Popular Essay Topics for College Students 2024 Update

Generating college essay ideas

Many students often want to know how to write better essays. They might also wonder how to start a college essay, as finding the right “hook” for your college essays can make a big difference. In this guide, we’ll take you through every aspect of the essay process.

Different college essay topics need different kinds of responses. For example, a “why major” essay should not be written the same way as an extracurricular activities essay. Looking at college essay examples can also help when thinking about how to approach different college essay topics.

This article will talk about some common categories for college essay topics. We’ll also give some college essay tips and talk about what makes a great college essay stand out from the rest. Most importantly, we’ll discuss how to write better essays so you feel ready to start the process.

College Admission Essays

Before we explore different college essay topics, let’s understand some basics. What exactly is a college admission essay, and why do most top schools ask for them?

A college admission essay is a written response, usually between 150 and 650 words, to a specific question or prompt on a college application. For example, the Common Application essay is standardized. Students have up to 650 words to respond to one of seven college essay topics that every Common Application school receives.

Additionally, there are supplemental essays. These essays are unique to each college or university, though they often cover similar topics. For instance, essay requirements for schools like NYU may vary depending on the program you’re applying to.

Understanding the college essay format

The college application essay format is designed to help admissions officers understand students better, whether it’s a personal statement or a supplemental essay. It allows applicants to share information about themselves that might not be evident from the rest of their application. In addition, these essays enable admissions officers to assess a student’s character, writing skills, and suitability for their school.

Good college essay topics help admissions officers get a sense of who students are. The best college admission essays include personal details not found elsewhere in the application. What makes a college essay great is that it reflects the unique perspective and experiences of the writer.

It’s essential to highlight specific details about your life and journey. Remember, your college essays offer the only opportunity to give admissions officers insight into who you are, so don’t hesitate to share!

What are the most common college essay topics?

College essays usually fit into a few main types. Even though the specific questions might be worded differently, college application essays often follow one of these formats:

8 Most Common College Essay Topics

1. Personal Statement

The personal statement category covers college essay topics about your life and experiences. It usually focuses on a challenging moment or a lesson you learned or grew from. Many students see the personal statement as similar to the Common App essay.

2. “Why School” Essay

3. “Why Major” Essay

The “why major” essay asks students to explain why they’re interested in the major they’ve chosen on their application. This type of college application essay is often seen at larger universities, especially when students are applying to a particular school or program within the university.

4. Personal Challenge Essay

These college essay topics prompt students to think about a particular challenge they’ve faced and conquered in their lives. They’re quite similar to personal statement prompts, which focus on the writer’s personal experiences.

5. Cultural Diversity Essay

The cultural diversity essay asks students to think about their background and how it’s affected their life. Colleges want a mix of students from different backgrounds, and these essays let students show how they’d fit into that mix.

6. Extracurricular Activities Essay

These essays ask students to talk about something they did in high school and how it helped them get ready for college. They’re usually short, about 150 words or less.

7. Unique College Essay

Some college essay topics are not typical. Instead, they ask students to respond to unusual prompts. These ideas can be challenging to write about.

Personal Statement

In our college essay topics, the personal statement is key. It’s something you’ll send to every school you apply to.

Your personal statement should focus on you. It’s your chance to highlight the parts of yourself that matter most. Essay prompts in this category can vary a lot. But one common example is the Common Application essay.

The Common Application essay prompts change every year. But they all ask about your life and experiences. Almost every top school that uses the Common Application will want you to pick one of these prompts. Here are the essay prompts for the 2023-2024 Common Application:

Common App Essay Prompts

Do you have a unique background, interest, or talent that defines you? If so, we’d love to hear your story!

Life’s challenges often lead to future success. Can you think of a time when you faced a problem or failure? How did it affect you, and what did you learn?

Recall a moment when you questioned a belief or idea. What made you think differently, and what happened as a result?

Has someone ever done something unexpectedly nice for you? How did it make you feel, and how did it affect you afterward?

Share a big achievement or realization that helped you grow as a person and understand yourself better.

