Need help choosing a topic to write about?

College Essays
1

For the Common App, I have looked over the essay choices and brainstormed a little bit to get ahead. Can you guys help me see if these are standout topics?

  1. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

I worked at a country club my family is a member of, where all of the members are Caucasian and all of the workers are African-American. Working in that setting in the snack bar, where I served members that probably knew my family, I learned how shitty food industry workers are treated. The second a member looked at my last name on my nametag, their attitude towards me changed, and they treated me better. I know this makes my family look snooty because we are members at a country club, but I feel like this is a standout topic that they’ve probably never heard about before. There was a NYT article talking about how out of x amount of essays, only 10 are about work, so I think this is a standout topic.

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

My grandmother immigrated to the US from Greece in the late 40s after hiding under her house for months because communism was spreading to her village (Nafpaktos) and there were many revolts. I wanted to compare how her resilience as an 18 year old woman leaving her village for America, led me to where I am today (going to college).

I don’t know…I’m just trying to brainstorm ahead of time while I am not too busy!

Thank you so much!

2

I like the sound of the first one, and done correctly (especially with you writing about gaining awareness about people other than yourself and those in your culture), I don’t think it will come off as snooty. The second one could be done well, but family member essays usually end up focused more on the family member than you.

3

Thanks so much!!!

4

I prefer the first one. Especially if you start it as a narrative–maybe start with an interaction you had (with dialogue, details, etc.) and it ends with the person being awful to you seeing your name tag and changing their tune… then you segue into the broader topic. I would read that essay! Done right, you can show colleges you are aware of privilege, class issues, and that you are thoughtful. I’m less keen on the second because I’ve read a few like that (I read one about a grandparent who was a Holocaust survivor), and IMO it can come across cloying, and they often focus too much on the family member and not enough on the essay writer. I also don’t think it will illustrate your awareness of your privilege quite as well–the first topic will be punchier and more likely to appeal to your essay reader as a story. Good luck!