So. I have honestly no idea how what to write the Common App Essay on. When I think about a topic for any of the prompts I just keep thinking, “tell them a story. Show them how you can tell a story,” and somehow that story ends up being a legit fiction story.
Seeing as how the Essay is supposed to be a /personal/ essay, I’d say that writing a random fiction story doesn’t really help. I suppose I’d like to know how to pick a topic when you have no idea what to write about.
Thank you for your help!
Try to think about what you want colleges to know about you. What is important to you? What is your personality like? What special experiences or challenges have shaped you? From there, think of a story about you that will portray what you want to tell them, and work backwards in that way.
Is there absolutely NOTHING that happened in your life that was funny or sad or terrifying or warm or embarrassing or satisfying or frustrating??? It doesn’t have to be super monumental, just don’t pick the topic of getting your drivers license.
Pick one of these events and tell what happened-- like how you might tell a friend about it. Then end it by reflecting on what you learned from the experience.