Writing your college essay can be one of the most important aspects of the application process.
It’s your opportunity to showcase who you are, beyond grades and test scores. Avoiding certain overused or inappropriate topics can significantly strengthen your application and make a lasting impression on admissions committees.
In this article, you’ll learn about seven specific topics to steer clear of when crafting your college essay.
By understanding what topics to avoid, you can focus on creating a unique and memorable essay that stands out in a competitive field.
1) Personal Tragedy
Writing about personal tragedies can be powerful, but it’s a risky choice for a college essay.
Many applicants choose this topic, making it hard to stand out.
If you decide to write about a tragedy, you need a unique angle that shows personal growth and resilience.
Admissions officers often read many essays about loss, illness, or family problems.
Many of these essays sound similar.
Describing pain and suffering without showing how you overcame these challenges can feel incomplete.
Focus on what you learned and how it shaped who you are today.
Another issue is that writing about tragic events can be very emotional.
It might be hard to keep your essay focused and positive.
Admissions officers want to learn about your character and how you handle adversity, not just about the tragedy itself.
To avoid clichés, steer clear of just recounting the event.
Reflect on the impact it had on your life, and how it influenced your decisions or goals.
This approach will give admissions officers a fuller picture of your strengths and potential.
Personal tragedies can touch on sensitive topics that may be difficult for admissions officers to read.
It’s important to be honest without being overly graphic or dramatic.
Balance your essay by discussing how you have moved forward and what you have achieved since then.
You can read more about why writing about tragedies may not be the best choice.
This helps show you are ready for the challenges of college and beyond.
2) Controversial Political Issues
Writing about controversial political issues can be risky.
Admissions committees are diverse, with members holding different viewpoints.
You won’t know their personal opinions, which could impact how your essay is received.
Political topics can be polarizing.
Your goal is to showcase your personality and achievements.
Including strong political opinions might distract from that.
Instead of discussing broad political issues, focus on personal experiences.
If a political event deeply affected you, describe how it shaped your values or goals.
This keeps the focus on you and your growth.
Explaining nuanced political views can be challenging in a limited word count.
There’s a risk of oversimplifying complex topics, leading to misunderstandings.
Controversial political topics can also alienate readers.
Even if your points are valid, they might not resonate with everyone.
This is especially true if your views clash with those of the reader.
Be cautious about topics like elections, government policies, or political ideologies.
These subjects can provoke strong reactions that might overshadow your main message.
Admissions essays should highlight your strengths, resilience, and character.
Avoiding controversial political issues helps keep the focus where it belongs—on you and your potential.
For more tips, you can check out college essay topics to avoid.
3) Overly Cliché Stories
Many college essays suffer from being overly cliché.
These narratives are often repeated and fail to provide a fresh perspective.
Admissions officers have seen these stories countless times.
One common cliché is writing about sports victories or injuries.
Essays focused solely on winning a big game or recovering from an injury can feel generic.
Discussing volunteering trips is another overused topic.
Many students write about their experiences helping in underprivileged areas.
While noble, these stories often highlight the trip rather than personal growth.
Writing about a family member’s struggle is often seen in applications.
While these stories can be heartfelt, they may shift focus away from your personal journey.
Essays about overcoming a challenge can also be clichéd.
It’s a common theme, and without unique insights, it can blend into the mix.
Describing your passion for a hobby can come off as unoriginal.
Unless you can present a new angle, this topic may lack depth.
Stories about academic achievements often fail to stand out.
Many essays focus on getting good grades or excelling in a subject, which doesn’t showcase individuality.
Narratives about a life-changing event can feel repetitive.
Many applicants write about moving to a new place or a sudden family change.
Avoiding these clichés can help your essay be more compelling.
Instead, aim for unique experiences and personal reflections.
This will make your story stand out and capture the reader’s attention.
For more tips, you can check out common clichés to avoid in college essays.
4) Excessive Praise of Someone Else
When writing your college essay, it might seem like a strong idea to focus on someone who has greatly influenced your life.
While role models and mentors can be important, overdoing the praise can shift the spotlight away from you.
Admissions officers want to learn about you, not just the people you admire.
Your essay should highlight your experiences, growth, and achievements.
Focusing too much on someone else can make it seem like you have nothing unique to offer.
It’s important to balance your admiration with your own story.
Include how this person impacted you, but ensure your essay remains centered on your accomplishments and character.
This approach helps the reader understand your personal journey.
Avoid turning your essay into a biography of someone else.
Instead, mention specific moments that highlight how you’ve grown because of their influence.
This keeps the essay personal and relevant to your application.
If you spend too much time praising others, it may be hard for the admissions committee to see you as a strong candidate.
Your achievements and traits are what will make you stand out.
Being inspired by others is great, but your college essay is your time to shine.
Focus on sharing your story and what makes you unique.
This way, your application will be memorable and impactful.
For more tips on what not to write about in your college essay, check out College Everything’s advice.
5) The Sports Hero Narrative
Writing about your sports achievements might seem like a great idea but can be tricky.
Many applicants choose this topic, making it hard for your essay to stand out.
Admissions officers have read many essays about scoring the winning goal or overcoming a sports injury.
These stories often blend together because they share similar themes.
To avoid this, focus on the personal growth and lessons you’ve learned from playing sports.
Instead of highlighting a generic achievement, delve into specific moments that shaped your character.
