As I start brainstorming ideas for my college essays, I'm wondering what topics I should steer clear of. Are there any overused or cliché themes that I should avoid to make my essay stand out?
It's important to choose a unique and engaging essay topic that will showcase your authentic self and stand out in the eyes of admissions officers. Here's a list of overused or cliché topics you should avoid, along with some tips to make seemingly cliché topics more personal and creative:
1. Sports injuries or victories: Writing about a sports injury or triumph can be quite cliché unless you approach it with a unique angle. For instance, discuss how your perspective drastically changed after the injury or how it led you to discover a new passion.
2. Immigrant's story: Many first-generation students talk about their experiences as immigrants, such as adjusting to a new culture or learning a new language. To stand out, avoid these clichés and instead share a specific moment or circumstance that highlights your resilience or the lessons you learned from your background.
3. Challenging classes: Essays about overcoming academic struggles or working hard to succeed in a difficult class are common. Try to focus on a unique aspect of the challenge you faced, such as how it prompted personal growth or inspired you to explore a new field of study.
4. Community service trips/projects: Many students write about their volunteer experiences, which can feel generic. To differentiate your experience, emphasize the long-term impact the project had on you, a particular person you met, or a unique outcome you weren't expecting.
5. Personal tragedies or hardships: It's important to be cautious when writing about personal tragedies to avoid making the essay a sob story. Instead, focus on your growth and resilience, highlighting the lessons learned and how they transformed you.
6. Large-scale political or social issues: While discussing social or political issues can be an important part of your identity, avoid writing a general essay about the issue as a whole. Instead, try writing about a specific personal experience or defining moment related to the issue.
7. Generic stories about school clubs or activities: Writing only about your participation in an extracurricular activity tends to be overused. Provide context and specific examples of why the activity was meaningful to you or how you demonstrated significant leadership or made an impact on the organization.
Ultimately, what matters most is how you approach your essay topic and your ability to convey your experiences, emotions, and perspectives effectively. By focusing on a specific event, impact, or growth, you can take a cliché theme and transform it into a truly personal and powerful essay.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.