1. Why your Common App essay topic matters
2. Decide what your essay must accomplish
3. Use prompts to brainstorm
4. Filter ideas with a four-question test
5. Avoid cliché topic traps
6. Turn ideas into a workable structure
7. Check fit with prompts and application
8. Run an interest test
9. Handle common worries
10. Use a worksheet to choose your final topic
11. Next steps after choosing your topic
12. Where to get more structured help