College Essay Ideas for the Average Student

College Essays
1

I’ve written 6 essays so far, and I’m not as concerned about my style of writing and such as much as my topic. I don’t have anything super special about myself, not to mention most of the schools I’m applying to actually have a chance of using my essay to make up for my GPA a little bit. I was wondering if anyone had any amazing topics they used to get into reach schools, or if they could think of any based on the situations I’m writing on this. Here’s a few topics I’ve been exploring.

-My parents fighting a lot before my dad left when I was young
-Growing up as a mathematical, science-based household when my mind was artistic, and what ultimately led me to the decision of majoring in graphic design. (note this would only work for the art schools I’m applying to, I’m also applying to regular schools)
-Having to raise myself and my little brother (in a Matilda-type situation) because my single mother worked a lot while my brother and I were home alone.
-Joining forensics to fight an anxiety disorder, in which I went from a 13/25 to a 25/25 in scores. (I know this topic is a little cliche)
-Growing up Asian and gay in a community that wasn’t very open-minded
-Living with ADHD in a school that rarely accustomed things to fit students’ specific needs like this. (I want to somehow provide the excuse for my low GPA that rises from 2.9 to 4.2 after sophomore year.)
-Art was frowned upon at my school, but I went with the risk because I was only passionate about creative concepts
-The suicide of my ex-girlfriend (although I think I’d just refer to her as a ‘close friend’)
-I’ve always been a risktaker, which is why I’m applying to said schools
-My discovered love for travel, culture, and to be like my childhood icon of Tintin (for where I’m applying to communications or journalism).

I know a lot of these are only fragments of ideas, but more than criticism on the ones that would not work, I would prefer ideas as to what would. Or, any winning essays that could inspire me.

2

You are only 17 or maybe 18, so you won’t be expected to write about everything, as your experiences are still very limited. But that’s fine, because you could write about any one or more of these topics and be successful. You may have more to talk about on any of these ideas.

I want to congratulate you on figuring out how to successfully fight your anxiety disorder. Have you talked with a guidance counselor about a rec letter? It is often advisable for a GC to write about how they’ve gotten to know you, and that you’ve shared with them how you overcame ADHD to improve your GPA to stellar levels. This way you can focus your essay about your creative side, your love of art etc.

I would probably hesitate to talk about your close friend committing suicide, only because your essay is about YOU and there is a risk of the essay becoming about her. Similarly, growing up gay in a fairly closed-minded community can be done well, but it also may be overdone.

3

An amazing essay can be written on almost any topic, but the ones that piqued my interest (and I’m not on an admissions committee) were 2 and 3 and maybe the Tintin one.

4

As for topics, I’d choose 2,3 or tintin too. All good.

The purpose of this essay is to get them to invite you to their party. What sort of essay would get you to invite a new person that you’ve just met to come to your house for a party? That’s the sort of essay that you will want to write. It doesn’t have to be funny or upbeat, and can be serious, but the idea is that they like you enough and they are intrigued by you enough to say: Hey, let’s ask him to come to our school! He sounds great!

Any topic that you list can be used as long as it’s well done, as others have noted.

5

Most of these are not great ideas. Airing your family’s or friend’s issues just isn’t going to make admissions officers thrilled to have you on campus. But I like the Tintin one — one of my kids did something kind of like that with very good results.