What Makes a Good Research Question for College Essays?

Hey folks, I'm thinking about some potential topics for my college essays and I'm curious - what makes a good research question? How broad or specific should it be? Thanks a lot for your help!

For college essays, a good research question tends to be one that is personally meaningful and illuminating about your character, desires, intellectual curiosity, and potential contributions to a college community. Typically, these questions are more specific than general. They should be focused yet flexible enough to allow for thoughtful exploration and growth.

A good research question is often an intersection of your personal interests and experiences. For example, if you're interested in urban sustainability and have experience gardening, your research question could be something like, "How do urban agricultural practices impact local ecosystems?"

A well-formulated question should also be original. It should make a unique intellectual contribution, even if that's in the form of your personal perspective or a novel association between two areas. It should not invite a straightforward, easily Google-able answer. Ideally, your question should be something you could envision working on over a period of time and continually discovering new aspects of.

Lastly, a good essay research question for college admissions should not be overly controversial or offensive, as it may rub some admissions officers the wrong way. Stay away from any topics that may make someone uncomfortable, as the goal of your essay is to showcase your intellect and character, not to provoke.

Overall, a good research question for an essay is one that will allow you to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills, and ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas.