ideas for college essay topics

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25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

June 24, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered what other people write about in their college application essays, you’re not alone. Just as reading a range of novels can expose you to unique takes on similar themes, seeing others’ college essay topic ideas can open you up to new possibilities, spark creativity, and enhance your brainstorming process. Since we read hundreds of essays per year, we wanted to round up a collection of past topics from actual students to inspire your essay-writing endeavors. Moreover, we’ve paired those topics with targeted brainstorming questions that will set you off on your own path to success. Ready? Let’s dive in.

How do I find the right college essay topic ideas?

Like a well-hidden geocache , the right college essay topic ideas can only be uncovered with some effort. In general, the right college essay topic:

• is interesting and/or exciting to you
• demonstrates a quality, value, or perspective that can’t be found elsewhere on your application

While deciding, focus on asking yourself the right types of questions. For example, let’s say you’re down to two topics: a moral/ethical dilemma you recently faced, or the nonprofit you started last year. In this scenario, most students may assume they *should* write about the nonprofit–after all, it’s the more “impressive” of the two, right?

However, let’s divorce ourselves from “should.” Instead, ask yourself: if I write this essay, what will admissions officers learn about me that they can’t learn about elsewhere? Through starting this nonprofit, what have I learned about myself? Can I show my reader what I value, or how I handle problems? Or will I basically be re-hashing what is already in my activities list or honors section ?

Alternatively, the ethical/moral dilemma you recently faced completely threw you for a loop. It made you rethink a closely held belief and forced you to confront how you handle challenging situations.

Ask yourself: what will admissions officers learn about me that they can’t learn about elsewhere? What have I learned about myself? Can I handle this subject tactfully—without complaining, blaming others, or coming to a conclusion that feels forced/too neat? Can I be vulnerable?

Be honest with yourself, and a clear winner will emerge.

How do I find “unique” college essay topic ideas?

Every year, our students wonder how to ensure that their essay stands out, often asking us questions along these lines:

How do I make sure that my essay topic is different from everyone else’s?

If I write about my sports injury, will it sound like every other sports essay?

If I write about my parent’s illness, will that be just another sob story?

We get it—it’s natural and normal to be curious about what admissions officers want to hear, or wonder whether particular college essay topic ideas will strengthen your application more than others. While there is some strategy involved with topic selection, the way you write about and reflect on any given topic is usually much more important than the topic itself.

To that end, college essay topics/themes we see on a regular basis include:

• Coming-of-age, most often a realization that changed their perspective or inspired personal growth
• A challenging situation or moral dilemma
• A passion or intellectual curiosity
• A meaningful aspect of their family/identity/cultural background
• An important community

We see these topics frequently because they are universal to the teenage experience. This does not make them bad or mean you should avoid them. On the contrary, it makes them classic, timeless, and relatable (remember, you’re trying to create a personal connection with your reader!).

Accordingly, use the above college essay topics/themes as a way to start collecting ideas for your own personal statement, and know you are in very good company if you write an essay on one of them.

Bottom line: you make a college essay topic “unique” by writing about yourself, in your own style and voice, with plenty of detail and specifics. You share what you learned and how you grew. That’s it!

Where can I find examples of college essay topic ideas?

Sometimes, you just need a list of examples. Let’s go back to our geocaching reference above. What the heck is a geocache, anyway? What will you find inside one? Do people use certain types of containers? Perusing a few examples will help you build an idea of what to expect when you go exploring. Okay, I could be looking for anything from Tupperware containers to film canisters…or fake rocks…what?!

Accordingly, in providing you with this list of college essay topic ideas, we want to validate and inspire you. These are real college essay topics developed by real college applicants, so it’s very likely you can connect or identify with at least a few of them. If a topic resonates with or sounds interesting to you, try writing down some thoughts on the associated brainstorming question and see where it takes you.

Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas

• Central Story : A parent’s struggle with addiction, and the author’s struggle to cope with the changes happening at home
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author found themselves again—and learned to cope—by leaning into activities that they loved
• Brainstorming Question : Has your parent or guardian ever faced a significant health problem, such as a chronic illness, terminal diagnosis, or addiction? How did it impact you?
• Central Story : After volunteering at a homeless shelter for years, the author realized he had been avoiding personal connection with the men he served meals to
• Reflection/Resolution : Prioritizing connection, even if uncomfortable, and finding new, tangible ways to understand and assist this population
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever had a perspective-changing volunteer opportunity? If so, what was your perspective before you started, and what is it now?

