What are the most common college essay topics people write about?

You're absolutely right—some college essay topics appear again and again. The most common ones include overcoming adversity, a significant failure, sports injuries or victories, lessons from moving to a new place or country, a challenging class, and the impact of a family member (often a parent or grandparent). Themes like "what makes you unique" or describing a "community" you're a part of also show up often, since they're directly related to many school prompts.

The reason these topics are so popular is because they ask applicants to reflect on growth, challenge, and the forces shaping their character. Admissions officers see hundreds of essays on these themes every year. However, choosing a common topic doesn't automatically hurt your chances. The key is making your essay reflect your *specific*, *personal* experience, rather than repeating a generic story.

Here are a couple of examples to illustrate:

Example 1 (generic): "I tore my ACL playing soccer, was devastated, but learned to work hard in physical therapy. I came back to help my team win."

Example 2 (more unique): "During months of recovery from my soccer injury, I felt isolated from my teammates and restless. To cope, I interviewed injured athletes from other schools and started a podcast on mental health in sports. What began as a way to fill my afternoons grew into something that connected me with hundreds of listeners."

Both essays use a sports injury as a starting point, but the second zeroes in on a specific, possibly unexpected impact and how the writer moved forward.

If you're writing about something common, try narrowing your focus to a single moment, conversation, or realization. Moments of conflict, surprise, or contradiction often reveal the most about your perspective. For instance, instead of "how moving to a new country was hard," what about describing a particular day you misread a social cue at lunch, and what that sparked in you?

Genuine, well-written essays about common topics can absolutely stand out, especially if you include details and outcomes unique to you. Avoid relying on clichés or writing what you think admissions wants to hear. Choose something meaningful to you, even if it feels ordinary—just make your perspective shine through. And don't be afraid to brainstorm a few potential stories before you settle on one—often the more specific you get, the more memorable it becomes.