What are the Worst Application Essay Topics? 

 

by Kim Lifton

Lifton: There are no perfect or bad essay topics

 

Some people may tell you that you need to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity to stand out in your college application essay. Others might suggest you need to find a topic that is original, something no one else has ever tackled.

 

Nonsense. If you and three of your friends hiked the Grand Canyon, your story would be different because it happened to you.

 

There are no perfect or bad essay topics. And, despite what you may have heard , you do not need to avoid certain topics, like a sports injury, working at the family's country club, stumping on the political campaign trail or coming out as gay in 10th grade. You need to write your college application essay about something that happened to you and show why it matters. What did you learn from your experience?

 

Flipping burgers at McDonald's is just as good a topic as teaching children to read at Mother Teresa's orphanage in Calcutta. The subject is secondary and does not need to be monumental. It is fine if you want to write about working on the campaign, coming out as gay, your job at the exclusive country club or even your sports injury. Just make sure you reflect on the experience with a story that is genuine and illustrates something meaningful to you. How did this experience change you? How did it prepare you for college? Read more.