One of the most common challenges when you're drafting your college application essays is picking the right topic. You might think that to impress admissions officers, you need to write the most unique story ever. But actually, “uniqueness” can sometimes push you toward overused themes that don’t stand out as much as you’d hope. The truth is, a good essay isn’t about the topic itself but about how well you can tell your story and help the reader understand who you are. No matter what angle you take, if the reader feels connected to you after reading, you’ve written a great essay. That said, there are a few topics you’ll want to be careful with. Here are some common ones and advice on how to approach them:

 

Resume-style Writing

A resume is meant to summarize your education and experiences in bullet points, but if your essay reads like a resume, it can feel dry and unengaging. If you try to cram all your academic achievements into one essay, you’ll likely lose the reader’s interest. Instead, focus on one meaningful experience that really represents who you are. From there, you can reflect on how that experience helped you grow and how it ties into your future goals. For example, maybe a math teacher helped you overcome your dislike for math, inspiring you to become a teacher yourself.

 

Challenges from Advanced Courses

When writing about challenges, a lot of students focus on tough AP classes they took in junior and senior year, and how these classes hurt their grades. The issue with this approach is that many top students have faced similar struggles, but they usually managed to maintain strong grades in the end. Admissions officers, especially at competitive schools, don’t want to see that challenging courses hurt your performance. Instead, take a different approach. For example, if AP History was tough for you, maybe talk about what you did outside the classroom to improve, like volunteering at a local library to explore more history books on your own.

 

Tragic Themes

Writing about tragic events can quickly turn into negative venting because, by nature, these events are hard to process. Topics like a parent's divorce or the loss of a loved one are common choices, but the focus needs to be on how you grew from the experience. If you do choose a tragic theme, make sure the spotlight is on your personal growth and resilience. For example, if you lost a family member to drug addiction, you might write about how that experience inspired you to take drug prevention courses and pursue a career that helps prevent similar tragedies.

 

Immigrant Background

If there were a contest for the most written-about topic in U.S. college essays, the immigrant background would definitely be up there! Since the U.S. has a long history of immigration, it’s a familiar story, especially for students who’ve faced culture shock. The key is to focus on what makes your experience truly unique. For example, instead of focusing on the challenges you faced as an immigrant, talk about how you turned that challenge into an opportunity, like volunteering to make your community more welcoming to others. That angle can make your essay more persuasive and personal.

 

Family Expectations

Many students feel the weight of family expectations, whether they're from the U.S. or abroad. It’s generally a good idea to avoid this topic because admissions officers want to see that you’re independent and can make decisions for yourself. However, if you’ve managed to pursue your own path despite your family’s expectations, that could make for a strong essay—just be careful with this approach. Writing about family expectations can be tricky, especially if your story doesn’t have a clear resolution.

 

Again, as we’ve mentioned in previous posts–keep practicing! Writing skills take time to develop, and regular practice will pay off, not only for your college applications but also for challenges you’ll face once you're in college. So keep reading, keep writing, and you’ll be more than ready!