What Not To Write About In A College Application Essay
When your student starts applying to college, writing essays usually comes with the territory. Students applying through the Common App will write a personal statement responding to one of several prompts, and many colleges also require additional supplemental essays. In either case, they usually have some flexibility about what they discuss. That’s why knowing what not to write about in a college application essay is so important.
The college admission process is holistic, meaning colleges consider the whole applicant, not just grades and test scores. Essays are a key way for colleges to get a sense of who you are, including your perspective, values, and voice.
Making a misstep with a college admissions essay can mean missing out on their dream school. The primary goal of the college essay is to help you stand out from other applicants. Luckily, many mistakes are easy to avoid once your student knows what they are and why they matter. If your student needs some insights, here’s a look at what not to write in a college application essay.
Your college essay should reveal something deeply true about you, showcasing your unique qualities and experiences, and should ultimately reflect your voice and personality.
If your student is preparing college application essays, why not add scholarship essays to the mix? Scholarships are a great way to make any college more affordable. If you and your student want to learn how to find and land scholarships, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/webinar to reserve a spot today.
SENSITIVE, CONTROVERSIAL, OR TABOO SUBJECTS
Certain topics are naturally polarizing. While politics and religion are two of the most obvious subjects that can fall into that category, they certainly aren’t the only ones.
Even if your student is very passionate about the topic, that doesn’t mean it’s good essay material. After all, your student can’t predict which admissions officer will read their essay. If the admissions committee disagrees with your student’s perspective, they may not accept them into the incoming class even if the content is well-written.
In general, when it comes to college admissions essay topics to avoid, it’s best to steer clear of anything sensitive, controversial, or taboo. Discussing drug use, arrests, or sexual activity can raise concerns about judgment. While your student may perceive this as playing it safe, it’s crucial to remember that their goal is to gain admission. As a result, they need to focus on subjects that increase their odds of making that happen.
It is important to note that what qualifies as sensitive may vary depending on the school your student wants to attend. For example, while discussing a religious topic may not be recommended for most colleges, if your student is applying to a university with a religious affiliation, discussing faith may be acceptable, depending on the angle they take.
Ultimately, avoiding topics that highlight poor judgment, such as illegal activities and excessive complaining about schools or teachers, is important.
A REHASH OF YOUR SCHOOL-RELATED ACHIEVEMENTS
Usually, your student’s college applications and transcripts have an excellent overview of their extracurricular and academic achievements, including GPAs, test scores, courses taken, varsity status, and more. As a result, rehashing those accomplishments in their essay makes the content a bit redundant.
Even if a question asks about academic or school-related achievements, your student shouldn’t just restate what they’ve already shared. If they are going to discuss the same events again, they need to add more depth. That way, they add something new to the story, not just retelling what is already known.
A SUMMARY OF A VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE OR TRIP
While it may seem like talking about lengthy volunteer experiences or trips to another country would be a good idea in college admissions essays, summaries of the broader experience fall into the “what not to write in a college admissions essay” category. Mission trips, in particular, are a very common topic and can come off as insincere if not written carefully. Often, the resulting story lacks uniqueness. Additionally, it doesn’t leave much room to showcase why the experience was impactful.
If your student wants to talk about a volunteering experience or a mission trip, they need to drill down into a single moment from that time. Travel essays can also come across as privileged if they focus on expensive trips rather than personal growth, and common travel topics may not resonate with all readers. Individual people or events that made a difference in their lives or altered how they view the world can be great essay topics and are far more unique than the summary approach.
CLICHÉ SPORTS STORIES
While student-athletes may want to discuss a sport-related event from their lives, if the story feels cliché, it may be better to skip it. Many students tell tales about their victories and defeats, the lessons that got them there, or what they learned as a result. Sports injury recoveries are a particularly common cliché in college essays.
The issue isn’t that those moments aren’t formative experiences. Instead, it’s that many students will share very similar stories. If they do write about sports, the reflection on personal growth matters far more than the play-by-play. Essentially, reports of this nature qualify as cliché essay topics. So, unless your student has a unique perspective on the sports story narrative, they may be better off discussing something else.
Sports injury stories are among the most common clichés in college essays.
STORIES ABOUT A BIG PERFORMANCE
An essay focused on a student’s big performance is as problematic as talking about athletics. Discussing the time when they were the lead in a play, had a major music solo, or anything in that vein can feel cliché. Plus, it’s not ideal for helping a student stand out, as many other applicants likely have highly similar stories to tell.
Another issue is that these essays usually spend substantial time describing the performance, audience reactions, and other non-student-centered points. Essentially, the focus isn’t on the student for a significant part of the essay, making it hard for admissions committees to learn what they need to know.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
While drug addiction, alcohol use, arrests, jail stints, and similar activities may seem intriguing, they are usually topics to avoid in college essays. Writing about illegal or unethical activities can demonstrate a lack of judgment and maturity to admissions committees, and there is a chance the admissions committee won’t view those actions favorably, regardless of the lessons they learned along the way.
