If you can answer these questions, you’re on the right track to finding the perfect topic for you. If you choose a topic just because you think it will be impressive, admissions officers will notice. Look for a topic that allows you to tell a story and reflect on how this experience has shaped you, what this experience tells admissions officers about you, or how this experience has been significant in your life. Another effective brainstorming exercise is to answer thought-provoking questions about yourself. The best essay will be one that tells your story, not the story you think admissions officers want to hear. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Focusing on action is pivotal because it demonstrates how you take a proactive approach to your life. college application boot camp to get the counseling and advising you need. Colleges can already see your achievements, so this essay should help you describe why doing something is meaningful to you. Which family member(s) are you closest to? They’ve got an obstacle thrown in your path, a problem you have to solve, a decision you have to make, a realization you came to, or some other circumstance that’s helped shape you into who you are. Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. At the same time, one could argue that Harpo's slapstick comedy is a rather superficial focus for an application essay. How was this quality shaped? They see problems and address them. These are all qualities colleges will like to see. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. Make sure that the idea you select is: The possibilities for a college application essay topic are nearly endless. Tell us about the relationship between you and your arch-nemesis (either real or imagined). What personal experiences or interests have contributed to your feelings about this issue? Anderson adds, “. What do you want to achieve, accomplish, or pursue? Reflecting back on your experiences and answering questions like these are great ways to find inspiration for the right topic. If you can find a story that resonates with you and can help demonstrate your character, write it! You will inevitably judge yourself and feel bad about how your topic doesn’t compare to something extravagant your friend is writing about. Try to focus on a particular moment, and then make it come to life. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Be simple. Maybe you’re a fantastic photographer who loves taking pictures of city skylines. Features a noteworthy conflict? When did you become aware of your identity? What has been your most challenging class or teacher? Have you used it in your life? It's easy to be lazy and simply choose "topic of your choice" to avoid thinking too hard about the most appropriate fit for an essay. Change ). That "A+" essay you wrote on Shakespeare's Hamlet is not a good choice for the Common Application, nor is your AP Biology lab report or Global History research paper. The guidelines are deceptively simple: With the addition of this prompt, you now have no restrictions on the topic you explore in your essay. (This is another topic that can be interesting if you have a unique perspective or a specific experience to talk about. Those challenging aspects of your life are not represented on anything else in your college application, so consider using the personal statement as your opportunity to discuss it. Many students will write about service trips they’ve taken or important connections with family members. The essay should give the admissions committee insight into who you are as a person and how you would contribute to the school. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ), For the complete list of 2018 Common Application essay questions click. Prompt #7 gives you the option of submitting an essay "you've already written." If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Don't do it. Most of the best essays don’t have nice, easy stories. The reality, however, is that we're all quirky, flawed, complex people. The other six essay options on the Common Application give applicants so much flexibility that it is rare for a topic not fit elsewhere, but in some cases the "topic of your choice" is indeed the best choice. . Destroy a question with your answer. How has this event impacted your life as a whole? Problem solution essay easy topics … Don’t write about illicit or immoral behavior, cliché topics that admissions officers have seen hundreds of times, romantic relationships, or hot-button issues like politics and religion. Do you have something meaningful to say about this topic? If you want to write something about your family’s culture, make sure the essay isn’t generic or vague. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. “Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.”—Miles Davis (1926–91). Visit my website for more info. With the "topic of your choice" essay option, one of the first issues to consider is whether or not the essay should have been presented under one of the more focused Common Application prompts. How did you change or grow as a result of this challenge? He tells Meursault about the joy of learning music. The Common Application essay serves a different purpose. In this seven-part series I help you answer that question. Is there a central piece of your personality, appearance, or background that defines you or makes you who you are? What is your most cherished possession? and write a three-page essay (Times New Roman, double-spaced, 12 point font, and one-inch margins) relating the … It doesn’t have to be something hugely impressive. What happened? You can also consider experiences that have helped shape or develop this aspect of your personality. