Let’s start with the first topic, “Public life of a preacher’s son.” As a writer, I would start thinking about what makes this topic unique. What has this experience taught me about life, community, and spirituality? How has it shaped my perspective and my future aspirations? I would then try to identify a few key stories or experiences that could illustrate these themes. Perhaps one story could be about a Sunday service where I learned an important life lesson, another could involve an encounter with a parishioner that challenged my beliefs, and a third could be about the expectations and pressures I faced as a preacher’s son.

Next, the college admissions essay would need to connect these experiences to my academic and personal goals. I might write about how these experiences fostered skills like public speaking or instilled values like empathy and service, and how these will benefit me in college and beyond.

Let’s move on to the second topic, “Photography the center of my life since middle school.” The key here is to explore how my passion for photography has influenced my life and who I am. I’d ask myself: Which moments stand out in my journey as a photographer? What kinds of subjects or scenes am I drawn to? How does photography shape my perspective on the world?

I could tell a story about how I pushed myself to wake up early to catch the perfect sunrise shot, demonstrating dedication and discipline. Maybe there’s a tale about connecting with a stranger for a poignant portrait, displaying my abilities to connect and communicate effectively. The key is to intentionally link these experiences to qualities that are desirable in a college student.

The third topic, “Underground Newspaper – journalism and navigating administration” provides an interesting platform. Where did the desire for an underground newspaper spawn from? What was my role within its creation and maintenance? How did we, as a team, face challenges and navigate the inherent complexities of censorship or administration intervention?

Scenarios could include surreptitiously planning an article that challenges school policy, showing courage, perseverance and critical thinking skills. I’ll highlight the negotiation with administration, this emphasizes problem-solving skills, leadership, and resilience. I’ll try to demonstrate how these experiences would translate to an active, engaged presence on a college campus.

So there you have it! But remember, these are just my thoughts, my processes. What’s on your list? Find an experience, a moment, or an interest that has shaped you, and let that guide your pen. Come up with a working title and remember, good writers don’t tell what happened; they show it. Try it yourself! Choose one item from your list of possible topics and start telling your story! We can’t wait to hear your narrative. Start right over there on the left side. Let it fly!