Introduction

Hello dear student and welcome to our detailed blog post on how to brainstorm effectively for ALL topics in your essay. You may be wondering, doesn’t an entrance essay to college only contain one topic? But that is where you would be wrong in thinking that.

Join us in discovering even more topics that go into the college essay to get you writing an essay that shines to your dream college.

What is brainstorming?

Brainstorming is like a team game where everyone gets together to think of many ideas to help solve a problem or answer a big question. It’s not just for groups, though. Even one person, like a student trying to write a great essay for college, can brainstorm. 

They’ll think up all sorts of ideas to make their essay really good and answer the question they’ve been asked. That’s brainstorming too—coming up with different ideas to find the best answer.

Benefits of Brainstorming College Essay Topics

To begin with and to further clarify what this blog post will cover, these benefits are for the main topic and the topic sentences found within. These topic sentences will be referred to in this blog post as mini-topic(s) or sub-topic(s). Collectively, the main topic and the topic sentences will be referred to as topics or college essay topics. Clear? Good!

Helps you come up with college essay brainstorming questions that help to further spark more ideas

Thinking heavily about your topics is really helpful. It helps you come up with questions that make you think of more ideas. Even though we haven’t started the actual process of thinking about the topics for higher education application writing topics, it’s good to know that the first thing to do is to figure out the main idea of your essay. 

The main idea will function as the main topic and is what your whole essay will be about, obviously. Once you have it, you can make smaller categories related to this main idea. Think of these smaller categories as mini-topics or sub-topics, just like the ones in this blog post. 

When you look at each one, try to ask yourself questions about them. These questions will help you get even more ideas. All of these will make your “Topics-Thinking” document for your essay richer and full of good thoughts.

Provides a rich opportunity to come up with possible creative topics for your college essay

Brainstorming for your essay is a great chance to get creative. It’s when you, as a student, use your imagination and what you already know to come up with cool topics. Topics you really love and that really resonate with you. These topics could turn into the main idea for your essay or at the very least, your essay’s sub-topics. 

When you think about your topics effectively, you light up the creative parts of your brain. This is a natural way to grab the attention of the people who will read your essay, like the application officers at colleges.

Provides the opportunity to augment your essay ideas before beginning to write

When you think about topics for your essay, you get the chance to gather feedback from your loved one or a person you trust with your gut instinct. While this person shouldn’t be a teacher, as we shall discuss further in this blog post, they will still help you by providing valuable feedback that will work wonders in the improvement, or rather, the augmentation of your mind map. 

When the “mind document” is strong, you know that you are talking about things that will significantly improve the engagement of your essay.

When editing the finalized brainstormed written document, it can be a good way to view things from another’s perspective

One of the great things about this topic thinking process for your entrance essay is that it lets you see your ideas from someone else’s point of view. When you’re working on your thinking out-of-the-box notes, it’s a good idea to show them to someone you trust, like a friend or a parent. 

They can help you figure out what parts might be better off removed. This fresh look can give your notes a whole new angle that you might not have seen on your own. 

By sharing your thought-out notes, you get the chance to make them even better with the help of someone else’s thoughts, just like we have covered in the augmentation section of the blog post. The augmentation and the viewing of things from another’s perspective go hand in hand. This means that one cannot exist without the other. 

With a new viewpoint, you can make your essay more inclusive of other people or ideas that you wouldn’t think about because you were busy building out what you’d love to go to your essay as a main topic or mini-topic.

Step-by-step process to brainstorm ALL college essay topics

STEP 1: Think about the main idea to ensure it aligns with the essay prompt

When you start brainstorming for your essay, first think about the big idea you want to share. Keep the essay question in mind. This will help you find a good topic.

Remember, every idea is good at this stage. Write them all down. Don’t worry about finding the perfect one right away. This step is about getting all your thoughts on paper. 

After you’ve written down all your ideas, choose one that shows who you really are. This idea will be the heart of your essay. Pick the one that lets you show your true self to the people deciding on your college application.

STEP 2: Write the main idea down on a brainstorming application like X-Mind

The second step in crafting a mind map for your admissions essay is to record your main idea using a mind map application. One such application is X-Mind. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use X-Mind to create a “Thinking Document” that will serve as your essay’s outline. 