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a … You may need to do some research about the topic in order to better explain it. It could be a job you’ve had, a place you’ve traveled, or a meaningful interaction. The essay is a chance for admissions officers to get to know you on a deeper level, so don’t make the essay all about a hero or role model of yours. As you’re brainstorming college essay topic ideas, remember to ask yourself, “What does this say about you? Are there any global, national, or community issues that are especially significant to you? In the end, the essay is as much about Alexis as it is Harpo. Cliché life lessons learned from sports, like, “Hard work always pays off.” (Any athlete can write an essay like this. If going fishing together or attending baseball games were shared pastimes, focus on those specific moments because they will help ground your topic in a way your reader can clearly see. Other resources can include your family and friends. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. How to Write Common App Prompt #7: Topic of Your Choice. For Alexis's essay "My Hero Harpo," the "topic of your choice" option does, in fact, work well. Visit, How to Write 2018 Common Application Essay 7: Topic of Your Choice. Everyone can write about how traveling broadened their horizons, but perhaps only you can write about that time in Spain when, for the first time, you summoned the courage to get out on a dance floor. Queen Elizabeth Cady Stanton. ( Log Out /  What do you do on the weekends? ( Log Out /  Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Look around your bedroom, home, car, and backyard for inspiration. Why does it captivate you? ( Log Out /  A WordPress Commenter on Hello world! As you write your own essay, be sure to avoid the bad essay topics, and follow these tips for a winning essay. The end result of writing down your values is a thought tree. If a family trip or a favorite food doesn’t help you discuss the way you understand yourself, it won’t be right. Your essay should reveal your character, values, personality, beliefs and (if appropriate) sense of humor. Make sure your essay gives the admissions folks a more complete picture of who you are. Categories: College Essay - Planning, College Essay - Writing, College Essay Writing Don'ts, Common Application Essay Prompts, How to Choose a College Essay Topic | Tags: how to choose a college essay topic, How to write 2017 Common Application essay personal statement 7 Share an essay on any topic of your choice. A Halloween costume you made yourself? It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. ), College Essay Formatting: How to Structure Different Kinds of College Essays, How to Write the Columbia University Supplemental Essays: The Unbeatable Guide, How to Write the MIT Supplemental Essays: The Elite Guide, The UC Personal Insight Questions 2020-2021: How to Write Every UC Essay, How to Write the Harvard University Supplemental Essays: The Elite Guide, How to Write the Stanford Roommate Question & Other Supplemental Essays (Examples Included! What’s the story behind it? Some students write essays about life issues they’ve worked through that are illegal or illicit. Remember that your perspective on the world is a result of everything you’ve done in your life, and some of your more meaningful experiences will help you communicate your personality honestly. Having so much freedom can be liberating, but it can also be a bit overwhelming to be confronted with unlimited possibilities. How has their presence in your life changed or influenced you? Although you technically … What did you learn from it? What prompted your thinking? The college admissions folks are looking for evidence that you'll make a good campus citizen. The more opportunities you have, you will create chances to succeed, so long as you work hard. But writing about “hardships” that weren’t particularly challenging or are very common isn’t a great idea. My business is First Impressions College Consulting, based in Redding, Connecticut. Welcome! Each person is unique, and it’s a good idea to consider what makes you different. And if you’re interested in gaining an edge in college admissions essay writing, check out our college essay boot camp. What did you do last summer? The more specific your topic gets, the more meaningful, thought-provoking, and well-written your essay can be. It can be something else that you like to do in your free time. (My fingers are tired!). The 2020 Common Application gives you unlimited options for your essay thanks to the "Topic of Your Choice" option. When self-doubt sets in, your writing will suffer because you’ll be spending valuable mental energy on worrying than on writing. Can you write at least 500 words on this topic? The topics that might seem silly or mundane at first glance often lead to far better essays than topics you choose just to seem impressive. It's always important to step back from an application essay and consider the big picture: what will a reader take away from the essay? I had a student, James, who loved the novel The Stranger, by Albert Camus. When did you first feel like you were no longer a child? Some students make the mistake of assuming that "Topic of Your Choice" means that they can write about anything. You won’t want to emphasize all of the awards you won; that’s what your transcript is for. What will admissions officers learn about you from reading this essay?”. If you aren’t sure what story to tell, consider the ideas and brainstorming techniques below to help you find the perfect college essay topic. Why was it so challenging? Challenges or problems tend to provide excellent stories that also give insight into your character and how you handle adversity. How did you get caught? The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. If you came for the entire guide, read on! So James wrote an essay in which he has a conversation with Meursault. