What are some strong themes to focus on for college essays?

Finding the right theme for your college essay is all about reflecting deeply on your unique experiences and perspectives. While overcoming obstacles and leadership are common, what matters most is how authentically you portray yourself and how you bring something fresh to familiar ideas.

Themes that stand out often go beyond the surface. Here are some approaches that have worked well:

1. Passion for a Niche Interest: Writing about a quirky or highly specific hobby or passion is memorable. For example, describing how building elaborate terrariums helped you understand ecosystems, patience, or your relationship with nature. Colleges love seeing genuine fascination and intellectual curiosity about something that isn't just resume-driven.

2. Moments of Discovery or Change: Rather than a broad overcoming-adversity story, focus on a single moment when your thinking shifted. Maybe you realized something important about yourself while working a summer job, or you saw your family from a different perspective after a specific conversation. Zeroing in on a turning point can be very powerful.

3. Humor and Lighthearted Reflection: Few essays take a lightly humorous approach, but when done well, they stand out. Example: writing about being the family 'official bug remover' and what that taught you about bravery or family connections. Just make sure the humor feels natural, not forced or dismissive of serious topics.

4. Everyday Moments with Big Impact: Admissions officers love essays that elevate the everyday. Perhaps organizing your closet with your grandmother led to reflections on tradition, change, and resilience. Or maybe you learned important life lessons while being stuck in traffic with your parent every morning.

When choosing a theme, ask yourself:
- Does this story reveal something about what I value or who I am?
- Is this perspective one only I could provide, or could many applicants say the same thing?
- Does the essay provide insight into how you think, not just what you’ve done?

One applicant wrote about his fear of birds and how conquering it (by volunteering at a bird rescue) made him appreciate facing discomfort—an example of a highly personal theme that stands out.

Ultimately, your best theme comes from a story or subject only you could tell. Don’t shy away from the small or quirky! Your unique point of view is what makes an essay memorable, not necessarily the theme itself.