{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"619: Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 3): How Reflection Leads to Insight with Alisha, HS Senior","description":"Hey friends, and welcome back to the College Essay Guy podcast.&amp;nbsp; Today\u2019s episode is the third and final episode in our series called Inside the Personal Statement Process. If you\u2019re 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.&amp;nbsp; 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\u2014and perhaps, the least discussed\u2014aspect of writing the personal statement: insight.&amp;nbsp; In the session, Alisha and I explore:&amp;nbsp;  What is insight?&amp;nbsp; How do you find good insights?&amp;nbsp; What are the kinds of questions that can lead to insights? And more  Whether you\u2019re 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\u2019ll 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\u2019s not studying the brain, she\u2019s mentoring younger students through her program Running Start or planning her next adventure. Hope you enjoy our session. &amp;nbsp; Play-by-Play:  1:16 \u2013 It\u2019s just days before her Early Decision deadline. How\u2019s Alisha feeling? 2:21 \u2013 What is \u201cinsight,\u201d and why does it matter in an essay? 3:30 \u2013 Alisha begins reading her latest draft, Wherever the Road Takes Us 4:08 \u2013 Ethan gives his thoughts on Alisha\u2019s intro 5:37 \u2013 Paragraph one: Curiosity 11:04 \u2013 Paragraph two: Creativity 11:52 \u2013 How does art make Alisha a better scientist? 14:20 \u2013 Paragraph three: Empathy 21:20 \u2013 Alisha uses the Values Exercise to identify potential new insights&amp;nbsp; 28:19 \u2013 Paragraph four: Community 32:47 \u2013 Paragraph five: Conclusion and the \u201cempty jar.\u201d 35:53 \u2013 Ethan recaps final notes and next steps 39:50 \u2013 Alisha and Ethan reflects on the writing process and Alisha\u2019s growth&amp;nbsp; 41:34 \u2013 Closing thoughts&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; Resources:   Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 1): The Sand Essay with Alisha, HS Senior  Inside the Personal Statement Process (Part 2): Discovering Values Through Revision with Alisha, HS Senior&amp;nbsp; The Values Exercise College Essay Guy\u2019s Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy\u2019s College Application Hub  &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions","author_url":"http:\/\/collegeessayguy.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/38909730\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/195109945"}