Episode 6: The Common App's Prompt #5 (The Accomplishment Essay)

Summary

The College Essay Advisors podcast explores common app prompt number five, focusing on personal growth through accomplishments, events, or realizations. Hosts Stacy Brook and Becca Myers discuss the importance of balancing the event with personal insights, offering examples from students' essays that highlight the broad range of experiences and skills gained. They emphasize the value of processing moments and the creative potential of the prompt for brainstorming and idea generation.

Takeaways

• 📚 The podcast is focused on discussing how to write college admission essays that stand out.
• 👩‍🏫 Stacy Brook is the founder and chief advisor, and Becca Myers is the director of advising at College Essay Advisors.
• 📝 They discuss Common App prompt number five, which asks students to discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that led to personal growth.
• 🤔 The prompt offers a lot of flexibility, allowing students to choose from various life experiences for their essays.
• 🔍 It's important to not just recount the event but to also reflect on the personal growth and new understanding that resulted from it.
• 💡 The podcast suggests that personal growth is as important, if not more so, than the accomplishment or event itself.
• 👷 An example given is about a student who worked in a firehouse and learned humility and a range of skills from menial tasks, leading to a deeper respect for all types of work.
• 🎭 Another example involves a student who, after not making it into a musical, found fulfillment in working behind the scenes as a stagehand, realizing their preference for that role.
• 🧬 A student with type 1 diabetes used her condition as a prompt to discuss problem-solving skills and personal growth.
• 🌍 A student connected with his South African heritage not through travel but through making a traditional delicacy with his father, leading to a deeper understanding of his roots.
• 📖 The podcast encourages creativity within structure and provides examples to illustrate the wide range of possible topics for the essay.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'College Essay Advisors Podcast'?

The main focus of the podcast is to provide guidance on writing college admissions essays that stand out and increase the chances of acceptance.

Who are the hosts of the 'College Essay Advisors Podcast'?

Stacy Brook, the founder and chief advisor, and Becca Myers, the director of advising, at College Essay Advisors.

What common application prompt are they discussing in the podcast?

They are discussing prompt number five, which asks students to discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked personal growth and a new understanding of themselves or others.

Why is the personal growth aspect emphasized in the podcast?

The personal growth aspect is emphasized because it is considered equally, if not more important, than the actual accomplishment or event, as it shows how the student has processed and learned from that moment.

What is the significance of discussing conjunctions in the context of essay writing?

Discussing conjunctions is significant because it highlights the importance of understanding sentence structure and ensuring that the essay does not unnecessarily address every aspect of the prompt when it includes choices like 'and/or'.

What is an example of a tangible accomplishment that could be discussed in an essay?

An example of a tangible accomplishment is getting a job offer, which is a concrete achievement that can be discussed in the context of personal growth.

What is an example of an abstract accomplishment that could be included in an essay?

An abstract accomplishment, such as gaining self-confidence, can be included in an essay to show personal growth that is not tied to a specific event or achievement.

What is the importance of balancing the discussion of the event with personal growth in an essay?

Balancing the discussion of the event with personal growth is important to show the transformation and insights gained from the experience, which is the core of the prompt.

Can you provide an example of an essay discussing an event that led to personal growth?

One example is an essay about a student who worked in a firehouse, initially expecting to be a firefighter but learning valuable skills and gaining respect for the job by performing mundane tasks, leading to personal growth.

How can a student's experience with a hobby or interest contribute to their essay?

A student's experience, such as trying out for a musical and then finding fulfillment in working behind the scenes, can contribute to their essay by showing personal growth and a new understanding of their interests and passions.

What is the significance of discussing a student's cultural heritage in their essay?

Discussing cultural heritage can be significant as it provides a deeper understanding of the student's identity and how their background has shaped their personal growth and worldview.

How can a student use a metaphor in their essay to convey personal growth?

