1. In the end, there are no bad topics,
just bad essays.
However, some topics are TRICKIER
than others – either because they
are in bad taste or just cliché.
Examples…
2. How you’re so awesome
How did you get that way? Your
essay should make you look
awesome without just saying it.
3. Your High School Drama
Because it makes you look like high
school is your whole life, instead of
thinking about college.
4. Your Travel Journal
It can be done well, but you have to
show what YOU gained from the
experience, not just how cool the
places you visited were.
5. Religious or Philosophical
Arguments
Figured out the meaning of life?
Great. But don’t preach to the
person who’s reading your essay.
7. Making fun of the prompt
You can definitely be funny in your
essay, but don’t try to turn it into a
satire, or be cynical in your essay –
colleges won’t want you on their
campus.
8. Your Excuses
There may be very good reasons
that you didn’t perform as well as
you should have in high school – but
this should be coming from your
advisor. Stay positive in your own
essay.
9. Your illegal behavior
Even if you got caught, got punished
and learned from the experience…
colleges don’t want trouble.
10. Hot-button issues
People have strong feelings about
topics like abortion, terrorism, gun
control, police, etc… no matter what
you write, you may offend the
reader of your essay.
11. Stories outside of high school
Show that you’re engaged with the
larger world!
12. Show how you’ve grown
You may be awesome now, but what
key life experience, mentor, or idea
did you have which helped you get
there?
