Can't think of anything

bjkmom
Fri, 26 May 2017 11:13:24 +0000

I’m going to agree with the preceding poster on all but one point:

Here’s what I did with my son and daughter, and with my SAT prep classes:

Day 1: Copy each Common App essay prompt on the top of a new page. Set a timer for 5 minutes per page. List anything in your life experience that could possibly fit the prompt, no matter how off the wall it is. Show the list to mom/dad/siblings and see whether anyone has any stories they could add to your list.

Day 2: Take a look at your list and list a brief set of bullet points of what you would say in response to each one. At this point, you’ll be eliminating some of those too “off the wall” ideas.

Day 3: Look at what you have, and with each, ask yourself:

Does it address the prompt?

Does it paint me in a positive light, as someone who has grown?

Is it a story that’s unique to me, or will it be the 50th essay they read about personal growth after being cut from the basketball team?

Does it make me look like someone they want on their campus-- does it “Give them a reason to say yes???”

I think the best approaches are the small stories, the stories that are uniquely yours. You’re a 17 year old kid-- no one is looking for you to climb mountains or cure cancer. Find the stories that show that you’re a normal 17 year old kid who has experienced growth, who has the potential to someday climb that mountain or cure cancer. It’s the normal stuff they’re looking for, the things that make your friends and parents and teachers KNOW that you’ll be a success in college.

One warning: some of the prompts, Common App prompt # 2 in particular, might lead you to concentrate more on a failure than on a success. You can absolutely write about an obstacle or a failure, but it shouldn’t be the focus of the essay. Mention the obstacle, but make the focus on how you overcame it, and how you learned from it. Remember… “GIVE THEM A REASON TO SAY YES.”

OK, here’s where I disagree: do NOT wait until September!!! Use this summer to get that essay written! Why wait until you’re back in school, with all the pressures that brings? Get it done, get your applications done, and submit them in early or mid September.

Good luck!