Depending on the time of year, it might seem too early to start writing college application essays, but it can always be a great time to start generating ideas by jotting down experiences that have resonated or have been meaningful. At Green Ivy, we focus on finding ways to support students in their overall writing skills development, and know that many students experience writer’s block when confronted with the task of writing about themselves.
Over the years, we’ve devised a few strategies to help students begin gathering ideas and brainstorming topics:
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Start by listing five adjectives friends might use to describe you. Next to each adjective, write an incident, experience, or story that relates to that adjective, and see if something unique and compelling emerges.
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Keep a journal. Memorable images or moments can often serve as catalysts for compelling essays, but these details can be easily forgotten if not written down. Even spending 5-10 minutes a day can create a rich repository of ideas to revisit when it’s time to start applications.
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Free write. Just start writing. Setting aside 20 minutes to write without overthinking can allow thoughts to flow naturally. This practice not only helps “clear the throat” but may also lead to unexpected associations that inspire a great essay topic.
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Read or listen to personal essays. The series “This I Believe” showcases fantastic personal stories from both unknown and famous people, and can be listened to via podcast. The Best American Essay series is another great resource for strong personal writing as well.
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Check out these tips from the MIT blog. This blog shares a straightforward, useful, and relatable approach to writing the personal statement. It includes advice from Kurt Vonnegut and George Orwell, along with three key elements to writing a strong essay: specificity, brevity, and clarity.
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