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  2. How to Write a College Essay - Brainstorming to Editing

how to write a college essay - brainstorming to editing

originally streamed in 2020 with Jermaine MathesonTeacher
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Learn how to write a college admissions essay that showcases your unique story and strengthens your application. This comprehensive guide covers brainstorming, writing, and editing strategies with real examples from an admissions expert. Writing a p ...more

timestamps

  • 0:00

    Introduction to College Essays

  • 0:31

    Essay's Role in Applications

  • 1:34

    Essay Statistics and Pressure

  • 2:36

    Webinar Overview

  • 3:08

    Goal of Personal Essay

  • 4:10

    Common App Prompts

  • 5:13

    Brainstorming Ideas

  • 6:16

    Choosing Passionate Topics

  • 7:48

    Topic Context and Focus

  • 8:19

    Topics to Avoid

  • 9:54

    Getting Started Tips

  • 10:58

    Word Count Challenges

  • 13:02

    Using Vivid Language

  • 14:33

    Aha Moment Explanation

  • 16:07

    First Essay Example

  • 18:16

    Expanding Small Moments

  • 19:18

    Second Essay Example

  • 22:07

    Maturity and Insights

  • 23:08

    Editing Tips

  • 24:41

    Reading Aloud and Feedback

  • 26:44

    Q&A: Same Essay for Colleges

  • 28:17

    Q&A: Essay Importance

  • 29:51

    Q&A: Why This College Essay

  • 31:22

    Q&A: Trauma and Growth

  • 33:27

    Q&A: Avoiding Bragging

  • 35:31

    Q&A: Making Statements Unique

  • 37:34

    Q&A: Coalition vs Common App

  • 39:07

    Q&A: Final Draft Timing

  • 42:12

    Q&A: Reading Introductions Only

  • 43:46

    Q&A: Changing Submitted Essay

  • 44:51

    Brainstorming Final Tips

  • 45:51

    Fiveable Courses Promotion

  • 47:58

    AP Classes Structure

  • 50:34

    Pricing and Discounts

  • 53:41

    Free Resources and Closing

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© 2026 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

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🎓 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® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.