What essay topics should I steer clear of in my college applications?

You're smart to think carefully about your essay topic choice! There are, in fact, some topics that tend to be overused or risky in college applications. Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, so they're especially wary of subjects that come off as generic, lack depth, or feel insincere.

A few overdone topics include: the classic sports injury or victory, generic 'moving to a new school' stories, basic accounts of traveling abroad without deeper reflection, cliché volunteer trip essays, and broad tales of overcoming academic challenges. The 'immigrant struggle' or 'assimilation' essay is also common, so to stand out, it needs to be deeply personal or focused on a unique moment, not just the general experience. Similarly, essays about working hard in a tough class, dealing with stage fright, and general summaries of personal growth can often sound similar unless you take a very personal, detailed approach.

As for truly risky topics: be careful with controversial subjects like politics or religion unless you can show thoughtful nuance and not just a rant. Avoid writing about illegal behavior, extreme trauma (unless you’re ready and it’s handled with sensitivity), or stories that paint you in a negative light with no personal growth. Bragging, blaming others, or focusing too much on someone else's story instead of your own are also pitfalls.

However, a topic like working at a local restaurant can absolutely work if you dig deeper! Instead of just describing the job, focus on a specific moment—maybe a tough interaction with a customer taught you about conflict resolution, or a challenge in the kitchen inspired a new perspective. For example, one student wrote about constantly being assigned dishwashing and how that role gave them unique insight into the importance of 'unseen' teamwork.

The key is to zoom in on a moment or realization that is meaningful to you, and use it to highlight an aspect of who you are or what matters to you. Whatever the topic, specificity and personal reflection always win out over broad summaries. If you can find a unique angle, even a common experience can become memorable!