The "Everything I Want Colleges to Know About Me" List: A Brainstorming Exercise

This brainstorming activity helps you highlight your unique qualities, values, and accomplishments to craft a strong college application.

Step 1: Make Your List

Create a list of everything you want colleges to know about you. Choose a format:
- Bullet Points: Organized and easy to read.
- Creative Drawing or Timeline: A visual representation of your experiences and values.
- Avoid stream-of-consciousness writing—it can get too messy for this purpose.

Pro Tips for a Great List

• Have fun: Celebrate your awesomeness—this is all about YOU!
• Collaborate: Invite a parent or friend to brainstorm with you.
• Example: Ask, “Can you help me list all the reasons colleges will love me as much as you do?”
• Be specific: Back up general traits with concrete examples.
• Instead of just saying, “I’m a leader,” mention, “I raised debate club membership from 19 to 96.”

Example List Items

• "I’ve played violin for 11 years and love it."
• "I made $300 selling coffee at age 7 and donated it to charity."
• "I enjoy reading (my bookshelf is full of novels and philosophy books)."
• "I started a business rebranding and selling supplements to classmates."

Step 2: Organize Your List

Once you’ve created your list:
1. Upload to Google Docs: If it’s a written list.
2. Photograph and Save: If it’s a drawing or timeline.
3. Share It: With your parent, friend, or counselor, and ask, “Can you help me make sure this makes it into my application?”

This step ensures that nothing important gets left out.

Step 3: Place Each Detail Strategically

Decide where each detail belongs in your application:
- Personal Statement: Highlights your story or major life experiences.
- Activities List: Outlines your extracurricular involvement.
- Additional Info Section: Explains unique challenges or special circumstances.
- Supplemental Essays: Adds depth to specific topics (e.g., "Why this college?").

Quick Pop Quiz

Which of the following details would you include in your applicationWhere?
1. "I’ve traveled to 10+ countries, including Egypt, Jamaica, and Italy."
2. "I’ve been playing violin for 11 years."
3. "I helped raise debate membership from 19 to 96."
4. "I bypassed the school’s internet filters (oops)."

Answer:
- 1: Great for supplemental essays (cultural exposure) or activities list (global perspective).
- 2: Perfect for the activities list or main essay (if music shaped you).
- 3: Strong main essay example or additional info section (leadership).
- 4: Probably leave it out unless spun as a problem-solving skill!

Final Checklist

• Is each key aspect of your identity reflected in your application
• Have you highlighted your core values, achievements, and personality traits
• Have you placed your details in the most impactful sections of your application

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