Is there something you’re really interested in that makes time fly by? What is it, and why does it fascinate you? Where do you go to learn more about it?

Write about anything you want. It could be an essay you’ve written before, a response to a different question, or something entirely new. The choice is yours!

How to write a college essay about yourself

To write better essays, focus on yourself. It might seem strange to talk about your achievements so much, but remember, this essay is all about showing who you are. So, before you start writing, think about what makes you unique. Make a quick list of qualities you want to highlight when brainstorming ideas for your college essay.

Next, pick the right topic. Choose something that connects with your own experiences and identity. If none of the Common App’s topics fit, feel free to come up with your own. Just make sure it’s about your personal journey.

When you start writing, try to tell a story. Share parts of yourself that haven’t been explored elsewhere in your application. Instead of just listing facts or examples, aim for a captivating narrative. For example, if you choose prompt #4, don’t just talk about gratitude; tell a story about a moment when you truly understood its importance. And remember, keep yourself as the main character in your story.

The Why School Essay

Continuing our discussion of great college essay topics, let’s talk about the “why school” essay. These prompts are all about explaining why you’re interested in a particular college. For example, a “why Yale essay” will be different from a “why Duke essay,” even though they have similar prompts.

Basically, a why school essay asks you to explain why you want to go to that specific college and what you hope to achieve there.

Many colleges ask for a why school essay. Let’s look at two examples to see what these essay topics are like.

Why school essay examples

The “why Yale essay” prompt gives you 125 words to express why you’re applying. It asks, “What draws you to Yale?” Similarly, the “why Duke Essay” prompt, with a 250-word limit, wants to know your impression of Duke and why it fits you. It invites you to share specific attractions, if any.

Such prompts help admissions officers gauge your knowledge of their institution and your potential contribution. Ultimately, they seek to assess the match between you and the school.

Structuring a Why School Essay

When you’re writing a “why school” essay, remember to keep the focus on yourself. Use clear examples to explain why the school is a good match for you. Instead of just talking about the most famous parts of the school, think about what makes it special.

For example, if they just built a new science building, only mention it if you’re interested in studying science. Before you start writing, think about what you’re looking for in a college. Then, pick out two or three things the school has that match what you want. Since these essays are usually short, don’t try to fit in too much at once.

Next, be specific and do some research! If you’ve visited the school, talk about what you liked during your visit. Also, if there’s a specific professor, program, club, or opportunity that interests you, mention it. The more details you include, the stronger your argument for choosing the school will be. But don’t just list names and facts – explain how these things will help you reach your goals. Then, explain why you want to be part of the school community.

Almost every top school, like Columbia and Northwestern, asks these kinds of essay questions. Since each question is about a specific school, avoid using the same ideas for different essays. Good essay topics show who you are and that you’ve thought about why you want to go to that school.

The Why Major Essay

The why major essay is similar to the why school essay because they both ask why you’re interested in a college. However, while the why school essay focuses on the entire school, the why major essay specifically asks about your chosen field of study within the school. Many universities include these extra essay questions for popular programs or to understand students’ academic interests better.

The UPenn, Rice, and Cornell supplemental essays all ask about students’ majors. UPenn’s prompt has a 150-200 word limit. It asks, “Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, describe how you intend to explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania.”

The Rice essay prompt is similar, asking students in 150 words why they want to study their chosen academic areas.

Cornell’s supplemental essays across their eight undergraduate colleges also ask similar questions. For example, the Arts and Sciences prompt asks students to talk about the areas of study they’re excited about and why they want to pursue them at Cornell.

Choosing a major for your college essay

When it comes to writing a why major essay, you might have plenty of ideas. However, the best college admission essays in this category are focused and detailed. So, before you start writing, take a moment to think about your academic interests.

Consider how you first became interested in your intended major. Reflect on past experiences you’ve had in this field. What are your aspirations with the degree you wish to pursue? These guiding questions will help give your essay direction and clarity even before you begin writing.

