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Career & Technology Education Centers of Licking County *
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Course
11
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
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8
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LESSON OVERVIEW: “MODEL APPLICATION ESSAY 1”
(This page does not appear on the student copy.)
How does this lesson fit into the unit?
Reading Lesson 1
Reading Lesson 2
Reading Lesson 3
Reading Lesson 4
Reading Lesson 5
“Crying in H Mart”
by
Michelle Zauner
(Memoir)
“Chameleon”
by
Trevor Noah
(Memoir)
“The Monster of Kings
Island”
by
Christopher Bollen
(Memoir)
“Model Application
Essay 1”
by
Brittany Stinson
(Essay)
“Model Application
Essay 2”
by
Anonymous
(Essay)
⬆
You are here!
⬆
Knowledge focus
This lesson’s skill focus
While reading this application essay, students examine how an applicant can
show readiness for college by using an important place in their lives to depict
their personal traits.
In this lesson, students will
analyze
how
imagery and diction develop
the
theme and author’s purpose.
[RL.11-12.4, RL.11-12.5]
How do I facilitate this lesson?
Lesson Activities
Time
Note to Teachers:
Students will need a copy of the “12G Unit 1 Reference Sheet: Common App Prompts” handout for an activity in the Intro Deck for this lesson.
Independent
Reading
Students independently read the text with a specific annotation task.
10 min
Close
Reading
Students work in pairs or small groups to re-read particular sections of the text and answer deeper
analysis questions.
Note on facilitation:
Students should reread or refer back to each close reading section, discuss each
question together, and jot answers. Possible evidence is provided for you to guide students to relevant
places in the text as needed. You may want to review small group reading and discussion expectations
with your class. Additionally, you may choose to model one or more close reading discussions with
students.
15 min
Discussion
Students discuss and take notes on a question that addresses larger themes within the text.
10 min
Independent
Practice
Students complete four multiple choice questions and a written response about the text.
20 min
~55 min total
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
Name
Class
TEACHER COPY: “Model Application Essay 1”
Brittany Stinson
*Answers in blue. To help us ensure assessment security, please do not post or circulate these answers online.*
About this Text
In 2016, Brittany Stinson penned this Common App essay, which led to her being accepted into five Ivy League colleges: Yale,
Columbia, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell, as well as other highly selective schools.
As you read, take notes on
what the writer’s experiences in Costco reveal about her.
Vocabulary
Let’s pronounce these words together as a class:
apex [
ey
-peks]
complacent [k
uh
m-
pley
-s
uh
nt]
inevitable [in-
ev
-i-t
uh
-b
uh
l]
insatiable [in-
sey
-sh
uh
-b
uh
l]
peruse [p
uh
-
rooz
]
INDEPENDENT READING
NOTES
Prompt 1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so
meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this
sounds like you, then please share your story.
[1] Managing to break free from my mother’s grasp, I charged. With arms flailing
and chubby legs fluttering beneath me, I was the ferocious two year old
rampaging through Costco on a Saturday morning. My mother’s eyes widened in
horror as I jettisoned my churro; the cinnamon sugar rocket gracefully sliced its
way through the air while I continued my spree. I sprinted through the aisles,
looking up in awe at the massive bulk products that towered over me. Overcome
with wonder, I wanted to touch and taste, to stick my head into industrial sized
freezers, to explore every crevice. I was a conquistador , but rather than searching
1
the land for El Dorado, I scoured aisles for free samples. Before
inevitably
being
whisked away into a shopping cart, I scaled a mountain of plush toys and surveyed
the expanse that lay before me: the kingdom of Costco.
[2] Notorious for its oversized portions and dollar fifty hot dog combo, Costco is
the
apex
of consumerism. From the days spent being toted around in a shopping
cart to when I was finally tall enough to reach lofty sample trays, Costco has
endured a steady presence throughout my life. As a veteran Costco shopper, I
navigate the aisles of foodstuffs, thrusting the majority of my weight upon a
generously filled shopping cart whose enormity juxtaposes my small frame. Over
time, I’ve developed a habit of observing fellow patrons tote their carts piled with
frozen burritos, cheese puffs, tubs of ice cream, and weight loss supplements.
Perusing
the aisles gave me time to ponder. Who needs three pounds of sour
Make notes about what the writer’s experiences in
Costco reveal about her.
