The Importance of Personal Growth Essays on Common App
When it comes to college applications, one of the most important yet challenging parts is writing the personal essay. It’s your chance to showcase your personality, values, and potential to admission officers. Among the prompts offered by the Common Application, the personal growth essay is particularly popular. It encourages applicants to reflect on a moment or experience that sparked personal growth or transformation, and how it shaped their identity, beliefs, or goals. This essay can be a powerful tool to demonstrate your maturity, resilience, and self-awareness, but it’s also a chance to impress the readers with your writing skills and creativity. In this article, we will analyze five inspiring Common App personal growth essay examples and discuss what makes them effective.
1. “From Struggle to Strength” by Jane Doe
In this essay, Jane recounts her struggle with dyslexia and how it affected her academic performance and self-esteem. She describes how she overcame the challenges with the help of supportive teachers, parents, and friends who encouraged her to seek help, embrace her unique perspective, and pursue her passions. She also reflects on how this experience shaped her empathy towards others who face similar difficulties and her determination to become a psychologist and advocate for learning differences. One of the strengths of this essay is its use of vivid anecdotes and sensory details that engage the readers and make them empathize with Jane’s journey. The essay also avoids cliches and platitudes, instead highlighting the specific skills and qualities that Jane gained from her struggle, such as resilience, creativity, and problem-solving. Overall, this essay showcases the power of vulnerability and self-reflection, and how they can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
2. “Finding My Roots” by Ahmed Ali
Ahmed’s essay explores his identity as a Muslim American and the cultural disconnect he felt growing up in a predominantly white and Christian neighborhood. He shares how traveling to his parents’ homeland of Yemen and learning more about his heritage opened his eyes to the richness and diversity of his own culture, as well as the misconceptions and prejudices that exist in American society. He also reflects on the role of education and dialogue in bridging cultural gaps and fostering empathy and understanding. This essay stands out for its clear and engaging prose, its use of dialogue and humor to convey the complexity of the issue, and its relevance to current political and social debates. It also shows how a personal growth essay can have a broader impact on society and inspire readers to question their own assumptions and biases.
3. “Taking the Driver’s Seat” by Emily Chen
Emily’s essay is about her decision to become a driver and how it symbolized her newfound independence and confidence. She describes how she used to be afraid of driving and relied on her parents or friends to take her places, but after a traumatic event that made her realize the importance of self-reliance, she took driving lessons and passed the test. She also reflects on how this experience taught her to overcome her fears, take risks, and trust her abilities. This essay is notable for its simplicity and clarity, as well as its relatability to many young adults who face similar challenges of growing up and gaining autonomy. Emily’s story shows that personal growth does not necessarily require a major life-changing event, but rather a series of small steps and self-belief.
4. “Healing Through Music” by Tomoko Yamamoto
Tomoko’s essay is about her passion for playing the cello and how it helped her cope with the trauma of losing her grandfather to cancer. She describes how playing music became a source of solace and expression for her, and how it taught her to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life. She also reflects on how this experience inspired her to pursue a career in music therapy and use her talent to help others heal. This essay stands out for its use of metaphor and imagery to convey the emotions and sensations of playing music, as well as its emphasis on the transformative power of art and creativity. It also highlights the importance of pursuing one’s passions and finding meaning in difficult times.
5. “Embracing the Unknown” by Luis Garcia
Luis’s essay is about his experience of immigrating from Mexico to the United States and how it challenged his assumptions and prejudices about American culture. He describes how he initially felt out of place and insecure in his new environment, but gradually learned to appreciate the diversity and opportunities that America offers. He also reflects on how this experience taught him to be more open-minded, curious, and adaptable, and to embrace his identity as a bilingual and bicultural individual. This essay is noteworthy for its bold and honest voice, as well as its relevance to current debates about immigration and identity. It shows how personal growth does not have to be limited to one’s internal development, but can also involve engaging with the external world and learning from others.
Conclusion
These five examples of personal growth essays on Common App demonstrate the power of authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy in writing. They show that personal growth is not a static or finite process, but rather an ongoing journey of self-discovery and transformation. They also illustrate the diversity and complexity of human experiences, and how they can be transformed into compelling and inspiring narratives. If you’re writing a personal growth essay for your college application, remember to be specific, reflective, and honest about your experiences and insights. Give yourself enough time to revise and edit your essay, and ask for feedback from trusted sources. By following these tips and inspirations, you can craft a personal growth essay that not only impresses the readers but also enriches your own growth and self-awareness.
