More than 100 schools across the United States use the Coalition for College Access Application and its Coalition essay prompts. This application platform is growing quickly and aims to make applying to college easier. Students start by signing up for an account through a website called Scoir. Then, they can apply to any of the Coalition application schools they want.
The Coalition Application includes an important part called the Coalition Application essay. It’s a personal statement meant to help colleges get to know applicants better. Students can pick from six different Coalition essay prompts, which are similar to but not exactly the same as the Common App prompts.
In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between the Coalition essay prompts and the Common App prompts. Then, we’ll talk about each of the Coalition essay prompts and give advice on how to answer them well. Finally, we’ll share some general tips for writing Coalition Application essays and discuss what makes a great college admissions essay.
What is the Coalition Application?
Before we go deeper into the Coalition Application essay, let’s talk about what the Coalition Application is. It’s a platform that lets students share the same application info with lots of colleges. Each college might have its own extra questions, but this platform helps students share their basic info, grades, and activities with many colleges at once. The goal is to make it easier for everyone to apply to college. They also give fee waivers and lots of online help.
The Coalition Application also includes an essay. Not all colleges using this platform need it, but many top ones do. The essay prompts give students choices in how to write their responses. Each prompt lets you show off your writing skills and personal qualities to the colleges using the Coalition Application.
Coalition Application vs. Common Application
The Coalition Application is quite similar to another application platform called the Common Application. The essay prompts on the Common App are similar to those on the Coalition App, and both platforms allow students to pick their own topic for essays.
Just like the Common Application, the Coalition App suggests a word limit of around 650 words for essays, and the essay format is also a personal statement.
However, there are some noticeable differences between the Coalition Application and the Common Application. For example, the Coalition Application has a more casual interface, offering messages that guide applicants through each section.
It uses emojis and helpful prompts to assist first-time applicants, making the Coalition Application easier to use. Additionally, the Coalition Application provides more detailed guidance in the extracurricular activities section.
Choosing the right application platform
The Common Application is a more well-known option than the Coalition Application. While there are now over 100 Coalition Application schools, more than 1,000 schools accept applications through the Common Application. So, if you want more choices, you might prefer the Common Application. However, if your top schools accept the Coalition Application essay, you can easily get a fee waiver and receive more support throughout the process with the Coalition essay format.
No matter which platform you choose, it’s important to follow the college application requirements for your chosen method. Make sure your application reflects your unique personality and accomplishments. Whether you use the Common App prompts or the Coalition Application essay, aim to make your essay stand out.
Coalition Application Schools
Before applying to any college, ensure you know which application formats they accept. Colleges may choose to accept either the Common Application or the Coalition Application, with some allowing students to use either.
However, certain schools, like the University of California System, require students to use their own application format and specific requirements. Since colleges have the freedom to choose which applications they accept, new Coalition Application schools are continually added to the list each year.
As of the time of writing this article, there are 134 Coalition Application schools that accept the Coalition essay format. Here they are listed alphabetically!
Schools that accept the Coalition Application
What is a Coalition Essay?
The Coalition Application essay is a piece of writing you include with your Coalition Application when you apply to college. You’ll come across various prompts for this essay, but you only need to respond to one. If you’re new to applying to college, you might not have written many essays like this before. Unlike academic writing, your Coalition essay should be all about you.
The Coalition Application essay is like a personal story, where you can share details about your life and experiences. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to write the best college admissions essays. Each prompt for the Coalition essay needs a different approach for a good answer. And there’s no standard grading scale or rubric used to judge the Coalition Application essay.
Your Coalition Application essay is just one part of your whole application. But at top schools, many applicants have strong grades and test scores. So, it’s important to write a unique and interesting Coalition essay to stand out.
How many Coalition essay prompts are there?
For the 2023-2024 application cycle, students have six different Coalition essay prompts to choose from. None of the prompts is objectively better or worse than another. So, students should select the prompt that resonates with them the most. If you’re struggling to decide on a topic, take a look at this resource with reflection exercises to spark inspiration!
How long should the Coalition application essay be?
The Coalition app essay has a word limit of 650 words, and submissions need to be at least 250 words long to be considered. While it’s not mandatory to hit the word limit, it’s recommended to aim for 500-650 words.
It’s important to stick to the word limit, but you might find it helpful to start with a longer essay and then trim it down during revision. Make sure every word you use serves a purpose. If you’re adding extra sentences just to reach the word count, you might want to rethink your topic.
If you want more tips on writing a great essay within the Coalition app word limit, check out tips from experts at Coalition Application schools.
