GET CREATIVE- Start a journal if you have writer’s block and can’t seem to think of a good place to start.
Common App 2015
The essay length will continue to be capped at 650 words. The essay prompts are as follows:
Option #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Option #2: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Option #3: Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Option #4: Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma--anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Option #5: Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
The Introduction:
Your opening paragraph is as important, if not more important, in your college essay as it is in your essays for English class. You need to hook your reader with realistic but interesting word choice, voice, and fluency. Think outside of the standard attention getting devices
-Tell an anecdotal story
-A zinger (wordplay, humor, or a creative twist)
-Straightforward statement/ thesis
Example:
Do you ever have those dreams where you’ve arrived at school and suddenly realize you’ve forgotten to wear pants? Well, for most high school seniors that dream becomes a reality, at least figuratively. We must bare our souls, not to best friends, or family, but to complete strangers who may not even want to hear about it and may even flat our reject us. What twisted institution would ever subject young adults in the formative stages of emotional growth to this experience? Oh right. College (#73).
Today: Section 1 of Ntbk
Brainstorm a list of topics that you could cover for your personal essay. USE ACTUAL TOPICS for applications you plan to send in- so you don’t double your work!
Keep this list with you throughout the next few days and start writing down your feelings, thoughts, and ideas, and don’t worry about organization yet (this is easily fixed in revision).
The more ideas you have, the more your essay will be unique and honest to your own character
The assignment: Get SOMETHING written for a rough draft writing workshop next Tuesday, August 25. Try for 500 words. Type it up. You will revise numerous times.
