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college essays - personal statement: montage & narrative

originally streamed in 2020 with Ethan (College Essay Guy)Teacher
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Learn how to write a standout college personal statement with expert strategies from the College Essay Guy. This crash course breaks down brainstorming, structuring your narrative, and making your voice shine. Perfect for high school seniors working ...more

timestamps

  • 0:00

    Introduction and Check-In

  • 1:38

    I Love Exercise

  • 3:53

    I Know Exercise

  • 6:59

    Essence Objects Exercise

  • 11:56

    Identities Exercise

  • 14:43

    Personal Statement Ideas

  • 15:46

    Jellyfish Brainstorm

  • 18:54

    Montage Structure Overview

  • 20:58

    Montage Essay Purpose

  • 25:06

    Identities Essay Example

  • 30:17

    Montage Recap and Tips

  • 31:51

    Narrative Structure Introduction

  • 32:54

    Feelings and Needs Exercise

  • 35:30

    Narrative Essay Example

  • 40:42

    Narrative Essay Analysis

  • 43:16

    Challenge Topic Advice

  • 44:49

    Resources and Next Steps

  • 45:50

    Q&A Session Begins

  • 46:52

    Values in Essays

  • 48:54

    Boring Life Topics

  • 50:27

    Grammar and Tone Tips

  • 52:34

    Altering Essays for Colleges

  • 53:35

    Inspiration and Scholarships

  • 54:38

    Feedback Mechanisms

  • 57:13

    Central Theme Tips

  • 58:48

    Montage Transitions Advice

  • 59:49

    Closing Remarks

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Ethan (College Essay Guy)

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© 2026 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP®, PSAT/NMSQT®, and SAT®are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website or Fiveable's products and services.

every AP® exam is fiveable

Fiveable

Study Content & Tools

Study GuidesFRQs + AI ScoringAP Essay Grader for StudentsAI Grading for TeachersPractice QuestionsGlossaryScore Calculators

Company

What's New?PricingBulk DiscountsTestimonialsFAQsEmail us

Resources

AP Exam Schedule 2027AP Exam AccommodationsAP ClassesAP ClassroomEasiest AP ClassesHardest AP ClassesAP vs IBAP vs Dual EnrollmentAP vs Honors ClassesAP Scholar Awards

history

🌎 ap world history🇺🇸 ap us history🇪🇺 ap european history

social science

✊🏿 ap african american studies🗳️ ap comparative government🚜 ap human geography💶 ap macroeconomics🤑 ap microeconomics🧠 ap psychology👩🏾‍⚖️ ap us government

english & capstone

✍🏽 ap english language📚 ap english literature🔍 ap research💬 ap seminar

arts

🎨 ap art & design🖼️ ap art history🎵 ap music theory

science

🧬 ap biology🧪 ap chemistry♻️ ap environmental science🎡 ap physics 1🧲 ap physics 2💡 ap physics c: e&m⚙️ ap physics c: mechanics

math & computer science

🧮 ap calculus ab♾️ ap calculus bc📐 ap precalculus📊 ap statistics💻 ap computer science a⌨️ ap computer science p

world languages

🇨🇳 ap chinese🇫🇷 ap french🇩🇪 ap german🇮🇹 ap italian🇯🇵 ap japanese🏛️ ap latin🇪🇸 ap spanish language💃🏽 ap spanish literature

career kickstart

💼 ap business with personal finance🔒 ap cybersecurity

go beyond AP®

high school exams

✏️ PSAT/NMSQT®🎓 Digital SAT®🎒 ACT

honors classes

🍬 honors algebra II🫀 honors anatomy🐇 honors biology👩🏽‍🔬 honors chemistry💲 honors economics📐 honors geometry⚾️ honors physics📏 honors pre-calculus📊 honors statistics🗳️ honors us government🇺🇸 honors us history🌎 honors world history

college classes

👩🏽‍🎤 arts👔 business🎤 communications🏗️ engineering📓 humanities➗ math🧑🏽‍🔬 science💶 social science

hs classes

🏛️ alabama history⛰️ appalachian studies🌴 california history🌍 earth science🌐 ethnic studies🐊 florida history🍑 georgia history🌎 global studies🌺 hawaiian studies📰 journalism🪶 native american studies🌵 new mexico history🤠 oklahoma history⚗️ physical science🎙️ speech and debate🤝 texas government🤠 texas history🌲 washington state history🕊️ world religions
RefundsTermsPrivacyCCPAAI TransparencySchool Data Privacy

© 2026 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP®, PSAT/NMSQT®, and SAT®are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website or Fiveable's products and services.