Step 2-1: Brainstorming
Expected Time: 60-90 Minutes
As you begin brainstorming, approach it with an open mind. Even if already you have a few ideas, that’s great, but don’t get locked into them - be open to exploring new ones that might hold more potential.
If you don’t have any ideas on where to begin, relax and know that everything will come together so long as you actively engage in the process.
Remember, our focus is on what colleges might what to know about you - don’t get sucked on “what colleges want to hear?” thinking.
This step requires self-reflection.
Think about the different aspects of your life and how your experiences have shaped you.
You'll be asked to complete the brainstorming organizer shown at the left.
Try your best to come up with 4-8 bullet points for EACH quadrant.
If you get stuck on this activity, you can:
- ask parents to help brainstorm ideas - sometimes they remember things that you've forgetten.
- go for a walk or bike ride and mull over the different quadrants. Sometimes getting the blood pumping can help!
The best ideas are ones that reveal something meaningful about you. A trip to Hawaii might have been fun, but it may not show a deeper lesson or personal quality. But perhaps while in Hawaii you went snorkeling, fell in love with the ocean wildlife which lead to your passion for marine biology, and is the reasdon why you saved up money from a summer job so you could pay to attend a marine biology summer camp at Half Moon Bay. Now that's more interesting!
Take time to reflect and come up with lots of ideas.
Go to the Essays Folder in CounselMore (in FILES tab) and open Step 2, Part 1: Brainstorming Organizer
When finished with the organizer, continue to Step 2, Part 2.