How to Choose a College Admissions Essay Topic

Applying for college can be a stressful process, over which the applicant has little control. The college admissions essay is an integral part of this process, and often the only time that the college gets to see the real you. Choosing the right topic can make your essay stand apart from the rest.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pen
• Paper
• Your mind

1. On a sheet of paper, make a list of qualities you have that you would like the school to know about. This can include unique personality traits, special skills or interests, and commitment to a cause or activity. You will want this list to be as long as possible, so include anything that you can think of.
2. Read over the application carefully to see if the school has provided a topic for you. If you have been provided a topic, you will still have control over what you write about as long as it is within the guidelines.
3. Narrow down your list by eliminating any ideas that will not work within the given instructions.
4. Looking at the remaining items on your list, eliminate anything that seems too common, or not interesting.
5. Out of the remaining ideas on your list, pick the most interesting topic for your essay.
6. Summarize your topic in one clear sentence that fits into the given instructions on a new sheet of paper at the top of the page.
7. Underneath your topic statement, brainstorm by listing as many personal anecdotes or life lessons relating to this topic as possible.
8. Adjust your topic if inspired by any of the anecdotes or life lessons listed in step 7. With any luck, you will be left with a well thought-out, original essay topic.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose creativity over controversy. Stay away from any topics that may offend the reader. While it is alright to express your beliefs, insulting the person reading the essay will jeopardize your chances of being accepted.
• Don’t be boring. Keep in mind that the people reading your essay will have probably already read a stack of essays answering the same question that same day. An original topic can make the essay reader sit up and really pay attention.