College Essay Topics to (Possibly) Avoid

Writing compelling college essays can be tough. So when Sarah and I came across a recent Forbes article by education reporter Christopher Rim that compiles a list of college essay topics to avoid, we thought we’d share it. 

First, a quick note: Sarah and I agree that offering a list of topics students should avoid categorically goes too far. What sets great personal statements apart is not simply the topic selected, but rather the authenticity with which they are written. The fact is, it's possible to write a great essay on just almost any topic. 

There is still some truth to Rim’s perspective, though. Some topics really are more likely to lead students down overly-worn paths. Below are Rim’s seven "topics to avoid" accompanied by our own commentary.

1) The Trauma Dump

"While vulnerability can be powerful, sharing overly personal or sensitive information can make readers uncomfortable. The personal statement is a professional piece of writing, not a diary entry.”

Writing about a painful, or even traumatic, life event can be powerful, especially if this experience has shaped you in a meaningful way. I have helped several students write about really difficult events in their lives and the essays have come out beautifully. The important thing is to focus these essays not simply on the fact that something difficult happened, but rather on how that event shaped you as a person.

2) The Travelogue

“Essays that merely recount a trip to a foreign country without deeper reflection often fall flat. Additionally, travel stories can often unintentionally convey white saviorism, particularly if students are recounting experiences from their charity work or mission trips in a foreign place.”

This topic can be tempting to pursue because helping others is such a positive virtue. However, it is precisely for this reason that so many people do service trips during high school and then write about them for their college essays. In fact, This American Life devoted an entire segment to this topic, which is really worth a listen. 

3) The Superhero Narrative

“While students should seek to put their best foot forward, depicting themselves as protagonists who single-handedly resolve complex issues can make them appear exaggerated and lacking in humility.”

We haven’t seen many students fall into this trap. However, the truth is that stories about heroes are more compelling when the hero is not portrayed as invincible. Even Superman is vulnerable to kryptonite. If he wasn’t, it wouldn’t make for much of a story. The deeper point here is that students don’t need to come off as superhuman in order to be impressive. In fact, just the opposite is true: revealing one’s humanity is one of the most compelling things you can do. 

4) The Plan for World Peace

“Many students feel compelled to declare their intention to solve global issues like world hunger or climate change. While noble, these proclamations can come across as unrealistic and insincere.”

The problem with a lofty essay of this sort is that rather than making you sound intelligent and compassionate, they tend to make you sound naive. If you care deeply about a global issue, it’s okay to write about it. Just keep in mind that it will be more compelling to share what you know about the issue and why you are interested in it than to propose an unrealistic solution. 

5) The Sports Story

“While sports can teach valuable lessons, essays that focus solely on athletic achievements or the importance of a particular game can be overdone and lack depth. Admissions officers have read countless essays about students scoring the winning goal, dealing with the hardship of an injury, or learning teamwork from sports.”

It isn’t wrong for a dedicated student athlete to include within one’s essay a moment of glory or victory. However, sharing such an anecdote alone isn’t enough to make for a compelling essay because it doesn’t reveal anything about your character. Colleges want to know what kind of a person you are, not just that you have athletic talent.

6) The "Pick-Me" Monologue

“Students may feel the need to list their accomplishments and standout qualities in an effort to appear impressive to admissions officers. This removes any depth, introspection, and creativity from a student’s essay and flattens their experiences to line items on a resume.”

There is a huge difference between an essay that skillfully integrates a number of impressive accomplishments into a larger compelling narrative and one that basically lists out a bunch of accomplishments without telling a larger story. Sharing the accomplishments you are most proud of is wonderful. However, doing so in service to a larger story is still necessary. What drove you to strive to achieve that accomplishment? How did that accomplishment shape the way you see the world or what you hope to do in the future? Answering these kinds of questions can help lead to a more compelling narrative than simply relaying accomplishments alone.  

7) The Pandemic "Sob Story"

“Admissions officers have likely read hundreds of essays about remote learning challenges, social isolation, and the general disruptions caused by Covid-19. These narratives can start to blend together, making it difficult for any single essay to stand out.”

This topic is really a specific example of the first type of essay to avoid. It makes sense why Rim mentions it specifically, though, since the pandemic was something that affected all of us, often in dramatic ways, so there is likely to be a temptation to consider writing about it. Again, if your particular pandemic story is essential to your larger life journey, then by all means include it. Otherwise, it’s probably a topic that's better to avoid.
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In Conclusion

The key takeaway here is not to strictly avoid a list of forbidden subjects, but rather to focus on authenticity and depth. Whatever topic you choose, ensure it offers insight into who you are beyond your achievements or hardships. By approaching your essay with honesty and self-reflection, you'll create an impactful personal statement that stands out to admissions committees, leaving them with a clear, authentic impression of how you would bring value to their campus community.

P.S. For more on how to write great essays, check out this video from our LifeWorks Youtube Channel!