Hey there, applying to college can be overwhelming and I want to make sure my essay stands out. What are some topics I should avoid in my college essay to make sure it doesn't come across as cliché or off-putting? Any tips are much appreciated!
Hello! You're right, standing out with your college essay is crucial. It's essential to avoid cliché or overused topics that won't make a lasting impression on the admissions officers. Here are some topics to steer clear of, along with tips on how to approach essay-writing more effectively:
1. Sports victories or injuries: These are common and can come across as surface-level. Instead, focus on a unique experience, lesson, or perspective gained from your involvement in sports.
2. Immigrant experiences: Essays about adjusting to a new place, culture, or learning a new language are overdone. Focus on a specific moment or a unique aspect of your experience that demonstrates personal growth, resilience, or self-awareness.
3. Service trips, volunteering, or "saving the world": These topics can come across as superficial or self-serving if not approached with sensitivity. If you still choose to write about service work, focus on the impact it had on you and show genuine engagement with the community.
4. Tragedies or hardships: While it's okay to write about challenges you've faced, be careful not to focus solely on the negative aspects. Show how you've grown or how the experience has shaped you personally or intellectually.
5. Personal relationships: Writing about romantic relationships may not be the best choice as it may seem irrelevant to your academic or professional goals. If your essay centers around a relationship, make sure it's framed within a larger context that demonstrates your development and maturity.
6. Overcoming a difficult class or teacher: This topic is often too narrow and can become a complaint rather than a story of growth or transformation. Instead, focus on the broader implications of the challenge and how it led you to develop new perspectives or skills.
Best of luck with your essay-writing process!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.