Is writing my college essay about solving a Rubik's Cube too cliché?
I've been thinking about focusing my main college essay on the Rubik's Cube, since it's something I've spent a lot of time practicing and even competing in. I feel like it represents how I approach challenges and problem solving, and it's been a huge part of my life since middle school. But I've read some places online that essays about the Rubik's Cube are kind of overdone or cliché.
Would it be a bad idea to write about this? Does anyone have experience with this topic or tips on making it stand out if I choose to go with it? I really want to show my personality and interests, but I don't want my application to get overlooked because of a generic topic.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Would it be a bad idea to write about this? Does anyone have experience with this topic or tips on making it stand out if I choose to go with it? I really want to show my personality and interests, but I don't want my application to get overlooked because of a generic topic.
Any advice would be appreciated!
4 months ago
•
23 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Your concern about the Rubik's Cube as an essay topic is understandable, since it appears on lists of common themes (alongside things like sports victories or playing the piano). However, what matters most is how you make *your* experience unique and personal rather than the topic itself. Many students might write about the cube as a generic symbol for problem solving, but far fewer will dive into a specific, vivid moment or aspect that truly sets their story apart.
If solving the Rubik's Cube is meaningful to you, ask yourself: What unexpected, memorable, or formative experience has unfolded from this interest? For example, did you build a local speedcubing club from scratch, mentor a younger student who was struggling, or create custom algorithms no one else in your community had tried? Did a specific competition go surprisingly wrong, forcing you to adapt in a tense or emotional way?
Colleges are less interested in the Rubik's Cube itself and more in what it reveals about you. Focus on a particular moment or conflict that goes deeper than 'I worked hard and solved a tough puzzle.' Maybe you bonded with someone from a completely different background at a competition, or you used your skills to run workshops for kids in your neighborhood, tying the experience to community and leadership.
An example of a standout approach: One applicant described organizing a city-wide cube event to bring together kids who felt left out by traditional sports—highlighting not just their love for the puzzle, but their initiative, empathy, and creativity. By zeroing in on what the hobby has *done* for you and others, and how you responded in a moment of challenge, your essay can rise above any clichés.
So, don't ditch the Rubik's Cube just because it's popular. Make sure your story zooms in on your unique journey with it—specific experiences, the emotions and lessons you drew, and how it connects to the person you are today. If you can do that, the topic (even a common one) can absolutely stand out.
If solving the Rubik's Cube is meaningful to you, ask yourself: What unexpected, memorable, or formative experience has unfolded from this interest? For example, did you build a local speedcubing club from scratch, mentor a younger student who was struggling, or create custom algorithms no one else in your community had tried? Did a specific competition go surprisingly wrong, forcing you to adapt in a tense or emotional way?
Colleges are less interested in the Rubik's Cube itself and more in what it reveals about you. Focus on a particular moment or conflict that goes deeper than 'I worked hard and solved a tough puzzle.' Maybe you bonded with someone from a completely different background at a competition, or you used your skills to run workshops for kids in your neighborhood, tying the experience to community and leadership.
An example of a standout approach: One applicant described organizing a city-wide cube event to bring together kids who felt left out by traditional sports—highlighting not just their love for the puzzle, but their initiative, empathy, and creativity. By zeroing in on what the hobby has *done* for you and others, and how you responded in a moment of challenge, your essay can rise above any clichés.
So, don't ditch the Rubik's Cube just because it's popular. Make sure your story zooms in on your unique journey with it—specific experiences, the emotions and lessons you drew, and how it connects to the person you are today. If you can do that, the topic (even a common one) can absolutely stand out.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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