What Makes a Great College Essay Topic?

college admission college admissions college essay college planning essay topic Jul 08, 2024

3 Key Takeaways

Your college essay needs to reveal something unique about you that's not evident in other parts of your application.
The essay should be in the student's voice and not written or heavily edited by someone else, as authenticity is key.
Focus on stories that showcase your talents and contributions rather than overly dramatic personal struggles.

Hi, this is Anjali Maazel with Anja Education Consultants. I'm so glad you're here. Many parents and students often ask, "What is the right topic to write about for college essays?" This is an excellent question because the college essay is a pivotal part of the college admissions process. It's an opportunity to present a side of yourself that isn't captured by your resume, transcripts, or test scores.

Why the Personal Statement Matters

The personal statement, required by most colleges, is more than just another essay. It allows the admissions staff to get to know the applicant beyond the numbers and accolades. It’s your chance to tell a story that reveals your character, aspirations, and values.

One crucial piece of advice I give to my students is not to stress about finding the perfect topic right away. Instead, start by asking yourself, "What are the aspects of my personality and experiences that I want colleges to know about?" This question will guide you in brainstorming potential essay topics.

Finding Your Unique Voice

When I work with students on their college essays, we begin with brainstorming and proceed through multiple drafts until we have a polished final product. This process is vital because it ensures that the essay truly reflects the student’s voice and experiences. The essay must be authentic; it should not be written or rewritten by an adult. There's even a term in college admissions known as "DDI" or "Daddy Did It," where an overly polished essay can seem like it was crafted by someone other than the student. Admissions officers are quite adept at spotting these inconsistencies.

The essay should align with what matters most to you and showcase your strengths and how you can contribute to the college community. It’s about telling a compelling story rather than listing achievements.

Choosing the Right Topic

A common misconception is that a college essay needs to be about a dramatic or traumatic experience to be compelling. While it's important for the essay to be personal, it doesn’t need to delve into deep or potentially unsettling topics like mental health issues unless handled with great care.

For instance, writing about overcoming a significant challenge can be powerful, but it's essential to ensure that the essay doesn’t inadvertently raise concerns about your ability to handle college life. Instead, think about contributions you have made, your talents, and how you have made a difference in your community. These are the constructive angles that can make your essay stand out.

Storytelling: The Heart of a Great Essay

Parents and students often ask, "What kind of story should I tell?" The best essays often revolve around personal growth, insights gained from experiences, and reflections on how these experiences have shaped who you are today.

For example, one student wrote about their love for baking and how it brought their family together, showcasing their passion, creativity, and dedication. Another student discussed their experience in a community service project, highlighting their commitment to social justice and leadership skills. These stories were personal yet focused on positive attributes and contributions.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While it's tempting to impress with dramatic stories, it's crucial to strike a balance. Sharing too much about personal struggles can sometimes backfire if it raises doubts about your resilience or suitability for the pressures of college.

Instead, focus on stories that highlight your strengths and potential contributions to the college community. Ask yourself, "What are my talents?" and "How can I make a difference?" These questions will guide you toward a topic that reflects your best qualities.

Crafting the Final Draft

Take your time with the essay. Give yourself the opportunity to refine it, ensuring it is a true reflection of who you are. Remember, the admissions committee is looking for a glimpse of the person behind the application. They want to see your unique perspective, your personality, and your potential to contribute to their campus.

In conclusion, the college essay is your chance to shine and show what makes you unique. It should be a personal, authentic reflection of your experiences and aspirations. Take the time to brainstorm, write, and refine your essay. And if you need guidance, remember that we at Anja Education Consultants are here to help you through every step of the process, from brainstorming to the polished final draft.

Ready to start your journey toward college admissions success? Book a discovery session with us today to learn how our personalized approach can help you achieve your college dreams. Let's work together to craft an essay that will make you stand out in the college admissions process.

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Video Transcription

(Anjali Maazel): Hi, this is Anjali Maazel with Anja Education Consultants. I am so glad you joined me today. A lot of parents and students are asking me what is the right topic to write about? How personal should it be? Keep in mind that the personal statement, which is required by most colleges, is going to help the admissions staff evaluate your application. So it has to reveal something that is not evident in your resume, in your transcript, in your test scores. So from that point of view, yes, it needs to be personal. When you get started, do not focus on finding the ideal topic. What you want to do is really start to ask yourself, what are the things about me that I want colleges to know about? And from there, you can start brainstorming. When I work with students on the college essays, I help them from the brainstorming process all the way to the polished final draft. Take time. Make sure that you give yourself the opportunity to refine that essay. Now the essay needs to be in the student's voice. It should not be written or rewritten by an adult should not be written or rewritten by an adult. Or you might get that scenario where the college admissions staff is stamping it as DDI or Daddy Did It. And that is actually something that some colleges have been known to do, literally is stamping it that way. So this is an opportunity for you to share what your strengths are and how you can contribute to the college community. The essay should align with what matters most to you, with your accomplishments, but not in a way that is about listing what you have done it's more about telling a story now students and parents will ask what kind of story should I tell Some students are going to think that, well, we need to be very personal, so it has to be a very dramatic story about something like mental health issues or a big obstacle that has been overcome. I caution students to be quite careful when we're talking about mental health issues, for example. There is, you know, there's a fine line between sharing something that is important and then something that will reveal an aspect of the applicant that will cast some doubt on their ability to succeed in the college admissions on the campus, that will make it more difficult for them to keep up. So what we need to do is actually to, rather than to think it's got to be personal and revealing, to think what kind of contribution can I make? What are my talents? How can I make a difference? Those are the most constructive ways to approach this essay. I hope this has been helpful. I look forward to connecting to you very soon.

Anjali Maazel

Founder and CEO of Anja Education Consultants

At Anja Education Consultants, we pride ourselves on the exceptional expertise of our Founder and CEO, Anjali Maazel. With over 15 years of experience as an alumna interviewer for Princeton University, our team, led by Anjali, brings a wealth of knowledge in college admissions. Our interdisciplinary approach, which melds arts, international education, and public relations, allows us to provide unparalleled guidance in college planning. The cornerstone of our success is the proprietary Talent Development 3D Process™, a unique strategy that has achieved a remarkable 100% success rate in securing admissions for our clients to at least one of their top three preferred schools. As a respected Ted Talk speaker and a sought-after authority in college admissions, we are frequently invited by high schools across the globe to share our insights and strategies, empowering students to reach their full potential in the competitive world of college admissions.

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