I’m often asked if any subjects are off-limits. We do hear that topics like the “3 D’s” (death, depression, divorce), along with sports and camp (and now COVID), should be treated carefully. Why?

• COVID? That’s easy, because there’s a separate question for that. Use it if you need it! Or add a few sentences to your main essay that were inspired (good or bad) by COVID, but most likely, it’s not your ENTIRE story.
• Sports? There are 8 million high school athletes, so if every essay is about a common sports theme (Friday Night Lights, scoring a lot of goals, etc.), it’s not all that unique or interesting. Maybe YOUR story is about a special motto that you learned through sports that you then applied to other areas of your life? Now we’re getting interesting!
• Camp? Millions of kids go to camp, according to the American Camp Association, so if your essay is about being homesick and living in a bunk, it may not be that unique or exciting. But if it’s about escaping a Category 2 hurricane, evacuating a 1,600-person camp, and having your leadership skills tested by 9-year-old campers, you’ve got a story! (actual example – approved to share by student).
• Those 3 D’s? unfortunately, are prevalent in the teenage population, so your angle needs to be very specific to YOU. I remember a Vanderbilt admissions tour where the representative shared a favorite essay about an applicant buying her first bra at Walmart with her grandfather. Why? Her mother had passed away, which was undoubtedly painful, but her story wasn’t just about the loss. It was about finding new, special people to celebrate milestone firsts with.

Here’s my advice, backed by TONS of successful essays on each and every one of these topics (except COVID). I don’t believe ANY topic is off-limits, including all mentioned here. What I think SHOULD be avoided is common, boring, any teen could write it stuff. Think about your best idea and personalize it with lots and lots of YOU! That’s what makes an idea really shine. The simplest ideas often turn into the most creative stories. I’ve seen students write about fishing, hot tea, shoes (all kinds!), a lucky charm, a saying that informed direction, an adventure that led to reflection and action, a failure that contributed to aha moments and growth, a surprising discovery, and so much more! Plus, simple is what turned one writer’s story about a Danish prince into Hamlet. (By the way, Hamlet has been translated into 75 languages, and more than 4 million copies of Shakespeare’s masterpiece have been sold).

What’s YOUR idea? What’s YOUR story?

The post Any Idea Can Lead to a Great Essay – What’s Yours? appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Note – one question was deleted last year, but I think is still a great prompt that you could answer and include under another option above:

• Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 

Another confirmation – the COVID impact question will return for its third admissions cycle:

Community disruptions such as COVID-19 and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. If you need it, this space is yours to describe those impacts. Colleges care about the effects on your health and well-being, safety, family circumstances, future plans, and education, including access to reliable technology and quiet study spaces. (up to 250 words)

Basically, were you affected by the pandemic? This could be a pivot you had to make to adapt, new skills you learned, a shift in mindset, an activity you launched, or new hobbies you tried during the pandemic. I surveyed admissions officers last year to see what they’d advise, and MOST told me that if it adds to the context of the student, go for it! I didn’t get the sense that anyone would be penalized for NOT answering it last year, and I plan to check on this again once the current admissions cycle is complete. Given that the pandemic has now dominated more than half of the Class of 2023’s high school experience, it might be worth noting something unique to you, even if it’s a few sentences. Note: your school should be answering the school-specific COVID impact question so you can focus on you! Verify with your guidance counselor or college specialist that your school is providing school-specific responses. More information on this from last year is linked here.

Forbes magazine shared some thoughts very much in line with my philosophy of finding YOUR BIGGEST HEADLINE. That story doesn’t happen in a few months; it happens in a lifetime. I love this advice in Forbes: “Don’t hesitate to use this option (the COVID question) to explain your situation, and then write your college essay about the greater story of you.”

Sign up here – link – to join me for a POWER HOUR on the following topics:

• FREE INTRO CLASS – Top Do’s & Don’ts: How to put more WOW into your essays (Sunday 2/6 @ 7 pm)
• RESEARCH – How early research powers your college list and essays. Includes free research tool (Sunday 2/27 @ 7 pm)
• WHAT’S YOUR STORY? – Guided brainstorming to come up with your main essay topic. How to find a winning idea.  Date to be announced soon! 
• ACTIVITY LIST – Your “college resume,” this list is super important. Learn what’s expected and how to pack yours with lots of WOW! Date to be announced soon! 

The post Common App Main Essay Prompts Announced for 2022-23 + COVID Impact Question Returns appeared first on Power Hour Editing.