Even talking about how they got off a less-than-ideal path might not be smart. Ultimately, it’s risky to admit their participation in those activities, as the college admissions process committee may question your student’s judgment even if they’ve moved forward.
ANYTHING TOO PRIVATE
While a college admissions essay is supposed to help the committee get to know you, that doesn’t mean they should reveal overly personal details. It may lead the committee to assume your student doesn’t understand boundaries, which isn’t ideal.
Exactly what qualifies as too private can vary. However, topics like bodily functions and sex are usually no-nos. Similarly, graphic descriptions of injuries or illnesses are generally best avoided.
Now, this doesn’t mean that high school seniors can’t discuss sexual orientation, gender identity, or topics in those veins. As long as they are staying away from discussing sexual activities, those subjects can be fine, depending on the kind of school your student wants to attend.
AN ODE TO PRIVILEGE
While many students who grew up privileged likely appreciate that fact, discussing why they are thankful for it isn’t ideal for a college essay. The likelihood that the essay topic will resonate with the admissions committee may be pretty low, and there’s even a chance some will resent what they perceive as a cushier upbringing.
This doesn’t automatically mean fortunate students can’t mention that they came from that position. However, the college essay topic needs to go beyond simply being appreciative of that kind of upbringing.
IMMIGRATING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY
While immigrating to another country is certainly a challenging experience and often quite formative, essays about it tend to be highly similar. The vast majority of immigration essays focus on common themes such as feeling out of place, adapting to a new culture, and learning a new language. Many admissions officers have read about these challenges in numerous essays, making them less unique and less likely to help your application stand out.
If students want to discuss how immigrating shaped them, they need to identify a unique aspect of their journey to share, as a distinctive personal narrative can help their application stand out. If a student can’t find a differentiator, it’s typically best to choose another topic.
FORCING HUMOR
Telling a funny story can be a great way to engage the reader. However, actively trying to be funny when writing college essays doesn’t always work out. Forced humor isn’t always as amusing as your student may think so that that approach can work against them. It can come across as disingenuous and overly effortful, neither of which is great for a college application essay.
If they share an experience that’s funny, that’s fine. Sometimes humorous things happen. When it was genuinely amusing, forcing it isn’t necessary. The humor will emerge authentically.
BEING YOUR OWN HERO
If your student gets an essay prompt about a “hero,” remind them that the best responses keep the focus on themselves — their experiences, growth, and what they’ve learned — rather than just listing their hero’s accomplishments.
A common mistake is making the essay all about the other person: praising a parent, eulogizing a grandparent, or gushing about a coach or mentor. While those relationships clearly matter, admissions committees want to see self-awareness and reflection. They’re trying to get to know your student, not the person they’re writing about.
Over-focusing on someone else can also signal a lack of personal insight, which is a red flag for colleges — especially since collaboration and self-awareness are central to campus life.
The sweet spot? Use the hero as a lens. What did your student observe, experience, or take away from that relationship? That’s the story worth telling.
AN INFLUENTIAL PERSON OR PLACE
Unless your student is given a specific prompt to discuss their hero, an influential person, or a place, it’s usually best not to head in this direction. The issue is that talking about people and locations takes the focus off the student.
Even if students spend time talking about why or how the person or place impacted them, they have to dedicate space to describing the person or location. As a result, they miss out on opportunities to focus on what matters to the admissions committee: the student! So, it’s usually best to go in another direction if the prompt doesn’t require this approach.
FRAMING A BAD GRADE AS A CHALLENGE
Many students encounter essay prompts asking them to describe how they overcame a challenge. Sometimes, students may think discussing a time when they received a bad grade is a good way to address the topic.
In reality, framing a single bad grade as a challenge likely won’t help your student’s odds of acceptance. First, many other applicants have far more intriguing or unique examples of overcoming hardships. Second, it highlights a moment when the student’s academic performance was subpar, which isn’t something to flaunt in a college essay, regardless of the outcome.
ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Topics like young love and first heartbreak are among the most common college essay choices, but writing about past romantic relationships and breakups can come across as unprofessional and too personal — and may not resonate with admissions officers. Some admissions officers may find the topic inappropriate, while others may question its relevance.
For the latter, the main issue is that when discussing a relationship, the focus is usually on the student’s partner rather than the student themselves. As a result, the committee may learn a lot about someone who’s not the applicant, leaving them with little information to determine whether the student is a worthwhile candidate.
OFF-TOPIC OR NOT-AN-ESSAY ESSAYS
Some students want to break free of the mold and get creative. They might think it’ll help them stand out. The truth is, it very well may, but not necessarily in the way they expect.
There is a reason that essay topics are set in advance. Choosing to write about a subject that doesn’t align with the question or prompt makes it seem like your student can’t follow directions or that they view themselves as above the requirements, neither of which is good.
