FIVE Brainstorming Activities For Your Personal Statement

Melina, here.

You may have heard that the personal statement is not actually about the "plot line" of the statement you write, but rather what is read "between the lines." College counselors are trained to read between the lines.

So what does this mean? To write a great essay, you want to write in a way that leaves what is between the lines completely unambiguous. Writing is about revealing the truths that lie beneath the surface.

I have created a few brainstorming activities to help you in the preliminary stages of your essay writing. Remember: writing takes a lot of revisions over time!! I would be lying if I told you you can write something excellent on the first draft.

Activity 1: Who Am I?

Time to put your humility aside. This activity will help you determine what characteristics you want to display in your statement. Parents: You can do this too… it's important to tell yourself how amazing you are no matter what stage of life!

Step 1: Start out big, write tons of adjectives that come to mind.

Step 2: Dig deep: "What about being (a/an) ‘xyz’ feels a part of my identity?" For example, if you wrote "bookworm," what do you like about reading? Is it the empathy you feel for the characters, learning about cultural identities, or historiographical moments?

Step 3: Refine, refine, refine! This is time to find the top three that you want to share with a college. I love the girly and feminine side of myself, but I don’t need to include it if it doesn't add to the narrative I want to present.

Activity 2: What Makes Me, Me?

This activity will now help you brainstorm ideas for what you want the plot of your essay to be about. Writing about something you are passionate about, from açai bowls to skiing, is sometimes helpful for students to get the ball rolling. So let's dive into Activity 2!

Step 1: Grab your resume, high school yearbooks, photo albums, and anything/everything that will help you create a list of the things you were involved in over the past few years.

Step 2: Divide a sheet into a few different sections—for example, you can make sections for sports, service, trips, family events, big life moments, and routine things that you love doing like reading each night or making eggs for breakfast. Think of as much as you can... but remember to stick to high school!

Step 3: Time to pull out your "Who Am I?" activity sheet and compare. Where can you see overlap from your top three traits and your "What Makes Me, Me?" sheet? For example, are you intellectual and curious, and love to read? This can make for a good story!

Activity 3: What Do I Value?

This activity will help you identify some of your core values and help you understand the way you want to be perceived.

Step 1: Think of three people—your favorite teacher, a close family member, and your best friend.

Step 2: Write down all the reasons why you chose this person. Think about both traits that they have, and what they bring out in you. For example, if you chose your mom—does she push you to work harder, explore your dreams, etc.?

Step 3: First, give that person what you wrote! Your values are what you admire in them, your traits are what they bring out in you. This can serve as inspiration when brainstorming a theme.

Activity 4: How has my life inspired who I am today?

This activity will help you reflect on how your surroundings shape who you are. Our homes are extensions of ourselves, and exploring them can reveal a lot about our identities.

Step 1: Take five minutes to tour your home, either in person or in your mind’s eye. This could be the place you currently live, the place you used to live, or just the place you feel most comfortable.

Step 2: Observe and reflect. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What makes it smell that way? What’s in the living room? What’s in your bedroom or the place where you sleep?

Step 3: Think about your feelings. What about your home do you love? What about it do you hate? How do these elements of your home reflect who you are or who you aspire to be?

Activity 5: Who do I want to be?

This activity will help you articulate your vision for your future, ideal self. Colleges want to see your aspirations and understand how you plan to grow.

Step 1: Reflect on your future. What is your vision for your ideal self? Write it out in whatever form comes naturally to you.

Step 2: Explore your priorities. Consider these questions to guide your thoughts: What is more important to you: financial stability or doing what you love? If you could be financially secure and skilled at any job, what would that job be?

Step 3: Envision your personal life. Do you want to one day have a spouse? Do you want to have your own kids? In your ideal world, where would you live in ten years? Why? Write down your thoughts and how these aspirations reflect your core values and identity.

These activities are designed to help you delve deeper into who you are, what you value, and what experiences have shaped you. By reflecting on these aspects, you can uncover unique angles and stories that will make your personal statement stand out.

Remember, the goal is to present a clear and compelling narrative that reveals your authentic self to the admissions committee. Take your time, be honest with yourself, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your ideas.=!

Your personal statement is a journey of self-discovery, and these activities are just the beginning.

Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
Director of Email Marketing, CollegeConsulting.us

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