Write a STELLAR Common App Essay: The 3-Scene Montage Structure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xO0NYUwZKc

This structure is perfect for students who want to include a key moment in their essay but don't know how, students who have an incomplete draft of their Common App essay, and students who have not started on their Common App essay yet.

But first, let's talk about Star Wars: The Mandalorian. I'm assuming you guys are familiar with the plot, but if not, here's what you need to know ( trust me, this is important). The Mandalorian is basically about this ex-bounty hunter who traverses various planets accompanied by Baby Yoda, aka the Child. While his quest is to ultimately protect and deliver Baby Yoda back to the Jedi, he also grows immensely as a protagonist.

At the start of Season 1, Mando is a vagabond, an intergalactic samurai who excels at brute force and killing. He's hesitant to work with teams, distrustful of droids due to some childhood trauma, and he identifies himself as a Mandalorian rather than a unique individual. 

Of course, by the end of season one, Mando has undergone a total transformation. In the season finale, Mando volunteers to stay behind and basically sacrifice himself to protect his new buddies from the Empire. At the verge of death, he removes his helmet and reveals his true identity to IG-11, an assassination droid that ironically saves his life during his hour of need. 

This is a pivotal moment in the series. By taking off his helmet, Mando has effectively let go of his cold outer shell as well as his fear and mistrust of droids—an action that consequently restores faith in his own potential for goodness and salvation.

Applying the Mandalorian Way to Your Essay

Now that I've basically spoiled Season 1 for everyone, let's talk about how to leverage these techniques to help you get into your dream college. There’s a lot to dissect here, but I just want to focus on two things: character development and memorable settings.

To implement these techniques, we're going to use a three-scene or vignette structure followed by a reflection at the end to weave your Common App essay together.

Before I continue, I forgot to mention a very important detail. You know how in The Mandalorian, Mando basically just keeps going on these side quests, meeting new characters like every episode? (I’m referencing season 2) These characters help him discover something new about himself, usually his humanity and selfless nature that was inside him all along. 

We’re going to steal a page from his book and do the same thing. Because of this, each of our three scenes must fulfill the following five requirements:

1. Establish the setting

2. Introduce another character

3. Identify a mini conflict

4. Explain how you or the character you’re with solves this conflict

5. A brief one- to two-sentence takeaway

   
   

Each of our three scenes should be about 150-200 words, which leaves us with about 100-200 words for the final reflection. 

Trust me, I know this sounds like a lot, so I'm going to show you a real-life example to really illustrate my point. The student who wrote the following excerpt is a buddy of mine who got into Cornell. Here is his first vignette or scene:

Max is a 10-year-old Canadian-American boy with five fingers. He’s also a soccer star, but he told me he got bored with one fall sport and wanted to add football to his list. After two hours of running around Violet Park and throwing his pee wee football, Max and I sit indoors. He stares at the deck of cards in front of him, preparing for a final round of Crazy Eights. 

Unable to do a bridge, a skill his little sister proudly showed us moments before, Max places the deck on the floor, carefully pushing the cards around with both hands. Max beams at me as he stacks the cards into a neat pile. Then, using his left hand to steady the deck, he uses his right to slide each card out.

Despite his differences, Max is a brilliant athlete and strategist, constantly fleecing me in each game we play. Max Laidler may not have the same dealing ability as the other kids, but he will never be knocked for not trying his best.

Steps to Follow

At this point, I can guess what you’re thinking: “Kev, this whole process sure sounds like a lot of steps.” Yes, but know that checking those five boxes I mentioned earlier will really help get your creative juices flowing. Personally, I find it's a lot easier to go down that list than just stare at a blank page for several hours. I also think it’s easier to write three 250-word vignettes than to draft an entire Common App essay in one sitting. But maybe that’s just me.

So, write two more scenes like that, then start hammering out that conclusion, which is arguably the most important part of your Common App essay. This final paragraph is where you’ll break down the core theme or takeaway and explain how it has impacted you on a personal level. You must—and I repeat, must—answer the following two questions:

1. How did observing or participating in the previous scenes help you grow as an individual?

2. How will you take what you’ve learned and apply it in a college setting?

   
   

Tattoo the answers to these two questions onto your forehead. Literally, if this is the only thing that you guys have learned from this guide, I have succeeded. 

Conclusion Example

Let’s take a look at the conclusion from the previous essay for some inspiration:

Outside of home, I’ve seen limitation, desperation, and abject poverty. Despite a difficult economy, not having all 10 fingers, or harsh reviews from friends, each experience has taught me that resilience can be found anytime within anyone. Snyder’s Pub will open for their 17th year, Lauren will run business as usual, and Max will thrive playing football this upcoming season. I was privileged to see how these people live their lives, but most of all, I’ve been inspired by their attitude. As I become a college student and beyond, I’ll try to carry their strength with me and remember them through injuries, long hours, and tough times.

For reference, this is a good conclusion, not a sensational one. But it worked! At least he answered the question, which is way more than what most applicants do. The conclusion is the best time to articulate how precisely you changed. 

Think back to Mando—this man literally did a 180. He went from lone wolf to father of Baby Yoda, from anti-droids to being saved by one, from working alone to thriving in teams. You’ll want to do the same thing. Become a Mandalorian. In fact, you know what, just become Pedro Pascal. I mean, look at this guy—who wouldn’t hand this man an acceptance letter?!?

<insert image of Pedro Pascal> 

Good luck my dear virtual little siblings! We’re rooting for you!

Best,

Kevin Zhen