0:43 pretty common topics lists. 5 College Essay Topics to Avoid 1:45 big performance essay 2:03 the big game essay 2:14 sports injury essay 2:38 mission trip essay 2:52 mental health issue just found out ive been doing this summarizing video topics thing quite while for my adhd friends hha
Great points on avoiding pitfalls in the essay that don't talk enough about the unique experiences that are the value-add on campus (aka the awesome sides on who you are :)) rather than the travel abroad piece
Hi Ethan! I wrote my essay on how my small tight nite home community i live in has made me to comfortable and a bit more introverted with life so i believe that moving away would be the best option and would help my confidence with life
Well, my common app essay topic is a mix of different topics. A short summary: I've been a top student until grade 10, I had to join a diff. school for 11 (due to education system in India). Due to covid I was constricted to join a school I didn't want to, the environment there was utterly negative & toxic which is something I had never experienced. My mental health goes on a decline, accompanied with a burnout and physical health issues. And the fact that I didn't realize about it until quite late + lack of help affects my academics and my life. I switch schools for grade 12, but I was too far affected. After my realization about my mental health, I write about my learnings from it. I also include my activities in it, like how I used quote/peom writing to express myself, how only cooking, music, cars were my only escapes from my current reality. Contrasting between my times when I was at the top and rock bottom, how learnings from them shaped my personality into a trurer & better version of myself: showcasing qualities that I still possess, but also new ones I now have from tougher times. What is your opinion on this? Is it good/unique enough and stands out or is it common? Please reply asap, since deadlines are only a few days away, I'd be really thankful.
That mix of topics could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic clearly demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
Hey there! I already finished my essay but your articles have been super helpful during the process, so I just wanted to say thank you in a place you'd see it 😊
Hi Ethan! I wrote my personal statement about my ethnic country Pakistan (a common topic, I guess?) but talked about how reflecting on my experience helped me become more humble/less judgmental and build realistic plans for problems I see, and focus on the positives. Do you think the values I used are uncommon enough to make me stand out? I also put a lot of imagery and a hook about seeing an air-conditioned yak on the street in a country where people don't have money to feed themselves much less their pet yaks. Please let me know :)
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming! The values of humility and positivity are somewhat common, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't include them!
@@Collegeessayguy Thank you! What resource would you suggest for if I am trying to find uncommon connections/values for my personal statement? I am struggling to think about values that are rare.
I suggest checking out these examples of insight/uncommon connections here: static1.squarespace.com/static/527cc9ffe4b06105448def23/t/62793ecab3b9d8705d718a7c/1652113099638/19+Examples+of+How+to+Make+Your+Essay+More+Insightful.pdf
@@Collegeessayguy thank you! I also wanted to add, I saw that Girl Scouts is on the list of common topics. I genuinely enjoy Girl Scouts and I have gotten a lot out of it including the Gold Award, a national award that only 6% of girl scouts get. Do you think it is a good topic to write an extracurricular essay on?
"Western Michigan University", a doctoral research university with the largest donation in public university history, is the best. If you get admitted they have tons of generous scholarships and they even pay for your internship and in some cases, for your dorm.
Like the video explains - injuries are incredibly common topics for college essays. If you're going to use this topic, I recommend drawing uncommon connections or insights that wouldn't typically be found in a common injury essay.
Hi Ethan, I wrote my personal statement about the challenges I experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic and how these challenges made me into a better student. Do you think this would work or would it belong in the additional information section?
There is a COVID-19 prompt included in the Common App where you can detail how coronavirus or other community disruptions/natural disasters have impacted your life. We'd recommend you share this essay there rather than as your personal statement.
Hi Ethan, what if I wrote my personal statement about cooking a dish that highlights my characteristics? Maybe something like relating the different ingredients to my different characteristics, and how they all culminate to make who I am as a person? Do you think that would be a good idea?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hey Ethan! Thank you for this video, I learnt a lot. I was wondering if an essay about accepting my indian culture be a good topic. I am willing to go into a more interesting (i think..?) aspect of questioning if I should believe science or scriptures since I am a very factual based reasoning person. I also wanted to incorporate the aspect that I moved around a lot and felt cultural disconnect. Thank you so much for your time 😊
Your videos have been very encouraging in my writing process so far, thank you very much for all that you do! I wanted to write my essay about my favorite K-pop group's complex storyline and how I relate to each member and their individual struggles. I don't think it would be a common topic, but I'm unsure if it can work. What do you think?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi Ethan ! I want to become a lawyer so in my personal statement I am gonna write about my traumatic childhood . Like I was born in abnormal conditions and in a family which valued sons over daughter so my mother and I were tortured physically and mentally. Then when I was 14 , they got divorced and all of thsee events encouraged me to become a lawyer like I decided to become a lawyer to raise voice against injustice and take a stand for other girls whose voice has been silenced. So is it okay if I write this in my personal statement?