Stinson makes an ordinary trip to Costco seem like
a magical adventure; she was an adventurous child
with a big imagination.
Stinson is thoughtful and observant.
1
From the Spanish language meaning a warrior or one who conquers
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
1
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.
cream? Was cultured yogurt any more well mannered than its uncultured
counterpart? Costco gave birth to my unfettered curiosity.
[3] While enjoying an obligatory hot dog, I did not find myself thinking about the
‘all beef’ goodness that Costco boasted. I instead considered finitudes and
infinitudes,
unimagined uses for tubs of sour cream, the projectile motion of said
2
tub when launched from an eighty foot shelf or maybe when pushed from a
speedy cart by a scrawny seventeen year old. I contemplated the philosophical: If
there exists a thirty three ounce jar of Nutella, do we really have free will? I
experienced a harsh physics lesson while observing a shopper who had no evident
familiarity of inertia's
workings. With a cart filled to overflowing, she made her
3
way towards the sloped exit, continuing to push and push while steadily losing
control until the cart escaped her and went crashing into a concrete column, 52”
plasma screen TV and all. Purchasing the yuletide hickory smoked ham
inevitably
led to a conversation between my father and me about Andrew Jackson’s
controversiality.
There was no questioning Old Hickory’s
dedication; he was
4
5
steadfast in his beliefs and pursuits – qualities I am compelled to admire, yet his
morals were crooked. We both found the ham to be more likeable – and tender.
[4] I adopted my exploratory skills, fine tuned by Costco, towards my intellectual
endeavors. Just as I sampled buffalo chicken dip or chocolate truffles, I probed the
realms of history, dance and biology, all in pursuit of the ideal cart – one
overflowing with theoretical situations and notions both silly and serious. I
sampled calculus, cross country running, scientific research, all of which are now
household favorites. With cart in hand, I do what scares me; I absorb the
warehouse that is the world. Whether it be through attempting aerial yoga,
learning how to chart blackbody radiation
using astronomical software, or
6
dancing in front of hundreds of people, I am compelled to try any activity that
interests me in the slightest.
[5] My intense desire to know, to explore beyond the bounds of rational thought;
this is what defines me. Costco fuels my
insatiability
and cultivates curiosity
within me at a cellular level. Encoded to immerse myself in the unknown, I find it
difficult to
complacently
accept the “what”; I want to hunt for the “whys” and
dissect the “hows”. In essence, I subsist
on discovery.
7
Costco allows Stinson to contemplate human
nature and history showing she is a deep thinker.
Stinson sees connections between what she’s
learned and what she is experiencing in Costco. She
dives into new experiences head first.
Just as shopping at Costco defines a great part of
Stinson’s childhood, her ability to explore thoughts,
to take risks, and to search for the unknown, is at
the core of who she is.
“Written by Brittany Stinson in response to the 2016 Common Application Prompt. Used with permission from the author.”
7
Subsist
(
verb
): to maintain oneself
6
The spectrum of light emitted by heated objects
5
A nickname for President Andrew Jackson
4
As the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson’s presidency is remembered harshly for his treatment of Native Americans. Tens of thousands of Native
Americans were forcefully removed from their homes and died on what is now known as the “Trail of Tears.”
3
Inertia
(
noun
): a state of doing nothing or remaining unchanged
2
Finitude
(
noun
): to have limits;
Infinitude
(
noun
): to have no limits, without limits
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
2
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CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.
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Close Reading
Directions:
Reread or refer back to the section(s) indicated. Then answer the questions with your group.
START at
PARAGRAPH 1
STOP at the end of
PARAGRAPH 1
1.
What effect does Stinson likely want the opening scene to have on the reader?
[RL.4]
●
It will amuse and interest the reader. This voice is so charming and the scene is so funny that the reader wants
to read more.
Possible Evidence:
●
“My mother’s eyes widened in horror as I jettisoned my churro; the cinnamon sugar rocket gracefully sliced its
way through the air while I continued my spree.” (1)
●
“I was a conquistador, but rather than searching the land for El Dorado, I scoured the aisle for free samples.” (1)
●
“Before inevitably being whisked away into a shopping cart, I scaled a mountain of plush toys and surveyed the
expanse that lay before me: the kingdom of Costco.” (1)
START at
PARAGRAPH 2
STOP at the end of
PARAGRAPH 3
2.
