Are there topics I should avoid in my college essay?
I’m starting to brainstorm for my Common App essay, but I keep running into all these warnings online about certain subjects you shouldn’t write about. I know they tell you to be authentic, but are there actually topics that are considered bad or risky?
For example, I was thinking about discussing a personal struggle, but now I’m worried it’s too cliché. Also, some people say you shouldn’t write about controversial stuff, but what counts as controversial? I’d really appreciate hearing from students who have been through the process or admissions experts about what to steer clear of.
For example, I was thinking about discussing a personal struggle, but now I’m worried it’s too cliché. Also, some people say you shouldn’t write about controversial stuff, but what counts as controversial? I’d really appreciate hearing from students who have been through the process or admissions experts about what to steer clear of.
5 months ago
•
48 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
It's smart to think ahead about your topic, since admissions officers read thousands of essays and certain themes do come up a lot. There are definitely some topics that are considered overly common, risky, or potentially problematic if not handled thoughtfully.
Cliché topics include things like sports injuries/victories, the "immigrant's journey" essay, moving to a new school, a general story of overcoming a challenging class, or volunteering experiences without a unique angle. These topics are not off-limits, but you’ll need a fresh perspective or an unexpected twist. For example, if you want to write about a sports injury, don’t just cover how you worked hard to recover—instead, you could write about how the injury led you to start a completely new passion, like organizing an adaptive sports league for kids in your community.
Sensitive or controversial topics (like politics, religion, or illegal activities) can be risky if your essay comes across as disrespectful, preachy, or shows poor judgment. However, tackling a controversial issue is possible if you focus on personal growth, empathy, or a nuanced experience. For instance, writing about a time you changed your mind on a political issue because you genuinely listened to the other side can reveal open-mindedness without offending.
Other topics to approach with caution:
- Anything that comes off as bragging or entitled
- Highly negative, bitter, or overly tragic stories without a sense of hope, resilience, or growth
- Graphic details of trauma that may be triggering or overly personal
- Humor that could be offensive, tasteless, or easily misinterpreted
Most important, the essay should always be about you: how you think, what you've learned, and how you've grown. If your focus is on self-reflection and you bring a unique angle, even a risky or common topic can work. As you brainstorm, ask yourself: Could someone else write this exact essay? Or is it something only you could write? That’s a good test for originality.
Trust your gut—if you feel hesitant or uncomfortable about a topic, it’s worth exploring another angle or idea. If in doubt, get feedback from someone you trust, like a teacher or advisor, to make sure your topic hits the right note.
Cliché topics include things like sports injuries/victories, the "immigrant's journey" essay, moving to a new school, a general story of overcoming a challenging class, or volunteering experiences without a unique angle. These topics are not off-limits, but you’ll need a fresh perspective or an unexpected twist. For example, if you want to write about a sports injury, don’t just cover how you worked hard to recover—instead, you could write about how the injury led you to start a completely new passion, like organizing an adaptive sports league for kids in your community.
Sensitive or controversial topics (like politics, religion, or illegal activities) can be risky if your essay comes across as disrespectful, preachy, or shows poor judgment. However, tackling a controversial issue is possible if you focus on personal growth, empathy, or a nuanced experience. For instance, writing about a time you changed your mind on a political issue because you genuinely listened to the other side can reveal open-mindedness without offending.
Other topics to approach with caution:
- Anything that comes off as bragging or entitled
- Highly negative, bitter, or overly tragic stories without a sense of hope, resilience, or growth
- Graphic details of trauma that may be triggering or overly personal
- Humor that could be offensive, tasteless, or easily misinterpreted
Most important, the essay should always be about you: how you think, what you've learned, and how you've grown. If your focus is on self-reflection and you bring a unique angle, even a risky or common topic can work. As you brainstorm, ask yourself: Could someone else write this exact essay? Or is it something only you could write? That’s a good test for originality.
Trust your gut—if you feel hesitant or uncomfortable about a topic, it’s worth exploring another angle or idea. If in doubt, get feedback from someone you trust, like a teacher or advisor, to make sure your topic hits the right note.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)