Nail Your Introduction to Common App Essay Prompts

College Admission Essays Workshops

A strong introduction is the 1st step to nailing your Common App essay prompt.

In my last article, we eliminated the stress of admissions essay writing and replaced it with self-assuredness. Now, let's talk about how to execute your introduction for any of the Common App essay prompts.

Imagine you are a tour guide leading the reader on a fun road trip of your essay. The introduction serves as an overview of the main attractions your paragraphs will discuss before you get there.

WRITING A WELCOMING INTRODUCTION

Your admissions essay is a reflective journey that details an aspect of your personal growth. A strong introduction acts as a narrative roadmap for that journey — it briefly tells the reader where you're headed and what they'll see along the way.

Use the following tips and then register for EAE's Revision Workshop

or Remote Editorial Support.

A successful narrative introduction has 3 key components:

1. A captivating opening. Inject your narrative tone with a winning aspect of your personality (Are you witty? Comical? Wise? Techie?), and you've already risen above 95% of the other essays that admission readers must wade through.

2. A concise outline. The opening paragraph has a plan: it identifies the key points of your essay according to the key phrases in your chosen writing prompt.

3. A moving thesis. A narrative thesis sounds self-aware and confidently names the topics your reader is about to visit with you. Share yourself honestly, connecting your personality and core values to the emotions of the reader.

Let's spend a minute more with each of these 3 concepts.

Tip 1: A Captivating Opening

Draw the admissions reader into your world. Let them see through your eyes immediately. Here's an example of framing the opening sentence of a college essay with personal impact:

Before: "The first time I ever faced my fears was bungee jumping with my parents."

Improved: "As my mom and I tumbled off the edge of that bridge, I realized doing things afraid is the only way I'll be more fearless."

See the difference? Create an engaging scene as quickly as possible. From the very start, provide the reader with a reason to connect emotionally with you and your lived experience.

Tip 2: A Concise Outline

Use your essay introduction to map out the plan for the rest of your essay. This establishes expectations for your reader and helps you stay on track to write with focus.

Winning communicators like Mr. Beast use "pre-framing" in their content: they tell you exactly what you're going to see in 10 seconds, and then you're hooked into watching how they do it. Introductions work in the same way.

Tip 3: A Moving Thesis

Keep it moving. The opening introduction states the plan of action, and the body paragraphs deliver it. With a confident thesis statement telling your admissions reader what your topics will be, you sound like an organized thinker.

Read more of Dr. B's strategies for Common App's Student Activity List

Don't worry about ordering yet. Just write and know you can move stuff around later. Trust that you are cultivating your own writing process. Nobody writes a perfect essay in one sitting. Give yourself time and let the writing prompt choose you. Trust the most fitting memory/ life experience for it will follow.

Once you have five paragraphs, register for EAE's revision workshops.

Or shop EAE's editorial services.

LIST OF COMMON APP ESSAY PROMPTS

These are the Common App essay prompts for college applicants during 2025-26 season:

1. 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.

2. 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?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. 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?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. 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?

7. 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.

Dr. B's College Admissions Checklist

I started Effective Admissions Essays (EAE) because I know how anxiety-inducing the Common App is for seniors and their parents. I've graded thousands of university essays over the last twenty years. Now, it's my genuine pleasure to accompany college hopefuls while they write, revise, and polish their admission essays. For added encouragement or to learn more about me, let's start a conversation.

DrB@effectiveadmissionsessays.com

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