Are there topics you should avoid in your college essay?
I'm working on brainstorming ideas for my main college essay, but I keep hearing that there are certain subjects that admissions officers don't like or 'overdone' topics to avoid. Is that even true, or is it kind of an urban myth?
I thought about writing about my struggle with procrastination, but now I'm second guessing myself because I remember reading somewhere that essays about overcoming academic struggles might not be the best move. What do you all think? Should I be steering clear of writing about personal difficulties, or can those still work if they're written the right way?
Would really appreciate if people who already went through the process or know more about this could share their experiences or advice. I'm just worried I’ll pick a topic that accidentally hurts my chances.
I thought about writing about my struggle with procrastination, but now I'm second guessing myself because I remember reading somewhere that essays about overcoming academic struggles might not be the best move. What do you all think? Should I be steering clear of writing about personal difficulties, or can those still work if they're written the right way?
Would really appreciate if people who already went through the process or know more about this could share their experiences or advice. I'm just worried I’ll pick a topic that accidentally hurts my chances.
6 months ago
•
21 views
Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
It's definitely true that some essay topics are much more common and can seem repetitive to admissions officers, but it's not an 'urban myth' that these topics exist. The real key is how you approach your topic, rather than the topic itself. Overdone topics include sports victories or injuries, moving schools, writing about someone else's achievements instead of your own, and general stories about academic struggles or the stereotypical 'immigrant experience.' That doesn't mean you can never write about these things, but the essay has to bring something truly personal and unique to the table if you decide to go this route.
Admissions officers have read countless essays about procrastination, for example. If your essay focuses only on how you used to procrastinate, learned better time management, and saw your grades improve, it won't stand out. However, if you use a very specific anecdote or describe an unusual approach you developed to tackle your procrastination, it could still work. For instance, maybe your procrastination led you to invent a quirky nightly ritual involving organizing your sock drawer by color, and in the process, you discovered unexpected skills in pattern recognition and mindfulness. That's more memorable because it's personal and offbeat.
The best college essays often center on very specific moments or details—a time when you were forced to make a difficult choice, a turning point in your thinking, a situation that made you see yourself or the world differently. Instead of telling a broad story about overcoming difficulty, try focusing on a single experience, moment of conflict, or unique perspective.
If you aren't sure if your essay idea is too common, ask yourself: could anyone else have written this? If the answer is yes, think about ways to add your own personality, voice, or a specific example that only you could tell. Ultimately, admissions officers want to understand who you are, not just what obstacles you've faced. So write honestly, make it personal, and don't be afraid to get specific with your details—that's what brings even a 'common' topic to life.
Admissions officers have read countless essays about procrastination, for example. If your essay focuses only on how you used to procrastinate, learned better time management, and saw your grades improve, it won't stand out. However, if you use a very specific anecdote or describe an unusual approach you developed to tackle your procrastination, it could still work. For instance, maybe your procrastination led you to invent a quirky nightly ritual involving organizing your sock drawer by color, and in the process, you discovered unexpected skills in pattern recognition and mindfulness. That's more memorable because it's personal and offbeat.
The best college essays often center on very specific moments or details—a time when you were forced to make a difficult choice, a turning point in your thinking, a situation that made you see yourself or the world differently. Instead of telling a broad story about overcoming difficulty, try focusing on a single experience, moment of conflict, or unique perspective.
If you aren't sure if your essay idea is too common, ask yourself: could anyone else have written this? If the answer is yes, think about ways to add your own personality, voice, or a specific example that only you could tell. Ultimately, admissions officers want to understand who you are, not just what obstacles you've faced. So write honestly, make it personal, and don't be afraid to get specific with your details—that's what brings even a 'common' topic to life.
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years