10 Brainstorming Prompts for a Killer College Essay
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The hardest part of the writing process is the first one – choosing a topic.
It’s true! For centuries, poets have lamented the fickle nature of the muses, or spirits of inspiration.
In the poets’ view, the moment of inspiration was frustrating because it was the one part of the creative process that wasn’t in their control. It was up to the muses – and one never knew when they would pay you a visit.
The blank page still intimidates writers today. Even great writers only feel confident once they have something to work with. And it doesn’t need to be anything special. Sometimes it’s better if the starting point is unformed, a block of marble to chip away at to reveal the sculpture underneath. But before you can get rolling, you need to have something – a spark, a start.
In the face of your college essay you might feel lost. You might not know where to start. You might even be procrastinating – browsing TikTok while waiting for inspiration to strike, and then shrinking guiltily when your parents ask you how the ol’ essay is coming along.
If this is you, it is OK. It is normal. The blank screen, the blinking cursor – these things are scary. Like heights. Or clowns. But if there is one thing that is true about fear it is that you can’t ignore it. If you try, the fear will only get larger. (Believe me, I’ve tried).
The poets were wrong, by the way. You don’t need to wait for inspiration to strike. Try out these ten brainstorming prompts and see what happens. Just write as much as you can in response to these simple questions. Try not to think – just write.
Stop when you stumble across a key theme or compelling anecdote. You’re looking for something that catches YOUR attention – something that YOU can see yourself writing about, that speaks to who you are, not just as a student but as a human being. Highlight it.
THIS is the seed of your essay. It’s not everything, but it’s a start.
Whatever you do, don’t write for the admissions counselors during the brainstorm. There is plenty of time for tailoring your message later. For now, the goal is authenticity, which goes much further than many people appreciate.
The following prompts might seem simple, but that is the beauty of them. The point is to start thinking in broad terms, digging through your memories until you strike gold. And you will.
What is your favorite thing to do? Why do you enjoy it? How does it make you feel when you are doing it?
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? Can you think of a specific anecdote regarding this person, or a piece of advice they shared with you?
What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you? Why is it funny? And is there some kind of theme or lesson to this story?
What is one thing about society that you would change if you could? What is it about this issue that makes you feel so passionately?
What is the most difficult thing you’ve ever done? Was it worth it? Is the reward that comes from overcoming adversity all it’s cracked up to be?
Why do you want to go to college anyway? What are you looking forward to doing there? What do you feel when you think about college – excitement, nervousness dread? (Remember – we’re not writing for the counselors here. Be candid and look inside.)
Which literary character do you think is misunderstood? What does this reveal about how you view the world differently than other people?
What is something about you that people would be surprised to learn? And what does this reveal about “the real you”?
What is the most frustrating experience you have ever had in school? Why did you find it frustrating and what did you learn from overcoming it?
What is your favorite song? Is there something in the lyrics that speaks to you?
Good luck! And stay tuned for future updates on this blog. Next time we will look at how to turn a good idea into a compelling story that puts the reader on the edge of their seat.
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Need a master writer and teacher to proofread your college essay? Or maybe someone to guide you through the process one on one? Click here to learn more about my tutoring and editing services.