College Essay Topic Ideas — Continued

• Central Story : Navigating interactions with customers at a part-time job
• Reflection/Resolution : Finding ways to connect with and appreciate patrons, and understand how important her job was
• Brainstorming Question : Do you work in a customer service role? What have been your most memorable interactions, positive or negative? How have they impacted you?
• Central Story : After years of being a competitive ballet dancer and having aspirations to dance in college, the author is struck with the realization that she does not actually want to be a professional ballerina
• Reflection/Resolution : Coming to terms with her decision, and embracing who she is without ballet
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever had a college-related or professional goal that changed? Why did it change, and how did you deal with it?
• Central Story : How a difficult incident during a baseball game changed the author’s relationship with the sport, and pushed him toward new realizations about his future
• Reflection/Resolution : Embracing his own power to make a difference by immersing himself in research, and discovering new fields that he is interested in pursuing in college
• Brainstorming Question : Has a particular situation ever shocked or deeply upset you? What realizations did you have about yourself? About others?
• Central Story : The author’s fiction writing journey and realization that women of color are underrepresented or presented as one-note in most literature
• Reflection/Resolution : The author’s commitment to crafting characters that not only represented her but reflected her values and beliefs, and creating a writing community in the process
• Brainstorming Question : Do you have a hobby or passion that you could spend hours a day/week engaging in? How did you get started, and what experiences have been most special/important to you?
• Central Story : How a strategy-based board game gave the author the skills needed to take a volunteer opportunity to the next level
• Reflection/Resolution : What the author learned about himself in the process, and the importance of being open to what all types of experiences can teach you
• Brainstorming Question : What’s your go-to “fun” activity? What (perhaps surprising) skills have you learned from it? Have you been able to apply them in other areas of your life?
• Central Story : The author’s intensive preparation for synchronized swim team tryouts
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author dealt with the disappointment of not making the team, and learned important lessons about failure and resilience
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever tried—and failed—at something that took weeks, months, or even years to prepare for? What was that like? How did you cope, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
• Central Story : The author’s longing for a stable community after experiencing a housing crisis
• Reflection/Resolution : How volunteering at a local nonprofit committed to building homes helped him find the community he was searching for, and inspired his future career path
• Brainstorming Question : What activity is most meaningful to you? How is it enabled you to make an impact on others? How has it impacted you personally?
• Central Story : The author’s first encounter with coral bleaching, and ensuing environmental activism
• Reflection/Resolution : How he found balance between activism and his personal life so that he could bring his best self to every project
• Brainstorming Question : Do you participate in any activities that feel consuming on multiple levels? How do you find balance? Has that been a difficult journey?
• Central Story : The author’s love of connecting with friends and family through baking, even when the time commitment involved became difficult to navigate
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author learned to juggle multiple types of commitments, leading to increased joy and intention
• Brainstorming Question : What personal hobbies are most meaningful to you, and why? Have you ever struggled to find time for your favorite hobby amidst other obligations? How did you navigate that?
• Central Story : How the author struggled with coming out
• Reflection/Resolution : How joining a supportive LGBTQ community helped the author make peace with her identity, and also begin helping others who may be struggling with their identity
• Brainstorming Question : Is there an aspect of your sexual or cultural identity that you’ve struggled to accept? What has that journey been like for you? What actions have you taken along the way, and what have you learned about yourself in the process?
• Central Story : The author’s determination to help other students feel less isolated and more involved at school, which stemmed from his own early experiences as an immigrant
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author implemented actual changes that resulted in more connection, school spirit, and personal fulfillment
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever tried to solve a particular issue in your community? What issue did you try to solve, and why? What steps did you take to solve it, and what was the outcome?
• Central Story : How the author’s early love of Spanish led to learning additional languages