Your interest in your chosen major should come from a genuine passion for the subject. Some students make the mistake of focusing solely on future earnings or fulfilling the expectations of parents or relatives. But remember, you’re the one who will be attending the school and immersing yourself in coursework related to this major. So, make sure you have a solid reason for choosing it.

Undecided majors

If you’re not sure what major you want to pursue, that’s okay. You can still give a thoughtful answer to this prompt. This is a great time to talk about what interests you or what you enjoy learning about. You can also discuss your favorite subjects in school or what you find most exciting about learning, like a cool science experiment or a fascinating time in history. There are lots of different college essay ideas you can explore, even if you haven’t decided on a major yet.

Just know that, except for a few special cases, you won’t be stuck with the major you mention on your college application. Many colleges don’t even require you to pick a major until your second year. If you need help choosing a major that’s right for you, you can check out this link. And for more general advice and ideas for college essays, you can look at this guide from Harvard University.

Personal Challenge Essay

Let’s talk about the personal challenge essay, a topic we’re covering in our ongoing series on college essay themes. This type of essay asks students to share a story where they faced a tough situation or obstacle and learned something about themselves. It’s a chance to show qualities like determination, hard work, resilience, and leadership.

For example, Fordham University’s extra essay prompt focuses on community involvement. They want to hear about a specific time when you stepped out of your comfort zone to support your community.

On the other hand, Emory University’s supplemental essays offer different options for students to talk about their personal growth. They might ask you to think about a time when you learned more about other cultures or when you questioned something you used to believe.

Crafting a memorable college essay

A good personal challenge essay can come in many forms. There are lots of different ideas you can explore for college essays within this theme. An article from U.S. News talks about some common themes students use when they’re writing about these topics.

Being genuine is really important in any personal challenge essay. No one’s story is better or worse than anyone else’s. You don’t have to write about something really heavy or sad to make your essay good.

Start by thinking of ideas for your college essay. Think about stories from your life that show a different side of you, something that isn’t already in your application. Pick one specific story from your list that shows you in a positive light and highlights the qualities you want the admissions officers to see. The best college essays tell one interesting story instead of trying to cover lots of different ideas in one essay.

Another important thing to show in these college essays is how you’ve grown. It’s not about how hard the challenge was, but how you dealt with it and learned from it.

Avoid saying vague things like “I became a better person” or “This experience changed my perspective.” Instead, talk about what you specifically learned from the challenge and the qualities you showed in overcoming it. Use the essay to highlight these things.

Cultural Diversity Essay

Writing an essay about cultural diversity for college is pretty common. It’s important to know how to approach these essays well. So, first, let’s understand what a cultural diversity essay is.

Basically, these essays ask students to talk about how they connect with different cultures and how it affects who they are. Like other college essay topics, this one lets students share something important about themselves with the admissions team.

What makes a great college essay on cultural diversity? Well, it depends on the person. Students can talk about their background, culture, beliefs, skills, experiences, or viewpoints. Culture covers a lot of things, so there are lots of ideas to explore for this essay.

The specific topic isn’t as crucial as showing how cultural diversity has shaped you. Also, a well-done essay will explain how your story and experiences will make the college community better. It’s a good idea to talk about how you’ll bring your perspective, experiences, and culture to campus life.

To understand this topic better, let’s check out some examples of cultural diversity essay prompts.

Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Like many other schools, Amherst College asks applicants to write extra essays. One of these essays is about cultural diversity.

Amherst Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Pick one of these quotes and express your personal thoughts in an essay of no more than 300 words. You don’t need to conduct research or refer to the original texts. Your essay should reflect your own experiences and opinions, keeping it personal and avoiding the use of technical language. Remember, the aim is to share your unique perspective without getting into a formal debate.

In mathematics, it’s crucial to think logically, while in the natural sciences, understanding how things work is more important than following strict rules. This is because in science, we can check our ideas by looking at real-world evidence from experiments and observations.

Kannan Jagannathan, Professor of Physics, Amherst College

“Translation is all about connecting different cultures. It means understanding the essence of a text, capturing its flow, and getting to grips with its meaning. But it’s not just about languages; it’s also about expressing thoughts in words, creating music, doing business globally, and understanding the reasons behind terrorism. In today’s world, nobody can thrive alone; everything needs to be understood and communicated well.”

