What are some good compare and contrast essay topics for college applications or classes?
I've got a compare and contrast essay assignment for my AP Lang class, and our teacher suggested thinking of topics that are relevant for college students or that could even help with admissions essays. I'm kind of stuck on picking a pair of things to compare that will actually be interesting and stand out rather than something really basic.
If anyone has ideas for unique or creative compare and contrast essay topics (especially those that could be tied to stuff college admissions might care about), I'd really appreciate your suggestions! I'm open to everything, including topics related to majors, campus life, or even pop culture vs. educational stuff. Would love to hear what worked for you or what your teachers/professors liked.
For context, I'm interested in psychology and maybe business, but open to anything that's engaging! Any help is appreciated.
If anyone has ideas for unique or creative compare and contrast essay topics (especially those that could be tied to stuff college admissions might care about), I'd really appreciate your suggestions! I'm open to everything, including topics related to majors, campus life, or even pop culture vs. educational stuff. Would love to hear what worked for you or what your teachers/professors liked.
For context, I'm interested in psychology and maybe business, but open to anything that's engaging! Any help is appreciated.
7 months ago
•
58 views
Lydia Schooler
• 7 months ago
Advisor
Great question! Standing out with your compare and contrast essay topic is definitely a smart move, both for AP Lang and for any potential overlap with your college applications. Since you’re interested in psychology and maybe business, you can tailor your topic to reflect your passions or show how you think deeply about issues that matter both personally and academically.
One creative approach is to compare two concepts, trends, or experiences that reveal a strong insight about you or what you care about. Here are a few ideas:
1. "Traditional In-Person Networking vs. Social Media Networking for Career Growth" — This could tie business and psychology, and allows you to explore personal interactions, digital communication, and the psychological effects behind relationship building.
2. "Intrinsic Motivation vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Academic Achievement" — Relevant for psychology and also highly relatable to the student experience. You could use examples from your own life (or others) to illustrate the impact on learning and success.
3. "For-Profit vs. Nonprofit Companies: Approaches to Social Responsibility" — Brings in business interests and also lets you think about values, leadership, and ethical frameworks.
4. "Living at Home vs. Living in a Dorm: Impact on Independence and Mental Health" — Ties directly to the college experience and can show self-reflection, which admissions officers appreciate. You could include anecdotes from friends or research studies.
5. "Pop Psychology Media vs. Academic Psychology Research: How We Form Opinions on Mental Health" — This is a nuanced way to tackle your psychology interest and critically analyze the way ideas spread and influence people.
A personal example: One student compared "Success in Team Sports vs. Success in Solo Sports" but focused on the mental strategies athletes develop in these different settings. She related it to her own transition from track and field (solo) to rowing (team) and how it shaped her leadership and collaboration style—a topic with strong appeal for both college classes and applications.
Make sure to avoid generic comparisons (like "college vs. high school," unless you have a wildly original lens) and instead look for pairs that let you show off your analytical skills, personal perspective, and interests. Bonus points if you connect the topic to a challenge or decision you’ve faced or a value you’ve developed.
Brainstorm what excites you or what you love discussing with friends—that enthusiasm will come through in your writing and make your essay more memorable! Good luck brainstorming; hope one of these sparks an idea!
One creative approach is to compare two concepts, trends, or experiences that reveal a strong insight about you or what you care about. Here are a few ideas:
1. "Traditional In-Person Networking vs. Social Media Networking for Career Growth" — This could tie business and psychology, and allows you to explore personal interactions, digital communication, and the psychological effects behind relationship building.
2. "Intrinsic Motivation vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Academic Achievement" — Relevant for psychology and also highly relatable to the student experience. You could use examples from your own life (or others) to illustrate the impact on learning and success.
3. "For-Profit vs. Nonprofit Companies: Approaches to Social Responsibility" — Brings in business interests and also lets you think about values, leadership, and ethical frameworks.
4. "Living at Home vs. Living in a Dorm: Impact on Independence and Mental Health" — Ties directly to the college experience and can show self-reflection, which admissions officers appreciate. You could include anecdotes from friends or research studies.
5. "Pop Psychology Media vs. Academic Psychology Research: How We Form Opinions on Mental Health" — This is a nuanced way to tackle your psychology interest and critically analyze the way ideas spread and influence people.
A personal example: One student compared "Success in Team Sports vs. Success in Solo Sports" but focused on the mental strategies athletes develop in these different settings. She related it to her own transition from track and field (solo) to rowing (team) and how it shaped her leadership and collaboration style—a topic with strong appeal for both college classes and applications.
Make sure to avoid generic comparisons (like "college vs. high school," unless you have a wildly original lens) and instead look for pairs that let you show off your analytical skills, personal perspective, and interests. Bonus points if you connect the topic to a challenge or decision you’ve faced or a value you’ve developed.
Brainstorm what excites you or what you love discussing with friends—that enthusiasm will come through in your writing and make your essay more memorable! Good luck brainstorming; hope one of these sparks an idea!
Related Questions
Students also ask…
What are some good reasons college should be free that I can use for my essay?
What are some good topics to write my college essay about?
What are some good BS/MD programs in the US and how hard are they to get into?
What are some unique writing prompts for college essays?
What are some examples of the worst college essay mistakes people have made?