Workbook 2 of 6

Story Brainstorm

Find the moment that best tells your story.

Estimated time: 10–15 minutesRecommended after: Guide 2: Finding the Right Story

Build Your Story Bank

Before choosing one story, give yourself permission to think broadly. Write down any experience that helped shape who you are today. Do not judge your ideas yet.

  • A challenge I worked through
  • A person who influenced me
  • A mistake that helped me grow
  • A moment that changed my perspective
  • A time I helped someone
  • An experience that made me proud
  • A passion or purpose I discovered
  • A decision that required courage

The moments that come to mind are...

Look for Growth

Read through your Story Bank. Instead of asking which experience sounds most impressive, look for the moments that changed you.

One experience that changed the way I think is...

One experience that taught me something important is...

One experience that reveals something meaningful about my character is...

Choose Your Top Three

Select the three experiences that feel most meaningful. For each one, briefly describe what happened and what it taught you.

Story One: What happened?

Story One: What did I learn?

Story Two: What happened?

Story Two: What did I learn?

Story Three: What happened?

Story Three: What did I learn?

Which Story Shows You Best?

Compare your three strongest ideas. The best choice is usually the story that gives a reviewer the clearest and most authentic picture of you.

  • This story reveals something meaningful about my character.
  • I changed or grew because of this experience.
  • I can clearly explain what I learned.
  • The story connects to who I am becoming.
  • The story feels honest and specific.
  • A reviewer could remember this story after reading my essay.

My Strongest Story

Choose the story you are most ready to develop into your scholarship essay.

I have decided to write about...

This is my strongest story because...

This story connects to my North Star because...

Final Check

Before moving forward, make sure your chosen story gives you enough material for a focused and reflective essay.

  • I can describe one clear moment or experience.
  • I know what changed because of this experience.
  • I can explain what the experience taught me.
  • The story supports the message I want reviewers to remember.
  • The story feels like mine—not one I chose only because it sounds impressive.