Ilán Stavans, Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture, Amherst College, Robert Croll ’16 and Cedric Duquene ’15, adapted from the print version of “Interpreting Terras Irradient,” Amherst Magazine, Spring 2015.

Creating an environment where students can form long-lasting friendships, regardless of societal or political differences, requires being honest about the challenges and opportunities that come with diversity and inclusivity.

Carolyn “Biddy” Martin, 19th President of Amherst College, from Letter to Amherst College Alumni and Families, December 28, 2015.

Facing difficulties doesn’t necessarily mean giving up hope or failing. Instead, achieving success can feel even better when you’ve overcome obstacles along the way.

Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst College Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals

Understanding the Amherst essay prompts

Amherst doesn’t explicitly ask for your experiences. Instead, they want to understand how you respond and relate to different perspectives.

Consider another example: Harvard allows students to submit an additional “optional” essay alongside the Common App personal statement. When tackling essays for any school, especially an Ivy League institution, take the time to explore if admissions offers any guidance. Harvard, for example, provides helpful tips on their blog for writing a standout essay. Below is Harvard’s prompt, which clearly focuses on cultural diversity:

Harvard Cultural Diversity Essay Prompt

Harvard values diversity among its student body and welcomes you to share what makes you unique. Feel free to discuss your background, personal growth, or interests that you believe would contribute to the Harvard community.

Finally, let’s look at the University of Michigan’s prompt:

University of Michigan Cultural Diversity Essay Prompt

Being part of different communities is a normal part of life. These communities can be based on things like where you live, your religion, ethnicity, income level, favorite foods, hobbies, race, beliefs, or family background. Think about a community you’re a part of and describe what it’s like and how you fit in. (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words/maximum 300 words)

This UMich essay prompt is all about community, which is a key part of your background and culture. Since “community” covers a wide range of things, students have plenty of flexibility to write about their experiences.

How do you write a college essay on diversity?

Understanding how to write a strong college diversity essay is important for students applying to universities. These essays are highly valued because they help create a diverse student body, which enriches campus life and promotes cultural understanding.

To approach the college diversity essay effectively, students should start by reflecting on their own experiences and perspectives. It’s essential to be genuine and sincere, as this essay is an opportunity to show how diversity has influenced your identity and outlook. What unique backgrounds or experiences have shaped you?

It’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing these essays. Each student’s story is different, and that’s what makes them valuable. Whether you’re discussing your cultural heritage, personal challenges, or community involvement, the key is to share your experiences passionately and clearly.

When writing your essay, avoid clichés or generic statements. Instead, focus on specific examples and anecdotes that illustrate the impact of diversity on your life. By authentically addressing the prompt and highlighting how you’ll contribute to campus diversity, you can create an essay that stands out to admissions officers.

Extracurricular Activities Essay

Another common topic in college essays is the extracurricular activities essay. This extra essay lets students talk more about one of their extracurricular interests. Since there’s not much space to do this in the Common App activities section, this essay is a good chance to give more details about your experiences.

When writing an extracurricular activities essay, it’s important not to just list achievements from your college resume. Instead, you can share stories or talk about why the activity is important to you. How has it affected who you are or what you want to do in the future? What have you learned from being involved? Exploring these aspects can make your extracurricular activities essay more interesting.

Now, let’s look at some potential prompts for your extracurricular activities essay.

Sample Extracurricular Activities Essay Prompts

Vanderbilt provides students with two essay topics to choose from, each requiring a response of 250 words. One option focuses on diversity, while the other centers on extracurricular activities.

Vanderbilt Extracurricular Activities Essay Prompt

Vanderbilt offers a community where students can strike a balance between their studies and social life. Can you talk about how one of your extracurricular activities or job experiences has influenced you?

Before you start writing your essays for Vanderbilt University, it’s important to check out our guide, which has plenty of examples of successful essays for Vanderbilt.

