How to choose a topic that's authentic and strategic
This Webinar was recorded on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
What we covered
The Common App's personal statement offers so much flexibility it can be paralyzing. There are seven prompts and the seventh is: write about whatever you want! Admissions officers report that they don't even check which prompt an applicant has selected. So...how are you supposed to choose what to write about?
In this webinar, I'm shared two exercises for picking a personal statement topic. The first, The Common App Puzzle, will help you narrow down your choices through sorting what you should cover in which parts of your application. The second, The Dewdrop Method, is the approach I've developed to help my students find an essay topic that is both deeply meaningful to them and memorable to admissions officers.
Some additional points I covered:
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Examples of essay topics that admissions officers said were unforgettable
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The two most cliche essay topics I see (and what to write about instead)
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Why finding a "unique" essay topic can be a distraction
At the end of the webinar, I answered questions from attendees.