• Reflection/Resolution : How learning languages has allowed for deeper cultural exploration and appreciation, along with an exploration of the author’s own personal history and goal to pursue linguistics in college
• Brainstorming Question : Do you already know what you want to pursue in college? How did you come to that conclusion, and what experiences have informed or influenced it along the way?
• Central Story : How the author’s perfectionism often caused her to avoid trying new things, which she realized after a massive project went sideways
• Reflection/Resolution : The author began trying new activities outside her comfort zone that introduced her to new interests and inspired further exploration
• Brainstorming Question : Do you ever feel like you hold yourself back? In what ways? How have you tried to overcome those hurdles?
• Central Story : The author’s lifelong interest in his favorite animal
• Reflection/Resolution : What attributes of this animal the author is most fascinated by, how those attributes connect to his own life/experiences, and what he’s learned about himself in the process
• Brainstorming Question : What are your “favorites”—favorite color, favorite animal, favorite song, favorite movie, favorite place, etc? Why are they your favorite? What can your “favorites” tell us about you?
• Central Story : How the author’s boredom with piano stemmed from always following sheet music strictly as written
• Reflection/Resolution : How learning a new musical term—and experimenting with it—enabled the author to find the joy in music again
• Brainstorming Question : Have you participated in any activities that lost their appeal at some point? How did you react, and what was the outcome?
• Central Story : The author’s love for a certain childhood craft
• Reflection/Resolution : How rekindling her love for this craft led to a fascination with repetition and patterns that ultimately inspired her college major
• Brainstorming Question : As a child, what activities did you love most? Do you still engage in any of them? If so, why are they so important to you?
• Central Story : The toxic environment within the author’s first school play, which made her start to lose her passion for music
• Reflection/Resolution : How quitting theater and investing her energy in different, more supportive activities allowed her to reclaim her love of singing
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever quit an important sport, club, or other activity? What led to that decision, and how did you move forward?
• Central Story : How the author’s love of fashion—and its history—led to a particularly optimistic sewing project
• Reflection/Resolution : How the process of trial and error during her project—as well as her continued work on it—represents her resilience, passion, and love of learning
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever undertaken a project that didn’t go according to plan? What ups and downs did you encounter, and how did you navigate them?
• Central Story : How the author confronted her perception of entrepreneurship as well as her own role within her company
• Reflection/Resolution : How asking difficult questions, conducting research, and being willing to pivot led the author to adjust her mindset and personal philosophy
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever realized that you might need to adjust a previously held belief or perspective? How did you come to that conclusion, and what did you do about it?
• Central Story : The author’s reluctance and nervousness to return to India, where she spent her childhood
• Reflection/Resolution : How reconnecting with her culture, especially its literature, led her to embrace herself more fully and even helped inform her future career path
• Brainstorming Question : Do you ever feel torn between two different worlds or cultural identities? How have you navigated and/or tried to come to terms with that?
• Central Story : How the author’s self-doubt and fear began to negatively impact her sports performance
• Reflection/Resolution : How a teammate’s influence enabled the author to start trusting herself, leading to increased self-confidence and new levels of risk-taking
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever dealt with an ongoing struggle that started to take over your life? What enabled you to start adopting a healthier outlook?
• Central Story : The author’s realization that her method of communication in leadership roles may be hindering, rather than helping, progress
• Reflection/Resolution : How adjusting her communication methods, focusing on collaboration, and readjusting her perspective led to a new definition of personal and professional success
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever realized that your way of doing things may be negatively impacting a particular group or team? If so, what did you do about it?
• Central Story : An ethical dilemma that the author experienced while serving on her school paper
• Reflection/Resolution : How the author arrived at her decision, and what she learned about her own decision-making process
• Brainstorming Question : Have you ever been confronted with a moral or ethical dilemma? If so, how did you arrive at a decision? Do you regret or stand behind that decision—why or why not?

