What are the best topics to write about for college essays?

You’re definitely not alone in feeling that common topics (like sports injuries, moving schools, or routine service trips) might make your essay blend in rather than stand out. The truth is, the "best" topics for college essays aren't determined by how dramatic or sensational they are, but by how much they reveal about your authentic self and your unique thinking.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so they can spot a generic story pretty quickly—but an ordinary event can become extraordinary if you approach it from a unique or deeply personal angle. It’s less about the actual subject and more about how you use that subject to reflect on who you are, what you value, and how you think through challenges or celebrate achievements.

Here are a few types of topics that tend to work well:

1. Moments of Conflict or Choice: Think back to a time you had to make a tough decision, even if it was about something seemingly small. For example, maybe you decided to step down from a leadership position in a club to support a friend who was struggling, and that taught you about humility or empathy.

2. Everyday Experiences with Personal Meaning: Sometimes, a mundane routine reveals a lot about you. One student wrote about their long bus rides to school and used that time to show their curiosity—listening to TED Talks, learning new languages, etc. The essay wasn’t about the bus ride itself, but about what they did with their time and what it revealed about their drive to learn.

3. Unusual Hobbies or Passions: If you have a quirky interest—like collecting traffic signs, baking historical recipes, or building Rube Goldberg machines—these can make great essay topics. The key is to connect this passion to your personality and values.

4. Unexpected Turning Points: Maybe you realized something significant after failing at something small, like losing an election for class treasurer and discovering a passion for working behind the scenes instead.

It’s perfectly okay if your topic isn’t “earth-shattering.” What matters is your reflection and growth. For example, one applicant wrote about the tradition of making dumplings with their grandmother and used the essay to explore family ties, cultural identity, and how food served as a bridge between generations.

Avoid feeling pressured to have an overly dramatic story. Instead, aim for genuine self-reflection. If you feel passionate or curious about your topic, that often comes through in your writing—and that authenticity is what admissions officers really want to see.

Before you start writing, ask yourself: What matters to me? When have I changed, or seen the world differently? Or, what’s a moment I keep returning to in my mind? Usually, those stories are hiding something meaningful about you.

You might try making a list of moments (not just big achievements) that brought you real joy, discomfort, confusion, or pride, and explore why those moments stuck with you. That’s often where the best essays begin.