Similarly, Princeton’s extra essays ask about your extracurricular activities. But for these essays, you only have 150 words to respond.

Princeton Extracurricular Activity Prompt

Share with us an activity, organization involvement, work experience, or hobby that has held significant importance in your life.

Let’s check out the essay question about extracurricular activities from Stanford. It’s pretty much like the other prompts we’ve seen.

Stanford Extracurricular Activity Essay Prompt

The Stanford community values curiosity and a commitment to learning, both in and out of class. Share something that genuinely excites you about learning.

Before you start brainstorming your own college essay topics, take a look at some examples from Stanford essays to see what has been successful in the past.

Unique College Essay Topics

During the college application process, you’ll encounter various essay topics. But some universities like to mix things up with unique prompts that challenge applicants. These topics are different from the usual personal statement prompts and often ask unexpected or quirky questions.

These unusual essay topics give you a chance to show off your creativity with unique responses. Remember, though, the goal is still the same: to give admissions officers a better idea of who you are and why you’d be a great fit for their school.

Now, let’s take a look at some of these interesting prompts.

Unique College Essay Prompts

UChicago is well-known for its unique essay prompts. While the first essay prompt is similar to what you might find at other schools, the second one offers some interesting options.

Here are the essay prompts for UChicago’s second essay:

UChicago Unique College Essay Prompts

Essay Option 1

Exponents and square roots, pencils and erasers, beta decay and electron capture. Think of two things that cancel each other out, and explain why both are necessary.

Inspired by Emmett Cho, Class of 2027

Essay Option 2

“Where have all the flowers gone?” – Pete Seeger. Pick a question from a song title or lyric and give it your best answer.

Inspired by Ryan Murphy, AB’21

Essay Option 3

“Vlog,” such as “Labradoodle” and “Fauxmage,” are abundant in language. Invent a new blend word and justify why these two concepts are a “blend match” (perfect match).

– Inspired by Garrett Chalfin, Class of 2027

Essay Option 4

Jellyfish aren’t fish. Cat burglars don’t steal cats. Rhode Island isn’t actually an island. In this essay, we’ll explore another misnomer and either propose a more fitting name for it or explain why its current name is inaccurate.

Inspired by Sonia Chang, Class of 2025, and Mirabella Blair, Class of 2027

Essay Option 5

Even though they originated in ancient civilizations like the Gupta Empire of India or Ancient Egypt, games such as chess or bowling are still widely enjoyed today. Which modern game do you think will withstand the test of time, and why?

Inspired by Adam Heiba, Class of 2027

Essay Option 6

Are there any unwritten rules that you wish didn’t exist? We’ve all heard them, those unspoken guidelines that seem to govern our behavior. But sometimes, it feels like certain rules are outdated or just plain unnecessary. So, if you had the chance, which rule would you break or update? (By the way, we typically introduce five new prompts each year, but this time around, we’ve decided to switch things up. Hope you enjoy the change!)

Inspired by Maryam Abdella, Class of 2026

Essay Option 7

And, as always… don’t forget about the classic choose-your-own-adventure option! In the spirit of exploration and curiosity, pick one of our previous prompts (or come up with your own question). Be original, creative, and thought-provoking. Use your best writing, thinking, and imaginative skills. Take a little risk, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Dartmouth College essay prompts

Dartmouth University provides a range of interesting essay topics for applicants. The first two essays follow typical prompts, while the third essay offers a variety of unique options to choose from. Let’s take a look into these prompts, each with a word limit of 200-250 words.

Dartmouth Unique College Essay Prompts

A. Dolores Huerta, a respected labor leader and civil rights activist, advises living a meaningful life. She believes in using our lives to improve the world, rather than just accumulating possessions. How do you intend to make—or are you currently making—a positive impact?

B. What excites you?

C. In “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” William Kamkwamba ’14 talks about building a windmill from recycled materials to generate electricity for his family’s home in Malawi. He says, “If you want to make it, all you have to do is try.” What motivates you to create, and what do you hope to achieve with your creations?

