I do not know the first thing about grad school. Especially how to apply to the schools. Books and an internet search talk a lot about an essay, so I guess I’ll start there. I MUST start doing something about this back up plan! So here goes my writing brainstorm to flesh out later:
use concrete examples
don’t serve the whole pie–just a slice will do
Dissect 1 thing rather than all 12 aspects
don’t just state facts–tell how they impacted me
sneak in lengths of time that aren’t focus of essay (12 yrs on swim when writing about cold water)
mention accomplishments inside of another topic like volunteering
write about something not in application
could someone else write this topic?
Is there another approach to topic?
highlight growth
show, don’t tell
Here goes some ideas:
How I am similar to a maine coon cat (or other animal).
write about a book/movie
write from the POV of a disease or problem
My favorite object and why
What object best represents me
What word best represents me
explain a change in direction
specify discomforts of activity explicitly–and why I still engage in it.
Dissect/analyse a favorite or hated toy.
connect a book’s theme/character/plot to my view of life (don’t need to describe book much)
show how failures shaped me
Good Phrasing:
Include alliteration
genesis of passion
quantify events–exp: how many mornings have I gone to work exactly?
“A jolt. The moment had passed. Back in real time.”
What did I internalize from achievement/experience?
Awesome Words:
“Sizzle. Bubble” to convey the act of cooking.
poignant
conglomeration
flair
kinetic
bombastic
intractable
kit10phish.wordpress.com 
Catty Remarks