While the Class of 2025 awaits college decisions, the Common App is gearing up for the Class of 2026. Last week, the Common App announced two significant changes to the optional "Additional Information” section. Knowing how - or whether - to answer these prompts can have a huge impact on how your application is evaluated:
The “Community disruption” question has evolved to “Challenges and circumstances.” Students are provided 250 words to share personal challenges or circumstances, such as:
Access to a safe and quiet study space
Access to reliable technology and internet
Community disruption (violence, protests, teacher strikes, etc.)
Discrimination
Family disruptions (divorce, incarceration, job loss, health, loss of a family member, addiction, etc.)
Family or other obligations (care-taking, financial support, etc.)
Housing instability, displacement, or homelessness
Military deployment or activation
Natural disasters
Physical health and mental well-being
War, genocide, or other hardships
The open-ended “Additional Information” section is now 300 words (shortened from 650). While most students will leave this section blank, it provides an important space for students to provide context that does not fit elsewhere. LogicPrep College Advisors can help determine if you should complete this section.
The Common App also announced that the 2025-2026 essay prompts will remain the same:
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.
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?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
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?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
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?
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.
With Spring quickly approaching, it’s a perfect time to connect with a LogicPrep team member. Our College Advisors and Essay Coaches are ready to help 11th graders brainstorm and draft all of their Common App essays in a way that will help them stand out!