Additionally, deviating from the traditional essay format may not be ideal. Turning their answer into a poem or free-writing exercise is incredibly risky. The same can go for using an overly literary approach.
Ultimately, your student should create an essay that connects with the admissions committee and follows the directions. That way, they can increase their odds of being invited to join the incoming class.
NEGATIVE PERSPECTIVES ON SCHOOL
Just as it’s bad to badmouth an employer when writing a cover letter for a new job, speaking poorly of school isn’t a wise move when creating a college essay. While discussing a challenge they overcame is fine, criticizing a school or the academic experience makes your student seem negative and critical.
In many cases, an essay of this nature leads admissions officers to picture your student speaking similarly of their institution. As a result, the odds that they’ll admit your student are incredibly low.
TRAGIC EVENTS THAT ARE HARD TO DISCUSS
In some cases, discussing a tragic event in a college essay can work in a student’s favor, particularly if they can focus on their perspective and how the event changed them. However, if talking about the tragedy is incredibly difficult, covering it isn’t necessarily the best idea.
Writing college essays is stressful on its own. If the topic your student is covering triggers strong, challenging emotions, then the process is even more difficult. It could cause the quality of their writing to decline or make reviewing and editing the piece challenging, as they have to relive the event every time they reread it.
Ultimately, selecting another topic is best if your student experiences strong emotions simply thinking about the tragic event. However, if they can remain poised, this topic could work.
EVENTS THAT OCCURRED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL
While plenty of formative experiences can happen during childhood and early adolescence, it’s usually best to focus on events that occurred during or after high school when writing college essays. Making situations from earlier in their lives a central focus doesn’t help admissions officers see who the student is today, which is potentially problematic.
Now, that doesn’t mean students can touch on an early event at all. However, if they do, they must demonstrate how the situation affects them and shapes who they are today. That way, the topic’s relevance is clearer.
PARENTAL PRESSURE TO PURSUE THE CHOSEN MAJOR
Getting parental input into majors isn’t inherently problematic. Similarly, students being inspired by their parents to pursue a specific degree isn’t necessarily an issue. However, admitting in an essay that the student chose a major because it’s what their parents wanted is problematic.
When students say they’re focusing on a major due to parental pressure, it makes them seem to lack autonomy. Plus, it can indicate that the student isn’t personally passionate about the field. Ultimately, the admissions committee will question whether admitting them is a good idea. Since that’s the case, it’s best not to openly state that parental pressure played a role in their decision-making process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the main purpose of a college application essay?
The primary goal is to help you stand out from other applicants by revealing something deeply true about you — your unique qualities, experiences, and voice. Admissions officers use the essay to understand your perspective and personality beyond grades and test scores.
Q: Why should I avoid writing about common or cliché college essay topics?
Writing about common topics risks leaving little impression on admissions officers, since many other students write about similar experiences. To make your essay interesting and memorable, focus on unique and specific experiences that highlight your individuality and personal growth.
Q: Are there certain college essay topics I should never write about?
Yes. Avoid topics that involve illegal or unethical activities, overly sensitive or controversial subjects like politics and religion (unless relevant to the school), summaries of volunteer or mission trips without unique insights, sports injury stories, romantic relationships, and essays that rehash your resume or academic achievements.
Q: Can I write about a personal hero in my college essay?
If you choose to write about a personal hero, ensure the essay focuses on how that person influenced you and what you learned from them rather than solely on their accomplishments. The essay should center on your growth and experiences, not just praise for someone else.
Q: How can I make a common topic more unique in my essay?
To craft a standout essay on a common topic, drill down into a specific moment or aspect that is unique to you. Provide a personal reflection and explore how that experience shaped your values or future goals. This approach helps admissions readers see a fresh perspective and your authentic voice.
Q: Is it okay to use humor in my college application essay?
Using humor can be effective if it arises naturally and fits your writing style. However, forced humor may come across as insincere or distracting. It’s important to maintain a tone that respects the serious nature of the admissions process while still showcasing your personality.
Q: Should I repeat information already found in my application, like my achievements or test scores?
No. Admissions readers already have access to your transcripts and activity lists. Your essay should add new dimensions to your application by sharing stories and insights that reveal who you are beyond the numbers.
Q: What should I do if I want to write about a challenging experience or tragedy?
Writing about a challenge or tragedy can be impactful if you focus on your personal growth, resilience, and what you learned. Avoid dwelling on graphic or overly emotional details, and ensure the essay presents a positive, forward-looking perspective.
Q: How important is grammar and writing style in my college essay?
Good grammar and a clear writing style are essential for making a strong impression. Your essay should be well-crafted, easy to read, and free of errors, allowing your authentic voice and story to shine through to admissions officers.
Q: Can I use my college essay to discuss my cultural background or identity?
Yes. Discussing your cultural background, identity, or experiences can be powerful if it helps reveal who you are and how you engage with the world. Be sure to present these topics thoughtfully and focus on your personal growth and perspective rather than just describing facts.
