I’m so nervous about the essay! I haven’t started but I’ve been trying to mentally brainstorm my essay, and it’s been difficult af 
My life just hasn’t been that interesting, lol
Has anyone decided what prompt(s) they are planning to use? I feel like I don’t fully understand the prompts
Any predictions for what will be the most “overdone” topic?
I highly suggest reading Essays that worked, JHU offers many. Some of the best essays talked about seemingly trivial topics like the inability to tie a knot on a dessert box at work or a seventh place metal in a swimming competition. The essays that talk about failure really help bring out character.
I actually don’t like writing too. I’m more of a acting kind of person to demonstrate something. Dont try so hard to find something that isnt there. Not everyone has survived a disease or had major life changing
I just finished mine. I’m having a recent Harvard grad read over mine. Hopefully he’ll give me thoughtful suggestions.
I was just looking at the prompts today and I literally blanked out. It’s so hard to find the right topic even though it’s supposed to be personal and all.
@Ahnissa I know what you mean! They make it sound so easy, “just find a significant event”.
I’m looking forward to doing the essay. I know exactly what I want to say and how to say it. I already have another personal essay that I did for class that I think fits me very well I’m debating if I should send that one in too (although I’ll have to touch it up a bit).
I’ve already started on mine. I quite enjoy writing them once I get into it, but I really hate when its not creative or good enough. My common app essay is close to being really good but my supplements have a LONG way to go before they look good. Of course I am a bit picky since I’m an Editor-in-Chief for my school newspaper and I know what’s really bad, and what’s really good.
Starting is by far the worst part T_T
I’ll tell you how my kids who HATED TO WRITE got started on theirs. A family friend who majored in philosophy at a top school suggested it: Open the notes section of your phone. Write one note, stream of conscious style, in ten minutes, and don’t leave ANYTHING out or hesitate to include any details, about how you spent last summer. That’ll get your ideas flowing, even if you don’t actually use them in your final essay, and help you overcome writer’s block.
So I’ve been told by many people that writing a story is the best way to tackle the essay. Would this be applicable for short response too or…?
@VanillaBean22 depends on how short the short response is, and what the prompt is, but yes in general you wan’t to try to tell a short story about yourself.
I’m having the opposite problem. My introduction is fine, but I don’t know how to end it
Hey guys so I’ve just started doing college stuff. How are you guys finding the essay topics? Common App? Thanks.
@mwojowojo: If you search the Common App essay prompts online, a link should pop up!
As someone with pretty solid GPA, Test scores, etc. I stand a really good chance at my dream school (UC-Berkeley). I’ve gone through a lot of problems over my high school career that I’m going to write about but BOY IS THIS ESSAY WRITING DIFFICULT. Worrying about how to deliver the past 17 years of life in a way that makes them confident in picking you is probably one of the most stress-inducing things I have ever had to do.
I wish all of you the best.
P.S. I tried recording me at night about what high school has been like for me, maybe it could help any of you to try doing the same?
I’m totally dreading it. Right now my common app essay is a 500 word ramble about my experiences with figure skating that has no direction and I’m not even sure it answers the prompt so there’s that. And all of the colleges I’m applying to are really supplement happy so I can’t wait to start those…
It took me two weeks to finally finish my common app essay(today). I spent a lot of time revising and erasing and attempting to stay within the word limit.