College Prep
Admissions Essay Packet
Name_____________________________________
Date______________________Block___________
Lesson Two: Brainstorming and Selecting Topic
Writing an effective admissions essay requires a bit of soul searching and
reflection. The schools want to gain from your essay some insight into your
character and personality. Although, it can be difficult for some people to write
about themselves, especially something personal or introspective, there is a
Brainstorming Worksheet provided which should help you to get started.
One essay, multiple schools
Some schools' questions seem similar at first glance but are not really the
same. Don't fall into the trap of ignoring nuances that change the way the
question must be answered, then sending identical essays to different
schools with subtly different essay questions. Admissions officers know what
other schools are asking applicants, and they are unfavorably impressed
when a candidate submits another school's essay to them.
That said, if two questions truly do call for the exact same answer, you should
not feel obligated to write two essays from scratch. You can often use the
same details about a particular experience and change only the framework
for those details. Make sure that the essay doesn't feel like a form letter,
though, with a "fill in the blank" where the school's name should go. If the
question calls for it, relate each version of your theme to the specific school to
which you will submit it.
Brainstorming a Topic
You should first complete the Brainstorming Worksheet that follows in this
packet.
After Completing the Worksheet...
You should now have a large number of potential essay topics. The next step is
to narrow this list down to the topics that are most suited to an admissions essay.
For each topic, answer the following questions. Some of your ideas may reveal
themselves as dull, while others will yield plenty to discuss.
For each of the personal characteristics or skills you have listed, ask:
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Does it distinguish me from others I know?
How did I develop this attribute?
For each of the activities you have listed, ask:
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What made me join this activity?
What made me continue to contribute to it?
Application Process Tab Brainstorming & Selecting Topic 1
For each event you have listed, ask:
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Why do I remember this particular event?
Did it change me as a person?
How did I react?
Was the event a moment of epiphany, as if my eyes saw
something to which they had previously been blind?
For each person you have listed, ask:
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Why have I named this person?
Do I aspire to become like this person?
Which of this person’s traits do I admire?
Is there something that this person has said that I will always
remember?
Did this person challenge my views?
For each of your favorites and least favorites, ask:
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Why is this a favorite or least favorite?
Has this thing influenced my life in a meaningful way?
For each failure, ask:
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What did I learn from this failure?
What good came out of this failure?
In answering these questions, you will probably find that you have a great deal to
talk about for at least five to seven topics. You must now confront the primary
challenge of the admissions essay: finding the one topic that will allow you to
synthesize your important personal characteristics and experiences into a
coherent whole while simultaneously addressing your desire to attend a specific
institution. While most admissions essays allow great latitude in topic selection,
you must also be sure to answer the questions that were asked of you. Leaving a
lasting impression on someone who reads 50 to 100 essays a day will not be
easy, but we have compiled some guidelines to help you get started.
Selecting a Topic
After brainstorming, you should have a lengthy list of potential topics to cover.
Some essays that answer specific questions will require only one topic. For most
general personal statements, however, you will want to discuss between two and
Application Process Tab Brainstorming & Selecting Topic 2
four subjects. Occasionally you can discuss a single experience at length, if you
are confident that the material touches on the entire range of themes you need to
convey. If you try to tackle more than four subjects, you are probably treating
each one in insufficient depth.
For each potential topic, answer the following questions to help narrow your
selection.
1. Have I selected a topic that conveys something meaningful about my
personality? Will the reader walk away with an enriched understanding of who
you are? If you cannot answer in the affirmative, then you have probably chosen
a topic that is too generic. Search harder to find a subject for which you can take
a more personal and original approach.
2. Am I painting a complete portrait? You cannot write a comprehensive essay
that discusses everything you have ever done, but you can aim to offer an
argument that details the full range of what you have to offer. If you choose only
one topic, that topic should be broad enough in scope to allow you to discuss
layers of your skills and characteristics. If you choose multiple topics, they should
build upon and supplement each other without becoming redundant.
