Your Story

The College Essay Whiz says:

Writing the Admissions Essay: Everyone’s got a story

Recently, my friend and I were talking about things we’ve kept over the years: drawers and cabinets and bags and boxes full of greeting cards, invitations, bills, comic books, old board games, stuffed animals, projects…The list was endless.

We talked about our parents, our grandparents, places we’d like to go, music we love to sing, responsibilities we’ve had, paths that have been fulfilling and others that were disappointing. I realized as we spent hours on a lovely summer day on the deck of a waterfront restaurant that our stories provided insight into our backgrounds, interests, talents, hopes and dreams.

That’s not very different from sharing a story for an admissions essay.

Take a look at the choices for the Common Application personal statement. There are six very broad questions designed to allow you to write about anything that allows the college admissions officers to learn about who you are and how you express yourself.

I have found that one of the best ways to explore ideas for the essay is to brainstorm with someone else – someone whose judgment and experience you trust. I love to talk to people; I love to find that extraordinary story that’s just waiting to be told!

Much of what we keep may have little or no resale value, but we keep them because they mean something to us: They remind us of family and friends, places we’ve visited, events in which we have taken part, failures and successes –things that make us who we are.