What topics work well for the Harvard application essay?

Feeling unsure at this stage is completely normal, especially when the stakes are so high. One of the most valuable things you can do for the Harvard application essay is to pick a subject that captures an authentic part of who you are—something that goes beyond grades or a resume.

A common misconception is that you have to write about overcoming a huge obstacle or achieving something extraordinary. In reality, what often resonates with Harvard admissions officers are essays that are introspective, reflective, and uniquely personal. They want to hear your voice: what excites you, how you think, and what has shaped you into who you are now.

You mentioned chess. While chess can be a popular topic, it absolutely can stand out if you approach it with a unique perspective. For example, instead of just recounting tournaments or victories, you could describe a single, memorable moment at a chessboard that changed your approach to problem-solving or made you reflect on the way you interact with others. Maybe you found yourself in a draw, but the game turned into an opportunity for unexpected friendship or self-discovery. Perhaps you started teaching chess to others, and through that, learned to appreciate patience and seeing people’s strengths. By anchoring the essay in a specific event or emotion, you can bring freshness to a familiar topic.

Other successful topics for Harvard essays often include:
- A seemingly small but formative life experience, like a conversation with someone who challenged you or a family ritual you think about in a new light.
- A surprising or offbeat passion, even if it feels random—like listening to 80s music with your grandma or collecting weird mechanical pencils.
- A quirky tradition, a curiosity you chased down a rabbit hole, or a belief you questioned and how that shaped your worldview.

One example: An applicant wrote about their obsession with building Rube Goldberg machines as a way to understand and cope with their parents’ divorce. It was less about engineering and more about how they made sense of a messy situation with creativity and humor. That’s the sort of deeper layer that makes a personal essay memorable.

Ultimately, the best topic is the one that gets you excited to write, where you feel like you’re sharing a window into your true self. Don’t be afraid to include vulnerability, subtle humor, or even confusion—as long as it’s real. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, and authenticity goes a long way.

Try this: brainstorm three moments from your life that keep echoing in your head—the ones you can’t forget or that tug at you for no obvious reason. Then ask yourself what those moments say about you or the way you see the world. That’s often where your strongest essay ideas will come from.

Stay true to yourself, and your essay will shine.