Written by Brandon, Brown University

Receiving a rejection, particularly from esteemed institutions like Ivy League schools, can be discouraging. However, it can also ignite a process of self-reflection and innovation in your college application journey. In this article, we review the top approaches and brainstorming exercises to inspire fresh concepts for your CommonApp essays for the regular decision round.

Reflect on Your Experiences

Start by contemplating both the positive and negative experiences you've encountered in life. These pivotal moments can serve as rich sources for your essays, illustrating how they have shaped your character, values, and interests. For example, think about how overcoming challenges has bolstered your resilience or how specific achievements have clarified your passions.

Identify Your Passions

Crafting a list of your passions can be an enlightening exercise. Write down your hobbies, interests, and causes that resonate with you. This exploration can reveal themes of personal development and commitment that you may want to emphasize in your essays. Whether it’s a dedication to community service or a distinctive hobby like coding or painting, these elements can highlight your uniqueness to admission officers at Ivy League universities.

Analyze the Prompts

Take the time to thoroughly examine the Common App essay prompts. Identify themes that align with your experiences and values. The prompts are intentionally open-ended, allowing you to express insights that reflect who you are beyond academic metrics. This flexibility enables you to create an essay that authentically conveys your voice.

Consider the Unique/Unexpected

Reflect on experiences or viewpoints that distinguish you from other applicants. What unique qualities do you bring that may not be immediately visible in your application? Delving into these aspects can yield engaging essay topics, allowing you to present a more comprehensive picture of yourself.

Engage with Others

Don’t hesitate to share your ideas with trusted individuals—teachers, friends, or family members. They may provide valuable insights or remind you of experiences you've overlooked. Their perspectives can help illuminate strengths and qualities that would resonate well with admission officers.

The Master Guide to Brainstorming for the CommonApp

With that, here are ten engaging brainstorming exercises that can help you generate unique ideas for your CommonApp essays, along with creative examples for each:

1. Host Your Own Values Podcast

Imagine you’re invited to discuss a niche interest on a podcast. Choose a hobby like birdwatching. Prepare three interview questions, such as:

• What sparked your interest in birdwatching?

• Can you describe a memorable experience in nature?

• How has this hobby influenced your perspective on conservation?

As you answer, highlight skills like patience and observation. For example, “Birdwatching has taught me the importance of patience; waiting silently for hours has sharpened my focus and appreciation for the environment.”

2. Review Your Favorite Show

Select a show that resonates with you, such as The Office. Identify a character like Jim Halpert and list values he embodies, like loyalty and humor. Create an analogy: “I am like Jim because I value loyalty in friendships. Just as Jim supports Pam through her struggles, I stood by my friend during her family crisis, proving my commitment.”

3. Pitch Your Own Docuseries

Imagine creating a docuseries about your life. For each of your top five values, brainstorm episodes. For instance, if creativity is a value, an episode could focus on how you started a community art project. Conclude with insights like, “It was then I realized that creativity is essential for fostering community connections.”

4. Make a Grand Statement

Frame your life in contrast to popular narratives. For example, “My life is the opposite of a superhero movie because I often feel powerless in the face of challenges.” Follow this with a values observation: “This reflects my value of authenticity, as I embrace vulnerability rather than projecting strength.”

5. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Compose a letter to yourself ten years from now. Reflect on your current aspirations and values. For example, “Dear Future Me, I hope you’ve pursued your passion for environmental science and remained committed to sustainability. Remember the time you organized that community clean-up? It was pivotal in shaping your dedication to making a difference.”

6. Create a Vision Board

Gather images and words that represent your goals and values. This could include pictures of nature for environmentalism or quotes about resilience. Use this visual inspiration to write about how these elements influence your life choices and aspirations.

7. Develop an Alternate Ending

Take a favorite book or movie and rewrite its ending to reflect your values. If you choose The Great Gatsby, imagine Gatsby achieving his dreams through hard work rather than wealth. Discuss how this alternative ending reflects your belief in perseverance over privilege.

8. Role-Play as an Admissions Officer

Switch roles and evaluate your application from an admissions officer's perspective. What unique qualities stand out? Write down potential questions they might ask about your experiences or values, such as, “How does your experience volunteering at the animal shelter reflect your commitment to empathy?”

9. Create a Personal Manifesto

Draft a manifesto outlining your core beliefs and values. For example: “I believe in the power of kindness, creativity, and lifelong learning.” Expand on each belief with personal anecdotes that illustrate how these values guide your actions.

10. Map Out Your Influences

Draw a map connecting influential people in your life—family members, teachers, friends—to specific values they instilled in you. For instance, if your grandmother taught you resilience, write about how her stories of overcoming hardship inspire you to face challenges head-on.

Discover the difference of The Ivy Institute—where if you can dream it, we can build it! At The Ivy Institute, we don’t just help students get accepted into top Ivy League and Ivy Plus colleges — we have the resources to develop students into the candidates top colleges and admissions officers seek, and transform your CommonApp college application and essays. Join us for a 30-minute information session on applying for college with an Ivy League expert and see how we can make your college dreams a reality. Schedule your consultation today!