How do I avoid overused college essay topics?

Hello everyone! I'm currently starting to brainstorm for my college essays and I want to make sure mine stands out. What are some of the most frequently used (and, therefore, perhaps overdone) topics I should avoid?

It's a good idea to strive for originality in your college essays as they are one of the key ways you can distinguish yourself from other applicants. Here's a list of common, and often overused, essay topics that you might want to steer clear of unless you have a distinctly unique perspective to offer:

1. Sports victories or injuries: While these can be significant experiences, it's important to remember many students participate in sports, and their associated victories and setbacks can feel redundant to admissions officers.

2. Triumph over coursework: Stories about acing a tough class or improving grades in response to initial struggles are also common, which can make your experience seem less personal and more generic.

3. Volunteer trips: These may seem unique at first glance, but so many students write about a week-long service trip or their experience volunteering abroad that these essays often blend together from an admissions officer's perspective.

4. Death or illness of a loved one: This is a sensitive topic, and one that can feel deeply personal. However, it's important to ensure the essay is about your personal growth and not just recounting the event itself.

5. The “immigrant experience”: This, unfortunately, is another overused essay topic. If you choose to write about this, avoid cliches like learning a new language or adjusting to a new culture.

6. Major life-changing events: While there are certainly exceptions, remember that this sort of topic can often feel beyond the typical experience of a high school student, which could make it harder for admissions officers to relate to you.

7. Exploring or moving to a new place: The transformation from feeling like an outsider to feeling like you belong may seem like a compelling narrative, but it's one that is commonly used and can read as cliched.

If you elect to write on one of these topics, try to find a unique angle or approach. Think about what you learned from the experience, and how it has shaped you as an individual. The key is to focus on giving a deeply personal insight into yourself and how you see the world, rather than simply recounting events.