How many college essays do you need to write, and why do they all feel like a cosmic joke?

Writing college essays is often seen as a rite of passage, a necessary evil, or even a form of modern-day hazing. But how many essays do you actually need to write? The answer, like most things in life, is not straightforward. It depends on the schools you’re applying to, the programs you’re interested in, and sometimes, the alignment of the stars. Let’s dive into the labyrinth of college essays and explore the many facets of this daunting task.

The Standard Application Essay

Most colleges require at least one personal statement or common application essay. This is your chance to showcase your personality, experiences, and aspirations. The prompts are usually broad, allowing you to write about anything from a life-changing event to your favorite book. The goal here is to stand out, but not in a “I once wrestled a bear” kind of way—unless you actually did, in which case, go for it.

Supplemental Essays

Ah, the supplemental essays. These are the additional essays that many colleges require on top of the common application. They can range from “Why do you want to attend our school?” to “If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?” The number of supplemental essays varies by school, with some requiring just one and others asking for five or more. It’s like a buffet of essay prompts, except you can’t just pick the ones you like.

Program-Specific Essays

If you’re applying to a specialized program, such as engineering, business, or the arts, you might need to write additional essays tailored to that field. These essays often require you to demonstrate your passion and aptitude for the subject. For example, an engineering program might ask you to describe a problem you’ve solved using your technical skills, while an art program might want to see a portfolio and an accompanying essay explaining your creative process.

Scholarship Essays

Scholarships are a great way to offset the cost of college, but they often come with their own set of essays. These essays can be more specific, asking you to discuss your financial need, community service, or leadership experience. The number of scholarship essays you’ll need to write depends on how many scholarships you’re applying for, but it’s not uncommon for students to write dozens of these essays.

The Optional Essay

Some colleges offer optional essays, which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they give you an additional opportunity to showcase your strengths. On the other hand, they can feel like a trap—should you write it or not? The general rule of thumb is that if you have something meaningful to say, go for it. If not, it’s okay to skip it. But beware: some admissions officers might view skipping the optional essay as a lack of interest or effort.

The “Why Us?” Essay

This is a common supplemental essay prompt that asks why you want to attend a particular school. It’s your chance to show that you’ve done your research and that you’re genuinely interested in the school. But be careful—generic answers like “because it’s a good school” won’t cut it. You need to dig deeper and find specific programs, professors, or opportunities that align with your goals.

The Creative Essay

Some colleges allow or even encourage creative essays. This is your chance to let your imagination run wild, whether it’s through a short story, a poem, or even a screenplay. The key here is to be original and authentic. Don’t try to force creativity; let it flow naturally. And remember, even in a creative essay, clarity and coherence are still important.

The Diversity Essay

Many colleges value diversity and want to know how you’ll contribute to their campus community. This essay is your opportunity to discuss your background, experiences, and perspectives. It’s not just about race or ethnicity—diversity can also include your socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or even your unique hobbies and interests.

The “Overcoming Challenges” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a challenge you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome it. It’s a chance to show resilience, problem-solving skills, and personal growth. The key here is to focus on what you’ve learned from the experience and how it has shaped you as a person. Avoid simply recounting the challenge; instead, emphasize your response to it.

The “What Matters to You” Essay

This essay prompt is all about your values and priorities. It’s a chance to share what’s important to you and why. Whether it’s family, social justice, or a passion for environmental sustainability, this essay allows you to showcase your core beliefs and how they influence your actions and decisions.

The “Extracurricular Activities” Essay

Some colleges ask you to write about your extracurricular activities and how they’ve shaped you. This is your chance to highlight your leadership, teamwork, and time management skills. But don’t just list your activities—focus on the impact they’ve had on you and what you’ve learned from them.

The “Future Goals” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your future goals and how the college you’re applying to will help you achieve them. It’s a chance to show that you’ve thought about your future and that you’re motivated to succeed. Be specific about your goals and how the college’s resources, programs, and community will support you in achieving them.

The “Random Fact” Essay

Some colleges have quirky essay prompts that ask you to share a random fact about yourself or answer an unusual question. These essays can be fun and allow you to show off your personality. The key is to be genuine and not try too hard to be funny or clever.

The “Community Service” Essay

If you’ve been involved in community service, this essay is your chance to discuss your experiences and the impact they’ve had on you and others. It’s a chance to show your commitment to making a difference and your ability to work with others towards a common goal.

The “Academic Interest” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your academic interests and why you’re passionate about them. It’s a chance to show your intellectual curiosity and your desire to learn and grow. Be specific about the subjects or topics that excite you and why.

The “Personal Growth” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to reflect on a time when you experienced personal growth. It’s a chance to show self-awareness and the ability to learn from your experiences. Focus on how the experience changed you and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Cultural Background” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your cultural background and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to share your heritage, traditions, and values, and how they influence your perspective and actions.

The “Leadership” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you demonstrated leadership. It’s a chance to show your ability to take initiative, inspire others, and achieve goals. Focus on the impact of your leadership and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Teamwork” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you worked as part of a team. It’s a chance to show your ability to collaborate, communicate, and contribute to a group effort. Focus on the dynamics of the team and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Innovation” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a problem. It’s a chance to show your creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to think outside the box. Focus on the process of coming up with the solution and the impact it had.

The “Global Perspective” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your global perspective and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your awareness of global issues, your ability to think critically about them, and your desire to make a difference in the world.

The “Hobbies and Interests” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your hobbies and interests and how they have shaped you. It’s a chance to show your passions, creativity, and ability to balance different aspects of your life. Focus on what you’ve learned from your hobbies and how they’ve influenced your personal growth.

