50 Overused College Essay Topics: Avoid These Themes in Your College Application

When crafting a college essay, it’s important to choose a unique and compelling topic that will help you stand out among the thousands of applicants. However, there are some essay topics that have been used so frequently that they have become cliché. To help you avoid falling into this trap, here are 50 overused college essay topics that you should steer clear of in your college application. 

The Importance of Originality in College Essays

Before we dive into the list of overused college essay topics, it’s important to understand why originality is crucial when it comes to crafting your college application essay. Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they are looking for students who can bring something new and unique to their university. By avoiding overused essay topics, you can demonstrate your creativity and individuality, giving yourself a better chance of standing out in the application process.

50 Overused College Essay Topics

• The Sports Experience. Many students write about their achievements in sports, focusing on a significant game or competition. While sports can teach valuable lessons, consider sharing a less common aspect of your athletic journey.
• Travel Experiences. While traveling can broaden your perspective, essays about trips abroad or family vacations often feel cliché. Instead, focus on a meaningful local experience that changed your viewpoint.
• The "I Overcame Adversity" Theme. This topic can be compelling, but many students use it. Consider framing your challenges in a more unique context or focusing on a less dramatic obstacle.
• Community Service Projects. Writing about volunteer work is common, especially if it’s framed as a resume item. Try to illustrate a specific moment or lesson learned rather than just listing experiences.
• The Death of a Loved One. While this can be a profound experience, many students write about it. If you choose this topic, focus on personal growth rather than just recounting events.
• Your Favorite Book or Movie. Essays that summarize a favorite book or movie often lack depth. Instead, analyze how a particular work has influenced your life or values.
• Cliché Quotes. Starting your essay with a well-known quote is often seen as a weak opening. Avoid using quotes that are overly familiar and instead develop a strong personal narrative.
• Struggles with Mental Health. While important, this topic is frequently addressed in applications. If you choose to write about mental health, focus on specific coping strategies or lessons learned rather than just the struggle itself.
• Family Background. Many students write about their family history or immigrant experiences. To stand out, focus on a specific family member or an unusual aspect of your background.
• Learning a Lesson from Failure. Failure is a common theme, but essays that simply recount a failure without deeper reflection can be underwhelming. Discuss what you learned but focus on a less common scenario.
• Passion for a Subject. Writing about a subject you love often leads to generic responses. Instead, demonstrate how your interest in a subject has shaped your identity or goals.
• The Perfect Day. Essays about an ideal day often lack depth. Instead, share a real experience that brought you joy or fulfillment, even if it wasn’t perfect.
• A Challenge You Faced. This topic is broad and often results in repetitive stories. Narrow your focus to a specific incident and its unique impact on you.
• Friendship Stories. While friendships are essential, many essays focus on typical teenage experiences. Highlight a specific friendship that transformed your perspective or led to personal growth.
• Hobbies and Interests. While sharing your interests can be beneficial, avoid generic descriptions. Instead, discuss how your hobbies have shaped your identity or influenced your goals.
• Cultural Identity. Exploring cultural identity can be powerful, but many students address it similarly. Focus on a unique aspect of your culture or a specific experience that illustrates your identity.
• Role Models. Essays centered around a role model often feel repetitive. Instead, focus on what you learned from someone specific rather than generalizing about influence.
• The Most Influential Person in Your Life. While it’s essential to recognize influential people, consider sharing how you’ve influenced someone else or how your relationships have evolved over time.
• Experiences with Technology. Many students write about their relationship with technology. Instead, consider discussing a specific technology that has changed how you think or interact with others.
• Environmental Awareness. Environmental issues are significant but can come off as cliché in essays. Instead, focus on a unique personal experience related to environmentalism.
• Fashion Choices. While fashion can be a form of self-expression, essays focusing solely on clothing choices often lack depth. Instead, discuss how your style reflects your identity or values.
• A Trip to a Foreign Country. This common topic often results in generic travel narratives. Share a unique aspect of a trip that truly changed your perspective.