I know I'm not Ethan, but I feel as if there is a way to spin the essay to work, but be cautious of writing anything traumatic or relating to mental health in colleges. As much as colleges and universities promote mental health awareness, in the end, they want students who will be successful and have a "perfect" image. Mental Health is always a red flag topic for them, because even if people overcame mental health issues, they could still have them and that could taint their perfect image. I think it's a good story, but be careful with how its written. I'm sorry to hear that about your childhood though, hope you become a lawyer!
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hello Ethan, I have loved watching your videos. I am a nontraditional student (35 years old) who came to the United States in 2028 because my family suffered gun violence in Brazil. We got asylum in the United States. I am proud to say that I cleaned houses and washed dishes at night as a full-time job. I decided to study because, after getting documents, it was the only way I could see that would give me the ability to support my family since my mother is unable to work. This is my last year at Mission College, and I am a 4.0 student. I became so passionate about political science that I became the student government president last semester, and right now, I am trying an internship in Congress. I really wanted to get your opinion about my situation because I want to apply to Stanford, and I believe my determination would allow me to go even further, but I am unsure of how to put my story on paper. Also, this so-called impostor syndrome keeps hunting me. Thank you for your videos, it really helps me a lot.
Hi. My essay is about my love for online gaming it and how it led to me learning coding. It reflects about my interests, my ecs and how I grew as a person. My major is CS.
@@Collegeessayguy I have another prompt. It is about my persevere cell and resilience. It aligns with the rest of my application as well. It also describes about my hardships during my covid infection What do u suggested, I go with?
That's ultimately up to you! Either topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Will this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hello Ethan, I've been watching your videos for half a year. I'm a grade 11 student from Taiwan, so I still have little time to build my activities; but I'm curious about is lifeguarding a rare and beneficial activity for my personal statement essay because I'm currently being a lifeguard (for summer), or should it be in the extracurricular essay?
Depending on how much content you can generate for that topic, it may be slightly easier to use that topic for extracurricular activity essays (since they typically have a lower word count).
Can I write about switching educational systems at high school and how I inspired others to do the same? It's for a personal life experience essay, i should talk about the insights i gained from it and the impact I did on my community
Switching schools is a relatively common topic. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
I’m thinking about writing about mbti personally types, specifically my jump from being istp to an estp (not a big jump but between the two tests I took almost a year apart, the 2nd proved that over the past year I’ve felt more comfortable with myself and made some major self improvement). I’ve asked others on what they think I should write about, mostly getting suggestions about experiences with race and racism, or my experiences with the foster care system- but I also get told these topics are overused. What’s your opinion on this?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
It's a very common topic, but you can still go for it if it's what feels right. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hey! So i’m just getting started in all the college essay stuff, and have plenty of time to decide but i was wondering if you would consider fencing, like the sport fencing, and uncommon activity? I don’t THINK fencing is a very common sport but i’m not really sure. What do you think?
Hi Ethan! Is it too basic I talk about the contrast between growing up in Colombia (Which has a very lively and colorful culture) and my shy personality, and how that made me want to become a writer?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Same! I was looking for the "STEM" student "don't talk about Legos" Engineering video but couldn't find it. And I wanted to watch the mental health video too, but it is marked as Private.
Hey, apologies for the off topic question, in my personal statement the reader had to find the characteristics themselves (although most people understood most of the characteristics ) I got some advice that I should explicitly say the characteristics sometimes, what do you think?
It's tough to say without having read the essay, but implied values/characteristics is totally OK as long as it feels really clear to readers what those are. (No need to get explicit.)
Hi Ethan!! what is your opinion about my essay topic about motivating my peers or being a student psychiatrist in my community and how i literally saved a life through it. Could this essay outstand
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi Ethan! I am currently writing about my experience in beginning to play hockey as a minority race in the sport, the cultural shock, and the desire to fit in. Would this fall into the themes of cultural identity and new environment, which you said were common topics across essays? Also, I'm hearing from many different sources the the personal statement should be a specific, singular event, but I feel like I could best write my essay by talking about my desire to fit in over a larger period of time. Please share your thoughts. Thank you in advance.
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming! If you're feeling like the topic is too common, try focuing on drawing uncommon connections or insights through your writing.
