What are some good topics to write about for college essays?

Brainstorming college essay topics can definitely feel overwhelming, especially with so much advice out there about being unique. The truth is, what makes a topic stand out isn’t always the event itself, but how personal and specific it is to you. Admissions officers see a lot of essays about sports wins/losses, a challenging move to a new school, or general stories of hard work and perseverance. If you can put a super personal twist on those topics, they might still work, but the best essays usually dig deeper into moments of personal insight or change.

One helpful strategy is to focus on a singular moment rather than a summary of your whole life or resume. Think about a small event that changed the way you view the world, or a small habit or object that says something big about you. For example, maybe tuning pianos with your grandfather every Saturday gave you a new understanding of patience and craftsmanship. Or perhaps translating for your parents at the doctor’s office helped you realize your voice matters, and you want to empower others to speak up, too.

Unexpected topics often stand out—for example, writing about your experience managing the school’s lost and found box, or how you learned empathy from taking care of difficult houseplants. Another idea is to highlight quirks (your obsession with Rubik’s cubes, or writing snail mail letters to friends). Think about the things that make your friends or family say, “That’s so YOU!”

Some topics that are usually considered cliché unless handled with an unusual angle include: overcoming a sports injury or winning a big game, immigrant stories without a unique focus, stories focused mostly on someone else’s life (like a grandparent’s struggle), or recounting a tough academic class without clear personal introspection.

A good tip when brainstorming: jot down ten moments when you felt changed, challenged, or proud. Then, pick one or two and ask yourself, “If I read this story without my name on it, would someone recognize it as mine?” If yes, you’re on the right track.

If you're stuck, free-writing for 10 minutes about small details from your day (what annoyed you, what made you laugh) sometimes helps spark an idea. Ultimately, colleges want to see your authentic voice and how you think—not just the big moments, but the small, telling details about who you are.