Coalition Essay Prompts
In this part, we’ll talk about each of the Coalition essay questions one by one and see how to write good college essays for each of them. Even though the Coalition essay questions might seem new, they’re pretty similar to the Common App ones.
Whatever question you pick, remember that the Coalition essay style lets you share things about yourself that you can’t elsewhere in your application. So, the best college essays, whether for Coalition or Common App, give a unique peek into who you are!
Now, let’s dive into each Coalition essay question in detail. As you read each one, think about whether it clicks with you. If you’re stuck on one question, no worries. Just move on to the next until you find one that sparks ideas.
Coalition Essay Prompt #1: Personal Character
The first Coalition Application essay prompt asks students to share an important personal story. Many successful examples of Coalition essays respond to this prompt. Before you start writing, think about which stories from your life best represent who you are. These stories should be recent, focusing on your high school years, although they could relate to your childhood. It’s crucial to choose a story that is vivid and easy to remember.
Above all, your story should reveal aspects of your character that you want your readers to see. The most effective college admissions essays show who you are through an engaging story. For example, you might talk about a time when you managed a busy restaurant shift by yourself during a rush. Through the story’s details, readers can see you as a determined person who faces challenges head-on.
When writing this essay, stick to the Coalition essay format. It might be tempting to mention lots of accomplishments and personality traits, but this can water down your writing and weaken the impact of your chosen story. Stay focused. The more you stick to your main story, the stronger your essay will be.
Coalition Essay Prompt #2: What Excites You?
When you’re looking at the Coalition essay prompts, some of them have two parts. The second one asks you to talk about something you’re really into and how it’s impacted your past and might shape your future.
Like with the other prompts, it’s helpful to brainstorm different things you’re interested in before you start writing. It’s also a good idea to pick something that’s not already talked about a lot in your application. That way, you can show the reader something new about yourself instead of repeating what they already know from your extracurricular activities.
Keep it authentic
Some students think they need a unique or unusual interest for this prompt, but that’s not true. Some of the best college essay examples focus on ordinary topics. Just show passion for your chosen topic.
Also, remember your interest should connect to other parts of your identity and experiences. For example, an interest in skiing might lead you to volunteer with a community organization that supports winter sports for lower-income families.
Lastly, all Coalition essay prompts aim to gauge your readiness for the college or university you’re applying to. Regardless of your topic, your personal statement should revolve around you, the writer. So, avoid diving into the complexities of solving a Rubik’s cube. Instead, focus on your personal relationship with it and why it matters to your life and goals. Thus, great Coalition essay examples keep you as the central focus.
Coalition Essay Prompt #3: Positive Impact
Like other Coalition essay prompts, this question has multiple parts. But, unlike other Coalition essay prompts, this one does not have a close equivalent in the Common App prompts. This prompt asks you to tell the readers about a time when you positively influenced the lives of others. By contrast, the Common Application asks you to talk about a time when someone else did something impactful for you.
One pitfall that students can fall into with this prompt is to describe the influential moment without explaining why it mattered to them. In your Coalition essay examples, readers don’t just want to hear about what you did. Rather, they want to understand the growth and development you experienced as you did it.
You might notice that the Coalition essay prompts often ask multiple questions. This allows you to highlight key experiences in a nuanced and comprehensive way. So, make sure that you showcase your personal growth in your essay. Additionally, make sure to talk about the challenges as well as the rewards of your experience.
Coalition Essay Prompt #4: Questioning Your Beliefs
Another example where the Coalition essay prompts are similar to those of the Common App is when they ask about questioning beliefs or ideas. While the Common App prompts ask about a time when you challenged someone else’s beliefs or ideas, the Coalition prompts ask about a time when someone else questioned one of your own ideas. It’s important for good college essays to not just tell the story but also reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Choosing a topic
When starting your Coalition essay, pick a topic that matters to you. Think about moments when you had important conversations or debates about something you care deeply about. Avoid simple arguments; focus on times when you had to stand up for what you believe in, even when it was tough.
Good Coalition essays involve looking at yourself honestly. Show how you dealt with questions about your beliefs and highlight the qualities you want to share. Admissions officers want essays that show you’re thoughtful, caring, and honest. Keep yourself as the main focus of the essay, showing how you’ve grown and what you value.
In the end, use Coalition essay prompts to tell the admissions team something important about yourself.
Coalition Essay Prompt #5: Success or Obstacle
When tackling a Coalition essay prompt, you have the flexibility to approach it in various ways, just like with this prompt. Here, you’ll find elements from different Common Application prompts merged into one. While the Common App splits its prompts on success and overcoming obstacles, the Coalition combines them. This means you can share either a significant achievement or a hurdle you’ve faced. Then, offer guidance to someone in a similar situation.
