What should I write about in my college application essay?

It's normal to feel pressure to pick the 'perfect' college essay topic, but the key is to focus on something genuinely meaningful to you—even if it doesn't seem flashy or unique at first glance. Admissions officers really respond to essays that feel authentic and give insight into who you are beyond your grades and accomplishments.

You don’t have to write about a major achievement or something that ties directly to your resume. Often, essays about small, personal moments can be the most powerful. Writing about your relationship with your grandmother, for example, can absolutely be compelling if you approach it in a way that's specific to your experience. Avoid broad generalizations like “she taught me the importance of hard work,” and focus on singular, vivid moments or conversations that changed your thinking or influenced your values.

Instead of trying to cram in several influences, choose one moment, event, or aspect of your relationship with your grandmother and go deep. Maybe there was a disagreement or difficult conversation that forced you to see things differently, or a tradition you shared that had a bigger impact on you than you realized. The more specific, the better. Here's an example: Instead of generally describing your grandmother's wisdom, tell the story of the afternoon you spent making her secret recipe together, and how her approach to cooking taught you about patience, improvisation, or family history. Show how that lesson pops up in your life now.

Admissions officers read a lot of essays about family members, but what makes one stand out is vulnerability, personal reflection, and the details only you can provide. Think about what aspects of your relationship with her you can illustrate in a way that no one else could. Your essay doesn’t need to be dramatic or about overcoming huge obstacles; even an essay about a quiet moment can be powerful if it’s meaningful and reveals something true about you.

It’s absolutely okay to choose a topic that isn’t about school or extracurriculars. The most important thing is to show your authentic self through a story or moment that had an impact on your outlook or character. Start by brainstorming a list of small but significant moments, and then ask yourself which one you could write about most honestly. If you can explain why that experience mattered to you and how it shaped you, you’re on the right track!