Final Thoughts — College Essay Topics

After identifying an interesting and personally significant essay topic, you’ll want to focus on further brainstorming as well as execution. Not sure what to do next? College Transitions’ highly skilled essay coaches can help— click here to see available packages or schedule a free consultation.

Additional resources you may find useful:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Start a College Essay
• How to End a College Essay
• Best College Essay Help
• College Essay

Kelsea Conlin

Kelsea holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Tufts University, a graduate certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her short fiction recently appeared in Chautauqua .

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60+ College Essay Prompts From Actual 2023-2024 Applications

Ideas to inspire every college applicant.

Writing a college application essay can be a stressful task for a lot of students. The more practice they get in advance, the better! This roundup of college essay prompts gives applicants a chance to explore their thinking, polish their writing, and prepare to make the best possible impression on selection committees. Every one of these questions is taken from real college applications for the 2023-2024 season, so they’re meaningful and applicable to today’s high school seniors.

Common App 2023-2024 College Essay Prompts

2023-2024 coalition for college essay prompts, life experiences college essay prompts, personal college essay prompts, academics college essay prompts, creative college essay prompts.

Hundreds of colleges and universities use the Common App process . For many schools, this includes responding to one of several college essay topics, which can change each year. Here are the essay prompts for the current application cycle (check with your chosen school/s to see if an essay is required).

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

More than 150 colleges and universities use the Coalition for College process . Here are their essay prompts for 2023-2024.

• Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

• What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?
• Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?
• Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?
• What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?

• Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

Answer these questions by sharing specific examples from your own experience.

• Who is your favorite conversation partner? What do you discuss with that person?
• Discuss a time when reflection or introspection led to clarity or understanding of an issue that is important to you.
• Share an example of how you have used your own critical-thinking skills on a specific subject, project, idea, or interest.

• Describe a time when you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond?
• What are the best words of advice you have received? Who shared them, and how have you applied them in your own life?
• Elaborate on an activity or experience you have had that made an impact on a community that is important to you.
• Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you.
• Who do you agree with on the big, important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?
• Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
• When was the last time you questioned something you had thought to be true?
• Discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.
• Reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty.
• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

• Describe a time you did not meet expectations and what impact the experience had on you.

These essay topics give schools a better sense of who you are, what you value, and the kind of student citizen you might be.

• What drives you to create, and what do you hope to make or have you made?
• Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or nonfiction) seems made for you? Why?
• What would you want your future college roommate to know about you?
• How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve, the people you want to work with, and the impact you hope your work can have?

• Describe any meaningful travel experiences you’ve had.
• What would you want to be different in your own country or community to further principles of equality, equity, or social justice?
• What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?
• If you could live your life fighting for one cause, what would it be and why?
• What gives meaning to your life?
• If you wrote a letter to yourself to be opened in 20 years, what would it say?
• If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why?

• Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.
• What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?
• Explain how a text you’ve read—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literature of any kind—has helped you to understand the world’s complexity.

Topics like these show your academic interests and demonstrate your commitment to learning and discovery.

• What does it mean to you to be educated?
• What is your motivation for pursuing higher education?
• Describe your reasons for wanting to attend the specific school you’re applying to. Who or what factored into your decision?
• Academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited, and why do they interest you?

• What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?
• If you decide to take a “gap year” between high school and college, what would you do during that time?
• Many schools place a high value on diverse student populations. How can you contribute to and support a diverse and inclusive student population at your chosen school?
• Imagine you were just awarded a research grant for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?
• What do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.

• Describe a time when you’ve felt empowered or represented by an educator.
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Use these college essay topics to show off your creativity and innovative thinking.

• You are tasked with creating a new category for the Nobel Prize. Explain what it would be, why you chose your specific category, and the criteria necessary to achieve this accomplishment.

• Pick one person—a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual—to converse with for an hour, and explain your choice.
• If you could witness a historic event (past, present, or future) firsthand, what would it be and why?
• If you could have a theme song, what would it be and why?
• Discuss a book that you would call a “great book.” What makes the book great in your view?
• If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together?
• If I could travel anywhere, I would go to …
• My favorite thing about last Tuesday was …
• Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
• If you had 10 minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your TED Talk be about?
• What are your three favorite words in the English language? Explain what they mean to you.
• Imagine that you could have one superpower. What would it be and how would you use it? What would be your kryptonite?

• Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?
• If you could create a college course that all students would take, what would it be about and why?
• What website is the internet missing?

How do you help your students prepare their college application essays? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out  the ultimate guide to college scholarships.

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Madeleine Karydes

Lead admissions expert, table of contents, how to handle college admissions essay prompts, great college essay ideas, 1. personal identity and background.

• 2. Overcoming a Significant Challenge or Obstacle 

3. Anecdote of a “Eureka” Moment

4. reflect on a moment of growth, 5. what drives you.

