Ditch the Clichés: Craft a College Essay That Captivates

As you embark on the exciting (and sometimes daunting) journey of writing your college application essay, you’ll likely brainstorm many ideas. However, be warned! There are certain topics that admissions committees have read time and time again. These cliché college essay topics can make your application blend into the sea of applicants, even if your writing is strong. So, what are these overused themes to steer clear of? Think:

• The Big Game Loss (or Win): While sports can teach valuable lessons, focusing solely on the outcome of a single game often lacks depth and doesn't reveal much about your character beyond your role on a team.

• The Mission Trip That Changed Your Life: These essays often fall flat if they lack genuine self-reflection and focus more on the "helping" than on your personal growth and understanding of the issues involved.

• Overcoming a Learning Disability (Without Deeper Insight): Simply stating the challenge isn't enough. Admissions committees want to see how you approached it, what you learned about yourself, and how it shaped your perspective.

• The Death of a Grandparent (or Beloved Pet): While undeniably impactful, these topics can be difficult to navigate authentically in a short essay and may not allow you to showcase your unique qualities.

• Anything that primarily showcases privilege: Traveling to exotic locations or receiving expensive gifts, without a thoughtful perspective, can come across as tone-deaf.

  
  

But what if your initial idea falls into one of these categories? Don't despair! The key is to find a unique angle and delve into deeper, more personal insights.

Let's take the example of a sports injury. Instead of just recounting the injury and the physical recovery, consider these approaches:

• Focus on the Mental Game: How did being sidelined impact your mental resilience, your relationship with your teammates, or your understanding of your own limitations?

• Explore Unexpected Discoveries: Did the injury lead you to a new passion, a different way of contributing to the team, or a deeper appreciation for something you previously took for granted?

• Highlight the "Why": Instead of just the "what" of the injury, explore why that sport was so important to you in the first place. What deeper values or aspects of your identity did it fulfill?

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of stating you learned perseverance, describe a specific moment during your recovery that vividly illustrates this quality. What were the internal battles? What small victories kept you going?

  
  

The bottom line? Your college essay is your chance to shine a light on your unique personality, values, and how you think. Don't settle for a surface-level story. Dig deeper, find the unexpected, and reveal a side of yourself that goes beyond the typical. By finding a fresh perspective on even a common topic, you can craft an essay that truly captivates the admissions committee and leaves a lasting impression. Good luck!