Hey everyone, I'm starting to brainstorm for my college essays, but I'm kinda stuck. What are some great essay topic examples? I want to stand out but also stay true to myself. Any suggestions would be super helpful!
Hey there! It's essential to find an essay topic that showcases your unique qualities, perspectives, and experiences. When brainstorming ideas, think about the key aspects of your life that have shaped you or hold special importance to you. Here are a few themes and examples to help kickstart your brainstorming:
1. Passion and interests: Write about something you're passionate about, but don't just state that you love it. Describe how you've pursued this interest, the challenges you've faced, and how it has influenced your life. For instance, if you have a strong interest in photography, you could write about a specific photo project that pushed you out of your comfort zone and taught you resilience.
2. Personal growth: Reflect on a moment or experience where you had to overcome an obstacle or challenge, and describe the lessons learned. For example, you could write about a time when you turned failure into a learning experience or how you stepped up to take a leadership role in a group project when the leader fell ill.
3. Cultural experiences: If you identify with a particular culture or come from a diverse background, consider sharing how these experiences have shaped your worldview, beliefs, and values. For instance, you could write about the bond created by sharing your family's unique cultural traditions in your neighborhood.
4. Unusual hobbies or extracurriculars: Discuss any unusual hobbies or extracurriculars that highlight your creativity, dedication, or quirky traits. For example, you could write about your journey to becoming an expert at knitting intricate patterns or how your unusual collection of vintage board games has taught you about strategy and patience.
5. Impactful relationships: Reflect on a relationship with a family member, friend, teacher, or mentor that has significantly and positively impacted you. You could describe how your grandmother's strength and wisdom inspired your goals, or how your relationship with a teacher has helped crystallize your career aspirations.
When picking a topic, remember that it's essential to convey a sense of who you are as a person, your values, and what you will bring to the college community. Stay true to your voice and experiences, and showcase your unique personality through vivid storytelling and reflection!
You can also find more detailed guidance on how to choose a college essay topic on CollegeVine's blog, which contains both a detailed breakdown of each Common App prompt (you'll need to respond to one for your main personal statement), and several examples of successful essays written by past students (as well as analysis of what each one did well, and any areas for improvement), which you might find inspiring. You can check out these posts at the links below:
- Common App Prompt Breakdown: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/
- Example Essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/common-app-essay-examples
Good luck with your college essay brainstorming!
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.