Can't Decide on an Essay Topic!

College Essays
1

<p>This is frustrating me so much. I've been trying to sit down and write my essays for such a long time but no topic seems "right", and my deadlines are approaching quickly, so I really need help!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I considered writing an essay about fears and using them as a framework to talk about my hardworking personality and motivation, with an example of an auction I carried out, but now I'm thinking that the focus is too all over the place, and I'm not sure if it's an appealing enough topic for an admissions staff?</p></li>
<li><p>A second topic I've been pondering over is a research project I participated in. My intended major is something involving Zoology, Conservation Biology, or Wildlife Biology, and I was invited to a field research project studying shorebirds. Prior to that experience, I wasn't sure if I wanted to study animals, but I discovered that I loved field research (despite waking up early and waiting around for hours with nothing happening), and that solidified my decision to study what I'm planning on studying.</p></li>
<li><p>I always wear sandals. Always, no matter the weather. And over the years, a lot of people have made fun of me for it, but I don't care. I was going to use this as a way to talk about how I stay true to myself, but my counselor brought up a good point. What qualities of my "self" can I show to the admissions staff with this essay? I like the idea because it's unique, but I can't think of any ways to develop it further.</p></li>
<li><p>I can modify a story I wrote in Creative Writing about my first pet, a hermit crab who I adored and had an amazingly strong bond with. The pros to this essay would be that it has an excellent voice and lots of imagery, but the only thing it would really show about me would be...I love animals?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>What do y'all think? Are any of these good enough? I really need to decide...like, SOON!</p>

2

<p>I like #2… if you can think through your experience and come up with specific turning point moments in it, especially. Maybe I am biased because I have done this… got up in the dark to go count cranes once, and did it again with vultures another time. It is something not many people have done, and could make an interesting description. I agree that there is a lot of waiting, and sometimes NOTHING happens. But then finally sometimes it does… or sometimes you see something else you didn’t expect at all, and that makes it cool as well. Or the “nothing” is data in itself (no cranes in this spot on crane count day!). Or you lose count (that happened with the vultures, was embarrassing! Got it right the second day, though.). But it feels good to make that tiny contribution of knowledge about the species. I suspect there is an essay in your experience, I can feel it. :slight_smile: You can talk about your qualities like patience, being observant, liking the orderly collection of data, etc. If they are true, of course…</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much, intparent! I’m so glad to hear that someone likes one of my choices! You’ve given me some good ideas. The more I dwell on it, the more I’m leaning toward #2 as well.</p>

4

<p>Even in your descriptions, you sounded most passionate about 2, which is key. It’s an excellent topic! I’ve done similar work with turtles and it really is such a rewarding experience. Your senses get really finely tuned, don’t they! Bring a day in the field to life, and include lots of sensory details rather than vague statements but don’t make it like a field log.
Don’t worry about what adcoms will want. Pick a topic that you care about, bring it to life, and remember that they know you can’t fit your life or character in 500 words.</p>

5

<p>I would disqualify 1, but the rest could all my good topics. 2 and 3 seem the most compelling though.</p>