Congratulations! You have a personal Prompt Writing Coach and you’ve scheduled your first call. So what now? 

(Don’t have a personal Prompt Writing Coach? It’s okay! Check out how our process works by reading this article or viewing our How it Works page.) 

The first call with your coach is all about brainstorming your college application topics. It may seem like 50 minutes is a lot of time, but it can fly by when you’re busy getting to know someone and exploring all your life’s most compelling corners. The busier you are as a student, the more time it will take to discuss potential topics. In the days before your call, there’s a lot you can do to take advantage of every minute. 

The following steps can help you make the most of your 1-on-1 Brainstorming Call. 

Understand What a Coach Does 

First, the bad news. Your writing coach isn’t going to tell you what to write. Oh, it would be so easy if that were the case, right? But the only person who can authentically tell your story is you! 

It’s also important to realize your coach is not a teacher giving a lecture. There is no grade here. There is no final exam. The coach’s goal on this first call will be to point out your strengths and ask questions about your experiences until interesting themes around the five traits colleges look for start to appear. The final choice of subject will be yours, and the ultimate arbiter of any edits to the statement will be you. 

Complete Your Application Plan Early

If you still have absolutely no idea what you want to write about, don’t panic!

Prompt’s free Application Plan is a brainstorming and college application planning tool built from thousands of hours of research and conversations with admission officers across the academic spectrum who have told us the kinds of stories that get their attention. You can make an account here for this resource.

We know high school students, especially ambitious ones, have very busy schedules, but we recommend finishing this application plan a few days in advance of your Brainstorming Call while being as honest as possible about your experiences. Getting started early may reveal just how many stories you could include in your personal statement and help ease some of your nervousness. 

Preparing ahead of time also gives your coach a chance to thumb through your experiences and prepare discussion ideas ahead of your call, which can save time.  

Ask Around

Your family, friends, and teachers know you better than anyone, so don’t hesitate to get some perspective on stories about you. Jot down some questions that stump you from the Application Plan, and ask around. Bring it up at the dinner table at night or with your math club. Your loved ones may bring up stories that you’ve completely forgotten. 

Bring Your Ideas and Questions

As a Prompt Writing Coach, I love it when students come to their first meeting with ideas. It helps me understand what is most important to them and how ambitious they want to be with their statements. Also, your Brainstorming Call with your coach is a great time to iron out your worries about the application essay writing process. Clearing up these questions right away can smooth the road to your first draft.

I hope these tips help you get ready, and most of all, help ease your mind about the process. In my three years at Prompt and teaching at universities, I still haven’t met a writer who didn’t have a story to tell. 

Speaking on behalf of all Prompt’s coaches, we’re excited to get to know you! 

Curious to learn more about our college essay coaching process? We would love to talk to you and learn more about you and your student’s college goals! Schedule a free consultation with our program specialists to see how we can help your family.