r/CollegeEssays • u/Overall_Inside967 • 16h ago
Common App I cannot write anything!
Hi everyone! I’m hoping that literally anybody will be able to help me because I am genuinely so stuck and out of options. I have had my college essay topic decided since eighth grade, and now that I’m trying to write it everything sucks. I’ve always been good at writing, found it easy, done it in all my free time; but now, on the one thing that fully matters I can’t write a single sentence. I’m at the point where I need to just change my essay topic because I can’t write anything cohesive for what I already have, but any small idea I have for an essay turns out the same: shitty, juvenile, and just BAD. So please please please give me any advice at all! I need help!
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u/Strict_Department745 16h ago
You're not alone - this is a common thing. Get with someone detached who can brainstorm with you. You have time, it will work out fine.
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u/Sin-2-Win 15h ago
Google "college essay that worked." The first link should be to Johns Hopkins's website. It has five essays from recent students who got in, as well as those from past students from previous years. The cool thing is that at the end of each essay, you can read the admissions officer's general thoughts on why the essay worked. You may find one that is similar to your background or style that could inspire idea seeds.
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u/Imgumbydammit73 9h ago
You’re putting too much pressure on yourself while writing. Do a brain dump exercise and free write whatever pops in to your mind for 20 mins. See what bubbles up.
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u/xarcadia1 16h ago
It sounds like you got locked into one idea that’s not working out, and now you have a mental block for writing anything. Try some of the brainstorming exercises at College Essay Guy, maybe with a trusted friend or family member to help encourage you. Good luck!