The “Role Model” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a role model who has influenced you. It’s a chance to show your values, aspirations, and the qualities you admire in others. Focus on how your role model has impacted your life and what you’ve learned from them.

The “Failure” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you failed and what you learned from the experience. It’s a chance to show resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Focus on how the failure shaped you and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Success” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you succeeded and what you learned from the experience. It’s a chance to show your achievements, determination, and ability to set and achieve goals. Focus on the process of achieving success and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Ethical Dilemma” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss an ethical dilemma you’ve faced and how you resolved it. It’s a chance to show your moral compass, critical thinking skills, and ability to make difficult decisions. Focus on the thought process behind your decision and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Personal Philosophy” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your personal philosophy and how it guides your actions and decisions. It’s a chance to show your values, beliefs, and the principles that shape your life. Focus on how your philosophy has influenced your choices and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Life-Changing Event” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a life-changing event and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your resilience, adaptability, and ability to grow from challenges. Focus on the impact of the event and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Passion Project” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a passion project and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your dedication, creativity, and ability to pursue your interests. Focus on the process of working on the project and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Cultural Exchange” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a cultural exchange experience and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your openness to new experiences, your ability to learn from different cultures, and your desire to build bridges between communities. Focus on the impact of the experience and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Personal Challenge” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a personal challenge and how you’ve overcome it. It’s a chance to show your resilience, problem-solving skills, and ability to grow from adversity. Focus on the process of overcoming the challenge and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Inspiration” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss what inspires you and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your passions, motivations, and the sources of your creativity and drive. Focus on how your inspiration influences your actions and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Life Lesson” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a life lesson you’ve learned and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your self-awareness, growth, and ability to reflect on your experiences. Focus on the impact of the lesson and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Personal Achievement” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a personal achievement and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your determination, hard work, and ability to set and achieve goals. Focus on the process of achieving the goal and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Community Impact” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss how you’ve made an impact in your community. It’s a chance to show your commitment to making a difference, your ability to work with others, and your desire to contribute to the greater good. Focus on the impact of your actions and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Personal Reflection” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to reflect on a personal experience and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your self-awareness, growth, and ability to learn from your experiences. Focus on the impact of the experience and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Cultural Identity” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your cultural identity and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your heritage, traditions, and values, and how they influence your perspective and actions.

The “Personal Growth” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to reflect on a time when you experienced personal growth. It’s a chance to show self-awareness and the ability to learn from your experiences. Focus on how the experience changed you and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Cultural Background” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your cultural background and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to share your heritage, traditions, and values, and how they influence your perspective and actions.

The “Leadership” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you demonstrated leadership. It’s a chance to show your ability to take initiative, inspire others, and achieve goals. Focus on the impact of your leadership and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Teamwork” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you worked as part of a team. It’s a chance to show your ability to collaborate, communicate, and contribute to a group effort. Focus on the dynamics of the team and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Innovation” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a problem. It’s a chance to show your creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to think outside the box. Focus on the process of coming up with the solution and the impact it had.

The “Global Perspective” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your global perspective and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your awareness of global issues, your ability to think critically about them, and your desire to make a difference in the world.

The “Hobbies and Interests” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your hobbies and interests and how they have shaped you. It’s a chance to show your passions, creativity, and ability to balance different aspects of your life. Focus on what you’ve learned from your hobbies and how they’ve influenced your personal growth.

The “Role Model” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a role model who has influenced you. It’s a chance to show your values, aspirations, and the qualities you admire in others. Focus on how your role model has impacted your life and what you’ve learned from them.

The “Failure” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you failed and what you learned from the experience. It’s a chance to show resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Focus on how the failure shaped you and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Success” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a time when you succeeded and what you learned from the experience. It’s a chance to show your achievements, determination, and ability to set and achieve goals. Focus on the process of achieving success and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Ethical Dilemma” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss an ethical dilemma you’ve faced and how you resolved it. It’s a chance to show your moral compass, critical thinking skills, and ability to make difficult decisions. Focus on the thought process behind your decision and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Personal Philosophy” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your personal philosophy and how it guides your actions and decisions. It’s a chance to show your values, beliefs, and the principles that shape your life. Focus on how your philosophy has influenced your choices and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Life-Changing Event” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a life-changing event and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your resilience, adaptability, and ability to grow from challenges. Focus on the impact of the event and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Passion Project” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a passion project and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your dedication, creativity, and ability to pursue your interests. Focus on the process of working on the project and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Cultural Exchange” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a cultural exchange experience and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your openness to new experiences, your ability to learn from different cultures, and your desire to build bridges between communities. Focus on the impact of the experience and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Personal Challenge” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a personal challenge and how you’ve overcome it. It’s a chance to show your resilience, problem-solving skills, and ability to grow from adversity. Focus on the process of overcoming the challenge and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Inspiration” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss what inspires you and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your passions, motivations, and the sources of your creativity and drive. Focus on how your inspiration influences your actions and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Life Lesson” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a life lesson you’ve learned and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your self-awareness, growth, and ability to reflect on your experiences. Focus on the impact of the lesson and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Personal Achievement” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss a personal achievement and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your determination, hard work, and ability to set and achieve goals. Focus on the process of achieving the goal and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Community Impact” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss how you’ve made an impact in your community. It’s a chance to show your commitment to making a difference, your ability to work with others, and your desire to contribute to the greater good. Focus on the impact of your actions and what you’ve learned from the experience.

The “Personal Reflection” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to reflect on a personal experience and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your self-awareness, growth, and ability to learn from your experiences. Focus on the impact of the experience and what you’ve learned from it.

The “Cultural Identity” Essay

This essay prompt asks you to discuss your cultural identity and how it has shaped you. It’s a chance to show your heritage, traditions