As we approach August, high school seniors across the globe have been eagerly waiting for the release of the Common Application essay prompts for the upcoming admissions cycle. However, this year brings no changes to the existing common app essay prompts. The Prompts remain unchanged, leaving some applicants relieved and others disappointed. The continuity of the same prompts may provide comfort and familiarity to some applicants whereas some might see it as a missed opportunity for growth and experimentation.
Whether or not these prompts change in the future, it’s important for applicants to remember that writing essays is not just about answering the questions or prompts, it’s a chance to share your story, talk about your passions, your aspirations, and present your candidature to the admissions committee beyond your grades and scores. Make sure you’re creating an authentic and compelling narrative to showcase your strengths and highlight your potential. If you need a breakdown of the common app prompts, you can check our blog here.
Meanwhile, Harvard University has released new prompts for their supplemental essays for their first-year applicants. Unlike last year, when Harvard allowed applicants to upload an essay on a topic of their choice, it is now requesting applicants to respond to five supplemental short answer prompts in up to 200 words each. This allows applicants to write up to 1000 additional words in support of their Common App Essay to further set themselves apart from the pool of applicants. Here are the five prompts:
Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.
Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
While four of the five new prompts are relatively direct and straightforward, the first prompt hints at the affirmative action case Harvard just lost at The Supreme Court.
“As part of the undergraduate admissions process, an optional essay is being replaced by five required short essays to provide every student the opportunity to reflect on and share how their life experiences and academic and extracurricular activities shaped them, how they will engage with others at Harvard, and their aspirations for the future,” College spokesperson Jonathan Palumbo wrote in an email Tuesday.
Previously, the College’s application had three optional writing components: a 150-word extracurricular response, a 150-word piece to describe “additional intellectual experiences,” and the Harvard supplement.
“The changes Harvard made to its application are clearly designed to help admissions do what the Supreme Court said is okay — namely, to consider race as part of an applicant’s ‘experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race,’” Joshua S. Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program at The Aspen Institute, wrote in an email.
The impact of affirmative action decision
On June 29th, The Supreme Court of the United States decreed it unconstitutional for universities to consider race in their admissions processes. The majority judgment held that affirmative action ended up resulting in unlawful discrimination against Asian-American students at Harvard University and against both white and Asian-American students at the University of North Carolina (UNC). The decision will force these colleges and universities to recreate their admission systems.
With the elimination of race-conscious admissions, students will now have to heavily rely on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements to distinguish themselves in the highly competitive admissions landscape. This shift places greater importance on demonstrating excellence in these areas to stand out among their peers.
While this ban may pose challenges, it also presents an opportunity for students to embrace a more holistic approach to their college applications. They can now lay more emphasis on a well-rounded profile that demonstrates a diverse range of interests, skills, and perspectives, thus showcasing the unique strengths and contributions you can bring to a university community.
If you’re looking to apply to international universities or exploring overseas higher education options, The Headmaster Consulting can help you narrow your selection while keeping track of your requirements for your financial needs while tracking overseas education options. If you want personalized roadmaps to your dream universities, get in touch with our consultants to help you build your profile and applications.
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