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The 7 Common App Essay Prompts, Ranked by How Hard They Are to Do Well

All seven Common App prompts for 2026–27, ranked from most forgiving to most dangerous — what each one is really asking, and the specific trap that sinks most students on it.

Jun 27, 2026 · 8 min read

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Essay Tips

How Long Should a College Essay Actually Be?

The real word and character limits for the Common App essay, supplements, and activities list — plus how long your essay should be versus how long it can be.

Jun 27, 2026 · 6 min read

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