50 creative college essay topics

The essay is an important component of your college application. This is your opportunity to show the admissions committee the part of your personality that cannot be discerned from your transcripts and grades. The key to being able to do this successfully is in choosing the right topic for your college essay.

Before getting started writing, always check the list of prompts. Many schools will either give you a list of topics to choose from or a single question you need to answer. If the college provides you with specific topics or prompts, stick to something within those. Creativity is usually welcomed, but you don’t want to stray too far or talk about things they’re not asking for. Having someone review your work can help you avoid this common mistake.

On the other hand, some colleges will actually give you an open-ended question. The Common App, for instance, always has seven prompts to choose from. While the first six are specific, there is one that is open-ended, and the student can choose what to talk about. When it’s open-ended like this, coming up with what to write about can be tough! To get you started, we’ve put together a list of 50 creative college essay topics.

50 creative college essay topics

As you go through these topic ideas, think about whether or not they relate to you. After you’ve shortlisted a few, spend time brainstorming how you can relate that topic to your circumstances.

• Write about an extracurricular activity that changed you.
• Share the best piece of advice you’ve ever received.
• If you could change just one event in world history, which would you choose to change? Why?
• Reflect on an idea or concept you find so intriguing, it often causes you to lose track of time.
• Describe some of your most noteworthy accomplishments that have no connection to academics.
• Choose one quote that defines who you are.
• If you have some notable plans for after you graduate, talk about them.
• Reflect on what you see as the biggest challenge to teenagers today.
• Can you think of someone who deserves the Nobel Prize in a particular category?
• Reflect on a unique personality trait or special skill that allows you to stand out in a crowd.
• Discuss a volunteering experience.
• Share a memorable travel experience.
• If you had the chance to have a one-on-one conversation with any individual, living or dead, who would that be?
• Reflect on how your family in general or one person in your family shaped you into who you are.
• Talk about that one teacher or mentor who encouraged and motivated you, or maybe said something that guided your actions.
• Write about overcoming fear.
• Talk about a time when you challenged or questioned an idea or belief.
• If you could travel back in time to any period in history, which period would you choose? Why?
• Name one book that has impacted you and share why it had an affect on you.
• Write about your goals for college.
• Your favorite... song, sport, movie, celebrity, book, food—the list goes on.
• Why are you not the same person you were a year ago?
• Explain a lesson you learned outside of the classroom.
• If your life had a title, it would be...
• Discuss a tradition that has played a significant role in your life.
• Describe the playlist of your life.
• Talk about your favorite place—and why it matters.
• Write about your personal definition of success.
• Share about a time you changed your mind about something serious.
• Revisit a childhood memory and discuss the ways it shaped you.
• If you had 24 hours with no obligations, how would you spend your day?
• What is a subtle strength you carry, and why is it your “superpower”?
• Describe a time you felt like an outsider and what it taught you about acceptance.
• If you could write a letter to anyone, who would it be to and what would it say?
• Write about a passion you have.
• What is your favorite question to ask people, and why?
• What is a project you are proud of?
• If you were a season, which would you choose and why?
• Discuss your favorite thing about your culture.
• Write about a time you advocated for something important.
• If you could teach a class of your choice...
• What are your future plans?
• Write about a time you witnessed an act of kindness.
• How do you adapt to change?
• Describe a time where you took the initiative to improve something.
• What is a skill you would like to learn?
• What do you want to be remembered for?
• Share a past mistake that you are grateful for now.
• Write about a symbol or metaphor that describes your life right now.
• What would you do/create if you had unlimited time and money?

Tips to keep in mind when considering college essay topics

While there are no absolute right or wrong topics for writing a college essay, there are a few that are best avoided.

• Avoid controversial topics. As much as possible, steer clear of controversial topics. If the reader’s beliefs or opinions are the complete opposite of yours, they may find it difficult to be objective.
• Be honest and authentic. Be honest in your choice of topics and the message you are trying to convey. When you choose a topic that truly means something to you, your essay will sound more sincere and convincing. Spotting a fake is easy for an experienced eye.
• Don’t talk about sports. While sports may be central to your life, admissions departments receive heaps and heaps of essays about sports. There’s a good chance they’re tired of reading them, especially when it comes to showcasing teamwork or overcoming a challenge. This can be perceived as too “easy” a topic. Even if you’re planning to play sports in college, it’s recommended to talk about other aspects of your personality and achievements.
• Even if provided with a prompt, get creative. A provided prompt doesn’t mean you have to work within a specific box. There is absolutely room for creativity. For instance, you don’t necessarily have to choose a serious or heavy topic for your piece. You can choose something humorous that stands out among the other applicants. Be a storyteller.
• Check the school’s website. Did you know that some schools actually showcase standout essays they received in recent years? While you should never copy or model your essay exactly on these pieces, they can show you more about what the college is looking for. For example, here are college essay examples from students who were accepted to John Hopkins, Harvard, and other elite schools. Not all colleges release essays, but you might be able to find some inspiration from others in this case!

The importance of a college essay

While the ultimate admissions decision does not depend on the essay alone, a strong essay can sway the decision in your favor. This is particularly important when deciding between two candidates with equally strong academic credentials. Choosing a topic at random and rushing through the essay writing is a mistake. It takes time to write an essay that will stand out and help you win that prized seat at your dream college.

An essay that works for one college may not be the best option for the next. It’s always important to review the prompts or information provided, and consider what’s important to this particular school. By brainstorming, you can find the perfect essay topic to write about.

Of course, if you’re going to be writing a college essay, you want to be sure the college in question is a good match for you. College Raptor’s free College Match tool does the work for you. See how it works and how you can get started here.