What are good topics to write about for my college essay?
I’ve been trying to brainstorm ideas for my main college essay but keep second-guessing myself about what is actually a strong or original topic. People say you should write about something meaningful or personal, but I’m finding it difficult to know what will actually stand out to admissions officers.
Some of my friends are writing about family or overcoming challenges, but I feel like those are really common subjects. Is it okay to write about something simple, like a hobby, or is that too basic? I don’t want to just come across as cliché or boring.
If anyone has advice or examples of what made their essays successful, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts or suggestions.
Some of my friends are writing about family or overcoming challenges, but I feel like those are really common subjects. Is it okay to write about something simple, like a hobby, or is that too basic? I don’t want to just come across as cliché or boring.
If anyone has advice or examples of what made their essays successful, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts or suggestions.
6 months ago
•
33 views
Caroline Benson
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Feeling stuck on picking a college essay topic is incredibly common, especially since a lot of advice can sound vague. The truth is, almost any topic can work if you approach it in a way that’s authentic and specific to you. What matters is how you use your story to reveal something about your personality, values, or perspective.
You definitely can write about something "simple" like a hobby, as long as you dig deep into what it means to you and how it’s shaped you. An ordinary topic, written with detail and reflection, is often way more memorable than a generic essay about overcoming adversity.
For example, a student once wrote about folding origami cranes while waiting for the bus. He described how the process taught him patience, attention to detail, and how it became a way to connect with new friends. The essay wasn’t just about origami; it was about how he finds peace and builds connections through a quiet activity. That kind of personal insight is what admissions officers love.
If you’re worried about writing about something "common," focus on a particular moment or detail that’s unique to you. Instead of writing broadly about family, zoom in on a single dinner conversation or quirky family tradition. Or, if you want to write about a challenge, emphasize a specific incident and show what you learned that most people wouldn’t expect.
Ask yourself: What’s a moment where you felt changed, surprised, inspired, or out of your comfort zone? Is there an activity or habit you do that most people overlook, but that has personal meaning for you?
Try starting with a vivid snapshot from your life (a conversation, event, or small ritual), then explain its significance. Your vulnerability, honesty, and voice are what make your essay shine, not the subject itself.
In short, yes—everyday topics can be successful, and sometimes more original, if you write about them in a way that’s personal and reflective. Let your unique perspective and story guide you, and you won’t come across as cliché or boring at all.
You definitely can write about something "simple" like a hobby, as long as you dig deep into what it means to you and how it’s shaped you. An ordinary topic, written with detail and reflection, is often way more memorable than a generic essay about overcoming adversity.
For example, a student once wrote about folding origami cranes while waiting for the bus. He described how the process taught him patience, attention to detail, and how it became a way to connect with new friends. The essay wasn’t just about origami; it was about how he finds peace and builds connections through a quiet activity. That kind of personal insight is what admissions officers love.
If you’re worried about writing about something "common," focus on a particular moment or detail that’s unique to you. Instead of writing broadly about family, zoom in on a single dinner conversation or quirky family tradition. Or, if you want to write about a challenge, emphasize a specific incident and show what you learned that most people wouldn’t expect.
Ask yourself: What’s a moment where you felt changed, surprised, inspired, or out of your comfort zone? Is there an activity or habit you do that most people overlook, but that has personal meaning for you?
Try starting with a vivid snapshot from your life (a conversation, event, or small ritual), then explain its significance. Your vulnerability, honesty, and voice are what make your essay shine, not the subject itself.
In short, yes—everyday topics can be successful, and sometimes more original, if you write about them in a way that’s personal and reflective. Let your unique perspective and story guide you, and you won’t come across as cliché or boring at all.
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Caroline Benson
Upstate New York
Columbia University (BA); American University in Cairo (MA); Middlebury College (MA)
Experience
9 years