Common Application 2014-2015: Essay Prompts to Remain the Same!

After much uproar last year about the changes in the Common Application 2013-2014, the 2014-2015 version will retain the current set of first-year essay prompts. And despite numerous complaints from both counselors and students, the essay will continue to be capped at 650 words.  While the more specific questions and word limits do make the writing of the essay more challenging, the prompts are broad enough that, if students are creative, they can make most topics answer one of the questions.  The word limit requires students be succinct and critical about every word choice--a good thing!  The prompts are:

           -Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity

              that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this

              sounds like you, then please share your story.   

            -Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.  How did it affect

             you, and what lessons did you learn?

            -Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you

             to act? Would you make the same decision again?

            -Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content.  What do  

             you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

            -Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your

              transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or

              family.

So if you are a junior, should you start writing?  NO! It is too early. However,  I do encourage my students to begin keeping a notebook with possible topic ideas.  And if they feel inspired to write a description of an experience or anecdote, go for it.  Having some ideas on paper before beginning the process more formally can take the pressure off and help students avoid writer's block!

Imitation is the finest form of flattery?

In a major overhaul announced last Wednesday by the College Board, the SAT will become more like the ACT.  The writing portion of the test will become optional (and unlike the ACT longer--50 minutes versus the current 25 minutes), students will no longer be penalized for incorrect answers (previously students lost 1/4 of a point for an incorrect response), and perhaps most importantly, the test will be more "accessible, more straight forward, and grounded in high school curriculum."  Gone will be the "trick questions" which favored those who could afford the best test prep tutors as well as archaic vocabulary testing of words like Phlegmatic, occlusion, and punctilious. 

Sound familiar?  Yes, it sounds a lot like the ACT.  The scoring will also change, although not to the 1-36 scale the ACT uses, but back to the traditional 1600 point scale (200-800 on two sections:  Critical Reading and Writing and Math).  In addition, despite long arguing that test prep does not work, College Board will team up with Khan Academy to provide free test prep.

Why the change?  College Board would argue they are updating and improving the test.  Skeptics might point out that the SAT has lost market share to the ACT.  While the SAT has been long been more popular on the coasts, today there is no college in the country that will not accept either test.  Since 2012, more students have chosen to take the ACT instead of the SAT.  In addition, more and more colleges have gone "test optional." (Blog on that topic to follow soon)

What does this mean for students?  Probably not much.  Students will continue to stress over these tests, parents will continue to hire the best tutors they can afford, and most colleges will continue to use them as a key element in their admissions process.  However, given the change, I am advising my students tin the Class of 2016 (the first class to be impacted) to prepare for the ACT.  We know what to expect with the ACT.  Tutors are familiar with the types of questions and the content covered.  It is tried and true.  No one wants to be the SAT's guinea pigs.