What are some good topics for the college admissions essay?

Feeling overwhelmed at this stage is completely normal—a lot of students are in the same boat when it comes to picking a college essay topic. The biggest misconception is that your topic has to be some huge, world-changing event or the most unique experience anyone has ever heard of. In reality, what matters most is that your essay sheds light on something real and meaningful to you, and that your voice comes through strong.

A great essay often reveals something about the way you think, what you value, or how you respond to challenges (big or small). You don't need a dramatic life event if you can take a smaller, everyday experience and use it to showcase qualities that admissions officers are looking for, like resilience, curiosity, empathy, or creativity. For example, a student once wrote an essay about making omelets with their grandmother every Sunday. On the surface, it might sound like a simple family tradition, but the essay used this routine to explore lessons in patience, cultural identity, and the value of spending time with loved ones. The detail and reflection made it powerful, even without a "wow" factor event.

If you're stuck, here are some topic ideas that can stand out:

1. A small moment that changed the way you see something (like a conversation or a mistake you made).
2. An unusual hobby, passion, or interest you have—what it means to you or how you've pursued it.
3. A tradition or ritual in your family and why it's meaningful to you.
4. A challenge or conflict that made you grow, but focus on an authentic response, not just the outcome.
5. A quirky aspect of your personality or life—like writing about collecting rare coins, running a niche online business, or your obsession with crossword puzzles.
6. Times when you took initiative or solved a problem that others overlooked.

The key is to choose a moment or aspect of your life that lets you reflect deeply and show who you are beyond your stats. Don’t worry if it feels "small"—sometimes those are most memorable because they feel authentic. One exercise you could try: Write about an object in your room or something you touch every day (a notebook, a special mug, your running shoes) and what it represents about you. This sometimes surfaces surprising insights.

Focus less on finding a "perfect" topic and more on being honest and specific; your unique perspective is what makes the story memorable. Brainstorm a list, jot down memories that stick with you, and look for moments that made you think differently or changed you, even in subtle ways. You’ll have the foundation for a strong essay from there.