What are the best topics to cover in a college essay?

You don't need a dramatic or world-changing event to write a memorable college essay—some of the best topics are rooted in small, everyday moments that reveal something genuine about you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, so what stands out is not necessarily the magnitude of your experience, but the insight and reflection you bring to it.

"Unique" often just means personal and authentic. For example, one student wrote about the ritual of brewing tea with their grandmother every Sunday, using it to reflect on family traditions and how it shaped their patience and attention to detail. Another wrote about repairing bikes in their neighborhood, describing the satisfaction of troubleshooting mechanical problems and how that fascination developed into a broader interest in engineering.

A practical way to brainstorm is to make a list of little routines, odd habits, things you love or dislike, or even small moments that made you pause. Ask yourself what you learned from them or how they changed your perspective, even slightly. For instance, if you always help your younger sibling with homework, maybe there's a story about patience, creativity, or leadership hidden in those interactions. If you have a peculiar hobby like collecting stamps or listening to weather reports for fun, explore what draws you to it and what it says about you.

Ultimately, an everyday experience can become powerful when you reflect honestly on why it matters to you. The key is to move beyond simply narrating what happened, and to focus on your thoughts, feelings, and growth in that context. Admissions readers are looking to understand how you think, what you value, and what kind of community member you would be. So, focus on personal significance over shock value.

If you're looking for inspiration, try writing about a specific challenge you faced (even a small one, like learning to cook a dish from your family’s culture), a time you changed your mind about something important, or a hobby that shaped your worldview. Just make sure to build the essay around what you learned or how you grew.

Remember, the most memorable essays are distinctly personal. As long as you're honest and self-reflective, your topic will stand out because nobody else can tell your story quite like you.