Brainstorming Quick Tip: Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends

Your parents have raised you since you were a wee pup, but do they know every single thing there is to know about you? (Of course you do, mom and dad — we’re just kidding.) Still, so much of your adolescence has been spent in the presence of your peers, that it would be negligent not to rake their brains for some insights into your passions, strengths and personality.

Buy your three best friends some ice cream and ask them for words they think best describe you (the ice cream will ensure they give you nice words). What do they think you would be good at professionally? What are some of the things they assume you can’t live without. The people who spend afternoon hang time with you will likely be able to highlight your best characteristics and shine some light on trends in yourself that you might not have the distance to see. After finishing off your cone, you might just have a great foundation for your college essay.

Not convinced? Princeton literally asks you to write down two words your friends would use to describe you:

Your favorite book and its author:
Your favorite website:
Your favorite recording:
Your favorite source of inspiration:
Your favorite line from a movie or book and its title:
Your favorite movie:
Two adjectives your friends would use to describe you:
Your favorite keepsake or memento:
Your favorite word:

Want more receipts? Chapman has a Fast Facts section that is perfect for brainstorming with friends:

What is your dream job?
Please list three words to describe yourself.
What song should we be listening to while reading your application?
Who is your role model?
Name one dish you would cook for our admission team.
What is your favorite quote and by whom?
Name a “hashtag” to describe you.
What is your favorite subject?
What is the top thing on your bucket list?
What is your most prized possession?
What makes you happy?
What are you most grateful for?
What do you spend too much time doing?
Aside from necessities, what is one thing you can’t go a day without?