Sparking your story for the personal statement

#writingtips #collegeapps #yourstory

Writing your personal statement for college apps? It’s only one of the single most important documents you will submit as part of your college applications, showcasing your core values, strengths, and personality… all while not appearing braggy, sobby, or shady. Should be a piece of molten lava chocolate cake, right?

Well, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably hit writer’s block at some point. And that’s totally normal! But you know what can help you find a captivating narrative for your college apps? A flash of inspiration (cue angels singing). So here are 5 writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing:

1 — An experience that changed how you see the world

✤ examples: Traveling to a foreign land. Debating a “controversial” topic during Model UN. Visiting a place of worship different from the religion you grew up with.

2 — A time you showed courage by taking a risk

✤ examples: Trying something you were “bad” at. Defending an unpopular opinion. Standing up for someone in their time of need.

3 — A question you can’t stop asking or researching

✤ examples: What causes migraine headaches? Is space exploration a necessity or luxury? Does the arc of the moral universe really bend toward justice?

4 — A mistake you made that taught you a powerful lesson

✤ examples: Sent a text to the wrong recipient. Misinterpreted another person’s silence. Made a Freudian slip.

5 — Something about you that others may find intriguing or unusual

✤ examples: You taught yourself how to speak Kazakh for fun. You start working out at 4:30am every morning. Your dream job involves working in Antarctica.

Did any of these prompts spark something for you? If so, drop your story idea in the comments below and get some feedback from the good folks reading this post!