15 College Essay Topics to Avoid in 2025
Learn which essay topics admissions officers at top universities are tired of reading — and discover better alternatives that help you stand out.
The reality: Most college essays fall into predictable patterns. Standing out means avoiding overused topics or finding truly unique angles on common themes.
Every year, admissions officers at top universities read thousands of essays. Through research from admissions experts and feedback from our team of Ivy League reviewers, we've identified the essay topics that consistently fail to help applicants stand out.
💡 Important Note:
It's not that these topics are "banned" — but they're so overused that admissions officers have become numb to them. To stand out, you need either a completely unique topic OR an extraordinary approach to a common one.
Below, we break down the 15 most problematic essay topics, why they fail, and what to do instead.
The 15 Topics That Hurt Your Application
🏆 The "Sports Injury/Victory" Story
⚠️ EXTREMELY COMMON
One of the most overused essay topics among high school athletes
Why it fails: "I scored the winning goal," "I overcame a torn ACL," "My team taught me perseverance." These essays are incredibly common and rarely stand out. Admissions officers have read countless essays about learning teamwork from sports.
❌ WEAK EXAMPLE:
"The scoreboard showed 2-2 with 10 seconds left. I dribbled down the field, felt the pressure, and kicked the ball into the net. That moment taught me that hard work pays off."
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Instead of focusing on the game itself, explore a unique insight sports gave you that translates beyond athletics. Example: How being the worst player on your JV team taught you to find value in supporting roles, which led you to start a peer tutoring program.
✈️ The "Mission Trip Savior" Essay
⚠️ HIGH RISK
Especially common among students from privileged backgrounds
Why it fails: "I went to Guatemala and built houses for the poor. It opened my eyes to how privileged I am." This topic often comes across as tone-deaf, portraying the writer as a "white savior" rather than showing genuine cultural understanding or personal growth.
❌ PROBLEMATIC PHRASES:
- "I changed their lives"
- "They had nothing but were so happy"
- "It made me grateful for what I have"
- "I taught them so much"
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
If you must write about service work, focus on what YOU learned, not what you "gave." Discuss specific moments of cultural humility, times you were wrong, or skills you learned from the community. Show growth, not heroism.
👵 The "Immigrant Grandparent" Tribute
⚠️ COMMON MISTAKE
Particularly prevalent among first-generation college applicants
Why it fails: While honoring family is beautiful, essays that focus entirely on a grandparent's journey to America tell their story, not yours. Admissions officers want to know about you, not your ancestor.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Briefly mention your grandparent, but make you the protagonist. Example: "My grandmother's recipe book taught me chemistry" — then spend 90% of the essay on how you developed recipes, started a baking business, and researched food science.
🎭 The "I'm Quirky" Gimmick Essay
⚠️ RARELY WORKS
Attempted frequently but almost never lands well
Why it fails: "I'm a waffle person, not a pancake person," or "My life philosophy is like a pizza with extra toppings." Forced metaphors and try-hard quirkiness rarely work. Authenticity is more impressive than manufactured uniqueness.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Be authentic, not performative. If you genuinely have a quirky interest (collecting vintage maps, competitive cup stacking), write about it naturally — but focus on what it reveals about your values or thinking, not just "look how weird I am!"
🏛️ Controversial Political/Religious Rants
⚠️ HIGH RISK
Often viewed negatively even when well-intentioned
Why it fails: Taking a rigid stance on abortion, gun control, or religion can alienate readers. Even if the admissions officer agrees with you, essays that preach or attack opposing views signal close-mindedness.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
If politics/religion is central to your identity, write about personal experiences rather than policy arguments. Example: Instead of "Why abortion should be legal," write about organizing a community dialogue where you learned to understand opposing viewpoints.
📚 The "I Love Learning" Essay (Without Specifics)
⚠️ VAGUE & GENERIC
Very common but rarely memorable without specific details
Why it fails: "I'm passionate about learning. I love reading books and expanding my mind." This says nothing specific. Every applicant to top schools loves learning — you need to show how you learn and what drives your curiosity.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Be ultra-specific. Instead of "I love science," write: "After reading about CRISPR in 9th grade, I taught myself Python to model gene editing outcomes, which led to my research internship at [specific lab]."
