DEFINITION OF BRAINSTORMING:
Brainstorming is a technique used by one or more persons for coming up with as many ideas as can be generated about a topic within a certain amount of time. Anything that pops into a person’s mind is identified and written down regardless of the idea’s value or relevance. In a brainstorming session, no idea is bad; all ideas are good.

Here are some topic areas students (on their own or with parents and other family members) can use to brainstorm ideas for personal anecdotes and stories:

1. Favorite toys, games, activities, hobbies and passions

2. Personality characteristics

3. Special talents

4. Special people

5. Interesting summer activities, trips, holiday events

6. The best, worst or most amusing day in a student’s life

7. Accomplishments, triumphs, victories

8. Moments that brought a change in a student’s life

9. Cute or amusing sayings

10. Individual or family idiosyncrasies, traditions or rituals

adMISSION POSSIBLE® TIP! Personal stories are not just useful for essays, they can also be given to people who write letters of recommendation as examples of personal characteristics. Admissions people so appreciate reading about real-life examples as opposed to just words, words, words. When you have a college interview, you can also sprinkle some of your answers with personal stories and anecdotes. If you do, you’ll be seen as a much more interesting person (if not a more desirable candidate).