copy THIS system to get INFINITE college essay ideas in 2024

Introduction

As an ambitious high schooler aiming for the Ivy League, you want to prove you have what it takes to reach the pinnacle of academic success. The college application process is the culmination of your past four years of hard work, and the essay you're about to write could be the deciding factor in whether you achieve your dreams. But coming up with solid essay ideas is challenging. I'm here to share the exact system I used for my essays, which got me into multiple top 20 schools for Computer Science as an Asian male. Stick to the end to learn the common mistakes most students make when writing their college essays, mistakes that can lead to rejections from their dream schools.

This is the same system we teach at Inspr Consulting, where our team of Ivy League consultants has successfully guided students into every Ivy League school. But before we dive into the system that will flood you with more essay ideas than you can handle, let's cover the basics.

When thinking of essay ideas, you may feel a barrier blocking the flow of your thoughts. This is what's called writer's block. To avoid it, you need to take whatever is in your head and put it on paper. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. You can battle it by brain-dumping, which involves writing down all your ideas without worrying about mistakes or structure.

Brain Dumping Benefits:

1. Free Flow of Ideas

   • Facilitates the free flow of ideas without worrying about mistakes.
   • Helps make unexpected connections and innovative thoughts.

2. Reduces Cognitive Load

   • Diminishes mental clutter, freeing up mental resources.
   • Enables you to explore creative and new ideas.

3. Builds Momentum

   • Helps you start the writing process, even imperfectly.
   • Creates momentum, making it easier to keep writing more.

Example Exercise: Set a 15-minute timer, and write continuously. Don’t go back to fix grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Just let your fingers type whatever comes to mind.

Now onto the system that I used to get into multiple top 20 schools for Computer Science and helped our consulting students get into all Ivy Leagues.

Three-Step Process:

1. Write Down Three Essay Ideas:

   • Write down three ideas for the essay prompt on a piece of paper or a digital device.

2. Sleep on It:

   • Leave your ideas and revisit them the next day. This step helps alleviate the fear of sharing and exposes you to a fresh perspective.

3. Revisit and Refine:

   • Cross out any idea that doesn't seem appealing after a night's rest.
   • Aim to narrow down to a single, strong idea.

Repeat this process for three days. If needed, continue until you are satisfied with your chosen concept.

Why This System Works:

• Hindsight Bias:

  • Reflecting with fresh information often makes the original idea seem less appealing.

• Critical Reflection:

  • Space from the idea allows for a more objective assessment.

• Incubation Effect:

  • Your subconscious processes ideas during breaks, potentially leading to new insights.

Ensure your ideas are well fleshed out, even if the outline isn't perfect. Focus on trajectory, characters, storyline, and demonstrating qualities through actions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Multiple Storylines:

   • Stick to one coherent storyline.
   • Avoid trying to mention every achievement.

2. Showing vs. Telling:

   • Don’t write that you've gained leadership skills; show it through a narrative.

Finally, ensure you are less concerned about the grandeur of your idea and more about its flow and character development.

I hope this guide helps you develop your college essays, leading you to success in your applications.

Keyword

• Ivy League
• college essay
• writer's block
• brain dumping
• cognitive load
• momentum
• hindsight bias
• critical reflection
• incubation effect
• storyline

FAQ

Q: What is brain dumping? A: Brain dumping is a technique where you write down all your ideas without worrying about structure or mistakes, helping to facilitate the free flow of thoughts.

Q: Why should I sleep on my essay ideas? A: Sleeping on your ideas lets you revisit them with a fresh perspective and critical reflection, which can make your ideas stronger and more appealing.

Q: How many essay ideas should I start with? A: Start with three essay ideas and refine them over a few days to narrow down to the best possible concept.

Q: What common mistakes should I avoid in my essay? A: Avoid using multiple storylines and focusing on telling rather than showing your achievements. Stick to one coherent storyline and demonstrate qualities through narratives.

Q: What is the incubation effect? A: The incubation effect refers to the subconscious processing of ideas during breaks or sleep, potentially leading to new insights when you revisit the ideas.