🎻 The "I Practiced My Instrument" Story
⚠️ VERY COMMON
Especially prevalent among high-achieving students
Why it fails: "I practiced piano for hours every day and learned discipline." Unless you have a truly unique angle, music essays blend together. Admissions officers know practicing takes discipline — that's already assumed.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Find an unexpected angle. Example: How music theory helped you understand computer algorithms, or how teaching free piano lessons to underprivileged kids revealed systemic inequities in arts education.
💀 Tragedy Exploitation (Without Growth)
⚠️ REQUIRES CAREFUL HANDLING
Often poorly executed and can raise concerns
Why it fails: Writing about a parent's death, serious illness, or trauma is valid — but essays that dwell on pain without showing resilience, growth, or forward momentum can leave admissions officers concerned about your readiness for college.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
If you write about hardship, spend 70% of the essay on what you did next — how you supported your family, developed coping strategies, or channeled pain into purpose. Show strength, not just suffering.
🎬 The "Movie/Book Changed My Life" Essay
⚠️ OFTEN SHALLOW
Frequently lacks depth and personal connection
Why it fails: "After watching The Pursuit of Happyness, I learned to never give up." Surface-level reactions to popular media don't reveal much about you. It's too easy to write and too common to stand out.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
If media genuinely influenced you, show concrete actions you took as a result. Example: "After reading about redlining in 'The Color of Law,' I mapped historical housing discrimination in my city and presented findings to the city council."
💼 The "My First Job Taught Me Responsibility" Essay
⚠️ USUALLY GENERIC
Common topic that rarely reveals unique insights
Why it fails: "Working at McDonald's taught me punctuality and work ethic." While work experience is valuable, essays that simply state "I learned to show up on time" don't offer insight into your character or aspirations.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Find the unexpected lesson. Example: "Working fast food taught me fluid dynamics — I optimized the drive-through line using queuing theory, reducing wait times by 30%."
🌍 The "COVID Changed Everything" Essay
⚠️ OVERDONE
Was extremely common in 2021-22, still frequently seen
Why it fails: While COVID impacted everyone, essays that simply describe pandemic hardships without a unique personal angle have lost their impact. Admissions officers are tired of reading about Zoom fatigue and sourdough bread.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Only mention COVID if it led to something remarkable. Example: "When my school closed, I created an online tutoring network that served 200+ students across 8 countries."
🤖 The "Technology Is Bad" Luddite Essay
⚠️ POORLY RECEIVED
Often comes across as preachy or out-of-touch
Why it fails: "I unplugged from my phone and rediscovered life." While digital detoxes can be meaningful, essays that demonize technology or preach about "kids these days" come across as out-of-touch, especially to tech-forward universities.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Show nuanced thinking about technology's role. Example: How you developed an app to help people balance screen time, demonstrating both tech literacy and awareness of its downsides.
🎓 The "I've Always Wanted to Go to [School Name]" Essay
⚠️ EXTREMELY COMMON
Very frequent in "Why This School" supplemental essays
Why it fails: "Harvard has always been my dream school. The beautiful campus, prestigious reputation, and amazing opportunities..." This doesn't tell admissions officers anything about you — it's flattery, not substance.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
For "Why This School" supplements, be ultra-specific about programs, professors, research opportunities, or clubs. Generic praise won't cut it.
📝 The Resume Regurgitation Essay
⚠️ WASTES THE OPPORTUNITY
Common mistake that tells admissions officers nothing new
Why it fails: "I'm president of debate club, captain of the soccer team, and have a 4.0 GPA..." Your activities are already listed elsewhere in your application. The essay should reveal something not captured by resume bullets.
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Pick ONE experience and go deep. Show vulnerability, failure, or unexpected insights. The essay should reveal your personality, not your accomplishments.
🎨 The "Thesaurus Explosion" Essay
⚠️ INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE
Admissions officers can spot this immediately
Why it fails: "I utilized multifarious methodologies to ameliorate my scholastic performance..." Using unnecessarily complex vocabulary makes essays feel inauthentic and hard to read. Admissions officers prefer clear, natural writing.
❌ OVERUSED "FANCY" WORDS:
- Plethora, myriad, multifarious
- Utilize (just say "use")
- Ameliorate (just say "improve")
- Aforementioned, heretofore
✅ BETTER APPROACH:
Write like you speak (but more polished). Use sophisticated ideas, not sophisticated words. Strong essays use precise, specific language, not inflated vocabulary.