• 6. Your Favorite… 

7. Facing a Fear

8. why this college, 9. the best advice you’ve received, 10. your hobby or passion projects, 11. anecdote of a time you stood up, 12. influential role model or mentor, 13. a non-academic accomplishment you’re proud of, 14. hypothetical situations (if you could…), 15. your future plans, additional college essay topics, your best essay is waiting.

Stay up-to-date on the latest research and college admissions trends with our blog team.

Why are college admissions essays so hard to write? 

Before you begin, it may seem like a simple task: to draft a compelling answer, in approximately 500 words, as to why you wish to attend college. The subject of your essay is one you already know well—yourself. And it’s only a few paragraphs long, after all. What’s so hard about that?

Well, the composition process rarely goes so painlessly, even for the most talented young writers. The stakes of college admission are high, and there are plenty of thought-provoking (and headache-inducing) questions students have to answer. 

Thankfully, some of these questions are predictable: What makes for a great college essay topic? Conversely, what makes for a weak college essay topic? Can you think of which memorable experiences throughout your life have influenced your intellectual development? Which themes have contributed to your future academic goals?

Phew. Maybe, you’re still on page one : how to come up with college essay ideas in the first place. Don’t worry. Today, we have a list of tried-and-true college essay ideas and topics to get you started on the right track. Even if you feel like you have nothing to write about, this list might spark an idea. Writer’s block, begone!

Let’s get ready to turn over a new leaf. Whether you’re a naturally verbose writer or struggle with words, brainstorming is the first step, so don’t let a blank page intimidate you. With a great topic in mind, the rest can fall into place.

First we’ll cover the basics and anatomy of the admission essay. 

When you get to writing your applications, you’ll encounter the essay prompt, which is a specific question from the college you must answer. Be sure to answer the prompt and stick closely to any given instructions, like word count or formatting. This is your chance to make an excellent first impression as a student candidate.

However, if you’re allowed to choose your topic or theme, there’s still a lot of room for creativity. Sometimes, you’ll be able to choose the entire subject of your essay. If that’s the case, how do you know what makes a successful essay different from a mundane one? What are college admissions officers looking for? There are a few other mistakes to look out for:

Video: Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Rather than let that blinking cursor stump you, let’s get the ball rolling.

A “good” essay topic is one that is specific yet deep enough to give you room to write about character traits and values, within the bounds of the application . A “great” essay theme will help you to be unique in order to catch the application readers’ attention, while presenting your strongest qualities. Today, we’ve gathered some of the best and most effective college essay ideas and topics to help boost your college admissions chances!

Video: College Essay Tips + Writing your Best College Essay | Real Advice from Harvard Admissions

Naturally, you’ll need to bring your personal touch to whichever topic you choose, but these frameworks will give you a general guide. Browse this list of examples for ideas, strategies on how to approach big themes, or even just to get your brainstorming session kicked off.

You’ll find that many college applications will ask students to write about your personal identity and background. These questions aim to learn more about you as a person (outside of the classroom, that is) and what influences your current outlook on the world. Think about which communities are most important in your life so far, and which facets of your identity you would like to emphasize in your college application. This can include your cultural heritage, your family tree, the languages spoken at home, your faith group, and more.

2. Overcoming a Significant Challenge or Obstacle 

Another popular topic asks students to write about a time when they struggled with a significant challenge or obstacle. The key is “significant”—try to think beyond getting a “C” on a test, or breaking your arm at the jungle gym. Some applications will ask about a time you failed on a meaningful project, and/or needed to solve a serious problem in your way. These are all different ways of asking about the same thing: how do you respond to a challenge? Are you the kind of person who uses adversity as an opportunity to grow?

Since colleges and universities are centers of learning, academic and intellectual growth are paramount priorities! College admissions officers will want to know what makes you tick; in other words, what makes your individual brain work the way it does. So take this opportunity to show them the world through your eyes. Go beyond your transcript and test scores; try telling a story about a time you changed your mind, altered your beliefs, or learned something new about the world.

Similar to your “eureka” moment, this essay topic centers around an anecdote of a specific experience in your life. Try to think of a time you recognized that you have grown as a person and matured in some way. This can be a traditional rite of passage, or a more symbolic moment of transition from childhood to young adulthood within your family or community. Perhaps you compare the first and most recent times you engaged in an activity, to show the difference over time. What lessons have you learned from your years so far? What do you foresee in your future?

