Step One:
Brainstorming
The most important part of your essay is the subject matter. You should expect
to devote about 1-2 weeks simply to brainstorming ideas. 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? How 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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Read Sample Admissions Assays
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. EssayEdge
maintains an archive of over 100 free sample admissions essays. Click here to
view sample essays that worked.
5. 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?
If after reading this entire page you do not have an idea for your essay, do not
be surprised. Coming up with an idea is difficult and requires time. Actually
consider the questions and exercises above. Without a topic you feel passionate
about, without one that brings out the defining aspects of you personality, you
risk falling into the trap of sounding like the 90 percent of applicants who will
write boring admissions essays. The only way to write a unique essay is to have
experiences that support whatever topic you come up with. Whatever you do, don't
let the essay stress you out. Have fun with the brainstorming process. You might
discover something about yourself you never consciously realized. 
 EssayEdge.com Admissions Essay Help - Put Harvard-Educated Editors to Work for You! View 300 free sample admissions essays!
 Step
Two: Selecting a Topic >>
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