Greetings Rising Seniors- Class of 2024
What are the 2023-24 Common App essay prompts?
They’re the same as last year! In fact – 6 of the 7 prompts have been over a decade- that’s right.
Here they are – the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2023-24.
- 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?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- 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.
We will also retain the optional COVID-19 question within the Additional Information section.
If you’re a regular reader of my blogs or college admissions newsletter- you know I emphasize a few things in my approach to College Advising.
ACADEMIC AND COLLEGE APPLICATION SUCCESS: EXPLORE AND DISCOVER
If you want to minimize the stress associated with both the undergraduate and graduate college application processes (and even your career search), create your Educational and College Admissions Plan as early as 8th grade! Doing so entails carefully selecting classes and extracurricular pursuits along with a plan that emphasizes ongoing hands-on activities to encourage academic and personal exploration, preparing students for success in high school and beyond.
Don’t follow the crowd nor march through middle and high school without a smile! BE INSPIRED!!
A typical college admissions consultant can provide you with “off-the-rack” answers to your questions about high-school curriculum planning (AP, AICE or IB courses?), financial aid eligiblity (and how to complete your FAFSA?), submitting your Common Application and writing your college essays. Applying her three decades of university experience, Professor Emeritus Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D. will provide expert personalized guidance.
Leveraging my extensive working knowledge of colleges and universities and their undergraduate and graduate curricula and degree requirements across all majors, let’s work together to create your personalized educational and college admissions plan.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: STEPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT “FIT”
The “fit” between a student and a university is based upon three pillars:
1. ACADEMICS
The university you attend should provide an outstanding academic experience in your intended major/minor fields of study, along with appropriate internship and career placement opportunities. This is paramount to selecting where to attend.
There’s a major field of study to match the unique strengths and interests of every young adult! With nearly 4,000 colleges offering an impressive number of traditional and cutting edge majors and minors, it can indeed be overwhelming to navigate the maze of available degree options.
Your evaluation of academics should move beyond published lists of college rankings. The most important steps include learning how to navigate through the “Academics” and the “Research” tabs to fully explore the curriculum maps, degree requirements and the research projects faculty are conducting. As a former university professor with 30+ years of experience on curriculum planning committees, I’m able to help your family assess “academic fit” and effectively explore your academic options to balance each student’s current and emerging interests and strengths.
2. SOCIAL
The social fit is important as each student is looking to find a “home-away-from-home” for their next four years. Is the campus inviting, inclusive and are there opportunities for ongoing social and emotional growth?
This is exactly why students visit university campuses before enrolling. Your Educational and College Admissions Assessment will help you hone in on the criteria that are important to you. Let me help you understand how to have an informative and meaningful campus visit.

3. FINANCIAL AFFORDABILITY
Every family faces unique financial circumstances and we factor those into the choices of where to apply and enroll. Additional details are noted on our financial aid page. If you’re ineligible for financial aid, merit aid remains an important option to explore.
THERE ARE MANY CAMPUSES PROVIDING an EXCELLENT EDUCATION offering deep discounts on tuition given your “admissions profile”.
Please see my early posts on the top – YES YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE!

IS YOUR STUDENT ON TARGET?
Personalized attention and expert knowledge: academic advising and college application strategies to empower every student for success!
With over thirty years of experience, Professor Emeritus, Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D. provides each of her clients with comprehensive one-on-one educational counseling as well as expert guidance with their college applications at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. College Admissions Assistance – create your unique plan to realize your goals.SCHEDULE YOUR ASSESSMENT


RISING SENIORS- ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON AND WRITING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS?


I tell my clients to begin by thinking of experiences that may have brought humor, happiness or even sadness into their lives. The things you remember most are those that shape you – they make you laugh, cry, they are worth sharing because they tell a story that defines you and provides insights about where you want to go with an emphasis on what you hope to achieve during your collegiate experience.




Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2023-24.
- 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?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- 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.
We will also retain the optional COVID-19 question within the Additional Information section.
HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS – COMMON APP 2023-24 – COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PLANNING STEM BUSINESS ARTS HUMANITIES PRELAW PREMED
THIS IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO BE HONING IN ON COLLEGE FIT – AS WE GET READY FOR APPLICATION SEASON STARTING IN JUNE.
Will you be joining us at our WRITERS BLOCK WORKSHOP? Enrollment is now open – space limited Small Group & Inclusive setting with one-on-one writing conferences with College Advisor Bonnie Rabin, PhD Last year we delivered our workshop online and very likely will be doing so again- each day includes a presentation, working time and detailed one-on-one feedback on tasks in progress.
Learn More – Give me a call to discuss your unique situation.

Contact Me – LET’S GET STARTED!! Have a wonderful day!
Bonnie
Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D.
Best wishes,
Bonnie
Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D. Educational & College Admissions Consultant
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CLICK to SCHEDULE YOUR EDUCATIONAL and COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT
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