Essay Writing 101 presentation - Class of 2027 Senior Academy

Senior Academy

Essay Writing 101 Brainstorming Basics Please note: This webinar is being

Senior Program Team

Mary Allen Conforti

Jess Hancock

Edith Carmona-Chavez

Megan Tang

Asst. Director for Advising & JR+SR Program

JR+SR Program Coordinator

JR+SR Program Assistant

Advisor, Essay Coach, + Special Projects

seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org

Other College Essay Guy free resources: Podcast Youtube Videos

Many resources we will use and reference come from College Essay Guy!

Ethan Sawyer

How many essays do I have to write to apply to college?!

It depends! But generally, you can expect to write at least one (likely more) of the following essays: Personal Statement (650 words max) Supplemental Essays for specific colleges (usually 250-350 words max) Scholarship Application essay(s)

What makes a great Personal Statement?

1.Values (aka info) 2.Insight (so what?)

3.Vulnerability (is it personal?)

4.Craft (clear, logical, well-written)

Things to know about the Common App Personal Statement before we begin: 650 words max word count 7 Common App prompts you can choose from (one option is a no-prompt prompt) Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm!

Don't narrow down your topic or choose a prompt too early in the brainstorming process.

Brainstorming is so important!

Vizualization Exercise

Important Essay Writing Tips Be authentic!

Don't be afraid to talk out loud or brain dump on the page.

Your essay should not be a summary of your activities.

Your essay does NOT have to be a story of hardship in order for it to be compelling.

Important Essay Tips from CollegeWise

A boring college essay... uses 1) common topics and 2) makes common connections

Common Topic:

Common Connections:

Mission Trip

"Taught me how to be grateful for what I have, and that anyone no matter the circumstance can have joy"

Sports Injury

"Taught me resilience and to never give up"

That does NOT mean these topics can't be a part of your essay, just don't make them your WHOLE essay

College Essay Guy Essay Structures Montage: A montage is a series of seemingly unrelated events or moments that, put together, combine to create a coherent, connected story.

You want it to be about something you know a lot about, and you want it to be able to relate to multiple parts of who you are.

Narrative: This path is useful if you’ve faced personal challenges. It basically involves describing three things: challenge you’ve faced + effects on you what you did about it what you learned

How do I brainstorm?

Brainstorming Exercises from College Essay Guy

Values I love, I know

100 Brave & Interesting Questions

Essence Objects

Can AI help me write my college essays?

Best answer: No. At Crosby, we encourage you not to use AI for essays.

Common App will ask you to certify that your work is your own & classifies using “the substantive content or output of an artificial intelligence platform” as fraud.

On our June 11th campus visit to UNC-CH & NC State, admissions officers at both colleges addressed AI use for essay writing - both schools said, “No.” Using AI for... brainstorming: limits your ideas, ... writing: removes your voice & experiences - all of which are needed for a great essay!

Final Tips: Every paragraph should have: an example, a value, an insight Use details, details, and more details!

s ' t a Wh ? t x e n

How can Crosby Scholars help me with essay writing? sign up for a 1:1 Essay Coaching session (coming in July) attend Essay Writing 201: Strengthening & Supplementals in July submit an essay draft to our Essay Review Service (beginning in September) reach out to your Crosby Advisor