How do I choose the right topic for my college essay?
I'm starting to brainstorm topics for my main college essay, and I'm honestly not sure what would make a good fit.
People keep telling me to write about something "unique" or "meaningful", but I don't have any super dramatic life events or anything. I'm just a pretty regular student with good grades and a couple extracurriculars.
Does anyone have advice on what kinds of topics are too common or overused? Or is it more about how you write it than the actual story? Would it be okay to write about something small, like a family tradition or a hobby, or do colleges expect something bigger?
People keep telling me to write about something "unique" or "meaningful", but I don't have any super dramatic life events or anything. I'm just a pretty regular student with good grades and a couple extracurriculars.
Does anyone have advice on what kinds of topics are too common or overused? Or is it more about how you write it than the actual story? Would it be okay to write about something small, like a family tradition or a hobby, or do colleges expect something bigger?
4 months ago
•
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Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Choosing a strong topic for your college essay really comes down to two things: honesty and individuality. You don't need an "epic" story or dramatic event—many students get in with essays about something small or apparently ordinary, because what matters is how you explore it and why it matters to you.
Some topics like sports victories, summer camp transformations, or overcoming a routine academic challenge are common and can be tricky to make original unless you bring a fresh perspective. Admissions officers read a lot of essays every year, and what stands out is the student's authentic voice and reflection, not necessarily the event itself.
If you're considering a seemingly simple topic, like a family tradition or a hobby, that's completely fine. In fact, focusing in on a specific moment or ritual can give you space to reflect deeply. For instance, instead of a broad essay about playing chess, you might write about one particular game you lost and what it taught you about patience or self-doubt. Or, if your family makes tamales every winter, you could write about how this shared experience connects generations, teaches you cultural values, or reveals how you approach teamwork and leadership at home.
The best essays usually reveal a personal insight or growth. Ask yourself: What does this experience say about who I am? Did it change how I think, act, or see the world—even in a small way? The "unique" factor is often in your interpretation and reflection, not in the event itself.
Here's a quick exercise: list 5-10 moments (not necessarily big achievements) that made you feel strongly—curious, challenged, proud, confused, connected. Then, for each, try to write why that moment stuck with you. You might find that the everyday things reveal the most about what matters to you.
Bottom line: Schools are looking for your authentic story told in your voice. A well-written essay about baking bread with your grandma can be just as memorable as one about a science fair win or a family move, if you make it personal and reflective. So don't be afraid to choose a "small" topic—sometimes those let your real self shine through most clearly.
Some topics like sports victories, summer camp transformations, or overcoming a routine academic challenge are common and can be tricky to make original unless you bring a fresh perspective. Admissions officers read a lot of essays every year, and what stands out is the student's authentic voice and reflection, not necessarily the event itself.
If you're considering a seemingly simple topic, like a family tradition or a hobby, that's completely fine. In fact, focusing in on a specific moment or ritual can give you space to reflect deeply. For instance, instead of a broad essay about playing chess, you might write about one particular game you lost and what it taught you about patience or self-doubt. Or, if your family makes tamales every winter, you could write about how this shared experience connects generations, teaches you cultural values, or reveals how you approach teamwork and leadership at home.
The best essays usually reveal a personal insight or growth. Ask yourself: What does this experience say about who I am? Did it change how I think, act, or see the world—even in a small way? The "unique" factor is often in your interpretation and reflection, not in the event itself.
Here's a quick exercise: list 5-10 moments (not necessarily big achievements) that made you feel strongly—curious, challenged, proud, confused, connected. Then, for each, try to write why that moment stuck with you. You might find that the everyday things reveal the most about what matters to you.
Bottom line: Schools are looking for your authentic story told in your voice. A well-written essay about baking bread with your grandma can be just as memorable as one about a science fair win or a family move, if you make it personal and reflective. So don't be afraid to choose a "small" topic—sometimes those let your real self shine through most clearly.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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