40 percent of college applicants submit essays that focus on overcoming a challenge or obstacle. Many students choose to write about a significant life event, such as the loss of a loved one or a major move.
Common Themes
These topics are often considered cliches because they have been done many times before. Essays about winning a championship or receiving an award can also fall into this category, as they often focus on the achievement rather than the personal growth or learning that occurred as a result.
Overused Topics
Essays about volunteer work or community service can also be overused, as they often follow a similar narrative. Students may write about the lessons they learned or the impact they had, but these topics can be predictable and lack originality. To stand out, students should consider writing about unique experiences or perspectives that showcase their individuality and creativity. By doing so, they can create a more memorable and engaging essay that sets them apart from other applicants.
Expert opinions
I'm Emily J. Miller, an experienced college admissions counselor with over a decade of experience in guiding students through the college application process. As an expert in this field, I have reviewed countless college essays and have identified the most common, overused, and clichéd topics that students tend to write about.
When it comes to college essays, the goal is to stand out from the crowd and showcase your unique personality, experiences, and perspectives. However, many students fall into the trap of writing about topics that are overly familiar and lack originality. In my experience, the most clichéd college essay topics include:
- The Sports Injury: Writing about overcoming a sports injury is a common theme, but it's been done to death. Unless you have a truly unique perspective or insight, it's best to avoid this topic.
- The Volunteer Trip: While volunteering is a noble pursuit, writing about a volunteer trip to a foreign country can come across as insincere or superficial. Instead, focus on the specific experiences and lessons you learned during the trip.
- The Death of a Loved One: Losing a loved one is a significant life event, but writing about it in a college essay can be clichéd and overly sentimental. If you do choose to write about this topic, make sure to focus on the specific lessons or insights you gained from the experience.
- The "Challenging" Class: Writing about a difficult class or assignment is a common topic, but it's not particularly original. Instead, focus on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow as a student.
- The "Life-Changing" Summer Camp Experience: Summer camp can be a fun and formative experience, but writing about it in a college essay can be clichéd. Unless you have a unique perspective or insight, it's best to avoid this topic.
- The "Overcoming Adversity" Narrative: While overcoming adversity is a compelling story, it's been told many times before. Instead of writing about the adversity itself, focus on what you learned from the experience and how it shaped you into the person you are today.
- The "Passion for a Particular Subject" Essay: Writing about your passion for a particular subject is a common topic, but it can come across as insincere or overly simplistic. Instead, focus on the specific aspects of the subject that interest you and how you plan to pursue it in college.
- The "Travel Broadens the Mind" Essay: Writing about how travel has broadened your perspective is a clichéd topic. Instead, focus on the specific experiences and lessons you learned during your travels.
- The "Leader" Essay: Writing about your leadership experiences is a common topic, but it can come across as overly simplistic or arrogant. Instead, focus on the specific challenges you faced as a leader and how you overcame them.
- The "Personal Statement" Essay: Writing a generic personal statement that tries to cover every aspect of your life is a clichéd approach. Instead, focus on a specific theme or topic and use anecdotes and examples to illustrate your points.
In conclusion, while these topics may be tempting to write about, they are often overused and lack originality. As a college admissions counselor, I encourage students to think outside the box and come up with unique and creative topics that showcase their personality, experiences, and perspectives. By avoiding these clichéd topics, you can increase your chances of standing out from the crowd and writing a truly memorable college essay.
Q: What are some overused topics in college essays about personal struggles?
A: Topics like overcoming a serious illness or a sports injury are often overused. These stories, while meaningful, can come across as unoriginal if not told in a unique way. It's essential to add a fresh perspective to make them stand out.
Q: Are college essays about volunteer work considered cliche?
A: Yes, essays about volunteer work can be cliche if they only focus on the act of volunteering without reflecting on what was learned. To avoid this, students should highlight their personal growth and insights gained from the experience. This adds depth to the narrative.
Q: Why are essays about winning a championship or a major competition often seen as cliche?
A: Essays about winning a championship can be cliche because they often focus solely on the victory rather than the journey or lessons learned. A more compelling approach would be to explore the challenges faced, the skills developed, or the impact of the experience on personal growth.
Q: Can writing about a family member or role model be considered a cliche topic?
A: Yes, writing about a family member or role model can be cliche if the essay simply praises them without offering deeper insights. To make this topic more engaging, students should discuss specific lessons learned, challenges overcome, or how the relationship has influenced their goals and aspirations.
Q: Are essays about traveling or studying abroad often viewed as cliche?
A: Essays about traveling or studying abroad can be cliche if they only describe tourist attractions or surface-level cultural experiences. To stand out, students should reflect on how the experience broadened their perspective, challenged their assumptions, or influenced their academic and career goals.
Q: Why do essays about overcoming a fear or anxiety become cliche?
A: Essays about overcoming a fear or anxiety can become cliche if they follow a predictable narrative without exploring the underlying causes or the process of overcoming it. A more impactful approach involves discussing the emotional journey, the strategies used to overcome the fear, and how this experience has shaped their personality or outlook on life.
Q: Can writing about a significant book or movie be a cliche college essay topic?
A: Yes, writing about a significant book or movie can be cliche if the essay merely summarizes the plot or characters. To make this topic compelling, students should analyze how the themes, characters, or messages resonated with them, influenced their beliefs, or inspired personal growth and self-reflection.
Sources
- Richard N. Bolles. What Color is Your Parachute. New York: Ten Speed Press, 2019
- Kathryn Stuart. The College Application Essay. New York: Penguin Random House, 2018
- “Writing a Strong College Application Essay”. Site: The New York Times – nytimes.com
- “College Essay Topics to Avoid”. Site: US News – usnews.com
