What are some college essay topics that are considered overdone now?

You're absolutely right to be thinking about this! Some essay topics have become pretty worn out because so many applicants choose them year after year. Admissions officers see literally thousands of essays about certain experiences, and unless your approach is remarkably fresh or personal, you risk fading into the background.

Classic overdone topics include: overcoming a sports injury or winning the big game, the challenges of moving to a new school or country, the 'immigrant story' in broad strokes, volunteering or mission trips (especially with focus only on how the trip made you grateful), describing a tough class where you worked hard and succeeded, and essays about generic passions without a unique angle. More recently, the 'COVID essay'—about remote learning struggles—is very common.

That said, no topic is truly off-limits if you can bring a unique, highly personal perspective. For example, instead of writing about just recovering from a soccer injury, maybe you talk about how being sidelined led you to discover a love for coaching or got you involved in organizing a community fundraiser, where you learned something distinctive about yourself. Or if you want to write about moving from another country, consider focusing on a single, vivid moment—maybe a time you helped another student adjust, or a tradition you started that blended cultures.

The key is to move beyond the surface and focus on a moment of conflict, humor, unexpected emotion, or transformation. Admissions officers want insight into your character, values, and personality—showing, not just telling, what matters to you. If you can illustrate growth or perspective in a memorable and specific way, even a familiar topic can stand out.

As you brainstorm, ask yourself: What story could only I tell, in this way? What detail or incident sticks out in my memory that shaped me deeply, even if it seemed small at the time? That’s where the essay gold usually is!