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Each week, we issue a writing prompt to our own staff, guest contributors, and readers like you. We welcome guest submissions, so if you’re interested in being featured or regularly contributing to the site, email your responses to kelaine.conochan [at] thepromptmag.com.


When you applied to college, you thought that was the end of writing emotionally charged essays about your identity, packaged in a way that might make an admissions officer think you were special.

When you graduated, you thought that was the end of writing pages upon pages of pretentious drivel about Chinese literature of the Tang Dynasty.

When you applied for your first job, you thought for sure that was the end of writing fluffy cover letters about your passion and experience.

But then you arrived at the office, and the writing never stopped. You wrote customer service emails or client memos or grant proposals. You wrote scripts or contracts or lesson plans.

And when you go home, the writing never stops either. You write emails and party invitations and shopping lists. You write tweets and Facebook posts and text messages.

You just can’t escape the power of the College Essay.

Which is why we made it this week’s writing prompt. So, what’s your most creative take on college essays?

Get wild with it! Say the things you wished you said. Write the things you wished you wrote. Take on the topics you wished you took on. End sentences with prepositions, even! What the hell do we care?

Just send us your submission of 400-700 words. Write us anything that comes to mind when you think of COLLEGE ESSAY. It can be a personal essay, a poem, short story, script, or anything else original and fresh. Just make it worth our while and we’ll publish it, include it in our newsletter, and give you the chance to join the creative, talented staff writers here at The Prompt.

Email your responses to kelaine.conochan@thepromptmag.com by Sunday, January 21st at midnight EST.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

The Prompt Staff

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