Prepping for college essays and need help!

Okay, I know every college essay should be unique but I was wondering, what are the most popular topics students usually write about? Want to avoid sounding like just another application 🙄 Any help will be great, thank you!

Sure thing, it's crucial to choose a unique topic for your college essays. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to have climbed Mount Everest or invented a ground-breaking technology to stand out. You can find individuality in the mundane. That said, some not-so-unique essay topics are often overly used by students. Here are a few:

1. Sports victories or injuries - These are quite common because sports are a big part of many students' lives, but unless you have a unique perspective or a touching story, it usually doesn't make for a compelling essay.

2. Immigrant stories - Again, these are often oversaturated. While your personal story as an immigrant is undoubtedly important, try to avoid the cliches of adjusting to a new culture, language barriers, etc.

3. Challenges in school - Many students write about overcoming obstacles in a challenging class. The challenge is that such stories often don't differentiate you from other students.

To differentiate yourself, consider singular experiences or incidents that shaped you personally. Focus on your interests, values, and ambitions, and how they have shaped your worldview. Also, consider your spike - a highly developed interest or passion - and how it reflects on who you are. It's not the event but your perspective, intellectual vitality, and the lessons learned that can make your essay stand out.

For instance, instead of discussing an overall sports victory, you might write about a specific moment of personal growth or an unexpected incident during the season that sheds light on your untapped resilience. The subject doesn't have to be grand or dramatic, as long as it highlights your personal qualities or values effectively.