Purpose: To help you clarify the shape of your story and choose a compelling narrative structure for your essays and application overall

A brief overview of narrative archetypes:

1. 🔁 Hero’s Journey – "I’ve changed through struggle."
2. 🌱 Coming of Age – "I see the world differently now."
3. 🔍 Obsession / Passion Story – "I got obsessed, and it changed me."
4. 🌉 Bridge Between Worlds – "I live at the intersection."
5. 🧪 Problem-Solver / Builder – "I made or fixed something that mattered."
6. 💔 Wound → Wisdom – "My pain shaped my purpose."
7. 🧭 Compass Story – "I chose based on my values."

For context, here’s a breakdown of my Questbridge MIT Application and

• Which themes Ruben’s essays map to

📌 INSTRUCTIONS

For each section below, read the description and guiding questions. Check off any that feel deeply true, and highlight the one or two sections that feel most core to your story. Then, review your matches at the bottom.

1. 🔁 Hero’s Journey – "I’ve changed through struggle."

• [ ] You’ve faced significant adversity—personal, familial, academic, or financial
• [ ] You’ve emerged with new strength, clarity, or direction