The college essay brainstorm process can be overwhelming when you feel as if there are so many different directions that you can head towards. In an effort to help you cross some ideas off of your list, we put together a list of topics that should be avoided. Keep reading if you’re hoping to fine-tune your list of thoughts:
Anything that you’ve heard of before:
We understand that you came here for a list of topics, but this is important to start with. Googling “100 best college essays” and creating your own rendition of it is 1) plagiarism and 2) a terrible idea. If something has been done before, it means that it has been read before. If an essay made the New York Times spotlight list, it means that millions of people have also read it. Start from the drawing board and find something that is genuine to you, and no one else.
Community service trips:
We need to start accepting the fact that brief service trips rarely make lasting impacts on communities in other countries. Are we saying that you shouldn’t go? Not really, although it might not be the best use of your time. Google “voluntourism.” The bottom line is that while you’re on a service trip, that your parents likely paid for, other students are working and doing summer programs and focusing on community engagement, not community service. Go if you must, but leave it off the list for potential essay topics.
Any topics that were assigned to you in high school:
In all of our years in this business, never once have we workshopped an existing high school essay. The topics the different, the structure is different, and the content just won’t work. High school prompts are also highly recognizable by people whose job it is to read essays written by high school students. If you got an A on something in high school, that’s great! It’s solid work, but it’s not fit for a college application.
Extravagant trips and expensive possessions…basically anything that shows status:
Just got back from St. Barth’s? Lucky you. A college admissions counselor does not want to read about your journey. We’re not suggesting that you need to explicitly hide affluence, and it’s not like you chose to be born into a wealthy family, but writing about things that flag privilege comes off as bragging. So if you beat the winter blues in Mexico, don’t force someone to read about it while they’re at their desk.
One-off experiences like traveling that don’t speak to your day to day:
We completely understand the desire to think about fun, exciting, and unique experiences. But, usually, we plan vacations to escape from our daily lives. This means that a look into your trip is probably not the best picture of what it’s like to hang out with you on any given day, which is what the goal of your common app essay should be. So if you’re the kind of person that has a ten-step bedtime routine that keeps the wheel in motion, and also recently went bungee jumping, you should stick with the bedtime routine.
Your partner:
Just, no. It will be cringeworthy. Adults do not like to read about teenage love affairs, nor should they have to. We are not saying that you can’t write about other relationship dynamics, but keep the drama off the page when it comes to talking about your ex.
Sports:
While we firmly believe that sports can be a great way to build confidence and connect with others, any sports essay will get thrown into sports essay pile – and that’s not good. Before you revolt, we have heard every version: a shy young boy who came out of his shell through basketball and the hometown hero who singlehandedly lead the team to victory. We are not trying to be harsh, or take your accomplishments away from you. But sports essays are overdone. Also, they know you play basketball from the activities section of your common app account.
Your grandparents:
When you write essays about other people, you get lost in the sauce. It is quite simple. Essays about our grandparents more often than not become tributes to them, and you have no place in the essay. We love a secondary character, but never forget who’s applying to college (you.)
Outlandish political stances that you think will make you stand out:
Let’s actually broaden the parameters on this one and say this: ANY statement that you are making for shock value should never be the focal point of a college essay. For example, making highly controversial political statements or staunchly defending any problematic member of society. It might get you not noticed but in a bad way. Trust us.
After reading this list you might be thinking, “well what could I possibly write about?!” Fear not. You can write about anything. Just think small. We’re here to help.
Need help figuring out what you actually can write about? Contact us here, we’d love to help.