This outline will clarify the direction and vision for your essay. It’s crucial to write down the main idea in a mind exercise tool like X-Mind, ensuring it’s the concept you’re fully committed to for your essay. 

If you’re certain, jot it down in the application or on paper if the software seems complex. Don’t worry; we’ll cover how to use the software in detail later in this post.

STEP 3: Formulate subcategories as you go that tie to your main idea

After putting your main idea into a mind map tool like X-Mind, it’s time to make smaller groups of ideas that fit with it. These smaller groups, or subcategories, should match up with your main topic. 

Think of them as the first sentences of different parts of your essay. They should all link back to the main point you want to make. Tying your subcategories to your main topic or main idea helps make sure your essay will flow well and make sense.

STEP 4: Pluck out the unwanted subcategories from your mind map till you remain with the best possible sub-topics for your application essay

Once you’ve outlined your subcategories, it’s time to refine them. This step involves editing your mind map to keep only the most relevant subcategories for your main idea. As you review each one, consider their significance and how well they support your main topic. 

The goal is to showcase the best version of yourself in your essay, so focus on the subcategories where you have the strongest understanding and can best demonstrate your knowledge. Ask yourself: Which of these areas am I most confident in? Which can I explain the clearest? 

Keep the subcategories that are essential and discard the rest. Aiming for about 4 to 5 strong subcategories is a good target at this stage, ensuring a focused and impactful essay.

STEP 5: Organize your subcategories starting from the most important to the least important

When you sort out your subcategories, put the most important ones at the top. This helps the people reading your essay, like the committee, develop the desire to keep on reading your essay. 

Start with your best points, not the weaker ones. Choose the subcategories you know a lot about so you can write a strong essay. By knowing a lot about, I mean like an incredible lot, even more than other chosen sub-categories from the previous step. 

Adding your own stories to these parts can make your essay even more interesting, and this is something to keep in mind after you are done thinking about your essay’s topics, okay? 

If you’re excited about your topic, the folks reading your essay will feel it too. They’ll want to read all of it. That’s why the big points should go first.

STEP 6: Augment your essay’s brainstormed document by discussing it with only one person closest to you

After organizing and prioritizing your subcategories, the next step is to enhance your thought-out topics. For this, it’s best to consult with someone you trust deeply. This could be a parent, a best friend, or anyone close to you. 

It’s advised not to seek help from a teacher for this part, as their high level of expertise might overshadow your authentic voice, which is crucial for a college essay. The committee wants to hear from you, not from an overly polished essay that doesn’t sound like a student’s work. This is a point strongly put across in The 50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays.

The advice you get should be helpful but not so perfect that it seems insincere. Your goal is to maintain authenticity while improving your essay with the insights of someone who knows you well.

STEP 7: Revise the final brainstormed document to ensure it truly reflects the message you intended to convey to the admissions officers

The last step in thinking about the topics for your entrance essay is to check over the ideas you’ve improved with help from a close friend or family member. Make sure that what you’ve written still shows what you wanted to say in your essay. 

The essay should tell the admissions committee about you as a person. So, after getting advice, look at your brainstorming again. Be sure that your own voice is still there and that the message hasn’t changed by mistake. 

This will help make sure your essay turns out just right when you start writing the real thing.

How to use X-Mind when creating a Mind Map for your College Essay

STEP 1: Download and Open the software and click on “New”

To get X-Mind, a free mind mapping tool, head to the Microsoft App Store. Afterward, simply search for the term “X-Mind” and then install it. It should prompt you to open the Microsoft app store and in doing so, you will be able to immediately install the application to your device. 

This is an app that I have tested to work on Windows devices only, not Mac or Linux, so kindly keep that in mind.

You don’t have to pay anything to use its basic features. After you download and open it, you’ll see a ‘new’ tab. There, you’ll find different templates like ‘Recently Used’, ‘Basic’, and ‘Knowledge Management’. At this point, you won’t see a ‘Recently Used’ because the application is new to your device, at least that is what I am guessing. 

These templates are ready to help you start planning your college essay. And remember, you can use X-Mind’s main features without buying a subscription.

STEP 2: On the Basic Tab, click on “Mind-Map”

In the ‘Basic’ tab of X-Mind, you’ll find various options to start your mind map. Look for the ‘Mind Map’ option; it should be located near the ‘Logic Chart’ option. Click on ‘Mind Map’ to begin creating your mind map. 