A student can use a metaphor, such as the process of making a dried meat delicacy, to symbolize their connection to their heritage and the realization of their rich cultural background, showing personal growth through the metaphor.

What advice do the hosts give regarding the structure of the essay in response to the prompt?

The hosts advise that while the prompt allows for creativity, it is important to maintain a structure that balances the discussion of the event or accomplishment with the personal growth that resulted from it.

Why is it beneficial to read the prompt slowly and break it down when brainstorming for essay ideas?

Reading the prompt slowly and breaking it down helps to identify multiple paths for brainstorming and idea generation, ensuring that the essay is comprehensive and addresses all aspects of the prompt.

How can a student's experience with overcoming a challenge, such as managing a chronic condition, contribute to their essay?

A student's experience with overcoming a challenge like managing type 1 diabetes can contribute to their essay by demonstrating problem-solving skills, resilience, and personal growth in the face of adversity.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the College Essay Advisors Podcast

The transcript begins with an introduction to the 'College Essay Advisors Podcast,' where the hosts, Stacy Brook and Becca Myers, set the stage for the episode. They emphasize the importance of personal growth in college essays, suggesting that it can be as significant as the accomplishment or event itself. The podcast aims to guide students on writing college admission essays that stand out. The hosts read the common app prompt number five, which asks students to discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that led to personal growth and a new understanding of themselves or others. They highlight the flexibility of the prompt, allowing for a wide range of topics and emphasizing the need to balance the event with the personal growth it inspired.

05:00

🔧 Personal Growth from Mundane Tasks: The Firehouse Experience

In this paragraph, the hosts share an example of a student who worked at a firehouse, expecting action but instead learning humility and essential skills through menial tasks. The student's initial expectations of heroic acts were replaced with the reality of cleaning and organizing, which ultimately taught him respect for the underlying work that supports the firehouse's operations. This experience led to personal growth, demonstrating that mastery of small skills can pave the way for overcoming larger challenges. The hosts appreciate essays that highlight hard work in non-academic or non-limelight roles, showcasing the value of such experiences in personal development.

10:04

🎭 Behind the Scenes: Discovering Passions Beyond the Spotlight

The hosts discuss another student's journey of self-discovery through involvement in a school musical. Initially disappointed by not landing a performing role, the student found fulfillment working behind the scenes as a stagehand, operating lights, and contributing to the production in a meaningful way. This realization led to a deeper understanding of their preferences and passions, shifting from the desire to perform to a love for the technical aspects of theater. The essay illustrates a shift in the student's self-perception and the growth that comes from unexpected experiences and realizations.

🍖 Culinary Connection: Heritage and Personal Growth

In the final paragraph, the hosts share a metaphorical essay about a student who connected with his South African heritage through the process of making a traditional dried meat delicacy called biltong with his father. The slow and careful process of food preparation became a metaphor for the student's gradual understanding and appreciation of his roots. The intimate conversations and shared stories during this culinary experience provided a deeper connection to his father's homeland and a newfound respect for his heritage. This essay stands out for its creative approach to the prompt, intertwining cultural connection with personal growth.

Keywords

💡Personal Growth

Personal growth refers to the process of self-improvement and development that occurs through experiences, learning, and reflection. In the context of the video, personal growth is a central theme as it is what colleges are interested in seeing in applicants' essays. The hosts discuss how an accomplishment, event, or realization can spark personal growth, which is crucial for college admissions essays. For example, the student who worked in a firehouse learned humility and a range of skills that contributed to his personal development.

💡College Admissions Essays

College admissions essays are a part of the application process where students write about their experiences, achievements, and personal qualities to demonstrate their suitability for a college or university. The video focuses on how to write effective essays, particularly for Common App prompt number five, which asks students to discuss an accomplishment or realization that led to personal growth.

