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Brainstorming
Topics
Selecting
an Essay Topic
Writing
the Essay
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To
begin brainstorming a subject idea consider the following
points. From brainstorming, you may find a subject you had
not considered at first.
- What
are your major accomplishments, and why do you consider
them accomplishments? Do not limit yourself to accomplishments
you have been formally recognized for since the most interesting
essays often are based on accomplishments that may have
been trite at the time but become crucial when placed in
the context of your life.
- Does
any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from everyone
else? How did you develop this attribute?
- Consider
your favorite books, movies, works of art, etc. Have these
influenced your life in a meaningful way? Why are they your
favorites?
What was the most difficult time in your life, and why?
How did your perspective on life change as a result of the
difficulty?
- Have
you ever struggled mightily for something and succeeded?
What made you successful?
- Have
you ever struggled mightily for something and failed? How
did you respond?
- Of
everything in the world, what would you most like to be
doing right now? Where would you most like to be? Who, of
everyone living and dead, would you most like to be with?
These questions should help you realize what you love most.
- Have
you experienced a moment of epiphany, as if your eyes were
opened to something you were previously blind to?
- What
is your strongest, most unwavering personality trait? Do
you maintain strong beliefs or adhere to a philosophy?
ow would your friends characterize you? What would they
write about if they were writing your admissions essay for
you?
- What
have you done outside of the classroom that demonstrates
qualities sought after by universities? Of these, which
means the most to you?
- What
are your most important extracurricular or community activities?
What made you join these activities? What made you continue
to contribute to them?
- What
are your dreams of the future? When you look back on your
life in thirty years, what would it take for you to consider
your life successful? What people, things, and accomplishments
do you need? How does this particular university fit into
your plans for the future?
If
these questions cannot cure your writer's block, consider
the following exercises:
- Ask
for Help from Parents, Friends, Colleagues, etc.
If you cannot characterize yourself and your personality
traits do not automatically leap to mind, ask your friends
to write a list of your five most salient personality traits.
Ask your friends why they chose the ones they did. If an
image of your personality begins to emerge, consider life
experiences that could illustrate the particular traits.
- Consider
your Childhood
While admissions officers are not interested in reading
about your childhood and are more interested in the last
2-4 years of your life, you might consider events of your
childhood that inspired the interests you have today. Interests
that began in childhood may be the most defining parts of
your life, even if you recently lost interest. For instance,
if you were interested in math since an early age and now
want to study medicine, you might incorporate this into
your medical school admissions essay. Analyze the reasons
for your interests and how they were shaped from your upbringing.
- Consider
your Role Models
Many applicants do not have role models and were never greatly
influenced by just one or two people. However, for those
of you who have role models and actually aspire to become
like certain people, you may want to incorporate a discussion
of that person and the traits you admired into your application
essay.
- Read
Sample Admissions Essays
Before you sat down to write a poem, you would certainly
read past poets. Before writing a book of philosophy, you
would consider past philosophers. In the same way, we recommend
reading sample admissions essays to understand what topics
other applicants chose.
- Goal
Determination
Life is short. Why do you want spend 2-6 years of your life
at a particular college, graduate school, or professional
school? How is the degree necessary to the fulfillment of
your goals? When considering goals, think broadly. Few people
would be satisfied with just a career. How else will your
education fit your needs and lead you to a fulfilling life?
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