So What SHOULD You Write About?
Based on advice from admissions experts and our Ivy League reviewers, successful essays typically share these characteristics. (Need help finding your unique topic? Check out our complete brainstorming guide.)
Specific, Not Generic
Don't write about "leadership" — write about the time you had to fire your co-founder of the student startup.
Shows Growth & Self-Awareness
Discuss times you were wrong, changed your mind, or learned something unexpected about yourself.
Reveals Your Values
Not just "what happened," but why it mattered to you and how it shaped your priorities.
Written in Your Authentic Voice
If your English teacher or parent can't tell you wrote it, it's too formal or polished.
Memorable & Unique
After reading 50 essays in a row, will yours stand out? If not, pick a different angle.
💡 Pro Tip from Essay Experts
The best essays aren't about impressive accomplishments — they're about small, mundane moments that reveal something profound about who you are. A student writing about washing dishes with their parent can be more powerful than one writing about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Focus on authenticity and specific details over impressive achievements.
5 Quick Fixes to Save a "Risky" Topic
Add Unexpected Details
If you must write about sports/music/volunteering, include hyper-specific sensory details that make the reader feel like they're there. Generic descriptions kill even good topics.
Show Failure or Complexity
Don't present yourself as perfect. Essays about failure, doubt, or moral complexity are more memorable than pure success stories.
Connect to Your Future
End by showing how this experience shapes what you want to study/do in college. Admissions officers want to see forward-thinking.
Use Dialogue & Scene-Setting
Start with a specific moment in time, not a summary. "Don't pass to Sarah — she'll miss!" is better than "My teammate doubted me."
Get Expert Feedback Early
Don't wait until November to discover your essay is cliché. Get feedback on your draft from someone who's read thousands of essays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still write about sports if it's genuinely central to my life?
Yes — but you need an exceptional angle. Avoid game narratives and generic "teamwork" lessons. Instead, focus on intellectual insights (e.g., studying biomechanics to improve your form), social impact (coaching kids with disabilities), or unexpected personal growth.
What if my life is actually pretty normal? What should I write about?
This is actually ideal. The best essays often come from "boring" lives. Write about small, specific moments: conversations with your little brother, your job at the grocery store, a book that changed how you think. Depth beats drama.
How do I know if my essay topic is too risky or controversial?
Ask yourself: "Does this essay show open-mindedness and personal growth, or am I just taking a stance?" If the latter, reconsider. Also, avoid anything illegal, overly sexual, or that might make an admissions officer uncomfortable.
Is it better to write about something impressive or something authentic?
Authentic wins every time. An essay about washing dishes with your parent can be more powerful than climbing Kilimanjaro — if it reveals genuine insights about who you are. Admissions officers spot fake "impressive" essays instantly.
Should I write about mental health struggles?
It depends. If you can show resilience, coping strategies, and forward momentum, it can work. But if the essay dwells on pain without resolution, or raises concerns about your readiness for college, avoid it. When in doubt, get expert feedback.
How can Ascend Ivy help me avoid these mistakes?
Our AI instantly identifies overused topics, clichés, and weak angles in your essay. Then, our Ivy League reviewers — students who got accepted with their own essays just 1-3 years ago — provide specific suggestions to make your essay stand out. We catch problems before admissions officers do.
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Final Thoughts
The college essay is your chance to show admissions officers who you are beyond grades and test scores. Don't waste it on a topic they've read 1,000 times before.
Based on research from admissions experts and feedback from our Ivy League reviewers, the topics above consistently hurt applicants' chances — not because they're "forbidden," but because they're overused and rarely executed well.
Your essay should reveal something unique about your character, values, and thinking. It should be memorable, specific, and authentic. If your current topic falls into one of the categories above, you have two options:
- 1. Find an extraordinary angle that makes the topic fresh and unique
- 2. Choose a different topic entirely (often the safer bet)
Either way, getting expert feedback early can save you from wasting weeks on an essay that won't help your application. Our Ivy League reviewers catch these issues immediately and help you craft an essay that stands out for the right reasons.
Remember:
The best college essay isn't about having the most impressive story — it's about telling your story in a way that no one else can.