💡Common App Prompt

The Common App is a platform used by many U.S. colleges and universities for student applications, and it includes a set of essay prompts. The hosts of the podcast are discussing prompt number five, which asks students to reflect on an accomplishment or realization that led to personal growth. This prompt is significant as it provides students with an opportunity to showcase their character and development.

💡Accomplishments

An accomplishment is a successful achievement or task completed to a high standard. In the video, the hosts suggest that students can write about tangible accomplishments like getting a job offer or more abstract achievements like personal development. The example of the student who fixed a toilet illustrates an accomplishment on a smaller scale.

💡Realization

A realization is the act of becoming aware of something or understanding the truth or reality of a situation. The video emphasizes the importance of discussing realizations in college essays as they often lead to personal growth. The student who worked in a firehouse had a realization about the value of different tasks and skills, leading to a deeper understanding of the firehouse operations.

💡Event

An event is a significant occurrence or happening. In the context of the video, the hosts mention that students can write about an event that sparked personal growth. Events can range from large-scale occurrences like a race to more intimate, personal experiences, such as the student who traveled to Johannesburg and later connected with his heritage through a family recipe.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the process of addressing and resolving issues or challenges. The video mentions a student who 'life hacked' her way through living with type 1 diabetes, which improved her problem-solving skills. This concept is relevant to the theme of personal growth as overcoming challenges often leads to learning and development.

💡Heritage

Heritage refers to the traditions, beliefs, and history that are passed down through generations in a family or culture. In the video, a student's connection to his South African heritage through making a traditional food with his father is highlighted. This experience led to a deeper understanding of his roots and personal identity.

💡Metaphor Essay

A metaphor essay is a type of writing where the author uses metaphors to convey a deeper meaning or to make a comparison between two seemingly unrelated things. The video gives an example of a student who wrote a metaphor essay about connecting with his heritage through the process of making a traditional food, which symbolized the slow and meaningful process of understanding his roots.

💡Creative Answers

Creative answers refer to responses that are original, imaginative, and go beyond the obvious. The hosts encourage students to provide creative answers to the essay prompts, suggesting that this can make their essays stand out. The idea is to interpret the prompts broadly and come up with unique and personal stories that showcase their experiences and growth.

💡Structure

Structure in writing refers to the organization and arrangement of ideas in a text. Despite the call for creative answers, the hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining a structure in the essay, ensuring that the event or accomplishment is balanced with the discussion of personal growth. This reflects the need for a coherent narrative that is easy to follow and understand.

Highlights

The importance of personal growth in college essays, as it reflects how an individual has processed a significant moment in their life.

Introduction of Stacy Brook and Becca Myers, the founder and director of advising at College Essay Advisors.

Discussion of Common App prompt number five, focusing on personal growth through accomplishments, events, or realizations.

The emphasis on reading the prompt carefully before discussing it, as a lesson learned for better understanding.

The flexibility of the prompt, allowing for a wide range of topics from large-scale accomplishments to small, personal events.

The idea that the personal growth from an event is as important, if not more so, than the event itself.

The suggestion to not necessarily answer every part of a prompt if it includes 'and' or 'or', emphasizing the need for focus.

An example of a student's essay about working in a firehouse and the unexpected lessons in humility and respect gained from menial tasks.

The value of discussing hard work and jobs that are not academic or abstract, showing dedication beyond traditional achievements.

A student's realization of their preference for behind-the-scenes work in theater over being on stage, leading to a deeper understanding of their interests.

The story of a student with type 1 diabetes who learned problem-solving skills that could be applied to various aspects of life.

The connection between a student's heritage and the personal growth experienced through making a traditional delicacy with their father.

The concept of a 'metaphor essay', using the process of making biltong as a metaphor for connecting with one's roots.

The advice to choose an essay topic that is essential to who you are and would be valuable for admissions to know.

Encouragement for listeners to like, subscribe, and follow for more content on writing college essays.

The hosts' anticipation for discussing the last two prompts in the next episode, inviting listeners to tune in.

