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: These topics aren't "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.
The 15 Topics That Hurt Your Application
The Sports Injury/Victory Story
Extremely Common"I scored the winning goal," "I overcame a torn ACL," "My team taught me perseverance." These essays are incredibly common and rarely stand out.
Better approach: Instead of focusing on the game itself, explore a unique insight sports gave you that translates beyond athletics.
The Mission Trip Savior Essay
High Risk"I went to Guatemala and built houses." This topic often comes across as tone-deaf, portraying the writer as a "white savior" rather than showing genuine growth.
Better approach: Focus on what YOU learned, not what you "gave." Discuss specific moments of cultural humility.
The Immigrant Grandparent Tribute
Common MistakeEssays that focus entirely on a grandparent's journey tell their story, not yours. Admissions officers want to know about you.
Better approach: Make yourself the protagonist. Spend 90% of the essay on your actions and insights.
The Quirky Gimmick Essay
Rarely Works"I'm a waffle person, not a pancake person." Forced metaphors and try-hard quirkiness rarely work. Authenticity beats manufactured uniqueness.
Better approach: Be authentic, not performative. Focus on what your interests reveal about your values.
Controversial Political/Religious Rants
High RiskTaking a rigid stance on divisive topics can alienate readers. Essays that preach signal close-mindedness.
Better approach: Write about personal experiences rather than policy arguments. Show open-mindedness.
The "I Love Learning" Essay
Vague & Generic"I'm passionate about learning" says nothing specific. Every top applicant loves learning.
Better approach: Be ultra-specific. Show exactly how you pursue your curiosity with concrete examples.
The Practiced My Instrument Story
Very Common"I practiced piano for hours and learned discipline." Admissions officers know practicing takes discipline—that's assumed.
Better approach: Find an unexpected angle: how music connects to another field, or how teaching revealed systemic issues.
Tragedy Without Growth
Requires Careful HandlingEssays that dwell on pain without showing resilience can raise concerns about college readiness.
Better approach: Spend 70% on what you did next—how you channeled pain into purpose. Show strength.
The Movie/Book Changed My Life Essay
Often ShallowSurface-level reactions to popular media don't reveal much about you. Too easy to write.
Better approach: Show concrete actions you took as a result. Demonstrate real-world application.
My First Job Taught Me Responsibility
Usually Generic"Working at McDonald's taught me punctuality" doesn't offer insight into your character.
Better approach: Find the unexpected lesson. Connect your work experience to intellectual insights.
The COVID Changed Everything Essay
OverdonePandemic hardships without a unique angle have lost their impact. Admissions officers are fatigued.
Better approach: Only mention COVID if it led to something remarkable and specific to you.
The Technology Is Bad Essay
Poorly ReceivedEssays that demonize technology come across as out-of-touch, especially to tech-forward universities.
Better approach: Show nuanced thinking. Demonstrate both tech literacy and thoughtful awareness.
I've Always Wanted to Go Here
Extremely Common"Harvard has always been my dream school" is flattery, not substance. It tells them nothing about you.
Better approach: Be ultra-specific about programs, professors, and opportunities that match your goals.
The Resume Regurgitation Essay
Wastes the OpportunityYour activities are already listed elsewhere. The essay should reveal something new.
Better approach: Pick ONE experience and go deep. Show vulnerability, failure, or unexpected insights.
The Thesaurus Explosion Essay
Instantly RecognizableUsing unnecessarily complex vocabulary makes essays feel inauthentic and hard to read.
Better approach: Write like you speak (but polished). Use sophisticated ideas, not sophisticated words.
What Actually Works
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 specific moment you had to make a difficult decision.
Shows Growth & Self-Awareness
Discuss times you were wrong, changed your mind, or learned something unexpected.
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 can't tell you wrote it, it's too formal.
Pro Tip
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.
5 Ways to Save a Risky Topic
1. Add Unexpected Details
Include hyper-specific sensory details that make the reader feel present.
2. Show Failure or Complexity
Essays about doubt or moral complexity are more memorable than success stories.
3. Connect to Your Future
Show how this experience shapes what you want to study or do in college.
4. Use Dialogue & Scene-Setting
Start with a specific moment in time, not a summary.
5. Get Expert Feedback Early
Don't wait until November to discover your essay is cliché.
Common Questions
Can I still write about sports if it's central to my life?
Yes—but you need an exceptional angle. Avoid game narratives and generic "teamwork" lessons. Focus on intellectual insights or unexpected personal growth.
What if my life is pretty normal?
This is actually ideal. The best essays often come from "boring" lives. Write about small, specific moments: conversations with your sibling, your grocery store job, a book that changed how you think.
Is it better to write about something impressive or authentic?
Authentic wins every time. Admissions officers spot fake "impressive" essays instantly. An essay about washing dishes can be more powerful than climbing Kilimanjaro—if it reveals genuine insights.