• The Power of Music. While music is impactful, many students write about it similarly. Focus on a specific moment or lesson learned through music rather than generalizing.
• Volunteer Experiences Abroad. While meaningful, these essays often feel like a checklist. Instead, reflect on a local volunteer experience that shaped your understanding of community.
• Summer Camp Experiences. While summer camps can be transformative, many essays sound alike. Focus on a specific moment that taught you something profound.
• Your First Job. Many students write about their first job as a rite of passage. Instead, consider focusing on a unique lesson learned in an unexpected role.
• Love for Animals. While affection for pets can be genuine, essays about pets often come off as sentimental. Focus on a specific experience that changed your view of responsibility.
• Participating in Extracurriculars. While participation is important, essays that simply list achievements can fall flat. Instead, discuss a specific moment that highlighted your growth in an activity.
• Technology in Education. While technology’s role in education is relevant, many essays address it similarly. Focus on a unique personal experience with technology in the classroom.
• Mentorship Experiences. Many students write about mentors. Instead of focusing solely on the mentor, explore how the relationship evolved and what you contributed.
• A Life-Altering Decision. Essays that focus on major decisions can be compelling but often lack specificity. Share a smaller, yet equally transformative choice that had a significant impact.
• A Favorite Family Tradition. While traditions can be meaningful, essays about them can often sound the same. Focus on a specific event within a tradition that illustrates its significance.
• Experiences with Failure. Essays focusing on failure often lead to generic lessons. Instead, consider a smaller setback that provided an unexpected learning opportunity.
• The Importance of Education. While education is crucial, many essays address it similarly. Focus on a specific lesson or moment in your educational journey that truly impacted you.
• Exploring Identity. Essays about identity can be powerful but often feel generic. Focus on a specific aspect of your identity and how it has shaped your perspective.
• Struggles with Self-Confidence. While this can be a relevant theme, many students write about it similarly. Instead, share a specific moment of triumph that highlights your growth.
• Tech Innovations. Essays discussing technology can be overdone. Instead, consider discussing a specific technological change in your life and its impact.
• Learning to Drive. Many students write about learning to drive as a rite of passage. Instead, focus on a specific lesson learned during that experience.
• Social Justice Advocacy. While advocacy is essential, many essays sound alike. Focus on a unique incident that prompted your involvement in social justice.
• A Moment of Clarity. Essays about realizations can feel repetitive. Instead, share a less common experience that led to a profound understanding.
• The Role of Humor in Your Life. While humor can be an excellent theme, many essays end up being superficial. Focus on a specific moment where humor changed your perspective.
• Changes in Your Community. Many essays focus on community involvement. Instead, discuss a specific event that highlighted the needs or strengths of your community.
• Traveling for Education. While educational travel is valuable, it’s often addressed similarly. Consider focusing on a unique local learning experience instead.
• The Importance of Friendship. While friendships are essential, essays that focus solely on them can feel generic. Instead, explore how a friendship taught you something unexpected.
• Family Expectations. Essays about family pressure can resonate but often feel overdone. Focus on a specific expectation and how you navigated it.
• Pivotal Moments in Your Life. While pivotal moments can be impactful, many essays sound similar. Consider a smaller event that had a significant effect on your life.
• Learning from Mistakes. Many students write about mistakes, but essays can feel repetitive. Focus on a unique mistake and the unexpected lesson it taught you.
• Understanding the World through Media. While media influences are important, essays can sound cliché. Consider discussing a specific media piece that impacted your worldview.
• The Value of Hard Work. While hard work is commendable, essays can often be generic. Instead, focus on a unique experience that taught you the true value of effort.
• Finding Your Passion. Many students write about discovering their passion. Instead, discuss how a less common experience shaped your interests.

Conclusion

Choosing a unique topic for your college essay can significantly enhance your application. By avoiding these overused themes, you can create a compelling narrative that reflects your individuality and experiences. Focus on specific, personal moments that have shaped who you are, and let your voice shine through. Remember, your college essay is not just a requirement; it’s an opportunity to tell your story. Make it count!