I suggest that it might be helpful for your son to look through the many posts here in the essay forum. There is also a useful article called Hack the College Essay, which he can do a google search for. Maybe direct your son to that.
I’m going to gently suggest that this is a major part of the problem. As a professional tutor who works with many students on their essays, my general opinion is that parents truly need to stay out of the essay writing process in the early stages for sure, and certainly for the personal statement. You repeatedly refer to we, but this is his process. You are overthinking it and there is PLENTY of time for him to write his essay.
Here are some fairly universal truths about essay writing:
- Parents have pretty erroneous ideas of what they think a personal statement needs to say. They often try to persuade kids to write about things they don’t want to write about.
- Most students are uncomfortable trying to convey their personalities in 650 words.
- Most students feel there is nothing dramatic or noteworthy to say about themselves.
- Teachers can be very helpful if they have the time, but their goal isn’t necessarily to show the student how to write an essay that will be best for their college app.
- Most students now don’t have the best writing skills. Good writing has taken a back seat to so many other aspects of schooling (a separate topic, but regrettable.) If the parent wants to be helpful once the student has some kind of rough draft, this could be the time to review for grammar and punctuation, and/or enlist the help of a friend or relative who has some skill perhaps. I recommend someone other than the parent, if possible.
- Every student DOES have something interesting to say about themselves, but they often think they have to write something they think a college wants to hear, such as their experience working in a soup kitchen, or the time they won the race. Those can be great topics, but no better than writing about how much they love to sit in a hammock and watch the clouds go by.
If your child is comfortable asking for help from strangers, there is a free service right here where your child can get started and ask for help via the hive mind at CC. STUDENTS, Need Help w/ Your College Essays? Get Community Feedback Now
Meanwhile, I suggest you drop it for now. Let him finish the school year. There is no need for him to write the essay at this moment.