How do I choose the best topic for my high school college essay?

Feeling stuck on a topic is super common when you start writing your college essay. Choosing what to write about might seem daunting, but the key is to focus less on having a unique or flashy experience, and more on sharing something meaningful about who you are.

The subject itself doesn’t have to be wild or impressive—what matters is your perspective and what the reader learns about you. Instead of worrying about whether your idea is too basic or too personal, try this: jot down a list of moments when you were challenged, changed, or learned something (big or small). These don’t have to be dramatic life events. Sometimes, a quiet moment like a conversation with a friend, a hobby you picked up during a tough week, or an awkward mistake you made in a club can reveal a lot about your character.

Here's an example: one student wrote about baking bread with his grandmother, tying together lessons in patience and family tradition. Another turned fixing his bike into a story about problem-solving and stubbornness. The detail and honesty made these essays shine, not the starting points (which were pretty ordinary).

Try to avoid overly broad topics, like "my love for science" or "playing soccer." If those topics truly are at the heart of your story, dig deeper: focus on a single, specific incident that led to a realization or change. For sports, maybe it’s an unusual perspective—like coaching little kids, or recovering from an injury and discovering a new interest. If it’s about a class, what surprising thing did the class lead you to do outside of school?

Write honestly, choose a topic that matters to you (even if it doesn’t seem earth-shattering), and focus on details that only you could tell. Picture yourself sharing this story with a friend who really wants to know what makes you tick—that’s the voice admissions officers are looking for. Stay true to yourself, and remember, the best essays often come from the most unexpected moments.