<p>What are the most popular, cliched application essay topics? (Just so we can try to avoid them)...</p>
<p>grandmother/grandfather died, pet died, how you worked hard in high school</p>
<p>From "Writing the College Application Essay" by Harry Bauld (HIGHLY recommended):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>My exciting trip in the wilderness/Africa/Europe and how I learned about myself through the outdoor challenge/seeing poverty/in the eyes of a little girl.</p></li>
<li><p>My favorite things -- the perfect fluffball essay.</p></li>
<li><p>The Jock essay (although it applies to anything difficult attempted by adolescents, like student elections, musicians, actors, yearbook editors) -- through <activity> I learned to set goals and achieve great things.</activity></p></li>
<li><p>Miss America -- "I love world peace"</p></li>
<li><p>My room described for you so that you will understand me!</p></li>
<li><p>The deadly three Ds of earnest adolescence: discipline, determination and diversity. Dull, dull, dull.</p></li>
<li><p>Tales of my success -- how I used the three Ds to fulfull my jock destiny. Sort of the worst of #3 and #6 combined.</p></li>
<li><p>Pet death ("Fluffy gave so much to the world")</p></li>
<li><p>"Hello, My Name Is" mini-autobiography.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The classics!</p>
<p>Rick Tyler, THAT IS AMAZING!!!!! :P Love it.</p>
<p>That's not to say you can't write about those topics and still get into a good school. If skillfully done, those topics can produce powerful essays.</p>
<p>yep....agreed</p>
<p>Yup, thats right off of the back cover. Its a good book if your interested.</p>
<p>You can see the really cliche ones and some unique ones at <a href="http://www.ivyadmits.com%5B/url%5D">www.ivyadmits.com</a></p>