This is your chance to talk about something you feel strongly, and relate it to your qualities as a student. Reflect on what you are most excited to learn about and/or what you hope to accomplish in college. Are the activities or subjects that make you lose track of time? Is there a particular question or problem that you want to learn how to solve when you’re older? What are you most fascinated by? The more details and concrete examples you can use to prove your point, the better.

6. Your Favorite… 

Many college essay prompts will ask you to write about your favorites in a particular category, for instance:

• Movie or television show
• Activity or sport

There are almost endless ways to phrase this question, though books are probably most common. In essence, these questions are asking you to explain why and how the piece is your favorite. This can take the form of critical analysis or even symbolism. The key with this kind of question is connecting the aspects of your chosen media back to yourself, instead of forgetting to focus on the purpose of the essay. 

Sometimes in life, risks are worth it. Have there been instances in your life where you’ve needed to take a risk and face your fears? We’re not just talking about jumping out of an airplane, but pushing your comfort zone or trying something new in order to learn. After all, the ability to muster courage in times of need is a great quality for intrepid young scholars, and makes for a gripping read!

When writing about why you want to attend a particular college, it's crucial to be specific. This isn't just about praising the school's reputation. Dive deeper by researching programs, professors, campus culture, and any unique opportunities that align with your academic and personal interests. Show admissions officers that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about what their college has to offer. For example, mention specific courses, extracurricular activities, or research projects that excite you. Explain how these align with your goals and how you see yourself contributing to the campus community.

This topic provides a window into your values and decision-making processes. Reflect on a piece of advice that has significantly influenced you. Who gave you this advice, and why did it resonate with you? Did it come from a family member, a teacher, or perhaps a historical figure through their writing? Discuss how you’ve applied this advice in your life and the positive changes it has brought about. Analyzing famous quotes can also be compelling—explore why certain words from notable figures inspire you and how they relate to your personal journey.

Everyone has a hobby or a passion project that brings them joy and fulfillment outside of their academic life. Whether it's painting, playing a musical instrument, coding, gardening, or participating in a sport, your hobbies reveal your personality and what you value in life. Discuss how you got started with your hobby, what you’ve achieved, and any challenges you’ve overcome along the way. Be warned, if you choose a common extracurricular (like band or a sports team) you’ll need to work extra hard to differentiate your story from the competition. Highlight how this interest has shaped your character and contributed to your development as an individual.

Standing up for what you believe in is a powerful narrative that can demonstrate your leadership, integrity, and commitment to your values. Think of a specific instance where you took action—perhaps you advocated for a cause, defended someone in need, or challenged an unfair practice. Describe the situation, your motivations, and the outcome. Reflect on what you learned from this experience and how it has influenced your perspective and actions going forward.

Everyone has someone they look up to—whether it's a family member, a teacher, a coach, or a public figure. The key to this topic is to make sure the essay is about you, even though it focuses on someone else. Explain who your role model or mentor is, what qualities they possess that you admire, and how they have impacted your life. Discuss specific lessons you’ve learned from them and how you’ve applied these lessons in your own journey.

Not all accomplishments are academic, and colleges appreciate well-rounded individuals who excel in various areas. Think about a non-academic achievement that you’re proud of—this could be related to volunteering, traveling, mentoring, or community service. Describe what you accomplished, the steps you took to get there, and why it was significant to you. Highlight the skills you developed and how this experience has prepared you for future challenges.

Hypothetical questions allow you to showcase your creativity and critical thinking. Here are a few examples to consider:

• If You Could Meet Any Person (Living or Dead): Who would it be and why? What questions would you ask them, and what do you hope to learn from this encounter?
• If You Could Give a Speech or TED Talk: What topic would you choose and why? Outline the key points you would cover and the message you want to convey.
• If You Could Change One Event in History: What event would you alter and how do you think it would impact the present world?
• If You Could Teach a Class of Your Choice: What subject would you teach and why? Describe the curriculum and what you hope your students would gain from your class.

