Good college essay topics are typically those that:
Phew. Maybe, you’re still on : how to come up with college essay ideas in the first place. Don’t worry. Today, we have a list of tried-and-true college essay ideas and topics to get you started on the right track. Even if you feel like you have nothing to write about, this list might spark an idea. Writer’s block, begone!
When you get to writing your applications, you’ll encounter the essay prompt, which is a specific question from the college you must answer. Be sure to answer the prompt and stick closely to any given instructions, like word count or formatting. This is your chance to make an excellent first impression as a student candidate. However, if you’re allowed to choose your topic or theme, there’s still a lot of room for creativity. Sometimes, you’ll be able to choose the entire subject of your essay. If that’s the case, how do you know what makes a successful essay different from a mundane one? What are college admissions officers looking for? There are a few other mistakes to look out for: Most are acceptable for if you can use them to or a lesson learned. However, there are a few difficult topics for college essays that should be avoided. Avoid topics that are: Because of a pretty common (and potentially damaging) misconception, we wanted to write a post drilling down into college application essay topics, and especially the use (or maybe more like “misuse”) of the word “topic.” Similar to your “eureka” moment, this essay topic centers around an anecdote of a specific experience in your life. Try to think of a time you recognized that you have grown as a person and matured in some way. This can be a traditional rite of passage, or a more symbolic moment of transition from childhood to young adulthood within your family or community. Perhaps you compare the first and most recent times you engaged in an activity, to show the difference over time. What lessons have you learned from your years so far? What do you foresee in your future? But with a college application essay, your topic should be you—who you are, what you value, what insights, interests, qualities, and skills you’ll bring to a college campus and community.
your ideas to the college essay topics that stand ou
Instead, the “best” college essay topics are those that allow you to most effectively show colleges who you are through the values, insights, skills, qualities, and interests you bring with you. Which means those “best” topics are going to be different for everyone.
The Best College Essay Topics Are Not Always The Most Obvious
When writing about why you want to attend a particular college, it's crucial to be specific. This isn't just about praising the school's reputation. Dive deeper by researching programs, professors, campus culture, and any unique opportunities that align with your academic and personal interests. Show admissions officers that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about what their college has to offer. For example, mention specific courses, extracurricular activities, or research projects that excite you. Explain how these align with your goals and how you see yourself contributing to the campus community.
Check free and essay topics for college students to find more ideas.
IvyWise counselors Rachel and Zach share their top tips on how to brainstorm and write college application essays, and what admissions officers are looking for when they read them on the Just Admit It! college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers.
Any of these things are strong potential topics for your essay.
College application essays are often the most stressed about component of the admissions process, but they don’t have to be! By taking some time to learn what admissions officers are looking for students can feel confident when crafting their college application essays.
21 College Essay Topics & Ideas That Worked
If you can't immediately think of a pivotal event for this essay, you may want to skip it and try a different one. Essays like this are best answered with significant and unique moments rather than less important ones.
Top 40 College Essay Ideas and Topics | Empowerly
The defining factor for this essay is what book or movie you choose. Stay away from pop culture novels that many people may use (Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, etc.) and try to pick a book you have read in school or something unique you read for fun that stayed with you. However, don't use a book you didn't enjoy! Inauthenticity will always come through in your writing.