Good college essay topics are typically those that:


Really common one I've heard of include: Sports injuries, death of a grandparent (while it's still sad, it's a commonly used essay topic), and mission trips. If you really want to stand out, I'd use something completely original. I know a girl who did one about this pen pal she's had for over ten years and how their relationship has grown without ever seeing each other's faces. If you think about it, there's a ton of things that's happened in your life that are unique to YOU, you just have to figure out how to express it in an essay correctly.


The real topic is him. And through the essay, you get a clear sense of who he is and what he values through the moments, details, and insights he shares.

Because of the points above (you can write about anything + colleges don’t care too much), looking at the prompts is only useful if you’re totally, completely stumped* as to how to brainstorm possible topics for your college essay. (In which case, see below.)

Looking for more college admissions essay examples about yourself? .

The danger of looking at the prompts before you do some brainstorming is that you may box yourself in by thinking you have to write about something that fits, say, prompt 2, and thereby prevent yourself from thinking about options for topics that allow you to show who you are and what you value more effectively.

This is why we recommend reading and rereading the essay prompt; you should know exactly what it’s asking you to do, well before you start brainstorming possible college application essay topics.



Take a look at Khan Academy’s site and what college admissions officers say about the essay and the type of essays that stand out to them.

If you are still not sure, then start by answering the prompt and brainstorming 2 to 3 stories in your life that you can use to share more about yourself.

An earlier version of this piece was developed in conjunction with my thought-partner and co-consultant, Jackie Stowers, for the , where we are implementing a college essay intensive writing coaching program, as well as working directly with their students. The Cooperman Scholars are supported through all aspects of college access and success, and are a shining example of how attending college really can change lives and communities.


Here are the for the second of their college essay topics:

All college application essay topics below are categorized by essay prompt type. We’ve identified six general types of college essay prompts:

21 College Essay Topics & Ideas That Worked

Note that these prompt types could overlap with one another, so you’re not necessarily limited to just one college essay topic in a single personal statement.

Top 40 College Essay Ideas and Topics | Empowerly

When risky topics do work: it’s all about how the writer handles it, and what the essay is about UNDERNEATH the story you are telling.

What are college essay topics that are over used/not original?

If you can't immediately think of a pivotal event for this essay, you may want to skip it and try a different one. Essays like this are best answered with significant and unique moments rather than less important ones.

College Essay Topics to Avoid or Rethink

Once you’ve decided on a college essay topic you want to use, it’s time to buckle down and start fleshing out your essay. These six steps will help you transform a simple college essay topic into a full-fledged personal statement.

college essay ideas : r/ApplyingToCollege

Ready to get writing now that you’ve seen this list of the top college essay ideas and topics? Each one of these ideas could turn into a strong story to complete your overall application. Hopefully a few of these subjects resonate with you and inspire an ! By diversifying your approach to each essay prompt and making your responses as personal and specific as possible, you can create a compelling narrative that stands out to admissions officers.

College application essay topics: your “topic” isnt your topic

College essays need to inspire the admissions teams and get them excited about the idea of you joining their community. They are your opportunity to show why you’d be a good fit. Â