We’re nearing the end of our deep dive into the seven Common App essay prompts, and today we’re shining a light on Prompt #6. This might be one of our favorites! Sure, Prompt #7 will always be our top pick for its open-ended freedom, but we know that many students feel more confident with a bit of structure. If that’s you, Prompt #6 can be a fantastic option.
Quick reminder (because it’s that important): your Common App essay is going to every school you apply to, and it’s one of the few parts of your application that gives admissions officers a sense of you beyond your GPA and activities list. We’re not here to pile on the stress, but we do want you to understand how crucial it is to get this essay right.
Now, let’s dig into Prompt #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?
We love prompts like this because they allow you to explore something really unique and personal. And while we really, really like this prompt, there’s a catch. You have to approach it the right way, or you’ll miss what makes this prompt so great. Every part of your Common App should reveal something new about you. That means this is not the place to write about what you want to major in. We’re serious.
Let’s say it again for the people in the back: do not write this essay about your intended major. If the intellectual curiosity you’re thinking about highlighting already shows up elsewhere in your application, like in your activities, in your coursework, or in your supplements, skip it. Your goal here isn’t to rehash your love of chemistry or business or economics for the hundredth time. You’ll have plenty of chances to talk about your academic interests in your school-specific supplements.
This essay should be about something that adds a new layer to your application, something that helps admissions officers see another side of you. Now that we’ve set the ground rules, let’s dive into how to actually brainstorm for Prompt #6.
Common App Essay Prompt #6 Example Topics
This prompt, like all Common App prompts, works best when it’s answered with a story. But not just any story – you need to zoom in on a small moment within your journey with this topic. Do not tell a sweeping epic about your lifelong journey with science. While the prompt sounds narrow, you actually have tons of room to get creative with how you tell the story and break form if you want to.
Start by figuring out what your “thing” is. We also recommend broadening your definition of “intellectual.” Everything can be intellectual if you care about it enough. If you’re a future humanities major, don’t write about your love for history if your application is already filled with signs of the humanities – those connections are too obvious. Think outside the box! Do you love fixing up old cars? Gardening? Sewing? Cooking and geeking out over the science of caramelization? Maybe you’re a coding wizard, but on weekends you’re teaching yourself music production. Maybe you’re into origami or making rugs or you’re a future writer who loves creating robots.
Once you have your “thing,” think about where you want to drop us. Are we there on the day you discovered it, watching you get hooked? Are we jumping in last week as you tackled your biggest project yet? Are we there as you teach it to someone else, seeing your passion reflected back at you? Wherever you take us, keep it small. No sweeping narratives, no “since I was five years old…” essays. A tight, specific moment will give your story color, depth, and a strong sense of who you are.
With an idea in mind, let’s get into how to write the essay.
Common App Essay Prompt #6 Essay Guide
Putting words on paper is easier said than done, but unfortunately, it is the whole point of writing an essay. You’ve got 650 words to tell your story, so let’s break down how to write one that’s clear, engaging, and structured with a strong beginning, middle, and end.
Your introduction should drop us right into the moment. If your essay is about your newfound love of gardening, maybe we’re with you in the middle of your yard, dirt under your nails, debating whether your soil needs more compost. Or maybe you’re at the local nursery, weighing the pros and cons of the plants in front of you. Use vivid details to bring us there: the bright greens of new leaves, the heat of the sun on your back, the earthy smell of damp soil. These sensory details make your story feel real and personal.
The middle of your essay keeps your story moving. Maybe you hit a snag in your gardening journey and need to figure out why a plant isn’t thriving. Or maybe you just discovered this interest, and the middle shows your deep dive into learning everything you can. If your intro is the spark, the middle is the fire – you’re watching tutorials, pestering the nursery staff with questions, or experimenting with different watering schedules. This is where we see your curiosity and determination in action.
The ending should wrap up with a satisfying resolution. Maybe you finally cracked the mystery of your struggling tree, and now it’s flourishing thanks to your care. Or maybe you’ve started sharing your love of gardening with others, helping a neighbor plan their first flower bed or launching a small gardening club at school. We know life isn’t always tied up neatly, but for a college essay, you need to end on a positive note. This prompt is great because unlike a lot of the others, it doesn’t come with this hidden feeling that they want you to talk about the “bad” stuff, so it should be easy for you to end on a high note.
If you’re stuck on how to start? Skip the intro for now. It’s often much easier to write a strong opening once you know how your story ends. If you’re having a hard time telling the story, break it into pieces – outline it! It can also help to imagine you’re watching a TV show of your life, each scene moving the plot along. What would you expect to see on screen if this story was on TV? And if the conclusion is giving you a hard time, circling back to your introduction is always a smart move.
Once you’ve finished your draft, it’s time to edit. Read it out loud to catch awkward phrases or sentences that don’t sound like you, and tighten things up. You can even retype the entire essay to help catch small errors and refine your voice. Your first drafts will certainly be too long – so finding those awkward parts or redundancies and cutting them out will be important. Go through your editing process three to four times before asking for feedback, and keep your feedback circle small! One or two trusted people are enough to help you strengthen your essay without turning it into something that doesn’t sound like you. Too many cooks spoil the broth on this one, kids!
Once you’ve refined your story, you’re ready to hit submit. You’ve got this.
Prompt #6 is one of our favorites because it lets you share a story about something admissions committees know nothing about. It’s your chance to have fun, show off your personality, and let them see a side of you that doesn’t show up elsewhere in your application. Keep the timeline tight, tell it as a clear, specific story, and don’t use this essay to rehash something they already know about you. This prompt is your opportunity to surprise them – in the best way possible.
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.