This feature will allow you to visually organize your thoughts and ideas for your college essay, making it easier to see the connections between your main topic and subcategories.

STEP 3: Write the main idea of your essay’s thesis on the “Central Topic” category

At this stage in X-Mind, you’ll see a large box labeled ‘Central Topic’ surrounded by smaller boxes titled ‘Main Topic’. The ‘Central Topic’ is where you’ll place the main idea of your essay. 

The ‘Main Topic’ boxes are for your subcategories. To edit the ‘Central Topic’, simply click on it and press the space bar to start typing. Remember, keep it straightforward—this isn’t the place for your full thesis statement. Just put the core idea here. 

The purpose is to create a visual representation of your thoughts, not a detailed essay outline. This mind map will serve as a collection of ideas that you’ll refine to better create your college essay.

STEP 4: Fill up the first four sub-categories by highlighting them and hitting on the “Space button”

To continue with X-Mind, fill in the first four subcategories. Highlight each one and press the space bar to edit, just like you did with the ‘Central Topic’. 

Think back to our earlier discussion about racking our brains on the topics for the essay. 

These subcategories are where you’ll start forming the core of the topic sentences for your essay. You’re not writing the sentences yet; you’re just shaping the ideas that will lead to them. Keep this in mind as you work on each subcategory in X-Mind, ensuring they align with the overall direction of your essay.

STEP 5: Add more sub-categories by hitting on the “Enter Key”

After you’ve put in the first four subcategories in X-Mind, you can add more if you want. Just press the Enter key on your Windows computer to do this. 

You can add any new subcategories that come to mind. But remember, we said to keep your subcategories to about four or five. So, you might just add one more to keep things simple. This will help you stay on track as you plan for your essay.

STEP 6: Hit on the “Outline Section” to see the markdown of your mind-map

If you decide not to add more subcategories in X-Mind or have already added, you can switch to the ‘Outliner’ view to see a structured layout of your mind map. The ‘Outliner’ option is typically found at the bottom right part of the screen. 

By clicking on it, you’ll be able to see your mind map in a text-based format, which can be helpful for reviewing the organization and hierarchy of your ideas. This markdown view can make it easier to assess the flow and completeness of your thinking of the possible essay topics.

What to watch out for when brainstorming

In the development of the main idea for your essay, be cautious of overused essay topics

When you’re picking the main idea for your essay, which will function as your essay’s topic, choose one that’s not too common. Avoid topics like sports because many students might pick them, and it’s harder to stand out. 

Your essay should show who you are. Pick something that lets you tell a unique story about your life. If you choose a topic that everyone else is writing about, it’ll be tough to show what makes you different. 

So, find a topic that’s just yours, where you can share your own experiences and what you’ve learned.

All Subcategories and the Main Category should avoid ideas that could trigger an argument in the college admissions committee meeting

When writing your college essay, it’s important to pick topics that will be well-received by the admissions committee. Your main idea and all related points should avoid subjects that could cause strong disagreements. The committee will look at your whole application, and you don’t want them to disagree because of your essay.

Make sure your essay’s main point and the sentences that support it are clear and uncontroversial. Stay away from topics like religion, sexual orientation, politics, or mental health unless you can talk about them in a way that won’t offend anyone. These topics are often sensitive and could hurt your chance of getting into college.

My suggestion is to think about the ideas that will make your essay more engaging. Pick topics that are welcoming and uplifting. This will help the admissions committee recognize your potential and imagine you as part of their college.

Don’t involve a counselor, a parent, or a friend when creating your mind map’s first draft

You want to make sure that you write down your ideas by yourself first, so it’s really your story. If you talk to someone else too early, like a parent or friend, it might mess up your ideas. Keep it true to what you think and feel.

Think of your essay’s mind map as the foundation of your own story to tell the college. It’s not a group project. Other people’s ideas can wait until after you’ve figured out the main point of your story. 

This way, your essay will really sound like it’s coming from you, and that’s what colleges want to hear.

If creating a mind map for the Common App, edit out college-specific subcategories

When you use the Common App to apply to college, you write one essay to send to many schools. Your essay’s mind map should be general enough to fit all the colleges you’re applying to. 

