I used to meet with students to help them brainstorm topic ideas. Now, I offer the same great direction, encouragement, and support via email. No meeting necessary! Students simply send me a rough draft of their topic ideas for feedback, the same way they would submit a draft for review.
The new system is easier for students and cheaper for parents! Meetings were time consuming and costly. It took at least an hour and a half for us to discuss the student’s background, goals, interests and topic ideas. Plus, time for me to write up and send the notes. Students always left the meeting excited to write, but then they’d get busy doing something else, not look at the notes until weeks later, and lose their focus or their enthusiasm.
Now, instead of spending time in a meeting (talking), students can spend that same time at their computer (writing!). No need to worry about grammar, spelling, or coherency. All I need is the gist of the idea and what type of examples could be used to support it. If there are questions, doubts, concerns — write those down too! Think of it like a conversation, rather than a writing assignment.
It’s okay to be loose and freeflowing. Most of all, it should not take a lot of time. That is the nature of brainstorming: quick and messy. In fact, there is only one rule: it needs to be written by the student, not by the parent. This process does not work, if the student is not the one doing the work.
What if you have more than one idea for a story? No problem! If a student has a few ideas for one of the UC Personal Insight Questions, for example, but isn’t sure which one is best, they can simply write a brief summary of each idea (one paragraph should be enough!) and email it to me, along with a resume (or activities list) so I have some background information for my reference.
I will provide written feedback in just a few days, including which idea best suits the prompt, how to further develop it, and what an admissions officer might be looking for while reading it. If an idea doesn’t quite fit a particular prompt, I’ll help the student see what’s working, what’s not, and where to make improvements.
So, really, nothing has changed. Students will get the exact same benefit. The only difference is that it will be in writing, instead of face-to-face. I will help them see the value in their experiences and the merit in their ideas. I will erase their doubts and boost their confidence. Because that is how the best stories are born.
