Common App Essay Examples

John Smith - MIT (EECS/English Literature)

Acceptances: Stanford, Harvard, Duke

Short Answer on Extracurriculars

Smith describes teaching karate to young children aged 3-12. He emphasizes how the "Little Ninjas" class provides refreshment through their "unbridled innocence," preventing frustration and maintaining positivity during instruction.

Personal Essay

Topic: "Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced"

Smith's essay traces his unintentional journey into tech entrepreneurship. Beginning with self-taught programming in seventh grade, he progressed through freelance web development, founding the Torrey Pines Programming Club, and eventually building InSource Digital Development with peer programmers. The narrative emphasizes learning through challenge and creating value for collaborators rather than financial success.

Key Themes:

• Self-directed learning through exploration
• Responsibility in business contexts
• Mentorship and knowledge sharing
• Personal growth through challenges

Rodrigo Martinez - UPenn/Cornell/Duke (Engineering)

Acceptances: UPenn, Cornell, Duke (all Engineering) Waitlisted: Stanford, Johns Hopkins Rejections: Harvard, Princeton

Short Answer

Martinez describes improvising piano covers of contemporary music as emotional expression and stress relief, contrasting with his decade of classical training.