Red Flags and Dead Ends: College Essay Topics to Avoid
The college essay is one of the few opportunities you have to showcase your individuality, experiences, and personal growth on your application. As college admissions become more competitive, a well-written essay can help you stand out and leave a lasting impression. A strong essay allows you to go beyond the numbers on your transcript and provide a deeper understanding of who you are as a person and what you can bring to their community. In a well-written essay, you can convey your passions, values, and aspirations, and demonstrate why you are a perfect fit for the school. A strong college essay shows your ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage with complex ideas, qualities that are highly valued in college and beyond.
While you might think you have the perfect idea for your essay before you get too far, here are some topics you want to avoid:
Tragedies or hardships without showcasing personal growth or resilience.
Unfortunately you may have experienced some unique and difficult hardships in your life. However, sharing personal tragedies without showcasing personal growth or resilience should be avoided because it could give the impression that you dwell on past challenges rather than using them as opportunities for self-improvement. College admissions officers want to see how you have grown and developed as an individual, and they want to see evidence of your ability to overcome adversity. If you’re going to write about a personal tragedy make sure you show growth as a result of it.
Highly controversial political or religious views.
College essays shouldn’t be controversial. Sharing extreme opinions on sensitive topics has the potential to create division and polarization. College essays are meant to showcase your skills, experiences, and personal growth, so focusing on controversial views may detract from these aspects. Additionally, such essays may not provide a well-rounded representation of your character beyond those beliefs, as they may overshadow other important aspects of your personality and accomplishments, potentially jeopardizing the overall effectiveness and reception of your essay and ultimately your application.
Academic achievements without meaningful insights or reflections.
While showcasing academic achievements in a college essay can demonstrate your dedication and hard work, it is important that you go beyond simply listing accolades. Merely stating your accomplishments without providing meaningful insights or reflections can appear superficial and fail to provide a holistic view of your character. Admissions officers are interested in understanding how these achievements have shaped your academic journey, values, or aspirations. Take the opportunity to reflect on the significance of those accomplishments, such as the challenges you overcame, the skills you acquired, or the impact they had on your personal growth. By delving deeper and offering thoughtful reflections, you can provide a more nuanced understanding of how your achievements have influenced your intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, and long-term goals. This approach allows the admissions committee to gain insight into your character, motivation, and potential contributions to the college community, going beyond a mere laundry list of accomplishments.
Travel experiences without deeper cultural understanding or personal development.
When writing about travel experiences in a college essay, it is crucial to move beyond superficial descriptions and delve into the deeper impact of those experiences. While your trip to Cabo may have been memorable for you, it alone does not make you a stronger applicant. Instead, use this opportunity to reflect on how these travel experiences broadened your perspective, increased your cultural awareness, or influenced personal growth. You could discuss the encounters, interactions, or challenges you faced during your travels and how they shaped your understanding of different cultures, societies, or global issues. Perhaps these experiences ignited a passion for social justice, foster empathy, or cultivated a sense of curiosity.
Volunteer or community service experiences without emphasizing impact or personal growth.
Volunteer and community service definitely make you a stronger applicant however when it comes to the essay it is important to go beyond simply listing your involvement. Rather you should emphasize the impact you made and the personal growth you experienced. You could highlight the specific ways in which your volunteer work or community service made a difference in the lives of others or in the community as a whole. Think about the challenges you encountered, the actions you took, and the outcomes you achieved. Reflect on how these experiences shaped your character, values, or worldview. Perhaps you developed a greater sense of empathy, compassion, or social responsibility. Maybe you gained a deeper understanding of societal issues or a desire to create positive change. Discuss the lessons you learned, both about yourself and the world around you. By showcasing the impact you made and emphasizing personal growth, you can demonstrate your commitment to service, your ability to make a difference, and your readiness to contribute to the college community in meaningful ways.
Superficial narratives about generic topics like winning the big game or summer jobs.
While these topics may initially seem appealing, they are often overused and lack the ability to truly highlight your individuality. Unless you can provide a unique angle, personal reflection, or meaningful lessons learned from these experiences, they may fail to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. It is crucial to dig deeper and explore the underlying significance of these experiences. What did winning the big game teach you about teamwork, perseverance, or leadership? How did your summer job contribute to your personal and professional growth? By providing a genuine and insightful reflection on these seemingly generic topics, you can demonstrate your ability to think critically, reflect on your experiences, and extract meaningful lessons.
Focusing solely on someone else's accomplishments or influence without highlighting your own growth.
While your grandmother might be a wonderful person and she may be your biggest influence, it’s important to remember that this essay is about you! It is natural to be inspired by someone significant in your life, however the essay is an opportunity for admissions officers to gain insight into who you are as an individual. Instead of solely highlighting the achievements or influence of others, shift the focus towards showcasing how these experiences have shaped you. Reflect on the values, lessons, or perspectives you have acquired through this relationship and discuss how they have impacted your character, goals, or worldview. By emphasizing your personal growth and the ways in which you have been shaped by these influences, you can demonstrate your ability to learn from others while still maintaining a strong sense of self and individuality.
Remember, the college essay is your opportunity to shine and demonstrate what sets you apart from other applicants. Choose a topic that allows you to genuinely connect with the readers and share your story in a compelling and meaningful way.