What are some unique essay topics that could make my college application stand out?

It’s totally normal to feel stuck—finding a topic that’s both original and true to you is one of the hardest parts of the process! The good news is that what feels "weird" or unusual might be exactly the kind of genuine detail that helps you stand out.

Some of the most memorable college essays have focused on seemingly small or quirky aspects of someone's life. For example, your hobby of collecting vintage postcards is a fantastic, unique starting point. You could use this as a lens into your personality: maybe each postcard you collect represents a slice of history or an untold story, and you could tie that to your curiosity about different people and places. You might write about a favorite postcard—where it’s from, how you found it, and what you imagine about the sender or recipient. This turns a quirky collection into a story about connection, history, and the way you view the world.

Alternatively, as someone who loves art and hiking, you could explore the intersection between those passions. Maybe there was a time you hiked to a remote spot just to sketch a landscape, or translating the textures of nature into art taught you a new way of seeing details. One student once wrote about how they brought a tiny watercolor set in their hiking backpack and created quick paintings at the summit of each mountain they climbed, reflecting on the different moods of each place and what that taught them about persistence and perspective.

Ultimately, the key is less about how "deep" the topic seems on the surface, and more about what it says about you. Even an essay about making the perfect grilled cheese or mastering origami can be compelling if it reveals your curiosity, sense of humor, or a turning point in how you think. Don’t be afraid to embrace the things that make you you, even if they seem offbeat.

A good exercise is to list moments when you felt most like yourself, or describe items in your room that represent you—then build a story around one of them. Uniqueness comes from your perspective, not just the topic. Trust that your interests, no matter how niche, are worth sharing!