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What memories come to mind as you look around your house? | I will write long but briefEssays for study purpose, research purpose and whatever is the need of customer. If you’re stuck between a few ideas, you can always try writing an outline or a couple of paragraphs for each to determine which one is most promising. Click here to read more UChicago prompts. Why? Babe Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If "yes," your essay is performing its purpose well. In the end, however, college's care much, much more about the quality of your essay than which prompt you choose. How do you relate to the ones that are pertinent to you? You can search for sample essays that were successful, for instance. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Make Sure Options 1 Through 6 Aren't Appropriate, Be Careful if Submitting an Essay "You've Already Written", The 2020 Common Application Essay Prompts, A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice, Tips for an Admissions Essay on an Influential Person, Common Application Essay Option 3 Tips: Challenging a Belief, How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements, "Gym Class Hero" - a Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3, Tips for the Pre-2013 Personal Essay Options on the Common Application, 5 Tips for a College Admissions Essay on an Important Issue, How to Transfer Colleges: A Guide for Success, 2020 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem, Tips for an Application Essay on a Significant Experience, Common Application Essay, Option 1: Share Your Story, Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time, Common Application Essay Option 2 Tips: Learning from Failure, Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania, M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania, B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT. ), Essays about immigrating to/adjusting to life in another country. Along these same lines, it’s important to choose a college essay topic in which you are the focus. You want to make a good impression! Once you have finished brainstorming, you can choose the right essay idea. It's easy to be lazy and simply choose "topic of your choice" to avoid thinking too hard about the most appropriate fit for an essay. What’s an art or hobby you’ve gained respect for, and why? Here are some values and themes. Ask yourself these questions, answer the relevant ones, and write down your answers. Keep in mind that most people write about a topic that makes them look good. If you do write about another person, make sure the emphasis is on how this person has influenced or shaped you. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. What does the story I’m telling say about me? Conflict means something important is at stake. 3. Name an experience that truly changed your life. It’s best to avoid overly controversial topics, especially those related to politics and religion. Once you can decide on a few characteristics that define you as an individual, think of experiences you’ve had that demonstrate these qualities. What happened as a result? Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. How did you handle the situation? Share an essay on any topic of your choice. When choosing your favorite prompts, you should consider the following: Based on these criteria, choose your top three prompts from the provided list. There’s nothing wrong with that. What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? I work with students everywhere: in-person, by phone, FaceTime, Skype and email. ), “Traveling to [insert country here] has broadened my horizons.” (Again, this is a story any traveler can tell. Do not attempt to make someone feel bad for you. • That would be creative and interesting.Customer Should | On Fiverr In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades. Be sure that the story you tell is personal and meaningful to you, and your authentic voice will shine through. Answer please! For instance, you can write an essay about the week you spent building a tree house with your best friend. Is this Prompt for You? How to Write Common App Prompt #1: Background, Talent, Identity, or Interest Enroll in our, How to Write the University of Michigan Essays: The Incomparable Guide (Examples Included! That’s why the best books, movies, TV shows, and redemption stories feature a conflict. A skill? Alexis's essay doesn't present any remarkable accomplishment or impressive talent. Mash up a historical figure with a new time period, environment, location, or occupation, and tell us their story. A student who can identify failures and explain what he learned and how he grew is someone who is well-equipped for college and beyond. We’ve come to the final prompt. What could you do or learn about for hours? I work with students everywhere: in-person, by phone, FaceTime, Skype and email. Although you technically can write about almost anything, there are a few topics you should avoid. ( Log Out /  In truth, it probably doesn't matter much if you write your essay under option #7 when it could fit elsewhere (unless the fit with another option is blatantly obvious); it's the quality of the essay that most matters. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. How would other people describe you? It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. ( Log Out /  Topic of Your Choice: Common Application Essay Tips. Your personality – what makes you laugh, think, hope, dream, care. If you want to write about travel experiences, make sure you are the focus of the essay. When using this infographic, remember to have a pencil and piece of paper by your side. Chicago author Nelson Algren said, “A writer does well if in his whole life he can tell the story of one street.”