How do the descriptions in these paragraphs contribute to Stinson's overall message about herself?
[RL.5]
●
Stinson's descriptions of the people and items in Costco show how expansive her thinking and curiosity are.
Possible Evidence:
●
“Over time, I’ve developed a habit of observing fellow patrons tote their carts...” (2)
●
“Perusing the aisle gave me time to ponder.” (2)
●
“I contemplated the philosophical: If there exists a thirty-three ounce jar of Nutella, do we really have free will?”
(3)
●
“Purchasing the yuletide hickory smoked ham inevitably led to a conversation between my father and me about
Andrew Jackson’s controversiality.” (3)
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
3
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.
START at
PARAGRAPH 4
STOP at the end of
PARAGRAPH 5
3.
Explain what Stinson means by the metaphor in paragraph 4: "I absorb the warehouse that is the world."
[RL.3]
●
She is comparing the entire world to a warehouse she is free to roam in. Just like in Costco, she "peruses" and
"explores" the world, and samples everything in it. Just like she puts many different things in her cart at Costco,
she wants to soak up knowledge in many areas and have a "generously filled" mind.
Possible Evidence:
●
“I adopted my exploratory skills, fine tuned by Costco, towards my intellectual endeavors.” (4)
●
“I probed the realms of history, dance, and biology, all in pursuit of the ideal cart - one overflowing with
theoretical situations and notions both silly and serious.” (4)
4.
How does paragraph 5 support Stinson’s purpose for writing this essay?
[RL.5]
●
In this final paragraph, Stinson emphasizes that she is driven by the need to know and chooses curiosity
everywhere she goes, even Costco. This allows her to highlight the ways she would be an asset in a college
setting.
Possible Evidence:
●
“My intense desire to know, to explore beyond the bounds of rational thought; this is what defines me.” (5)
●
“Costco fuels my insatiability and cultivates curiosity within me at a cellular level.” (5)
●
“I want to hunt for the ‘whys’ and dissect the ‘hows.’ In essence, I subsist on discovery.” (5)
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
4
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.
Discussion
Directions:
Read the discussion question and jot down a few ideas you would like to share with your
classmates. As you participate in the discussion, be sure to support your ideas with text evidence.
Imagine that you are on the college admissions committee that is reviewing
Brittany Stinson's application, and one of your colleagues does not want to admit her.
What argument could you make in her favor?
[RL.4]
My Ideas
Ideas from the Discussion
Student ideas will vary. Students might argue Stinson should be admitted because of her
ability to use sophisticated vocabulary, highlight traits that college students need, and
articulate her fitness for college-level studies.
●
“My mother’s eyes widened in horror as I jettisoned my churro; the cinnamon
sugar rocket gracefully sliced its way through the air while I continued my spree.”
(1)
●
“I was a conquistador, but rather than searching the land for El Dorado, I scoured
aisle for free samples. Before inevitably being whisked away into a shopping cart, I
scaled a mountain of plush toys and surveyed the expanse that lay before me: the
kingdom of Costco.” (1)
●
“With cart in hand, I do what scares me; I absorb the warehouse that is the world.
Whether it be through attempting aerial yoga, learning how to chart blackbody
radiation using astronomical software, or dancing in front of hundreds of people, I
am compelled to try any activity that interests me in the slightest.” (4)
●
“My intense desire to know, to explore beyond the bounds of rational thought; this
is what defines me. Costco fuels my insatiability and cultivates curiosity within me
at a cellular level.” (5)
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
5
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CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.
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Name
Class
Independent Practice
Directions:
Answer the multiple choice questions for “Model Application Essay 1.”
5 minutes
Note:
To ensure test security, answers to the following assessment items are viewable only on
commonlit.org for verified teacher accounts. Navigate to this reading assignment on the Lessons &
Materials page to gain access.
1.
Which detail from the text best demonstrates Stinson’s imaginative nature?
[RL.1]
A.
“Before inevitably being whisked away into a shopping cart, I scaled a mountain of plush toys and
surveyed the expanse that lay before me: the kingdom of Costco.” (Paragraph 1)
B.
“Notorious for its oversized portions and dollar fifty hot dog combo, Costco is the apex of consumerism.”
(Paragraph 2)
C.
“Purchasing the yuletide hickory smoked ham inevitably led to a conversation between my father and
me about Andrew Jackson’s controversiality.” (Paragraph 3)
D.
