There are seven prompts provided by the Common Application.  Over the next few days, we’ll examine each one in depth to help you come up with essay topics of your own. If you need more help, consider registering for the “Brainstorm Your College Essay” workshop on Wednesday, June 27, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Westford, Mass. You’ll leave with a solid topic and the opening paragraph. Your first draft will be edited if submitted by a mutually agreed upon deadline.

Prompt #1 examined

“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

In the years that I’ve been teaching college essay workshops, this has been the most popular and productive prompt chosen.

It’s certainly the most versatile. Students have written about their role as first violinist in the school orchestra, the death of a parent, the experience of growing up between two cultures, and serious health problems, to name a few. One student related his memories of living on the island of Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Marshall Islands, from ages 9 to 12. There were no cars on the island, he said. Instead inhabitants rode bicycles everywhere.  Can you imagine how interesting his essay could be? Another student said he played sports with passion but was plagued by a physical illness that once rendered him immobile for three days.

Let’s think about your identity and interests. Do you speak another language at home? Did you spend your younger years living somewhere exotic? Was there an untimely death in your family?

While this is the most popular prompt it doesn’t trigger a story idea in everyone. If this isn’t for you, there are six more from which to choose. Let’s take a look…

NEXT TIME: Common Application Prompt #2.