3. Is my topic unique? It is hard to have something entirely new to say, but you
should at least have a fresh take on your topic. If you recognize a lack of
originality in your ideas, try to be more specific and personal. The more specific
you get, the lower the risk of blending in with other applicants.
4. Will it keep my reader's interest? It is true that good writing can make any
topic fascinating to read about, but there is no need to start yourself off with a
handicap. Choose a topic that will naturally be of interest to any reader. For this
criterion, it is necessary to step back and view your topic objectively, or else
consult the opinion of others. If someone described the basic idea to you, would
you care enough to ask for more details?
5. Can I write a detailed essay on this topic? You should make sure ahead of
time that your topic is fundamentally based on concrete evidence. If you are
choosing specific experiences or events, then the relevant details should be
clearly available. However, if your topic is more abstract, then you must be
prepared to back up any claims with concrete examples and illustrative details.
6. Does my topic answer the question? Applicants often overlook the very
basic necessity of actually answering the question posed. They think they can
get away with a loosely adapted essay from another application, or they simply
do not take the time to review the question carefully. Make sure the topic you
choose gives you room to address all parts of the question fully. Admissions
officers could perceive an irrelevant response as an indication of your
carelessness or lack of interest in their school.
Application Process Tab Brainstorming & Selecting Topic 3
7. Does it resort to gimmicks? While creativity is encouraged, there must be
substance to make your tactics worthwhile. Do not expect mere novelty to win
you any points, and realize that you risk coming across as frivolous. Also, there is
a good chance that any gimmicks you come up with have been done already.
8. Is the topic too negative? As far as your topic is concerned, the main idea
should be focused on your positive attributes. This does not mean, however, that
you should not mention past weaknesses that you have learned to overcome, as
the emphasis there is still on the strength you demonstrated.
9. Does my topic simply repeat information found elsewhere on the
application? Your topic should not merely be a list of activities or a prose
version of your résumé. Rather, it should offer the kind of insight that only you
can provide in a personal manner.
10. Is my topic too controversial? If you get a sympathetic reader, a
controversial topic might help you to stand out, but you risk offending others and
severely hurting your chances. You would do better to search for a topic that
makes you unique without resorting to cheap shots or obvious cries for attention.
11. Will my topic inspire pity? You can describe misfortunes or a
disadvantaged background, but do not use them as an excuse for bad
performances or to seek pity. Doing so not only could sound manipulative, but
also means that you have not emphasized your strengths sufficiently. Thus, as in
the case of weaknesses, you should bring up obstacles in your past only to show
how you have overcome them.
Words of Wisdom from Admissions Officers
“Try very hard just to be yourself…We realize that this is difficult for high
school students to do since they are in the midst of a period of selfdiscovery and are still figuring out who they are. Nevertheless, to the
extent that you are developing a sense of your identity, try to be
courageous and express yourself honestly.”
— Admissions Officer, Duke University
“The essay plays a particularly key role, not only in selection for the
freshman class but also in reviewing candidates for scholarships and
other honors programs…a good, polished essay within a carefully
constructed application affords you the opportunity to be present, in a
sense, when the committee meets, adding another element of control.”
— Admissions Officer, New York University
Source: www.essayedge.com
Application Process Tab Brainstorming & Selecting Topic 4
1. If you were writing your autobiography right now, what would be five to ten events
or things that would have to be included?
2. List five accomplishments you have made over the past five years (Do not limit
yourself to accomplishments for which you have been formally recognized since the
most interesting essays are often based on accomplishments that may have seemed
insignificant at the time but become crucial when placed in the context of your life.)
3. List three to five things on which you consider yourself very knowledgeable.
4. What are your most important extracurricular or community activities?
Application Process Tab Brainstorming & Selecting Topic 5
5. List five people whom you respect and admire. They can be real or fictional, dead or
alive.
6. What is your favorite movie or book?
7. Who is your favorite musician?
8. List two times in life you failed miserably and two times when you were a fantastic
success.
9. List four of your favorite things and four of your least favorite. These can include
activities, places, objects, virtues, etc.
Application Process Tab Brainstorming & Selecting Topic 6