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So, you’ve come to the end of the list of options for the Common App essay and found yourself in the open sea of possibilities that is #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.”
This prompt was a newsworthy addition to the 2017-2018 Common App and is feared by some yet coveted by others. Being in control of your own destiny can feel overwhelming, but it can also be a powerful opportunity. What story do you want to tell? How will you frame yourself and your experiences so admissions has no choice but to take notice? Where do you even begin?
While being able to write about whatever you wish sounds great in theory, some students find—especially at the beginning of the brainstorming process—that they are debilitated by the “topic of your choice” option because it offers too much choice. If that is the case, fear not! Use some of the other prompts as starting points for your brainstorming and freewriting journey. Begin keeping a diary (now!) and jot down subjects, events, and memories as they float to the surface. No idea is too insignificant to write down, and some of the most interesting essays sprout from small memories packed with meaning.
Take a few minutes to probe your memories, collecting our stories that spark creativity and detailed sense memories. Interview yourself! What gets you excited? Think academics, extracurricular activities, collections, obsessions, favorite movies, TV shows, music, athletics, and anything else that grabs your attention. Hunt for a story or a theme that illustrates your personality and character, whether via a big life event or a smaller anecdote.
Everyone has a story to tell; you just have to take the time to answer the question: what does this say about who I am? Admissions wants a glimpse of your personality, your values, your interests, and your passions. They want to get an idea of what kind of attitude and energy you will bring to the classroom and campus life. Your essay is new territory for admissions to explore, and you’re their tour guide, ready to point out areas of interest and noteworthy vistas into your life. Details matter here—what do you want them to see, smell, or hear? And after you’ve transported them from your memory to your vision for your future, what have they learned about who you are and what you care about?
Another angle to consider when selecting your story is whether any of these interests connect to what you will pursue in college or as a career—this could be important information to reveal in your essay! Take admissions on a journey from your past to your present and into your future by connecting the dots of that trip to the aquarium to your Marine Biology major or how growing up as the daughter of immigrant parents has fueled your passion for starting your own business. Admissions wants to know that you will bring passion, a healthy sense of self-inquiry, and a unique perspective to their school and enrich their campus culture.
Pro tip: once you figure out what you’d like to say (and maybe even after you draft the crux of the essay itself), see if your concept fits one of the first six prompts. Trying to tailor your essay to a more specific prompt option may inspire an interesting spin on the story you are trying to tell—one you may not have thought of otherwise. Form influences content. If, after careful consideration, your chosen essay topic does not work within the confines of Prompts 1-6, the glorious, all-encompassing Prompt #7 will still be there to catch you.