D. Dr. Seuss, also known as Theodor Geisel from Dartmouth’s Class of 1925, famously said, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” What thoughts and curiosities occupy your mind?

E. James Baldwin once said, “Facing something doesn’t guarantee change, but change can’t happen until it’s faced.” How does this quote resonate with your own life experiences?

How do you write a unique college essay?

At this point, you might have a lot of ideas for college essays on these topics. However, it’s important to remember to keep your answers personal and genuine, just like your personal statement. Even though the prompts might be creative and unique, it’s best to stay focused on sharing more about yourself as an applicant.

The goal of these unique college essay topics is to show that you’re not afraid of a challenge. Universities are looking for students who are curious and willing to try new things. So, even if these topics aren’t your favorite, it’s worth it to try something new.

It’s a chance to indirectly demonstrate to admissions how you think. Ultimately, you’ll want to show that you’re curious and have strong values, even if you don’t talk about them directly.

Short Essay Topics

While extra essays usually have short word limits, some college essay topics are even shorter, often less than 100 words. These brief prompts are shorter than personal statement examples, which might be a relief for those who don’t enjoy writing. However, crafting a meaningful short essay can be challenging.

Let’s explore a few short essay topics from various universities. To start, let’s consider the supplemental essays for Columbia University. These prompts are designed to elicit concise responses.

Columbia Short Essay Prompts

1. Please share the titles of books, essays, poetry, short stories, or plays that you enjoyed the most outside of your school curriculum during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

2. As part of Columbia’s admissions process, we want to understand you as an individual, beyond your achievements. For the final part of this writing supplement, reflect on something that brings you joy. Share what immediately makes you happy and helps us learn more about you. (35 words or fewer)

The large number (10!) of short essays that USC requires may seem overwhelming to many. However, these USC supplemental essays are very short, with a limit of 25–100 words. Check out our guide with examples of USC supplemental essays. Here are the USC short answer essay prompts:

USC Short Essay Topics

Describe yourself in three words.
What is your favorite snack?
Best movie of all time:
Dream job:
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Dream trip:
What TV show will you binge watch next?
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
Favorite book:
If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

Stanford imposes a word limit of 100–250 words on their short essays. Let’s review the prompts:

Stanford Short Essay Topics

The Stanford community values curiosity and a desire for learning, whether it’s in class or beyond. Share an idea or experience that genuinely excites you about learning.

At Stanford, most undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about yourself or helps them—and us—better understand who you are.

Describe something meaningful to you and explain why it’s important.

You might have noticed that some of these short college essay topics were in list format, while others were simple essays. Now, let’s think about how to respond to them.

Approaching short essays

Even though these college essay topics might seem different, the idea is the same: to showcase who you are. The challenge is to do it in fewer words compared to other essay topics.

So, it’s important to choose your words carefully to create a strong short essay. Even though it might feel like a chore, a well-written response can add depth to your application. Your essay should give the admissions team a better sense of your personality, interests, and values.

Choosing the best college essay topics

When applying to colleges, each school has its own set of essay questions. For example, the essay prompts for NYU are different from those for UChicago or Columbia. However, the key to choosing good college essay topics is to pick ones that you feel strongly about. Your essays should give insight into who you are and why you’d fit in at that college.

To find the right topics, carefully read all the essay prompts. Is there one that stands out to you? If so, that’s probably the best choice. If you’re considering several prompts, brainstorm ideas for each one. Choose the prompt that lets you talk about a meaningful experience that truly represents you.

Here is more advice from a student at Harvard on writing your best college essays as well:

What makes a great college essay? Most importantly, your essays need to be personal, specific, and honest, regardless of the topics. Avoid simply listing accomplishments or experiences. Instead, use anecdotes that show who you are as a person. Use these stories as the basis for writing your essays.

What should you not write in a college essay?

When thinking about topics for your college essay, you’ll discover a lot of options. Since essays are personal, there are many good topics to choose from. However, there are some ideas you should avoid.