Transcripts

welcome to the college essay advisors

podcast before we introduce ourselves

here's a little preview of what's to

come

I think the personal growth is equally

if not more important than the actual

accomplishment or event or realization

because we're looking to see how you've

processed that that moment

[Music]

college essay advisors podcast and

ongoing exploration of how to write

College admissions essays that get you

noticed and accepted hello everyone my

name is Stacy Brook and I am the founder

and chief advisor at College assay

advisors hi I'm Becca Myers and I am the

director of advising at the same place

yeah College SE advisors that's the

place that's the one

um we are here to talk to you today

about common apps prompt number five

yeah and you know prompts love it

um

we'll start by reading it because we're

learning we have our own personal growth

in this podcast and one of the things

we've learned is that we should read the

prompt before we go on about it

endlessly

so here's that prompt

discuss an accomplishment event or

realization that sparked a period of

personal growth and a new understanding

of yourself or others that or doesn't

mean and

It Means War that's a choice there just

want to say we could write killer

college essays about making this

broadcast I will I'd also like to say we

should do a whole episode on

conjunctions because some people think

there's an and where there's an or you

don't always have to answer everything

right this this seems to be something

you've uh you've encountered maybe even

more than I have we'll get to that can

you tell it in my shaking angry voice

yeah absolutely not

um so yes discuss an accomplishment of

unrealization and sparked a period of

personal growth and a new understanding

of yourself for others I like to call

this the accomplishment essay and one of

the reasons that I love this prompt is

because it is Rife with options kind of

along the lines of prompt number one if

you read it slowly and you break it down

you'll see they're giving you a million

different paths to follow in terms of

brainstorming and idea generation so you

can discuss among the things listed and

accomplishment and event a realization

so many things to choose from there and

all of these can be things that are

large scale small scale

um things that happened in a second in a

minute over the course of time

um

you know an accomplishment can be

something tangible like getting a job

offer or it can be

um you know something a little bit more

um

a little bit more abstract like my

example was that I fixed a toilet

yesterday but that's not abstract but it

was an accomplishment

yes or I mean uh becoming a more

realized version of yourself I wouldn't

necessarily go so broad but um gaining

self-confidence

um I think we'll we'll come up with some

more examples as we go and we have some

some better ones too uh to sling your

way but accomplishment event and event

can be something as

um

as 100 meter race no it could be 100

meter race it could be it could be a

quinceanera it could be a single drive

back and forth to gymnastics with her

mother every morning

um you know I think these these terms

can and are meant to be

interpreted

um

widely and broadly and it and you're

supposed to break the boundaries of

um of what these terms mean that's how

you get creative answers out of this but

within that creativity there is there is

a structure and so you'll notice that

this is a prompt that is

that is Rife and is full so you need to

not spend 600 words on the event you

need to balance it with the personal

growth I would I think the personal

growth is equally if not more important

than the actual accomplishment or event

or realization because we're looking to

see how you've processed that that

moment

absolutely completely agree

should we

some examples yeah let's do it I think I

think those are going to be helpful in

um in showing the broad range of uh of

directions one can move in

um so one of the ones uh I worked on

with a student that I really loved this

student worked in a firehouse

um your house subs

no Firehouse do you have a Firehouse

Subs where you are they don't oh okay

I'm in Upstate New York so there's shout

out to Firehouse if you want to sponsor

us they're amazing they they give out

little I'm sorry I'm derailing this or

whatever the appropriate Firehouse term

is for that I'm you get little Firehouse

hats when you're a kid and you go in

there and their whole store has like a

firehouse siren on top of it so at night

it just emanates this sort of like red

red glow this student uh he did not work

for Firehouse Subs he worked for an

actual firehouse and I believe that when

he was hired he expected you know he

would be wearing a fire suit and hanging

off a fire truck and helping to actually

put out buyers when what actually

happened for the first two months was he

washed the floors and organized power

tools and did all of the things that one

needs to do to really understand how uh

fire Firehouse operates inside and out

