How do I choose what topic to write about for my college essay?

Figuring out what to write about for your college essay can definitely feel overwhelming, especially when it looks like everyone else has experienced something "extraordinary." The truth is, you don’t need a major achievement or dramatic event to write a compelling essay. Admissions officers are just as interested in genuine, reflective stories about regular life as they are in big accomplishments.

Start by thinking about what aspects of yourself you want an admissions officer to know: your values, interests, or personality traits that matter deeply to you. Sometimes, the most powerful essays come from ordinary experiences. For instance, if helping your younger siblings has shaped your sense of responsibility or taught you about leadership and patience, that could be a strong topic if you dive into specific moments and reflect on what they've meant to you.

It’s often better to write about something personal, even if it doesn’t sound flashy, because it allows you to be authentic and reflective. For example, one student wrote about making sandwiches at her after-school job and how small, routine interactions with customers shaped her beliefs about kindness and community. Another wrote about organizing the bookshelves at their part-time library job and how that process mirrored their way of seeking order and calm in their life. When I was writing my college essays, I wrote specifically about the perpetual construction going on in the street I took to get to school every day, while tying it to the way my life developed through high school.

Ask yourself:
- What are some moments when I felt challenged, proud, or inspired?
- Are there interests I have where I lose track of time?
- Have I ever changed my mind about something important?
- What were my favorite activities in school? What event or day from that activity do I think about the most?
- What's one thing that changed about you from the beginning of high school/junior year/senior year to now?
- What's something that riled me up this year?
- What was I the most excited about this year?

I generally advise my students to "brain dump" any possible topic idea they could have based on things they've experienced in the last couple of years and see what sticks. It’s helpful to free-write or jot down short stories about different experiences and see which ones help you naturally reflect on your growth. Often, the topic doesn’t matter as much as how you use it to explore your character.