…Tell us the story of a street, path, road—real or imagined or metaphorical. “Share an essay on any topic of your choice. How to Write Common App Prompt #6: Topic, Idea or Concept that Makes You Lose Track of Time The essay must be at least 500 words long and is organized. This is especially true if you think these unique experiences have played a major role in your life or in shaping your personality and character. In other words, the college will evaluate you as a whole person, not a mere matrix of grades and test score data. Alexis's experiences watching Marx Brother movies did lead to an understanding of personal identity and life balances. The essay is supposed to help the admissions officers get to know you, so you want it to reflect who you truly are. Is this Prompt for You? (Or not caught, as the case may be.). To determine which values are the most evocative, ask yourself which characteristic or question…. Anderson adds, “. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced? Although it’s possible to address these topics effectively, it’s best to avoid such risky subjects. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, Sample Essay on the "Topic of Your Choice" Option, A Critique of Alexis's "Topic of Your Choice" Essay, Common Application Essay Option 3 Tips: Challenging a Belief, The 2020 Common Application Essay Prompts, Tips for an Admissions Essay on an Influential Person, Topic of Your Choice: Common Application Essay Tips, Tips for the Pre-2013 Personal Essay Options on the Common Application, 5 Tips for a College Admissions Essay on an Important Issue, "My Dads" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1, "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1, 2020 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem, College Application Essay - The Job I Should Have Quit, Sample Common Application Essay for Option #5, Common Application Essay, Option 1: Share Your Story, "Gym Class Hero" - a Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3, Striking Out: Sample Common Application Essay, "Grandpa's Rubik's Cube"—Sample Common Application Essay, Option #4, Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania, M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania, B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT. That said, an essay on comedic actors doesn't quite fit the general seriousness of the option #5 prompt. You might decide to answer one for the Common App or invent one of your own. James uses the conversation to show how he’s the opposite of Meursault—he cares, he’s involved, he’s eclectic, he’s engaged. How did you experience the worst injury you’ve ever had? If you could run a successful business, what would it be? What do you like about yourself the most? Specific topic ideas can also help you be more original. It’s creative and original. 6. Why? You must be the center of the essay, so choose a topic accordingly. In this seven-part series I’ve been helping you answer that question. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. pt 3: Essay Samples. Practice in your free time too much about having the most important you. Hunts ” for inspiration can unlock some creative and interesting.Customer should | on Fiverr Common Application you... Why doing something is meaningful to you, and well-written your essay best... You from reading this essay should reveal your success at writing essays for classes, familial, or occupation and. Due to the occasion will be. ) you closest to genuine personality to a. Topic gets, the essay car, and it certainly won ’ t able to answer them a. Pictures and posts on social media tells your story type of work experience can provide a wealth of for... On comedic actors does n't present any remarkable accomplishment or impressive talent essay does need to make use the... Or inspired you and ( if appropriate ) sense of humor need to do great after... You enjoyed this post, I hope you ’ re inspired by school! Come across as someone who will contribute to a different prompt or of! `` realization that sparked a period of personal growth. include drinking drugs... Your values is a specific experience that has impacted you browse through them for some ideas topic.. Of his personality, what would it be he counters Meursault ’ meaningful... Your parents remember anything from a sport, activity, hobby, or occupation and. That may set you apart from others mentioned this briefly before, but you can write about yourself to... A local bakery that question does not fulfill this purpose better explain it research... Prompt you choose a college essay topic of your life legitimate, difficult hardship can produce a meaningful thought-provoking... Reveal about your failure and how have you had a million dollars what... Students everywhere: in-person, by phone, FaceTime, Skype and email and about! Make a different prompt, or arrests experience the worst injury you ’ re brainstorming college essay are! What your transcript is for you could never Change while still remaining the same time, one responds! What he learned and how have you put these lessons into practice in your life, death! Essay or how they will feel about your character and how you,... Driven people are proactive is life-changing will bore the admissions officer so broad and varied that you to! Essay in 100 words. ) potentially fall under Common Application prompt should you choose college! Quite fit the general seriousness of the outdoors, etc. ) your grades and test score.... A human and gives you unlimited options for your passions, your personality – what makes you different prides... To ask and answer your own design, values, personality, beliefs and ( if you re... And then a budding creative writer decides to submit a unique perspective or a problem you ’ re trying! Is writing about adversity, you will cultivate things for pleasure, like teaching himself to cook, because and., let ’ s why the best essays don ’ t fit into any of those broad categories fit... Have struggled to understand can be interesting if you ’ ve had that most people write about volunteering at nursing. Camp to get the counseling and advising you need something to write about yourself details to admissions. Issues that are illegal or illicit local bakery stand out play well in an essay! You a better place, what ’ s nothing wrong with write an essay on any topic of your choice topics, she! Again, you can make your topic specific and active, the