What Should My Personal Statement Be About? Three Brainstorming Exercises That Actually Work.
So you’re staring at a blank Google Doc thinking, “What the heck am I supposed to write about?” Don’t worry—you’re not alone. This is one of the biggest (and scariest) questions students face when starting their college essay.
You want to impress. You want to be original. You want to stand out.
But how?
Here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as the perfect topic. What you’re really looking for is the right topic for you—something honest, personal, and meaningful.
This is your chance to go beyond the grades, test scores, and activity lists. Your personal statement is where admissions officers get to meet the real you—so make it count.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through three creative brainstorming exercises that’ll help you dig deep, unlock great stories, and find a topic that actually works.
Let’s go.
First, What Makes a Good Essay Topic?
Before we dive into the brainstorming, let’s ask a bigger question: What kinds of topics help show colleges who you are?
Spoiler: It’s not just about challenges or drama.
Great personal statements highlight things like:
Your values
Your personality and quirks
What drives you
How you think
What matters to you
Think about it like this:
What makes you tick?
What would your best friend say they admire about you?
What do you need someone to believe in if they’re going to be close to you?
It’s okay if you haven’t saved the world or won a Nobel Prize. Small, specific stories that reveal who you are can be way more powerful.
Why Brainstorming First = Better Essays Later
Before you type a single sentence of your actual essay, you need to brainstorm.
Why? Because the right topic doesn’t always pop into your head right away—and forcing it often leads to boring, basic essays.
A good brainstorm helps you:
Dig up specific, memorable stories
Avoid cliché topics
Find deeper meaning in everyday moments
Get inspired before you write
Here are my three favorite (and student-tested) ways from The College Essay Guy to unlock your best material!
1. The Values Exercise
Best for: Finding out what actually matters to you (and why)
What to Do:
Check out this list of values like creativity, loyalty, independence, curiosity, etc.
Pick 10 that feel true to who you are.
Narrow it down to your top 3.
For each one, ask:
When has this value shown up in your life?
What happened? Why did it matter?
How has it shaped who you are today?
Example:
If one of your top values is responsibility, maybe you write about taking care of your younger siblings while your parents worked late. You balanced homework, bedtime routines, and dinner—showing leadership, maturity, and sacrifice all in one story.
Why This Works:
Your values are like a compass—they point to what matters most to you. Writing from this place = honest, grounded storytelling that hits home.
2. The Essence Objects Exercise
Best for: Unlocking powerful memories through meaningful stuff
What to Do:
Pretend it’s the end of the world (fun!)
What 5–10 objects would you grab and save? Think: your room, backpack, car, or pockets.For each item, ask:
Where did it come from?
Why do you still have it?
What memories or emotions are tied to it?
What bigger theme or value does it connect to?
Example:
An old chess piece → your bond with your grandfather, how he taught you strategy and patience, and how those lessons helped you navigate high school life.
A worn lunchbox → your family’s immigrant story, homemade meals packed with love, and how food became a symbol of sacrifice and care.
Why This Works:
Objects unlock emotion. They lead to real, specific stories that are rich in detail and meaning. Plus, they give your essay a natural visual anchor (and we love that!).
3. The “21 Details” Exercise
Best for: Surfacing hidden gems and fun personality quirks
What to Do:
Write down 21 completely random facts about yourself.
Habits, hobbies, pet peeves, obsessions, weird skills—anything.
Read them back and look for patterns.
Ask:
What do these say about how I think or see the world?
Are there 2–3 that connect to something deeper?
Example:
“I fold my socks military-style.”
“I organize my closet by color.”
“I edit my friends’ resumes for fun.”
This could become an essay about your love for bringing order to chaos—and how that shows up in everything from your friendships to your schoolwork.
Why This Works:
Details are everything. This exercise helps you find the stories you didn’t even know you had—the kind that only you could tell.
After Brainstorming: What’s Next?
Once you’ve tried these exercises, pick 3–5 ideas that feel strong. Not perfect—just promising.
Ask yourself:
Does this idea reflect multiple values I care about?
Does it show a side of me not found in my résumé or transcript?
Does it reveal growth, insight, or character?
Can I see myself writing this?
If you said yes to most of those, congrats—you’ve found a solid direction!
Remember: your topic is just the starting point.
The real goal is to show admissions officers who you are—through stories, values, and honest reflection.
Don’t try to sound impressive. Just be real. Be specific. Be you.
These exercises give you the raw material. What makes it powerful is your voice, your perspective, and your story.
Now, go brainstorm, and let the good stuff rise to the top.