What are some red flags to avoid in college essays?

You’re smart to think carefully about red flags—some topics or approaches can weaken an otherwise strong application essay.

Here are common red flags to watch for:

1. **Cliché Topics Without a Unique Angle:** Admissions readers see lots of essays about sports victories/defeats, immigrant experiences, moving to a new school, or winning (or losing) a competition. These stories are not automatically bad, but if your essay sounds generic or could be about anyone, it won’t stand out. For example, simply describing a hard loss in a soccer game and learning “never to give up” doesn’t reveal much about you specifically. Instead, focus on an ultra-specific part or unexpected outcome: maybe losing meant you spent nights researching performance psychology and later started an afterschool group to help younger athletes with sport anxiety.

2. **Trauma/Struggles Without Reflection or Positivity:** Topics like mental health challenges are not off-limits, but avoid dwelling solely on hardship. Make sure your essay includes mature reflection and shows growth. Admissions officers want to know you can navigate difficulties and are prepared for college. For example, instead of detailing your darkest moments, you could focus on a turning point—like developing a new coping strategy or building a support network—that demonstrates resilience and self-awareness.

3. **Arrogance or Lack of Self-Awareness:** Avoid bragging or presenting yourself as superior to others. For instance, claiming you “single-handedly saved the debate team” makes you sound self-centered. It’s much stronger to discuss collaboration or how others helped you learn and grow.

4. **Controversial or Inappropriate Content:** Avoid extreme political rants, illegal behavior, or excessive profanity. If sharing a belief, do so thoughtfully—don’t attack or stereotype others. The goal is to show open-mindedness.

5. **Negativity or Blaming Others:** Complaining about a teacher, parent, or situation without showing maturity can come off poorly. If you discuss a conflict, focus on your growth, not on blaming.

6. **Repetitive, Unfocused, or Off-Topic Essays:** Keep your story personal and focused. Avoid spending too much time describing others or things that happened, without connecting them to who you are now.

A quick self-check: after reading your draft, ask if someone could read it and say, “Only you could have written this.”

As for sports: it’s fine to write about athletics if the experience reveals something unconventional or deeply personal about you, like starting a community project after a career-ending injury, or learning to be a supportive teammate from a benchwarmer’s perspective.

Bottom line: any topic can work if you find a fresh, honest take and focus on growth. Lean into your own voice, and avoid anything that sounds too generic, self-pitying, or arrogant.

If you need concrete feedback, consider having a trusted teacher or advisor read your essay for any of these red flags—they’ll spot what admissions officers might notice, too!