“I adopted my exploratory skills, fine tuned by Costco, towards my intellectual endeavors.” (Paragraph 4)
2.
How does paragraph 4 contribute to achieving the author's purpose for this text?
[RL.6]
A.
It reveals why Stinson has chosen to study science.
B.
It reveals why Stinson is applying to a performing arts school.
C.
It reveals how items purchased at Costco inspired Stinson's hobbies.
D.
It reveals connections between the author’s experiences in Costco and her traits.
3.
What is the best meaning of “jettisoned” as it is used in paragraph 1?
[RL.4]
A.
ate
B.
threw
C.
caught
D.
dropped
4.
What does the anecdote in paragraph 3 about a shopper with an overfilled cart reveal about the author?
[RL.3]
A.
It shows the author is helpful.
B.
It shows the author is observant.
C.
It shows the author is disruptive.
D.
It shows the author is imaginative.
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
6
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.
Independent Practice
Directions:
Answer the short response prompt for “Model Application Essay 2.”
15 minutes
Note:
To ensure test security, a sample answer to the following short response item is viewable only on
commonlit.org for verified teacher accounts. Navigate to this reading assignment on the Lessons &
Materials page to access it.
PROMPT:
You have just read “Model Common Application Essay 1” by Brittany Stinson.
How does the diction in this
essay affect the reader?
[RL.4]
SAMPLE STUDENT OUTLINE:
Stinson’s choice of language helps her highlight what makes her exceptional. Her word choice is designed to make the
reader see her as curious, humorous, and adventurous.
●
“Overcome with wonder, I wanted to touch and taste, to stick my head into industrial sized freezers, to
explore every crevice” (1)
●
“I jettisoned my churro; the cinnamon sugar rocket gracefully sliced its way through the air.” (1)
●
“I was a conquistador, but rather than searching the land for El Dorado, I scoured aisles for free samples.
Before inevitably being whisked away into a shopping cart, I scaled a mountain of plush toys and surveyed
the expanse that lay before me: the kingdom of Costco .”(1)
●
“Just as I sampled buffalo chicken dip or chocolate truffles, I probed the realms of history, dance and biology,
all in pursuit of the ideal cart – one overflowing with theoretical situations and notions both silly and serious.”
(4)
SAMPLE SHORT RESPONSE:
Stinson’s diction helps her highlight what makes her exceptional. Her word choice is designed to make the reader see
her as curious, humorous, and adventurous. For example, instead of starting her essay with, “I was stuck at Costco in
the cart,” the author says, “Overcome with wonder, I wanted to touch and taste, to stick my head into industrial sized
freezers, to explore every crevice” (1). With descriptive language that focuses on the senses, she emphasizes how
curious and eager to explore she is. Next, her use of precise verbs and imagery add humor to her writing. Instead of
saying, “I ran away from my mom,” Stinson describes the scene by saying, “I jettisoned my churro; the cinnamon
sugar rocket gracefully sliced its way through the air” (1). The author paints a vivid picture of a two-year old
launching the sweet dessert through the air and breaking away to freedom. With precise verbs and descriptions,
Stinson creates humor by suggesting that everything about her exploration of Costco is over-the-top and dramatic (1).
Throughout the essay, Stinson’s figurative language highlights her personal qualities for the reader. For example, she
compares finding things in Costco to finding gold or treasure in a lost city: “I was a conquistador, but rather than
searching the land for El Dorado, I scoured aisles for free samples. Before inevitably being whisked away into a
shopping cart, I scaled a mountain of plush toys and surveyed the expanse that lay before me: the kingdom of Costco”
(1). This language communicates to the reader that Stinson has a great imagination and finds adventure wherever
she goes. Near the end of her essay, the metaphor of the Costco “cart” further emphasizes her intelligence and
curiosity: “Just as I sampled buffalo chicken dip or chocolate truffles, I probed the realms of history, dance and
biology, all in pursuit of the ideal cart – one overflowing with theoretical situations and notions both silly and
serious”(4). Stinson explicitly connects her Costco adventures to her exploration of life in general. By portraying
Stinson as interested in everything and open to new experiences, her diction creates a very positive impression for the
admissions committee reading this essay.
Unit 1: Writing Your Story: Memoir and Application Essays
7
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
license.