1. Personal Statement Activity

2. The following are the 2015-2016 Common App Personal Statement Prompts:
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

3. What does it mean to be unique
What does it mean to be unique? Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

4. Narrative Writing Exercise
Be ON TOPIC!
Answer these prompts FULLY and correctly.
Be descriptive!
But don’t describe every little thing.
Be detailed!
Only on the key essential moments or issues.
Be unique!
Do not generally talk about yourself or generally answer the prompt. The most specific and unique answers will stick out to the college admission readers!!
Be YOU!
This writing exercise needs to truly show me WHO YOU ARE.

5. Pick ONE of the prompts that you like the best and answer that prompt.
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
There is no specific essay structure – take it as a creative and narrative writing assignment.

6. This is due at the end of the period
There is no specific essay structure for you to follow. Take it as a creative and narrative writing assignment. HOW I’M GRADING YOU: 4 3 2 1
Along with the 3… the writer is very creative and unique in their response. They display high level of effort.
Answers prompt correctly, provides description, detail, and is specific to who they are as an individual.
Partially answers prompt but does not write creatively, with great description, or detail.
Little to no effort in answering prompt or did not answer prompt correctly.
I am not looking for an “essay” I am not looking for length I am looking for QUALITY.
This is due at the end of the period

8. My