Is there a 'quiz' that can help me figure out what to write my college essay about?
I've been struggling to choose a topic for my college essay, and I saw something online about quizzes that supposedly help you find the perfect essay subject. Has anyone actually tried one of these?
I'm kind of all over the place with my interests and experiences, so starting from scratch is tough. I know the essay should be personal, but I could really use some structure to get my thoughts organized. Do these quizzes actually offer any good suggestions, or are they just generic?
Would love to hear if anyone used one and if it helped at all, or if I should just brainstorm on my own instead.
I'm kind of all over the place with my interests and experiences, so starting from scratch is tough. I know the essay should be personal, but I could really use some structure to get my thoughts organized. Do these quizzes actually offer any good suggestions, or are they just generic?
Would love to hear if anyone used one and if it helped at all, or if I should just brainstorm on my own instead.
4 months ago
•
12 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Choosing a college essay topic can definitely feel overwhelming, especially with so many options out there and the pressure to stand out. Online 'essay topic quizzes' are pretty popular, and while they can be fun or help break the ice, most of them tend to offer generic prompts or surface-level guidance rather than deep, personalized suggestions. You might find that the results are things like 'write about a challenge you've overcome' or 'describe a time you made an impact,' which are the same types of prompts you'll see in many college supplements anyway.
However, the real value of these quizzes is less about the results and more about what they get you thinking about. For example, if a quiz asks you questions about your favorite activities, a time you failed, or something you're proud of, that can spark an idea or help you remember a story you hadn't thought about. But don't expect it to hand you a perfectly unique topic—it's more of a conversation starter with yourself.
If structure is what you're looking for, you might try making a list of singular moments—times you felt challenged, inspired, changed, or even uncomfortable. Think small rather than big: the most compelling essays often zero in on a particular moment or detail rather than a grand narrative. For example, instead of 'I love volunteering,' maybe it’s that one afternoon you accidentally double-booked shifts and learned something real about commitment and asking for help.
You can also ask friends or family what they think is unique about you, or what moments stick out in their memory; sometimes the people who know you best can help you spot themes you missed. In short, essay quizzes can give you a nudge, but genuine brainstorming or talking through your experiences with someone usually leads to something more meaningful.
If you want a little direction, try starting with three questions:
1. What is the most unexpected thing about me?
2. When did I feel a shift in how I see myself or the world?
3. What’s a small story no one else could tell the same way?
Putting your energy into these kinds of reflections will usually get you closer to a strong, personal essay topic than a quiz can.
However, the real value of these quizzes is less about the results and more about what they get you thinking about. For example, if a quiz asks you questions about your favorite activities, a time you failed, or something you're proud of, that can spark an idea or help you remember a story you hadn't thought about. But don't expect it to hand you a perfectly unique topic—it's more of a conversation starter with yourself.
If structure is what you're looking for, you might try making a list of singular moments—times you felt challenged, inspired, changed, or even uncomfortable. Think small rather than big: the most compelling essays often zero in on a particular moment or detail rather than a grand narrative. For example, instead of 'I love volunteering,' maybe it’s that one afternoon you accidentally double-booked shifts and learned something real about commitment and asking for help.
You can also ask friends or family what they think is unique about you, or what moments stick out in their memory; sometimes the people who know you best can help you spot themes you missed. In short, essay quizzes can give you a nudge, but genuine brainstorming or talking through your experiences with someone usually leads to something more meaningful.
If you want a little direction, try starting with three questions:
1. What is the most unexpected thing about me?
2. When did I feel a shift in how I see myself or the world?
3. What’s a small story no one else could tell the same way?
Putting your energy into these kinds of reflections will usually get you closer to a strong, personal essay topic than a quiz can.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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