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The college essay is perhaps the most challenging—and intimidating—part of the college application process. Staring at a blank sheet of paper (or a blank computer screen) can feel overwhelming. You might think you have nothing to write about or nothing new and exciting to offer. If you\u2019re wondering just how to brainstorm your college essay topic, then keep reading!<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the good news: You are uniquely you, and you have stories to tell that nobody else can write. If you can uncover one of those stories, you\u2019ve found your perfect college essay topic. <\/strong><\/p>\n The process of considering what makes you unique, reflecting, and trying on different ideas until you find \u201cThe One\u201d is called brainstorming<\/strong>. In this article, you\u2019ll find useful tips<\/a>, ideas, and exercises to help you brainstorm your way to a great college essay topic.<\/p>\n \nFirst, let\u2019s talk about what makes a great topic<\/a> for your essay. Remember that most of your application is made up of impersonal numbers: your GPA, your SAT\/ACT scores, your class rank, etc. Admissions officers will also see a list of your activities and accomplishments. But when it comes to showcasing who you<\/em> are as an individual, the essay is your big chance to make an impression.\n<\/p>\n \nWith that in mind, a great topic is one that:\n<\/p>\n \nAdmissions officers suggest<\/a> students should \u201cwrite about a specific experience, hobby or quirk that reveals something personal, like how they think, what they value, or what their strengths are.\u201d Think of your college essay topic as a window or lens that admissions officers can use to get a glimpse into who you are and how you think.\n<\/p>\n \nOn the other hand, your topic does NOT have to be:\n<\/p>\n \nIn fact, admissions officers say that sometimes the most ordinary topics make the most memorable essays. These include topics like fly-fishing, a student\u2019s commute to and from school, and even a family\u2019s dining room table. So, shift your focus from trying to impress or trying to be extraordinary. Instead, try to zoom in on a slice of your life that reveals something important about you.\n<\/p>\n \nGood question. The Common Application and most individual college applications give you a few prompts to choose from. However, these prompts are so broad and open-ended that you still have the freedom to write about almost anything<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nFor instance, the current Common App prompts<\/a> ask you about your background, identity, talents, interests, obstacles you\u2019ve faced, problems you\u2019ve solved, events or realizations from your life, and more. And if you can\u2019t manage to make your topic idea fit into those categories, the final prompt is: \u201cShare an essay on any topic of your choice.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nOf course, before you begin brainstorming, look over the prompts you\u2019ve been provided. See how specific or broad they are. Are there any guidelines you need to keep in mind as you brainstorm your topic? Go from there.\n<\/p>\n \nBrainstorming is a very personal and very creative endeavor. What sparks inspiration for you may not spark inspiration for someone else, and vice versa. So, read through the ideas, questions, and exercises for brainstorming your college essay topic below, and choose a few that appeal to you.\n<\/p>\n \nKeep going until you land on a topic idea that gets you inspired and excited. If you\u2019re excited about your college essay topic, your passion and personality will naturally shine through.\n<\/p>\n \nOn the top of a piece of paper or a Word document, write the question, \u201cWho am I?\u201d Set a timer for three minutes, and write until the timer goes off. Don\u2019t second guess or edit. Write anything that comes to mind. Remember that no one else will read your college essay topic brainstorm.\n<\/p>\n \nWriting freely without overthinking is an important way to unleash your ideas. What would someone need to know in order to really know about you?\n<\/p>\n \nTake a tour of your home. Look closely at the objects in each room. Which objects are especially meaningful to you? As you look around your house, do any important or interesting memories come to you? Is there anything special or unique about your home that catches your eye?\n<\/p>\n \nFind photos, scrapbooks, and old journals or diaries if possible. If you come across any significant memories, jot them down or free write about them for a few minutes. Make a note of anything that inspires you.\n<\/p>\n \nMake a playlist of around 10 songs that you love. These can be songs you loved at different points in your life, or they can be your 10 favorites right now.\n<\/p>\n \nOften, our favorite songs resonate with us because we relate them to a memory, a feeling, or a core value. And music in general is an excellent source of inspiration. As you listen to your songs, does anything meaningful come to mind?