How do I choose a good topic for my college essay?
I've been stressing about my college essay for weeks and I still have no idea what to write about. I feel like all the example essays I read online are about huge life events or crazy accomplishments, but honestly nothing that big has happened to me. Has anyone else felt like their life is kind of normal and not super "essay-worthy"?
Do admissions officers want deep, emotional stories, or is it OK to write about something smaller as long as it really means something to me? I'm just really worried that my ideas seem boring compared to what other people come up with. Any advice on how you chose your topics or even what kind of stories make a strong impression would be super helpful. I want to stand out, but I also don't want to fake it.
Do admissions officers want deep, emotional stories, or is it OK to write about something smaller as long as it really means something to me? I'm just really worried that my ideas seem boring compared to what other people come up with. Any advice on how you chose your topics or even what kind of stories make a strong impression would be super helpful. I want to stand out, but I also don't want to fake it.
4 months ago
•
11 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It's totally normal to feel like your regular, everyday experiences aren't exciting enough for a college essay, but honestly, some of the best essays come from "ordinary" moments that reveal something real about you.
Admissions officers read thousands of essays about dramatic events or big accomplishments, but what they remember most is authentic voice and genuine reflection. Your essay doesn't have to be about overcoming tragedy or inventing something new; it just needs to show who you are and how you think.
Start by thinking about small moments that tell a lot about you—maybe something that changed your perspective, a quirky routine, or a time you noticed something important about yourself or the world. For example, one student wrote about their tradition of making Sunday waffles with their grandmother and how that ritual taught them about patience and family; another wrote about their job watering plants at a local nursery and how it was an entry into learning responsibility and finding joy in routine tasks.
The strength of a college essay is in the details and the insight, not the topic itself. Ask yourself:
- What do my friends or family turn to me for?
- When have I changed my mind about something important?
- Is there an object, tradition, or place that matters to me more than people might guess?
Focus on a moment of growth, confusion, humor, or conflict and let that story reflect a part of your personality. You don’t have to have all the answers either—sometimes exploring a question you're still thinking about is just as powerful.
Admissions officers appreciate honesty and self-awareness much more than a "wow" story that's stretched or feels fake. If your idea genuinely means something to you, even if it feels small, it can absolutely stand out.
Try freewriting about a few different memories or ideas—don't judge the topics at first, just get your thoughts down and see which ones spark the most reflection. Then build from there. Sometimes, the most "normal" story can be the most memorable if it’s told in a personal and authentic way.
Admissions officers read thousands of essays about dramatic events or big accomplishments, but what they remember most is authentic voice and genuine reflection. Your essay doesn't have to be about overcoming tragedy or inventing something new; it just needs to show who you are and how you think.
Start by thinking about small moments that tell a lot about you—maybe something that changed your perspective, a quirky routine, or a time you noticed something important about yourself or the world. For example, one student wrote about their tradition of making Sunday waffles with their grandmother and how that ritual taught them about patience and family; another wrote about their job watering plants at a local nursery and how it was an entry into learning responsibility and finding joy in routine tasks.
The strength of a college essay is in the details and the insight, not the topic itself. Ask yourself:
- What do my friends or family turn to me for?
- When have I changed my mind about something important?
- Is there an object, tradition, or place that matters to me more than people might guess?
Focus on a moment of growth, confusion, humor, or conflict and let that story reflect a part of your personality. You don’t have to have all the answers either—sometimes exploring a question you're still thinking about is just as powerful.
Admissions officers appreciate honesty and self-awareness much more than a "wow" story that's stretched or feels fake. If your idea genuinely means something to you, even if it feels small, it can absolutely stand out.
Try freewriting about a few different memories or ideas—don't judge the topics at first, just get your thoughts down and see which ones spark the most reflection. Then build from there. Sometimes, the most "normal" story can be the most memorable if it’s told in a personal and authentic way.
Related Questions
Students also ask…
Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)