With the Coalition essay format, diversity is key. Focus on one achievement or obstacle to keep your writing tight. Remember, the Coalition App essay has a 650-word limit, so avoid cramming in a laundry list of achievements or obstacles. Keep it brief and focused.
Keep in mind that Coalition Application schools aim to uncover fresh insights about you through your essay. Therefore, consider discussing something not already covered in your application. This approach can make your Coalition Application essay shine and enrich your overall profile.
Coalition Essay Prompt #6: A Topic of Your Choice
If you’re finding that none of the Coalition essay prompts really match what you want to talk about, or if you have a unique and interesting story that doesn’t quite fit any of them, you might want to think about writing an essay on a topic of your choice.
But before you start writing for this option, it’s important to have a clear question or idea in mind. Even though you have more freedom with the content, your essay still needs to be about you.
Start by thinking about the personality traits or qualities you want to show. Then, create a story that highlights those traits. Since this is your chance to be creative, don’t hesitate to add some humor or try out different writing styles. However, avoid submitting creative writing or academic work as your Coalition App essay – you need to stick to the Coalition essay format. Remember, the readers at Coalition Application schools read tons of essays every year, so you’ll want yours to stand out.
How to make your Coalition essay stand out
No matter which of the Coalition essay prompts you choose, your personal statement should emphasize your strengths. Because all Coalition applicants answer one of the same six Coalition essay prompts, it can be hard to stand out. So, here are a few tips to help your writing make a good first impression.
1: Begin with an engaging hook
Excellent college essays begin by grabbing the reader’s attention from the very first line. They use a hook that makes readers curious and motivates them to keep reading. Hooks can be witty observations, interesting questions, surprising facts, or starting a story at an exciting moment.
This technique, called in media res, puts the reader right into the middle of the action, making them want to know what happens next. You can find some examples of essays that use this approach in the Coalition essay samples.
2: Use specific details
Your personal statement is vital for Coalition Application schools to know you better beyond just your grades and scores. It’s an opportunity to share your unique story. For example, you could talk about your involvement in community service, a business idea you have, or your love for solving crossword puzzles.
Your story is what makes you different, so ensure your essay reflects that. Try to express the feelings behind your experiences and focus on interesting details that make your journey truly yours.
3: Revise, revise, revise
When you apply to college, it’s crucial to ensure you fulfill all the application requirements. Also, remember to review your essay multiple times. This ensures your ideas are polished and any grammar or syntax errors are caught. Admissions officers at Coalition Application schools appreciate well-edited essays that are clear and error-free. Conversely, punctuation errors, confusing language, or misspelling the school’s name can create a negative impression.
Topics to avoid in your college essay
Let’s talk about what you shouldn’t include in your Coalition Application essay. Stick to talking about yourself, rather than focusing too much on other people like family or mentors.
Avoid talking about common topics like sports injuries. Also, don’t repeat things you’ve already mentioned elsewhere in your application. For example, if you’ve already talked about playing the violin in your extracurricular activities, don’t go into detail about it again. Similarly, topics like travel, community service, and sports are pretty common, so try to put your own unique spin on them if you want to write about them.
Make sure your essay is appropriate for a school setting. If you wouldn’t want to show it to a teacher, it’s probably not a good fit for the Coalition essay prompts. Stay away from using offensive language or talking about inappropriate subjects. Remember, the goal is to let your personality shine in a positive way.
Coalition Application essay timeline
When you’re applying to college, there are many dates and deadlines to remember. Depending on whether you’re aiming for Early Decision or Regular Decision, you might have to submit your application as early as November 1st. Some schools even offer a priority admission window with a similar deadline.
It’s worth considering applying early if you want the best chance at getting into your top-choice schools. Some colleges give preference to early applicants when they’re making admissions decisions and offering scholarships. This is something to keep in mind as you tackle the Coalition essay prompts.
That’s why it’s a good idea to start thinking about your Coalition Application essay as early as your Junior year. Even though you won’t be able to access the application itself until the start of your senior year, you can begin looking at the Coalition essay prompts and brainstorming ideas for your personal statement well in advance. Starting early will give you plenty of time to refine your essay and handle the rest of your college application requirements.
Final Thoughts
While the Coalition essay prompts aren’t as famous as the ones on the Common App, they’re still used by over 100 Coalition Application schools. So, if your chosen schools require the Coalition Application essay, these tips will help your essay stand out.
No matter which Coalition essay prompt you pick, starting early, brainstorming ideas before writing, and keeping yourself as the main focus will help you write a strong Coalition Application essay.
