<p>What are some essay topics to avoid?</p>
<ol>
<li>Drugs, sex, or times you got in trouble with the law.</li>
<li>Arrogant topics.</li>
<li>Controversial or religious issues.</li>
<li>Overcoming adversity/depression/poverty/etc.</li>
<li>Excuses for bad transcripts.</li>
<li>Resume.</li>
<li>Most travel topics.</li>
<li>Volunteer topics that a lot of applicants have done.</li>
</ol>
<p>Any more?</p>
<p>I’d put back in 2, 3, 4, and maybe 1 (especially if the transgression is already on the application).</p>
<p>Some of the best essays have a touch of arrogance in them. I wrote an essay on how I was better than everyone else. I did it to the point of being comedic, but there was definitely arrogance in there. </p>
<p>Likewise, there can be some pretty deep essays on controversial issues. The best ones in this group probably don’t take much of a side. Take one of the most controversial topics: abortion. If one didn’t take a stance but rather wrote on how there is ignorance on both sides of the issue, or how there is a fear of bringing up viewpoints against abortion in liberal settings, it would be borderline safe to use. </p>
<p>Overcoming obstacles, if framed right, can make for a great story.</p>
<p>Some people tell me to write about what went wrong with my grades on my essay. Sorry if I sound like a nut brain, but why would this be bad? I would think that an excuse for my terrible grades and how I improved would help me in my application.</p>
<p>@icecream29 from my understanding that would be bad because the whole point of the essay is for colleges to get to know YOU aside from your grades and test scores especially and your resume in general(ECs, work, etc.). Not to say you shouldnt write about a great experience with a single EC if it was life changing or something, but dont write about multiple EC’s and how you have had an impact, thats what the EC section is for. Your guidance counselor can explain your grades or you can put a short paragraph in the additional information session of the common app.</p>
<p>
In the case that at some point in your HS career you had some terrible grades for a particular reason (e.g. loss of a family member, etc.), people suggest that you mention it in an “additional info” part of your application… either in an uploaded document attachment or in a space provided for you to say anything you want to the admissions officers. When these suggestions are made to you, they aren’t telling you to write your actual essay about it.</p>