Don’t write subcategories containing things that only one college has. Everything you mention in your essay’s mind map final draft should be about stuff all colleges offer.

If you talk about something special that only one college has, the people reading your essay might think you didn’t do your homework about their school. You want your essay to work for any college you send it to. This way, you won’t have any problems when you’re trying to get into college.

Example of a College Essay Brainstormed Document 

• Title: The Impact of Technology on Education
  • Sub-Category 1: The evolution of technology in educational settings.
  • Sub-Category 1: Positive Impacts of Technology in Education
    • Sub-Category 2: Enhanced Learning Experiences
    • Sub-Category 2: Interactive learning through educational software.
    • Sub-Category 2: Improved Accessibility
      • Sub-Category 3: Online courses offering education to remote areas.
  • Sub-Category 1: Challenges Presented by Technology in Education
    • Sub-Category 2: Digital Divide
      • Sub-Category 3: Disparities in access to technology among students.
    • Sub-Category 2: Student Distraction
      •  Sub-Category 3: The temptation of social media and games during study time.
  • Sub-Category 1: Integration of Technology in Curriculum
    • Sub-Category 2: Curriculum Development
      •   Sub-Category 3: Incorporating digital literacy into learning objectives.
    • Sub-Category 2: Teacher Training
      •   Sub-Category 3: Professional development for educators to effectively use technology. 
  • Sub-Category 1: Technological Innovations in Assessment
    • Sub-Category 2: Digital Assessments
      •   Sub-Category 3: Use of online quizzes and exams to measure student learning.
    • Sub-Category 2: Data-Driven Instruction
      •   Sub-Category 3: Utilizing educational data to personalize learning.

In the example above, the essay’s main idea is the title, “The Impact of Technology on Education.” This is what the student wants to talk about in their college essay. Next, we have subcategories, like “The Evolution of Technology in Educational Settings.” The student didn’t add more subcategories here, and that’s okay. 

You don’t need to have many subcategories. In the mind map, you should have only 5 main ones. Having just a few subcategories makes it easier to move on to writing your college essay.

Exercise to practice your newfound skills.

Create an idea that you will deliver on your thesis statement. Afterward, use the main idea as the main title of your mind map to help you create your subcategories. Remember to keep your subcategories 4 to 5 in number as discussed in the blog post. (Feel free to submit your work to our website email address info@indiaboardplus.com

FAQ

How to come up with a good college essay topic?

To find a great topic for your college essay, begin by brainstorming ideas that matter to you, just like we’ve discussed in this blog post. Write these ideas down and talk them over with someone you trust. 

Cross off any topics that are too sensitive or not suitable. Then, focus on the ideas that really interest you. From these, pick one topic that you can write about in a special way. If you want more details on choosing an essay topic, check out our full blog post.

What do colleges want to hear about in essays?

Colleges like to hear about what you’ve been through, the tough times you’ve faced, how you’ve grown, and what you’ve learned from it all. When you write your essay, just be yourself and tell your real story. That’s what makes your essay stand out and shows colleges who you really are.

What are the 4 basic rules for brainstorming?

When you’re thinking of topics for your college essay, remember these four rules:

1. Pick a Fresh Topic: Choose a topic that’s not too common. You want your essay to stand out.
2. Avoid Controversial Stuff: Stay away from topics that might upset people or cause arguments.
3. Write the First Draft Alone: It’s your essay, so your first draft should be all your own work. Don’t ask friends or family to help you start it.
4. Keep it General for the Common App: If you’re using the Common App to apply to lots of colleges, don’t write about things that are only about one school. Your essay should fit any college you’re applying to.

Remember, your essay is a chance to show colleges what makes you special, so keep it true to yourself!

What is the 6 3 5 method of brainstorming?

The 635 method is when you’re in a group, and everyone writes down 6 ideas. Then, you pass your paper to someone else, and they add more ideas to it. 

But we didn’t use this method in the blog post because it’s about pondering on the topics by yourself, not with a group. When you’re coming up with ideas for your college essay, you do it on your own to make sure the essay is all about you and your own experiences.

Conclusion

Now that you have acquired a deep understanding of the brain-racking process we recommend using when thinking about your college essay, you are now ready to get started with your essay for college. Remember to pay attention to creating only four to five sub-categories on your essay mind map.

All the best in your endeavors!

Resources and References