This is your chance to dream big and articulate your vision for the future. Discuss what you plan to do with your education—whether it’s a specific career path, further studies, or a unique project you want to undertake. Explain how you intend to use your knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on your community or the world. Be specific about your goals and the steps you plan to take to achieve them. Admissions officers want to see that you have a clear direction and the motivation to pursue your ambitions. There is so much content out there to inspire you. Search your dream ideas on google and read guest post. Or watch youtube videos of others living your dream.

Looking for more specific guidelines? Still brainstorming? Try this unusual exercise to start thinking outside the box:

Video: Essence Objects Exercise | College Essay Brainstorming Exercise

You can also browse the following short prompts and see if any jog your memory or inspire a great story for your essay.

• Your Dream Job: Describe your ideal career and how you plan to achieve it. What steps are you taking now to prepare for this profession?
• A Time You Taught Someone Something: Reflect on an experience where you taught someone a skill or concept. What did you learn from this teaching moment?
• A Creative Project You’ve Worked On: Discuss a creative endeavor you’ve undertaken, whether it’s writing, art, music, or another form of expression. What inspired you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Your Favorite Place: Describe a location that holds special meaning for you. Why is it important, and how has it influenced your life?
• A Cultural Tradition That Is Important to You: Reflect on a cultural tradition that is meaningful to you. How does it connect you to your heritage and identity?
• A Time You Had to Make a Difficult Decision: Write about a challenging decision you’ve had to make. What factors did you consider, and what was the outcome?
• How You Handle Stress: Discuss your strategies for managing stress. How do you stay balanced and maintain your well-being during challenging times?
• A Volunteer Experience That Changed You: Reflect on a volunteering experience that has had a profound effect on you. What did you learn about yourself and others?
• A Time You Made a Difference in Your Community: Write about an experience where you positively impacted your community. What did you do, and why was it meaningful?
• A Time You Worked on a Team: Discuss an experience where you collaborated with others towards a common goal. What role did you play, and what did you learn about teamwork?
• An Innovation or Discovery That Excites You: Reflect on a technological innovation or scientific discovery that excites you. How does it impact your life or future aspirations?
• A Time You Took a Leadership Role: Discuss a situation where you took on a leadership role. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
• An Experience That Made You More Mature: Reflect on an event that made you grow up or mature quickly. How did it change your outlook and behavior?
• An Act of Kindness You’ve Witnessed: Write about an act of kindness you’ve witnessed or participated in. How did it affect you and the people involved?
• A Unique Skill or Talent You Have: Discuss a unique skill or talent you possess. How did you develop it, and how does it play a role in your life?
• How You Overcome Procrastination: Reflect on your strategies for overcoming procrastination. What methods work for you, and how have they helped you stay productive?
• A Time You Experienced Culture Shock: Write about a time you encountered a culture different from your own. What did you learn from the experience?
• Your Favorite Learning Experience: Reflect on a memorable learning experience outside of the traditional classroom. What did you learn, and why was it impactful?
• How You Stay Informed About the World: Write about how you keep up with current events and global issues. Why is staying informed important to you?
• A Time You Improved Something: Discuss an experience where you took the initiative to improve something, whether it’s a process, environment, or system.
• A Skill You Want to Learn: Reflect on a skill you’re eager to learn in the future. Why do you want to learn it, and how do you plan to achieve this goal?
• An Experience That Made You Appreciate Diversity: Write about an experience that made you value diversity. How did it broaden your perspective?
• A Moment That Made You Feel Empowered: Reflect on a moment when you felt empowered or confident. What led to this feeling, and how did it influence your actions?
• How You Balance Your Responsibilities: Discuss how you manage and balance your various responsibilities, such as school, work, and extracurricular activities.
• How You Adapt to Change: Write about how you handle change and adapt to new situations. Provide an example of a time when you successfully navigated a significant change.

Ready to get writing now that you’ve seen this list of the top college essay ideas and topics? Each one of these ideas could turn into a strong story to complete your overall application. Hopefully a few of these subjects resonate with you and inspire an outstanding essay ! By diversifying your approach to each essay prompt and making your responses as personal and specific as possible, you can create a compelling narrative that stands out to admissions officers.

There are other ways you can improve your chances of admission by strengthening your writing. If you want to read examples of successful college essays, or have an expert review your final drafts, consider working with a college essay coach like Empowerly. When it comes to college admission, your story has never mattered more. Put your story in the right hands.

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