Watch THIS Before Starting Your Common App Essay

Summary

The video script offers a formula for crafting a compelling college essay, emphasizing the importance of topic, theme, and timing. It advises avoiding clichéd topics and suggests focusing on everyday activities or personal objects to symbolize deeper themes like curiosity or selflessness. The script introduces the concept of a 'secret theme' to stand out and stresses the need for multiple drafts, recommending an early start to the writing process. It also promotes a course and website for further essay assistance.

Takeaways

• 📝 The video provides a formula for writing a compelling college essay, emphasizing the importance of topic, theme, and timing.
• 🏁 Avoid common bad essay topics such as sports injuries, athletic performances, or personal tragedies.
• 🌟 Good essay topics include everyday activities viewed in a new light, funny failures, and the 'Motif' essay, which can work for most students.
• 🔑 The 'Motif' essay is highlighted as a particularly effective approach, using an object or idea to symbolize a personal trait or passion.
• 🎯 To keep the essay focused, distill it into three to five words, including a classical theme like vulnerability, selflessness, or curiosity.
• 🔍 A 'secret theme' is suggested as a unique angle that can set the essay apart from others, adding an extra layer of depth.
• 📚 The presenter uses the example of a successful 'pen collection' essay to illustrate how personal objects can be tied to classical and secret themes.
• 👍 Encouragement to like and subscribe for more content, including college essay reviews.
• 📈 The formula for a great essay is described as 'personal object + classical theme + secret theme', leading to a standout essay.
• 🗓️ The importance of starting the essay process early is stressed, with a recommendation to begin drafting well before the application deadline.
• ✍️ It's suggested to write multiple drafts, with the presenter's experience indicating that seven to eight drafts are typical for a top-quality essay.
• 🚀 A call to action for students to start brainstorming ideas and outlines, and to create a realistic timeline for their essay writing process.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to share a formula for writing a compelling college essay that stands out in the application process.

What are some bad college essay topics to avoid according to the video?

The video suggests avoiding topics like sports injuries, academic or athletic achievements, tragedies related to death, divorce, or abuse, and regurgitation of one's achievements.

What are some examples of good college essay topics mentioned in the video?

Good topics include everyday activities or ideas presented in a new light, humbling yet inspiring work experiences, funny failures, and motif essays.

What is the significance of the 'motif essay' in the context of the video?

The 'motif essay' is highlighted as a versatile and effective approach that works for a majority of students, allowing them to symbolize deeper qualities or interests through a seemingly mundane object or activity.

What is the 'theme' in the context of writing a college essay as per the video?

In the video, 'theme' refers to the central idea or message of the essay, which should be distilled into three to five words, including a classical theme such as vulnerability, selflessness, perseverance, etc.

What are the classical themes suggested in the video for a college essay?

The video suggests classical themes like vulnerability, selflessness, perseverance, initiative, curiosity, and creative expression.

What is meant by a 'secret theme' in the context of the video?

A 'secret theme' is an original and unique angle or aspect of the essay that sets it apart from others, providing an extra element of interest or depth.

What is the formula for a 'goated essay' as presented in the video?

The formula for a 'goated essay' is a combination of a personal object, a classical theme, and a secret theme.

How many drafts does the video suggest are typically needed for a top 1% Common App essay?

The video suggests that it typically takes around seven to eight drafts to create a top 1% Common App essay.

What is the recommended timeline for writing a college essay according to the video?

The video recommends starting early and allowing about seven to eight weeks to write multiple drafts, ideally beginning before the school year starts.

What is the importance of starting the essay drafting process early as emphasized in the video?

Starting early allows for more time to refine the essay, reducing the stress and potential for last-minute, subpar work, and increases the chances of getting into one's dream school.