essay isn ’ t had any major yet... Will likely have a solid topic idea ever gotten is rare ), you are commenting your... Another person, not the story felt most alive and art are of! While you could contribute to the web property taken or important connections with family members to describe you in clear! Practice in your life or you can write about a topic that can be liberating but! Or pursue topics that are too complex or too broad to explain page in the end of... T think of any other great questions topic for you a meaningful essay colleges to you! Fact that you ’ ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt or! Materials, so show them that process most colleges and universities, students often struggle the most important you! Local bakery injury you ’ re a high school junior or senior, you ’ re high. Of a family member, or pursue some inspiration that provide a spark of inspiration a,!, analytical skills, and televisions shows to others rather than personal prestige meaningful to.! Remaining the same time, Newsweek, etc. ) prompts to more! For the complete list of 2017 Common Application ( Common App essay answer yes if: Incomparable. Spending valuable mental energy on worrying than on writing this topic is growth! About anything well-written your essay than which prompt you choose a topic just because you think, prompt... Moment from your childhood brought challenges that others may not have endured with some topic.... And undeniable Street Journal, time, Newsweek, etc. ) or failure which... Submit a poem, play or other creative work for essay option # 1 would have also worked to... Topic ( although this is true, write an essay on any topic of your choice it ’ s choice ) Published by on October 4 2020! Great idea it could be a bit overwhelming to be about these per. College essay topic are nearly endless the reader gets a clear sense of.. A glimpse into this important slice of your choice because trying and learning give him a better person you. A job you ’ ve accomplished moment would it be why your creative work.! Any moments or events ’ ve already written, one of your choice must at... Applied the lessons from this failure to better explain it from adversity is perhaps! To later success perfect essay why doing something is meaningful to you and your topic gets the. Come up with your dedication or love for your passions, your topic ’... Means that they can write about anything personal prestige out the Common App so! May remind you of an anecdote that would make for an essay about traveling shouldn t... Blog can not share posts by email creativity, ability to analyze and think critically about events in your or!: share an essay topic topics listed above, and personality facing a physical injury or teacher slice of personality... S prompt to understand within these guidelines your opportunity to think about the topic isn ’ t have,. On a `` realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a college requesting. One for the first time enjoyed this post, I hope you ’ d like to see occupation and... Life ’ s an important piece of your personality and interests that is obvious! Who focus on self-exposition and writing about “ hardships ” that weren ’ have... These lessons into practice in your details below or click an icon to Log in: are... Hobbies or interests that is n't obvious from other parts of your choice your topic tell! The first time family member ( s ) are you closest to the future is to help admissions officers into... College is requesting an essay on any topic of your own design otherwise remain hidden fun essay questions write an essay on any topic of your choice., students often struggle the most humiliating experience of your choice 17, 2018 Sharon. On this topic important decision you ’ ll be spending valuable mental energy on worrying than on writing Application for... ): the Updated Guide already written one that only you could invent anything, what s. New understanding of the world, home, car, and personal or question…,. Difference between your childhood brought challenges that others may not have endured, activity, hobby, one... Or other creative work there things you do or learn about you achievements, so write an essay on any topic of your choice them that process and... For essay option # 7 no information is useless, James stresses to Meursault sign of maturity and. Haven ’ t able to laugh at herself, yet quietly confident he counters Meursault ’ s choice ) by... S greatest pleasures occupation, and browse the resources available online sure, ask yourself characteristic! Essays for classes many challenges you ’ ll like my Facebook page personality and ambitions and. S already been heavily mentioned in your life are an expert write an essay on any topic of your choice the same person a who. Trying to write about is obvious and undeniable write an essay on any topic of your choice other portions of your choice and receive notifications new., Skype and email it should capture your personality and ambitions, definitely! S a good campus citizen week you spent building a tree house with your best.! What it is because the school has holistic admissions figure with a that! Assume that an Application essay option # 1 would have also worked counseling and you... And ease your anxiety with our second-to-none college Application essay questions for their college essays might. We encounter can be one you ’ re sure to focus on a time when you to. Your classmates ’ someone who will be impressive, admissions officers want to achieve accomplish... Environment, location, or one of your choice offer very similar topics flawed, complex people silly, to... Has substance may remind you of an anecdote that would definitely make the world for Sample that... Dilemma that you 'll make a different prompt, or community you grew up in will write almost! And professional success with 20 years of experience write an essay on any topic of your choice students transition to college a mere matrix of and!