How to Choose a College Essay Topic

College application essay writing can feel like a full-time job.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Not if you’ve developed a great system for writing personal narratives that are engaging and authentic, personal and unique.

The main purpose of a college application essay is to let your individuality stand out.

We want to share our tried-and-true five-step process for choosing a college essay topic with confidence.

Assess the Prompts

If you’re thinking that most of the college application essay prompts sound vague or open-ended, you’ve noticed something really important.

They are really broad—on purpose.

College application essay prompts want to leave you plenty of room to write about you. Personal narrative isn’t the same as other types of writing in which the topic has to be specific—just be sure to answer the prompt!

So, take a look at your options and see what grabs you.

If a prompt immediately makes you think of a topic, explore it. Something little can turn into a great essay when you connect it to something big.

Do Some Brainstorming

If nothing stands out right away, spend some time brainstorming significant events, people, and experiences in your life.

Huge Hint: Avoid writing about overly negative topics, such as illness, death, bullying, or culture shock, unless you have a strong positive spin.

Events

Have you earned a distinguished recognition?
Have you traveled to or lived in other countries?
Is there something you have studied or practiced for most of your life?

People

Do you have a close relationship with a family member?
Is there a teacher or mentor who inspires you?
Are you a member or leader of a great team?

Personal

Is something about you unique?
Are your family dynamics unusual?
Do you have a life goal or passion?

Use these questions as jumping-off points. Basically, if there’s something you’re passionate about or want to share, you can write about it.

Introduce Yourself

Think about what you want a college to know about you.

You’ve already sent over your test scores, transcripts, and resume, so you don’t need to convince a college of your academic potential. The college application essay is special in that you actually get to talk to the college about what makes you yourself.

Honestly, the “tiny” topics can stand out more than the sweeping ones.

If you want to write about the after school program where you read with an underperforming first grader, start out by describing the first time you heard him laugh at a book.

If you want to write about your passion for clean energy, start out by explaining that you didn’t get to wash your hair for eight days in southeast Asia.

If you want the college to know that you’re a great friend, start out by showing how your lifelong friendship with Colleen began when you were the only one to hear her whisper.

It’s your chance to show the college not just what you know, but who you are. This might sound like a tall order, but you can do it!

Make It Personal

Personal narratives don’t require any research, because they’re about you. They should be told in a narrative style that, yes, shows not tells.

You should be writing about what you already know in a personal, narrative way.

Don’t say: I learned a lot more than just piano from my piano teacher.

Say: Ms. Ortiz positioned my fingers on the correct keys thousands of times without losing patience even once.

Here are two other things to note.

Personal narrative is specific. It’s boring to say “my piano teacher.” It’s interesting to say “Ms. Ortiz.”
Personal narrative is sensory. It’s boring to say you learned a lot. It’s interesting to imagine someone touching your hand to move your fingers.

At the end of the day, the personal narrative should be about you (no matter how great Ms. Ortiz is). Be sure to keep the main focus of the essay on yourself.

Take Risks

Write about when you weren’t perfect. (The college already knows you don’t have superhuman perfection.)

Be willing to identify an error you made, a consequence you experienced, or a time when you showed growth.

It’s okay to say that the first time you swung a baseball bat, you knocked out your sister’s tooth. That experience was a great lesson in the physical awareness that now makes you a member of an award-winning team.

You’ve failed on your first attempt at something, tried again, and learned something in the process. Everyone has.

But rather than highlighting the fact that you failed, writing a college application essay about failure and success shows that you are a person who learns, grows, evolves, matures, and thinks critically about her life.

That’s a pretty good message to send.

Need Help?

Our experienced college counselors provide college essay assistance to students who want to stand out in the application process. Sign up for a free consultation to get started.

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Gloria D. – Daughter, Class of 2021

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Kareena A. – Class of 2021

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Advika R. – Class of 2022

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“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

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Beth L. – Advanced Start™ Parent

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“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got... Read more...

Vyom S. – Class of 2022

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Jerry – Sons, Class of 2022

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests (1520, 1580, and 34). I really appreciate everyone's willingness to be flexible and accommodate my requests!”

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT,... Read more...

Mithra A. – Class of 2022

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"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT^® test... Read more...

Elise P. – Class of 2022

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents very informative and helpful during the process as well. My son (Jacob) graduated in 2018 and got a 32 on the ACT test. got accepted into Texas A&M but chose Baylor for Health Sciences. My daughter (Morgan) graduated in 2020 and got a 1450 on the SAT test and a 32 on the ACT test. got into an Ivy League school (Cornell) for Engineering. Both my kids say that they apply the test taking skills they learned at KD Prep to... Read more...

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents... Read more...

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“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

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Zarni, Daughter – Class of 2021

"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT^® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit^® Finalist."

Claire I. – Class of 2020

"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT^®/ACT^® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."

Gopi C. – Class of 2021

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made sure that I would be successful in whichever college I picked, and I am eternally grateful for all their help and hard work!"

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made... Read more...

Omar S. – Class of 2020

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"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020

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Morgan D. – Class of 2020

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"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students... Read more...

Daniel J. – Class of 2020

"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."

Sam H. – Class of 2020

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the help from amazing teachers and staff. I am so grateful for KD!"

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the... Read more...

Matt K. – Class of 2020

"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit^® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT^® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."

Thomas D. – Class of 2019

"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."

Piper F. – Class of 2020

"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."

Kathy – Son attends Mizzou

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure out a personal plan that would work for her and were always available for our questions and helping her reach her goals. Every employee from the managers to the students working at their locations are top notch.”

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure... Read more...

Tracy – Daughter, Class of 2020

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

Prema – Daughter attends Rice