and it was a humbling experience for him

um it was an experience that taught him

a wide range of skills that he didn't

know he was going to learn and

ultimately ultimately at the end of the

day he left with a lot of respect for

um for people who do and the ability to

do everything from

you know sweeping the floor to

to wrangling the hose ultimately I think

he came away from the experience with um

respect for the people who throw

themselves into tasks like washing the

windows

um and the skills are required and that

as much as the people who you know wear

the fire hats um that they maybe or

maybe didn't get at uh Firehouse Subs

and you know put on Fires put out actual

buyers those hats are not sturdy or

meant for actual yes disclaimer

um so I think that that idea of that

period of his life

um ultimately leading to personal growth

and the understanding that a Mastery of

small skills often leads to the ability

to conquer larger challenges is

ultimately what he took from that and

then um you know he discussed some

examples of how that applied in his life

since then

love that because it also is an essay

about a hard worker who doesn't have to

be in the Limelight or the Fire Glow or

whatever we want to call it I love

essays that that highlight

students having jobs where they're

sweeping whether you know where they're

doing things that are not like academic

or abstract yeah yeah exactly yeah yeah

I I similarly I wasn't even I didn't

write down this example but I was

thinking about a student I don't even

know if they picked this prompt but they

they had an essay about trying out for a

musical and not making it not making the

show at all and then

discovering that they still wanted to

participate and and and doing work

behind the scenes like as a stagehand

and then realizing how rewarding that

was in a different way like operating

the lights and that became more of a

Love Actually than the performance part

like they actually realized that that

doing that was more rewarding for them

and that the performance part was

actually they wanted to be part of

something larger they didn't actually

like performing that much they liked

being backstage and so then they

continued to do that for years and years

the realization part was actually I

think when they were younger maybe

middle school and then most of the essay

in high school was about how they threw

themselves into working behind the

scenes I like that I worked with a

student who discussed how she like kind

of Life hacked her way through

having type 1 diabetes and um and how it

taught her to be a better Problem Solver

in general

um and she did end up using this prompt

uh and talking about how it was a period

of growth and realization but she just

as easily could have paired this with

the

um with the number two problem solving

prompt or the tell us something about

yourself that admissions needs to know

about you prompt number one

um and again when that happens I think

it's confirmation that you're on the

right track discussing something that's

um essential enough to who you are for

admissions to want to know about it yeah

I have one more example too if I can

jump in okay

so I worked with a student who

whose father was from South Africa and

he traveled to Johannesburg for the

first time when he was like eight or

nine years old

enjoyed it but at eight or nine you're

not necessarily like thinking so much

about your heritage or soaking it all up

or like even envisioning how this might

connect to you when you're older and it

wasn't until High School when he's he he

sat down or stood in the kitchen with

his dad and he was making this like

dried meat delicacy that has like brown

sugar coriander I think it's called

biltong I'm not sure if I'm saying that

correctly biltong

um and making this delicacy it is a slow

process like the way you have to dry the

meat you preserve it and so his essay it

was actually what I call a metaphor

essay and I love these as a poet so it

was about the ways that

um he connected to his father's Roots

slowly almost like the way you preserve

this dried meat delicacy and the

realization for him was that it wasn't

actually traveling there it was being in

the kitchen with his father making this

and talking through the process and his

dad sharing stories about his childhood

while making this together was the thing

that made him realize that he had a

pretty rich Heritage and I just thought

that was like such an amazing take on

this that it was not going to the

country it was being with your father

outside of the country and hearing him

talk about it really deeply that

connected him

I love that and I'm also starving

if anyone wants officer or hungry I know

I don't remember you

thank you so much for listening

um we hope you got some valuable

information out of this and uh we're

excited to talk to you about the last

two prompts so tune in

tune in

that's our episode for today thank you

so much for listening or watching if you

like our content please like And

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