College Essay Topics

So far on most applications I have looked at these two essay topics have worked but I am wondering if they are too generic or if they are just generally bad topics. Schools I am applying to include University of Florida, Truman State University, University of Alabama, and the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

Topic 1- An inside joke I have with a student with Down syndrome at my school. He has always been one of my best friends throughout high school and I wrote about how he always pokes his nose and says “pimple, Ashtyn!” because I had a really big pimple in seventh grade and how this lead to a somewhat unlikely friendship.

Topic 2- my softball career and how I have progressed and learned different skills and how it has taught me hard work and perseverance as well as adaptability in almost any situation. I have been playing for about 10 years and have started varsity 3 years of high school so far and probably will senior year as well as a varsity team captain sophomore, junior, and I probably will be senior year

Just wondering if these are bad essay topics for these sorts of schools, I am intending on majoring in political science

Write a very rough draft of both and then see what you think.