. We’ve seen our students write essays about everything from hot dogs to subway rides to the art of cooking the perfect egg, so trust us: anything can work if you approach it the right way.
The Common App essay needs to be a story. It’s creative writing! Story-based essays are more engaging, more memorable, and, honestly, more fun to write.
When we work with students, we start by asking about the seemingly mundane parts of their lives. What does your room look like? What do you do when you hang out with your friends? Any random family traditions? Weird hobbies? Normal hobbies? We keep digging until we find the thread that feels the most you. Another exercise we love is asking your friends and family to give you five words they’d use to describe you. Look for the overlaps. If everyone says you’re brave and funny, maybe that time you led your friends on a mildly disastrous hike could become a great essay.
It’s also worth thinking about what you want this essay to reveal about you. This is your chance to show who you are beyond your grades and activities list. What values or quirks do you want to highlight? Think about your contradictions. Maybe you’re a STEM kid who paints watercolors in your free time. Maybe you’re all in on business classes but live for the school musical every spring. Maybe you have a tradition, hobby, or small ritual that’s so integral to who you are that it needs to be shared.
Some of the best essays we’ve seen are about small, oddly specific moments: a quest to ride the tallest rollercoaster in the state, a fake detective story about missing puzzle pieces, or hacking into a sibling’s chess.com account. These are the kinds of stories that admissions officers remember because they feel personal and real.
And keep it small! We’re not looking for a sweeping saga of your entire childhood. Pick a moment – like a single afternoon, a random Tuesday, a two-hour window where something clicked for you. Smaller stories are easier to write well, easier to read, and way more likely grab attention.
Let’s get into how to turn your idea into an essay that actually works.
Common App Essay Prompt #7 Essay Guide
The truth is, most of the heavy lifting with your Common App happens during brainstorming, but that doesn’t mean the writing part won’t challenge you. The biggest thing to remember (and yes, we’ve said it a million times): this needs to be a story. A real story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, told in 650 words that leave a good impression.
Your opening should drop the reader right into the moment. Use sensory details to make them feel like they’re right there with you. If you’re telling a story about a hike that turned into a comedy of errors, maybe you open with a snippet of dialogue: “Wait… are we lost?” You might describe the crunch of gravel under your shoes, the burn in your legs, the damp air around you. What can you see, hear, smell, touch, taste? Layer these details in to set the scene. If you’re feeling stuck on the intro, you don’t have to write it first. It’s often way easier to write a compelling opening once the rest of your essay is on paper.
The middle of your essay is where the action unfolds. If the opening conflict is getting lost, the middle is your mission to get un-lost. Maybe a new problem pops up – you’re out of water, the map app stops working, or nerves start setting in. Keep using sensory language so the reader feels the stakes with you, even if the stakes are small and personal.
Now, it’s time for your ending. In real life, not every story has a perfect resolution, but in your Common App essay, you want a positive ending. Circle back to your opening: did you find the trailhead again? Make it to the overlook? Finally see your car in the distance? We want to emphasize that this should be a positive ending – no one likes a story without resolution, and you don’t want admissions officers to finish your essay feeling bad for you or bummed out. Be the essay that brightens their day.
Once you have your first draft (and yes, it will probably be too long at first), it’s time for editing. Read it out loud to catch anything clunky or unnatural, and adjust as needed. Retyping your essay in a new document can help you see it with fresh eyes and tighten your sentences. Go through three to four rounds of edits before sharing it with someone you trust for feedback. We recommend asking one or two people max – too many opinions will just leave you confused and your essay will stop sounding like you.
Once your essay feels clear, personal, and true to you, it’s ready to go. You’ve got this.
Prompt #7 is hands-down our favorite Common App prompt because it gives you unlimited options to show colleges who you really are. It’s your chance to bring your personality to the forefront and let admissions officers see beyond your stats and activities list. We know the total freedom of this prompt can feel intimidating, and it’s not always easy to know where to start. But if you give yourself the space to sit down, think honestly about who you are, what you value, and what makes you you (and maybe ask a few friends what they see in you), the right idea will start to take shape.
We are experts in writing creative and unique college essays. If you need help brainstorming or writing your Common App essay, reach out to us today.