Here are 5 college essay topics to stay away from:

1. Generic topics

Admissions experts suggest avoiding essays about sports injuries or big games, as they tend to overlook personal growth. They advise against using clichés like never giving up, winning, losing, or team camaraderie. Essays that follow these predictable themes are unlikely to make a strong impression with admissions officers.

2. Dramatic life events

This method might work for some students. But don’t try to make a big event just to write an impressive essay. Usually, the best college essay ideas come from everyday experiences that shape who you are. Focus not only on what happened to you, but also on how you responded to those experiences. So, if you can show personal growth and positive change through a tough life event, go ahead and write about it.

3. Highly personal topics

This connects with what we talked about before. Indeed, many good college essay topics are quite personal. However, there’s a line you shouldn’t cross. For example, it’s best to avoid sharing overly personal stories about mental health issues, especially if they involve unresolved trauma. While admissions committees can’t discriminate against you for discussing these topics, it’s often difficult to create a successful essay from them. Of course, there may be exceptions, but it’s usually safer to choose one of the many other good college essay topics available.

4. Anything related to alcohol, drugs, or illegal behavior

It’s crucial to note that discussing wild parties involving illegal activities, and definitely participating in them, is completely unacceptable. When writing your college essays, avoid talking about personal experiences related to these topics. While writing about someone you know who has been affected by such situations could be a possible essay topic, be careful. In the end, it’s best to steer clear of these topics altogether to ensure your essays remain professional and appropriate.

5. High school gossip

This topic might be tough for you to shine in. Avoid talking about high school gossip or rumors. College admissions officers won’t be impressed, and it’ll be hard to come across as anything but immature and superficial. Remember, your college essay should show what you’ll bring to campus. Admissions officers don’t want to bring this kind of culture to their campuses.

How to write your best college admission essays

Writing college essays is a big part of applying to college. Admission teams look at a lot of things like grades, activities, and essays. Essays are really important because they show who you are as a person. Don’t stress about what to write – think of it as a chance to tell your story.

Here are 5 college essay tips for writing your best college admission essays:

1. Carefully choose your prompt

It can be tough to write with real enthusiasm if you’re not truly excited about the topic. So, take your time to think about the prompts you’re given before starting your essay. Pick the one that really interests you.

2. Tell your story

Choosing interesting college essay topics means creating stories that share more about you, your values, passions, and experiences with someone who doesn’t know you. Be imaginative in how you tell your stories. Grab the reader’s attention from the start and impress them with your writing skills.

3. Answer the prompt

Using personal stories in your college essays can make them more engaging and unique. However, it’s important to ensure that these stories directly relate to the essay prompt. Make sure you fully answer the prompt in your writing.

4. Start early

College essay stress often comes from approaching deadlines. Make sure to give yourself enough time to finish your essays. You’ll need time to brainstorm, write, revise, and edit, as well as complete the rest of your application. It’s best to start during the summer before your senior year.

5. Pay attention to grammar and mechanics

Creating an engaging story is crucial for college essays. But don’t forget about the importance of flawless grammar. Take the time to thoroughly review and edit your essays. It’s also helpful to have someone else read them. Another set of eyes can greatly assist in refining and perfecting your essay before submission.

Final Thoughts

In this guide, we’ve covered various college essay topics like the personal statement, unique essays, short essays, and more. We’ve also talked about how to structure a good college application essay format for different prompts.

To come up with great college essay ideas and write excellent college admission essays, it’s important to read many college essay examples. Checking out these examples can help you figure out how to start a college essay. Just remember not to copy the stories from these examples. Instead, use them to inspire you to tell your own story.

Are you talking about the impact of your gap year, explaining how you chose your major, or writing a “why this college” essay? Whatever you’re discussing, reading successful essays will help you become a better writer. And if you can write better than other applicants, you’re sure to impress admissions.

At the end of the day, remember that there isn’t one perfect college application essay format. While successful essays often share similarities, don’t worry too much about sticking to a specific format. Instead, focus on reflecting on yourself and growing personally when choosing your topics and deciding which stories to include. And if you ever need some help, Essay Embassy Admission Essay Experts are here to guide you in writing your best college essays!

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