Exploring College Application Essays

One primary thing to consider during your final year of high school is college. Whether it involves deciding which college, finding scholarships, or just talking with your friend about his or her enrollment, there’s usually something college-related to think about. And even after the copious decisions, there are applications. Deciding which schools to apply to is not necessarily the most impactful decision; it's the dreaded essays. 

Many applicants have essays that wind up mirroring each other. When applying to a school, don’t focus on coming up with a topic that is just unheard of. Admissions officers have to go through the essays regardless of their similarity. A common theme in the officers' critiques is the takeaway. Having a different topic is a nice addition, but when it ends on a note that leaves the reviewers with the same feeling as any other essay, it doesn't matter whether you learned a lesson from a family member’s death or an international vacation. Focus on an interesting takeaway- a common learned lesson is worse than a common topic choice. Once you have a unique perspective, a nuanced topic is a bonus to make your essay easier. 

Like previously mentioned, an interesting topic is an enhancer. One tip is that common essay topics that admissions have seen have been big sports games, mission trips, Covid-19, or just creating your essay as a glorified resume. Admissions staff also recommend avoiding major changes towards those other than you-- like a friend in the hospital, divorce, or moving. Entirely negative experiences aren't the best decision either; if you don’t gain something from an experience, it doesn’t give you any information about yourself. That includes experiences that are still too sensitive to discuss in depth. If your heart is set on one of these, add flair, or get a less common meaning. If you chose Covid, instead of speaking on the negative impact of isolation at a young age, maybe talk about how it was a comforting experience, and let you realize that you should try to connect with others more.

If you don’t know where to start, teachers and admissions counselors recommend starting with free writing. Write about anything and everything you experienced, felt, or enjoyed. Once you have an idea, just remember: The bigger the issue, the smaller you write. Don’t write about a two-week vacation. Write about one hour on one day, where you saw a child trip and realized you were completely confident about wanting to go into pediatrics. Don’t write about your grandmother’s death, write about every thought running through your mind watching the coffin sink, how that small moment showed you what it is to be resilient.

When it comes to the general writing of an essay, there are a few good points. If you aren't a standard narrative essay person, a possibility to just have the ability to get pen on paper is using the “Montage Structure”. This is a way of writing by making each paragraph of your essay a point of the topic, meaning thematic transition, not chronological. Examples are making each paragraph about a different sticker you own, a bead on your charm bracelet, a different accessory you wear every day, a different item you've always kept in your backpack, and so on. While you could do any number of things, a nice aim is 5. If you use this and don't find it your style, it is pretty simple to restructure into a typical format, making it a good way of writing if you aren't good at starting. 

Another good inclusion is showing and telling. It's a cliche phrase to “show, not tell”, but with applications, try to “mostly show but also tell”. Making a big portion about implying a newfound sense of something is great, but having a fairly summarizing sentence(s) somewhere. Use details and memories, but make sure to be a little direct as well.

Overall, have aspects of growth, genuineness, originality, and engagement, while making sure that you show how you really care about both that part of you and your impact on the reader.

Works Cited

https://www.essayintensive.com/college-essay-topics-to-avoid-or-rethink/.

https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/supplemental-essay/harvard-university-supplemental-essay-prompt-guide/#:~:text=Briefly%20describe%20any%20of%20your,has%20shaped%20who%20you%20are.

guide, step. “21 Stellar Common App Essay Examples to Inspire Your College Essay.” CollegeVine Guidance, 23 March 2023, https://blog.collegevine.com/common-app-essay-examples/#what. Accessed 20 May 2025.

Mendlowitz, Hannah. “Essay Topics | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions.” Yale Admissions, https://admissions.yale.edu/essay-topics. Accessed 20 May 2025.

Sawyer, Ethan. “27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top Universities 2025/2026.” College Essay Guy, 16 July 2020, https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/college-essay-examples. Accessed 20 May 2025.

“Top college essay topics & prompts for a winning application.” University of Cincinnati, https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2025/04/college-essay-ideas.html. Accessed 20 May 2025.