Brainstorming Common App Essay topics


Here are a few sample personal statements, along with our feedback, but remember that these are just some ways to approach your personal statement, not the only ways. Instead of thinking of these essays as formulas for you to copy (how hard would that be to fit your own experience into someone else’s college essay?), think of them as inspiration and as examples of effective writing. Look at the voice and structure and think about how you might draw some ideas from them.


Your Personal Statement essay (also known as “the common app essay”) is a huge part of your college application. However, many students find this essay to be one of the hardest parts. Why? Frankly – because it is hard! Writing an essay that reveals your unique characteristics and values in 650 words or less is not easy! But, that doesn’t mean it’s not doable.

Now it’s your turn. Copy and paste the questions to get started. We use a similar brainstorming process with all the students we work with, and it’s a surefire way to find the right college essay topic for you. Once your brainstorm is done, check out the college essay writing guide or the Essay Academy to transform your brainstorm from a rough topic to a full-blown essay.

Example College Essays from former students, post forthcoming!

While the Common App provides a few prompts for the personal statement essay, they are all fairly open-ended. In essence, you can write almost anything about yourself. The goal is to write about something that will help admissions see beyond your test scores and grades and provide a glimpse into your personality and character.

While you can answer in whatever form comes naturally to you, here are a few ideas to jump start your futuristic thinking. Write down your answers.
1. What’s more important to you: financial stability or doing what you love?
2. What is your dream job and why?
3. What will your life look like in 10 years? Where will you be living?
4. Who will you have an impact on?
5. How will you get to where you want to be?

When it comes to your brainstorming sessions and exercises, write everything down. It doesn’t have to be neat or orderly. You never know what thoughts or ideas are going to spark the perfect essay topic or story or anecdote to include in your essay.

Essay writing timelines: how to write your Common App personal statement if you have six months, three months, one month, or even less


Common App essay brainstorming tips

See how easy that was? They’re quick answers that are rich with description and ideas. When you write your own, it’ll be the kindling for your college essay.

Brainstorming for a college essay : r/ApplyingToCollege

You’ve read and reread the and . Now it’s time to plan what ideas you could write about in your Common App essay and how you can match these back to a topic within one of the prompts.

Firstly you’ve found a bit of time and space to mull over a few outlines and ideas; that’s great and absolutely vital.

However if you’re struggling to think of an interesting subject that you can write about, here are a few ideas we brainstormed earlier that may help you get started.

7 Common App Essay Brainstorming Exercises (2024-25)

Every year, the college application process seems to get more complex, and more intense. If you’re a student, you might be reviewing rumors and horror stories about that classmate of yours with perfect grades and a 1500 SAT score who somehow got rejected from . If you’re a parent, you might be afraid of how much the college admissions system has changed and grown more competitive since you were your kids’ age, or perhaps you never had to navigate this system at all.

10 Best Brainstorming Prompts for the Common Application Essay

College application essays are a critical aspect of the admissions process, offering an opportunity to showcase your individuality beyond the standard application forms and test scores. A well-crafted essay can highlight your unique personality, experiences, and aspirations, providing college admissions officers with a more holistic view of who you are.

How to brainstorm for college application essay (Common ..

That said, many students find writing college essays to be one of the more challenging parts of the application. Keep reading for tips on how to make your college essays stand out.

How to BRAINSTORM Ideas for Your COMMON APP Essays

The college admissions essay is designed to give admissions officers insight into your character, experiences, and motivations. Unlike standardized test scores and , which provide quantitative data, the college essay allows students to showcase their unique voice, creativity, and personal journey. It often addresses prompts that encourage reflection on significant life events, personal growth, or aspirations, enabling you to highlight what makes you a compelling candidate for admission.