How to Write a Stellar Common App Personal Growth Essay: Real-life Examples

Writing a Stellar Common App Personal Growth Essay: Real-life Examples

The Common Application Personal Growth Essay is a crucial part of the college application process. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their personal growth, reflect on their experiences, and demonstrate their potential as a college candidate. However, many students struggle with writing this essay, as they are often unsure of how to approach the prompt or what to include in their essay.

In this article, we will provide you with real-life examples and expert tips on how to write a stellar Common App Personal Growth Essay.

Understanding the Prompt

Before delving into how to write a personal growth essay, it is essential to understand the prompt. Here is the prompt for the 2021-2022 Common Application Personal Growth Essay:

“Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development.”

This prompt requires students to reflect on an experience or idea that has had a significant impact on their intellectual growth. It invites students to explore their beliefs, values, and attitudes and explain how they have evolved over time.

Choosing a Topic

One of the most critical aspects of writing a personal growth essay is choosing the right topic. The key to selecting a suitable topic is to ensure that it is both meaningful and representative of your personal growth. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right topic:

– Choose a topic that is authentic to you and represents your experiences and beliefs.
– Pick a topic that has had a significant impact on your intellectual or personal growth.
– Focus on a topic that allows you to showcase your unique talents, skills, or characteristics.

Example topic: Overcoming My Fear of Public Speaking

Body

Once you have chosen a topic, it’s time to organize your thoughts into a coherent essay. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Start with an attention-grabbing opening sentence that hooks the reader and captures their attention.

Example: “The sweat dripped down my back as I stood before a sea of faces, their expectant eyes fixed on me.”

Step 2: Provide background information on your topic. Explain why the experience or idea was important to your intellectual development.

Example: “I have always struggled with public speaking. I would freeze up in front of large crowds, unable to utter a single word. However, I knew that if I wanted to succeed in my future career, I needed to overcome this fear.”

Step 3: Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Provide specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.

Example: “I started attending public speaking courses and joined a local Toastmasters group to improve my skills. Through these experiences, I learned how to breathe, how to project my voice, and how to engage an audience. I also practiced speaking in front of friends and family to build up my confidence.”

Step 4: Reflect on the lessons you learned and how the experience impacted your intellectual growth. Discuss how you can apply these lessons to your future goals.

Example: “Overcoming my fear of public speaking taught me the power of determination and perseverance. It also showed me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and taking risks. Moving forward, I plan to continue practicing my speaking skills and pursuing opportunities that challenge me.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a stellar Common App Personal Growth Essay requires careful thought, planning, and introspection. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can craft an essay that showcases your personal growth, reflects your unique experiences, and demonstrates your potential as a college candidate. Remember, your essay is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd, so take the time to choose the right topic and craft your story with care. Good luck!

Speech tips:

Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.