What are the most overused or cliché college essay topics I should avoid?
I've started brainstorming topics for my personal statement, but everywhere I look, I get the warning to 'avoid cliché topics.' I'm not even totally sure which topics count as overused anymore since it feels like a lot of experiences could be seen as cliché.
If anyone has advice on what subjects or storylines admissions officers have seen way too often and that just don't stand out anymore, could you share some insight? For reference, I'm considering writing about a sports injury I had last year and how it changed my outlook. Is that too common?
I just really want my essay to be unique and genuine without falling into an essay topic trap that could lower my chances.
If anyone has advice on what subjects or storylines admissions officers have seen way too often and that just don't stand out anymore, could you share some insight? For reference, I'm considering writing about a sports injury I had last year and how it changed my outlook. Is that too common?
I just really want my essay to be unique and genuine without falling into an essay topic trap that could lower my chances.
6 months ago
•
83 views
Lydia Schooler
• 6 months ago
Advisor
I’m a Yale graduate and college admissions advisor with over 8 years of experience helping students gain admission to top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. I’ve reviewed thousands of essays and can tell you exactly which topics tend to feel overused to admissions officers — and how to make even a common idea stand out.
The most frequently overused topics include:
* The sports injury or big sports win (e.g., describing how training, getting injured, recovering, or winning the big game taught you perseverance)
* Moving to a new school or country and struggling to fit in
* The immigrant or first-generation story told broadly, like “my family sacrificed a lot and now I work hard”
* Overcoming academic struggle in a difficult class (“I failed, then worked hard and succeeded”)
* Generic community service trips (e.g., describing a week building houses without personal depth)
* Losing a loved one and learning life’s fragility
* Beating a challenge just through determination, without deeper reflection or a unique lens
Your example — writing about a sports injury — is one of the most common, but that doesn’t mean it’s off-limits. The key is to tackle it from a fresh, unexpected angle. Instead of focusing only on the injury and recovery, highlight a personal twist that admissions readers haven’t seen a hundred times. For example, if being sidelined led you to coach younger kids, start a blog or podcast during rehab, or build new friendships in surprising ways, that unique element could set your essay apart.
The goal is to go beyond the basic moral of “I learned perseverance.” Admissions officers want to see how you think, not just what you did. Imagine two students both writing about tearing their ACL: one says, “It was hard, I worked through pain, rejoined my team stronger.” The other says, “Unable to play, I started a weekly newsletter with my team on crutches — it taught me team leadership from the sidelines in ways I never expected.” That second essay brings new insight, voice, and specificity.
Almost any topic can work if you focus on something detailed, surprising, or deeply personal. Don’t just retell events — show how you grew and what unique actions you took. If you’re excited about a topic, brainstorm beyond the obvious so your authenticity comes through. That’s what makes an essay memorable.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students craft essays and applications that stand out at the most selective schools, including the Ivy League and Stanford. To give each student the highest level of attention, I keep my caseload small — booking early guarantees a place. I’m currently offering free consultations for new Sundial families where we’ll review your goals, brainstorm essay ideas, and outline a clear application strategy. You can book directly through my profile.
The most frequently overused topics include:
* The sports injury or big sports win (e.g., describing how training, getting injured, recovering, or winning the big game taught you perseverance)
* Moving to a new school or country and struggling to fit in
* The immigrant or first-generation story told broadly, like “my family sacrificed a lot and now I work hard”
* Overcoming academic struggle in a difficult class (“I failed, then worked hard and succeeded”)
* Generic community service trips (e.g., describing a week building houses without personal depth)
* Losing a loved one and learning life’s fragility
* Beating a challenge just through determination, without deeper reflection or a unique lens
Your example — writing about a sports injury — is one of the most common, but that doesn’t mean it’s off-limits. The key is to tackle it from a fresh, unexpected angle. Instead of focusing only on the injury and recovery, highlight a personal twist that admissions readers haven’t seen a hundred times. For example, if being sidelined led you to coach younger kids, start a blog or podcast during rehab, or build new friendships in surprising ways, that unique element could set your essay apart.
The goal is to go beyond the basic moral of “I learned perseverance.” Admissions officers want to see how you think, not just what you did. Imagine two students both writing about tearing their ACL: one says, “It was hard, I worked through pain, rejoined my team stronger.” The other says, “Unable to play, I started a weekly newsletter with my team on crutches — it taught me team leadership from the sidelines in ways I never expected.” That second essay brings new insight, voice, and specificity.
Almost any topic can work if you focus on something detailed, surprising, or deeply personal. Don’t just retell events — show how you grew and what unique actions you took. If you’re excited about a topic, brainstorm beyond the obvious so your authenticity comes through. That’s what makes an essay memorable.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students craft essays and applications that stand out at the most selective schools, including the Ivy League and Stanford. To give each student the highest level of attention, I keep my caseload small — booking early guarantees a place. I’m currently offering free consultations for new Sundial families where we’ll review your goals, brainstorm essay ideas, and outline a clear application strategy. You can book directly through my profile.
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