Use This Page to Create Your “Great Day in the Life” Introduction Scene
Directions: Complete both sections, A and B.
(A) Find Your Opening Scene (Anticipate Up to 1 Hour)
The purpose of this exercise is to identify topics of great significance to you. It’s even better if, within each topic, there is a problem you find yourself thinking up solutions for in your free time. Following the guidelines below, write down that which bothers you deeply on a personal to global scale. Be vulnerable. Channel a “Dear Diary” level of disclosure. The more it bothers you, the better. Share any problem: personal, family, mental, societal, political, etc. GET OPINIONATED. Let your heart guide you and don’t be shy! Your ultimate goal is to uncover one or more topics that can show admissions officers your potential, curiosity, and heart. Before you fill in your answers, see this example. No topic or scale will look better or worse to colleges—the power of your answer depends on how much the topic matters to you. |
1. What bothers you on the level of…
- Individual importance. It bothers me that __________
- Group importance. It bothers me that __________
- Organization importance. It bothers me that __________
- Community importance. It bothers me that __________
- Societal importance. It bothers me that __________
- National importance. It bothers me that __________
- International importance. It bothers me that __________
- Global importance. It bothers me that __________
2. Take the topics you brainstormed that you find the most fascinating. Research the topic on Google to formally learn more about it. Tip: if you find yourself not being intrigued to go down a rabbit hole of learning, you’ve chosen the wrong topic. You should be fishing for an idea you find genuinely fascinating. It will inspire your opening scene.
Example:
Part 1:
Topic: Neighborhood: It bothers me that people I grew up with, myself included, don’t have pride in repping my hometown. We are concerned others will judge us because it is Beverly Hills. Consequently, I feel like this also results in us not having a real sense of community amongst ourselves and our neighbors. I see the pride that people from other hometowns have and I’m envious of their pride and sense of community.
Step 1: I Googled “Why don’t some hometowns have town pride?” Result: nothing.
Step 2: I Googled: “Where does hometown pride come from?” Result: nothing.
Step 3: I Googled: “Where does hometown pride come from?” Result: A National Geographic article that explained that the more children learn of their town’s history, the more hometown pride they’ll feel.
I like history, so this idea really intrigues me to learn more. Bingo! I have my fascinating idea.
3. Once you find your idea, imagine how you would be most excited to explore that idea in a college setting.
Fill in the blank. You’ll be exploring in your essay so you don’t need to be specific.
In my freshman or sophomore year of college, I would be most interested to continue exploring this topic by: taking a class, maybe doing research
4. Combine 2 and 3 to imagine an opening scene.
Tip: Get creative. Below is a list of a peak emotions that can help you imagine a unique intro scene. Remember, the essay is about your intellectual exploration and possibility. See an example of the following list filled out here.
Now it’s your turn. Be creative. Envision yourself undertaking this project. Answer with something you’re dynamically doing in mid-action.
In my greatest moment of peak…
- enthusiasm, I’m: ______________
- determination, I’m: ______________
- optimism, I’m: ____________
- empathy, I’m: ____________
- gratefulness, I’m: ____________
- intrigue, I’m: ______________
- curiosity, I’m: ______________
- focus, I’m ______________
- inspiration (tip: think of lateral thinking), I just had the idea to: ______________
- excitement, I’m ______________
- innovation, I’m: ______________
- confusion/surprise, I’m: ______________
- creativity, I’m: ______________
- sensitivity, I’m: ______________
- hope, I’m: ______________
- vulnerability, I’m: ______________
- risk, I’m: ______________
- tight-knit/closeness, I’m: ______________
- nostalgia, I’m: ______________
- fear (as in: do something everyday that scares you to grow), I’m: ______________
- passion, I’m: ______________
- skepticism, I’m: ______________
5. Choose your favorite mid-action moments.
Your first scene will combine these elements! Voila! 🙂
(B) Now Research the College
Allow your answers from part A to guide your research.
1. Research the academia.
Visit the university’s main website as well as the department website related to your major. Research classes, professors (including any published research on their biography pages), unique academic programs, research opportunities, cohorts, fellowships, etc. that can teach you the hard and/or soft skills you need to succeed in your quest. Identify at least 3 items of interest, and write a sentence that describes what each one is and why it will aid you in your quest.
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2. Research student involvement opportunities.
Research student organizations, clubs, internships, community service hubs, hackathons, student competitions, etc. Identify at least 3 items of interest, and write a sentence that describes what each one is and why it will aid you in your quest.
Opportunities directly relevant to your major and project:
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Opportunities indirectly relevant to your major and project (i.e. lateral thinking):
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3. Research the culture, traditions, and misc. facts.
Research school traditions, cool buildings or facilities, current issues relating to the campus, newsworthy happenings that relate to the college, and campus statistics that relate to you (for instance: number of people with disparate major/minor combinations, # of women in computer science, # of students who start businesses, etc.). Identify at least 3 items of interest, and write a sentence that describes what each one is and why it validates that you are at the right college.
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4. Bonus: be next level.
It’s highly recommend that you do the following for your top 3 desired reach colleges if you’re serious about them. Gain exclusive insights by:
(a) calling the admissions office and asking to speak to a student worker to learn more about the school and your major, and/or
(b) emailing a student organization that you found interesting and seeking a time to speak with a student leader.
If you feel intimidated, don’t worry! Student workers in the admissions office signed up for the job specifically to answer questions from prospective students like you; they’re generally very friendly! Leaders of student organizations are the most passionate members who love promoting their organizations and their college experiences. Strategically pick questions from https://collegezoom.com/student/ to ask discover insider details that cannot be found on the website. Then, record the details below so you can weave them into your essay. That’ll be the cherry on top!
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When your research is finished: Don’t write your essay, yet. You’ll use your research to do that in the next session. Proceed to session 3 if your longest green essay is 250 words or more. Skip to session 4 if your longest green essay is 200 words or fewer.