\n<\/p>\n \nDo you think of a special person, place, or event in your life? Did a particular song help you through a challenging time in your life? Do you think your favorite songs say anything important about you? As with the previous exercise, record or free write about anything that catches your attention.\n<\/p>\n \nSometimes, it\u2019s hard to think or write objectively about ourselves\u2014after all, we\u2019re a little too close to the subject. It\u2019s helpful to ask your friends or family members for ideas and inspiration too.\n<\/p>\n \nAsk questions like:\n<\/p>\n \nUltimately, you need to choose a college essay topic that appeals to you. But gaining some perspective from the people who love you might get your ideas flowing.\n<\/p>\n \nGood college essays show maturity, reflection, and growth. They demonstrate your ability to think about the events that have happened to you, the lessons you have learned, and the impact these events have had on who you are as an individual. Often, we can find great stories of growth in the best and worst moments of our lives.\n<\/p>\n \nThink about the following:\n<\/p>\n \nSome of these answers might feel too personal. That\u2019s OK—remember, your brainstorm is for your eyes only. You don\u2019t have to share anything with admissions officers that makes you uncomfortable, but reflecting on the most important moments in your life can help you come up with some excellent material.\n<\/p>\n \nIt\u2019s tough to describe ourselves in a few words, especially because all of us are complex. But if you had <\/em>to choose just five defining characteristics or traits to describe yourself, what words would you use?\n<\/p>\n \nFirst, list your five words. Then, try to trace your characteristics back to defining experiences or events. For example, if you\u2019re curious<\/em>, how do you think your curiosity began? Did anyone in your life influence you to be curious? Can you think of the first time or the most recent time that you exhibited curiosity?\n<\/p>\n \nSometimes, a story that highlights one of your key personal traits can make an excellent college essay. Whether it\u2019s an example of how you\u2019ve displayed that trait, or an \u201corigin story\u201d of how you developed that characteristic, you\u2019ll show admissions officers an important piece of who you are.\n<\/p>\n \nEssays about place, even one as simple as a dining room table, also make a compelling college essay topic. See if you have any meaningful \u201cplace\u201d stories by answering the following questions:\n<\/p>\n \nRemember that no matter what you write about, you are ultimately the star of your essay. So, if you choose to write about a place, consider what this place means to you, how it has impacted you, and what it can tell readers about your personality, beliefs, and values.\n<\/p>\n \nSimilarly, you may choose to write about an influential person in your life. But the bulk of the essay should focus on how this person has impacted you and how you have changed or grown as a result of your interactions with this person.\n<\/p>\n \nAnswer these questions:\n<\/p>\n \nAgain, your essay shouldn\u2019t simply describe another person. The admissions officers want to know more about you<\/em>. But if you have a compelling story about an important person, and if that story provides meaningful insight into you, then you might have a stellar topic on your hands.\n<\/p>\n \nYou\u2019re probably thinking that you\u2019ve already answered a lot of questions about yourself. But here are some more that might spark inspiration for the right college essay topic:\n<\/p>\n \nYou don\u2019t need to answer all of these questions. But if a few of them speak to you, start writing and see what emerges.\n<\/p>\n \nRemember that it\u2019s important to \u201czoom in\u201d on your ideas. So, don\u2019t write an essay about all the traditions you\u2019ve grown up with. Write about one tradition and a specific memory associated with it. The more you zoom in, the more detailed you can get. The more details you include, the more your essay becomes one that only you<\/em> could write.\n<\/p>\n \nIf you\u2019re still having trouble getting started, focus on writing a strong hook<\/a>. What\u2019s an interesting first sentence about you that could really grab a reader\u2019s attention?\n<\/p>\nWhat makes a great college essay topic?<\/h2>\n
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Wait—do I even get to choose my college essay topic?<\/h2>\n
How to Brainstorm a College Essay Topic That’s Right for You<\/h2>\n
1. Free Write About Yourself<\/h3>\n
2. Explore Your Home<\/h3>\n
3. Listen to a Playlist of Your Favorite Songs<\/h3>\n
4. Ask Your Friends and Family<\/h3>\n
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5. Reflect on Highs and Lows<\/h3>\n
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6. List Your Top 5 Traits<\/h3>\n
7. Think About Places<\/h3>\n
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8. Think About People<\/h3>\n
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9. Answer Questions About Yourself<\/h3>\n
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10. Write a Hook<\/h3>\n
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