How do you choose the right topic for your college essay?

Great question! Choosing a college essay topic can definitely feel overwhelming because you want to stand out, but also stay true to yourself. It helps to start by reframing what makes a topic "right." The best topics aren’t always the rarest or most impressive activities—instead, they reveal something meaningful about who you are that isn’t obvious from the rest of your application.

Start by doing some self-reflection. Think about specific moments (not just general activities) that changed how you think, made you take action, or helped you grow. For example, instead of writing about soccer broadly, you might focus on the moment you led a pre-game pep talk that turned a tense team atmosphere around. Or maybe volunteering at the animal shelter led to a memorable encounter with a particular animal, volunteer, or situation that challenged your comfort zone. Zooming in on a unique story within a common experience helps make your essay more personal and compelling.

Ask yourself questions like: When have I felt most challenged or proud? What’s a belief or value I hold that not everyone would guess? What small moment keeps replaying in my head? Sometimes, the best essays come from everyday moments—the key is how you interpret them.

Here’s an example: One of my students wrote about baking pies with her grandmother every Sunday and how those afternoons taught her about patience, family, and handling setbacks (like failed recipes!). On the surface, baking isn’t an earth-shattering topic—but the essay worked because it used vivid details, showed vulnerability, and was unique to her experience.

If you’re worried about your topic being basic, focus on how you uniquely experienced it and what you learned. Admissions readers are less concerned with the activity and more interested in your insights, growth, and voice. As you brainstorm, try writing a few story openings. If you feel excited or notice you have a lot to say about a particular moment, that's a good sign you’re onto something authentic—those essays tend to be the strongest.

And remember, before settling on a topic, bounce ideas off family members, teachers, and maybe a Sundial admissions advisor—often the best advice can come from someone who's hearing your story for the first time. Good luck brainstorming!