Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Ethan Sawyer. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ethan Sawyer or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

619: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 3): How Reflection Leads to Insight with Alisha, HS Senior

42:55
 
Share
 

Manage episode 518017287 series 2091325
Content provided by Ethan Sawyer. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ethan Sawyer or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Hey friends, and welcome back to the College Essay Guy podcast. Today's episode is the third and final episode in our series called Inside the Personal Statement Process. If you're just tuning in, this series takes you behind the scenes as I work one-on-one with Alisha, a current high school senior applying for the Fall 2026 term. Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

This episode was recorded just a few days before Alisha submitted her early applications. The focus of this episode is on one of the most challenging—and perhaps, the least discussed—aspect of writing the personal statement: insight.

In the session, Alisha and I explore:

  • What is insight?
  • How do you find good insights?
  • What are the kinds of questions that can lead to insights?
  • And more

Whether you're a student working on your own essays right now, a parent supporting from the sidelines, or a counselor guiding students through this process, I hope you'll find something useful here.

Alisha is a current high school senior going through the application process who loves science, movies, and discovering new places. When she's not studying the brain, she's mentoring younger students through her program Running Start or planning her next adventure.

Hope you enjoy our session.

Play-by-Play:

  • 1:16 – It's just days before her Early Decision deadline. How's Alisha feeling?
  • 2:21 – What is "insight," and why does it matter in an essay?
  • 3:30 – Alisha begins reading her latest draft, Wherever the Road Takes Us
  • 4:08 – Ethan gives his thoughts on Alisha's intro
  • 5:37 – Paragraph one: Curiosity
  • 11:04 – Paragraph two: Creativity
  • 11:52 – How does art make Alisha a better scientist?
  • 14:20 – Paragraph three: Empathy
  • 21:20 – Alisha uses the Values Exercise to identify potential new insights
  • 28:19 – Paragraph four: Community
  • 32:47 – Paragraph five: Conclusion and the "empty jar."
  • 35:53 – Ethan recaps final notes and next steps
  • 39:50 – Alisha and Ethan reflects on the writing process and Alisha's growth
  • 41:34 – Closing thoughts

Resources:

  continue reading

98 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 518017287 series 2091325
Content provided by Ethan Sawyer. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ethan Sawyer or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Hey friends, and welcome back to the College Essay Guy podcast. Today's episode is the third and final episode in our series called Inside the Personal Statement Process. If you're just tuning in, this series takes you behind the scenes as I work one-on-one with Alisha, a current high school senior applying for the Fall 2026 term. Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

This episode was recorded just a few days before Alisha submitted her early applications. The focus of this episode is on one of the most challenging—and perhaps, the least discussed—aspect of writing the personal statement: insight.

In the session, Alisha and I explore:

  • What is insight?
  • How do you find good insights?
  • What are the kinds of questions that can lead to insights?
  • And more

Whether you're a student working on your own essays right now, a parent supporting from the sidelines, or a counselor guiding students through this process, I hope you'll find something useful here.

Alisha is a current high school senior going through the application process who loves science, movies, and discovering new places. When she's not studying the brain, she's mentoring younger students through her program Running Start or planning her next adventure.

Hope you enjoy our session.

Play-by-Play:

  • 1:16 – It's just days before her Early Decision deadline. How's Alisha feeling?
  • 2:21 – What is "insight," and why does it matter in an essay?
  • 3:30 – Alisha begins reading her latest draft, Wherever the Road Takes Us
  • 4:08 – Ethan gives his thoughts on Alisha's intro
  • 5:37 – Paragraph one: Curiosity
  • 11:04 – Paragraph two: Creativity
  • 11:52 – How does art make Alisha a better scientist?
  • 14:20 – Paragraph three: Empathy
  • 21:20 – Alisha uses the Values Exercise to identify potential new insights
  • 28:19 – Paragraph four: Community
  • 32:47 – Paragraph five: Conclusion and the "empty jar."
  • 35:53 – Ethan recaps final notes and next steps
  • 39:50 – Alisha and Ethan reflects on the writing process and Alisha's growth
  • 41:34 – Closing thoughts

Resources:

  continue reading

98 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play