Discuss how a difficult practice or a challenging game taught you determination and resilience.
Aim to reveal something unique about yourself, not just about the sport.
It’s also worthwhile to connect sports to broader themes in your life.
Use sports as a lens to discuss values like teamwork, leadership, or discipline.
For example, if being part of a team helped you develop better communication skills, explain how.
Highlight how these skills apply to other areas of your life or future goals.
Remember, the goal is to make your story memorable and different from the countless sports essays the admissions team will read.
Use personal insights and specific events to make your narrative distinct.
For more tips on writing a non-cliché sports essay, check out this guide on how to write a non-cliché college essay about sports.
6) Vacation Stories
Writing about a vacation can seem like a fun idea, but it’s tricky to make it stand out.
Many students have great memories from family trips, but these stories can often come across as cliché and unoriginal.
Admissions officers have read hundreds of essays about summer trips, both near and far.
Whether it’s a cruise to the Caribbean or a visit to a European country, these essays can blur together.
If you choose to write about a vacation, focus on a unique aspect.
Maybe something unexpected happened that changed your perspective.
This can help your essay feel fresh and different from the usual travelogues.
Avoid simply listing the places you visited or the activities you did.
Instead, dig deeper.
Explain how a specific experience during the trip had a significant impact on you.
It’s important to connect the vacation story to something larger about your character or goals.
Show how the experience relates to your future aspirations or your personal growth.
Make sure the connection is clear and meaningful.
Remember, the goal is to give the admissions officers a deeper understanding of who you are.
A simple vacation story might not achieve this unless it’s tied to something more profound.
If you’re not able to make that connection, it might be best to choose another topic.
For more essay tips, you can check out College Transitions.
Listing Achievements
Listing your achievements in a college essay might seem like an effective way to impress admissions officers.
It shows what you have accomplished.
However, simply listing your achievements can come off as bragging or as a resume.
Admissions officers are looking for depth and insight, not just a list of awards or titles.
Instead of listing achievements, focus on one or two significant experiences.
Dive into what you learned from them.
Explain how these experiences shaped you and why they are important to your story.
For example, if you were the captain of your soccer team, don’t just mention the title.
Talk about the hardships you faced, the skills you developed, and how the experience influenced your goals.
Moreover, show rather than tell.
Share an anecdote or specific moment that illustrates your achievement.
This makes your essay more engaging and memorable.
Avoid the temptation to cram every accolade into your essay.
Quality over quantity is the key.
Choose examples that reflect your values and growth.
Remember, colleges want to know who you are beyond your achievements.
They want to see your personality, critical thinking, and perspective.
Use your essay to reveal your identity, not just your accomplishments.
By focusing on the lessons learned and personal growth, you can create a more compelling and authentic essay.
This approach will give admissions officers a better understanding of who you are.
Understanding the Importance of Essay Topics
Choosing the right college essay topic is crucial for making a strong impression.
Selecting the wrong topic can negatively impact your application, while a well-chosen topic can highlight your best qualities.
The Impact of a Poor Topic on Your Application
A poor essay topic can significantly hurt your chances of admission.
Topics that are clichéd, overly controversial, or inappropriate can make you seem unoriginal or insensitive.
Admissions officials read hundreds of essays, and a bad topic can make yours blend in, or worse, stand out in a negative way.
A weak topic might also fail to showcase your strengths and personality.
If the topic doesn’t allow you to highlight what makes you unique, you miss a prime opportunity to present yourself favorably.
This matters because your essay is often a deciding factor if other parts of your application are similar to those of other applicants.
What Admissions Officials Look For
Admissions officials seek essays that are reflective and insightful.
They want to see evidence of personal growth, strong character, and the ability to overcome challenges.
Your topic should allow you to demonstrate these qualities effectively.
It’s not just about what you write, but how you write about it.
Officials look for clarity, coherence, and authenticity.
They appreciate when an essay paints a vivid picture of who you are and what you value.
They also want to see good writing mechanics—proper grammar, punctuation, and a well-organized structure.
Choosing the right topic can help you meet these criteria and show the best version of yourself.
Common Pitfalls in Choosing Essay Topics
When selecting an essay topic, it’s important to avoid certain common pitfalls that can harm your chances of making a strong impression on admissions officers.
Focus on picking themes that show your unique perspective and steer clear of controversial or overused subjects.
Overused Themes
Choosing a common topic can make your essay blend in with many others.
Topics like sports achievements, volunteer trips, and family tragedies are often overdone.
While these experiences may be important to you, they do not always stand out.
An overused theme might make your essay seem generic.
Instead, aim to bring a fresh angle to your story by focusing on smaller, unique details.
For example, instead of writing about scoring the winning touchdown, you could write about the dedication and discipline you developed during practice.
Controversial or Sensitive Subjects
Topics related to politics, religion, or deeply personal issues can be risky.
Admissions committees may have varying opinions on these sensitive subjects, and discussing them might not always work in your favor.
Additionally, writing about controversial topics can make it hard to highlight your positive traits without diving into arguments or emotional responses.
Instead, choose topics that allow you to showcase your strengths and values without causing potential discomfort or misunderstanding.
For example, you could focus on personal growth, learning experiences, or moments of positive change.
This approach allows you to present yourself in the best light, ensuring your message is clear and well-received.