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
I'm thinking about writing my college app essay about my first time at a state level choir festival, although instead of the actual performance, i would be writing about my first time finding a sense of belonging within the people there upon singing with them for the first time. would that be alright? im applying as a music education major if that helps.
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hello my essay was about a time when a comment during a cricket game brought cultural tensions among my diverse group of friends, and I had to step in to resolve the conflict. That experience taught me a lot about empathy, communication, and the importance of embracing our differences, which I plan on applying to an engineering degree at college. I wrote a comprehensive essay detailing what I learned and the impact on my character and how I will approach my college degree with that renewed sense of personality. Is this a good, unique topic or common?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hey Ethan I chose to talk about my love and I experience with business. Do you think it still works if I talk about parts of my life that contribute to aspects of why I love business?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi Ethan, I wrote my personal statement about my parents impact on my life, and how I created clubs in my high school, cause I'll be applying to Stanford and Dartmouth, is it a good essay
Maybe! It sounds like you'd be able to discuss some of those things in your Activities List rather than in the personal statement, but the choice is yours. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
How can I find the "How to write about engineering" video? One of my student wrote one of his essays about leLego and Engineering and I want to help him.
what if my personal statement is about moving between two cities *five* times? would that still make it common or no? Also, the end of mine basically just talks about how I want to help other people create themselves, like how moving a lot has had me realize a bunch of things and create myself, is that also a common thing to talk about or no?
Moving is a fairly common topic (I wrote about moving a lotin my own college essay!), so I'd check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/2-Sf20y72P0/v-deo.html
It's not that you SHOULDN'T write about it--it's that water polo is a relatively common topic which can make it harder for students to stand out if they choose to write about it profusely in their college essays. If you're going to write about water polo, try including uncommon insights/connections to help your chances of standing out.
Hi ethan, i wrote on happiness I wrote on how i lost my friend and how the experience helped me shape my life and my passion for science. Do you think It'll work? And please drop a link on where i van get someone proofread my essays for free and give me nice feedbacks
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming! Unfortunately, Ethan is swamped this time of year and cannot review or provide feedback on essays. We suggest referring to these blog posts to help with revising your essay: 1. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/5-steps-revising-your-college-essay 2. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/improve-college-essays-last-minute If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and John from our team will be in touch with you soon. www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching Hope this helps! We believe in you.
Hi there! Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, Ethan is swamped this time of year and cannot review or provide feedback on essays. We suggest referring to these blog posts to help with revising your essay: 1. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/5-steps-revising-your-college-essay 2. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/improve-college-essays-last-minute If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and John from our team will be in touch with you soon. www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching Hope this helps! We believe in you.
I want to write about Formula 1, my love for the sport how I grew up with it around me (my dad and brothers watching it) but yet I was told it was a sport for only boys and my experience going to a few races and how I want to break the barrier and work in formula 1 one day. is it a good idea? also, I don't really know where to start with it
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hello. Im trying to write my essay on my favorite show about someone chasing their dream and am going to try to relate their journey with my own. is this a unique topic?
It's definitely been done before by some of our students. Just make sure the content is your own and draws uncommon connections to your skills, qualities, values, and interests and you should be good to go!
@@Collegeessayguy In the video you said you love it when students talk about skills which will serve them in their career. But then you said "Maybe not a Lawyer". For context I aspire to become a lawyer and am really confused what to write about. Thanks in advance ( Your videos are really helpful thanks a lot).
Law is a common career path and while it's not wrong to want to be a laywer (quite the opposite actually!) writing about skills that would help you in law could be a more common essay that admissions readers are encountering. In that case, it might serve you better to write about one of the other 7 suggestions, such as I Love/I Know, homes, or identities.
Hey Ethan, I wrote about my experience as a soccer goalie, and how it helped me build self-confidence and get into the zone. I also talked about how I applied this to my academic life. Is this a cliche topic?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
hey! i have a question, what if i write about my background e.g having my entire childhood in a village and how it made education difficult for me but also in a way made me a person who i am today while giving several examples along the way. will this be something good to write upon? (first prompt)
It depends. Typically, we recommend writing about something more recent than your childhood. Colleges want to know what you're currently like, so if you choose a topic that reflects a lot on your childhood, remember to connect it back to your present self.
Hello Mr. Sawyer! I was wondering if you could help me with something. My counselor told me my essay was generic, and I wanted to ask for advice. I wrote about moving every year and my experience moving into different math classes as a result of switching schools. I went through how one teacher was incompetent, other taught in a language I couldn’t understand well because he had all Russian students (I’m also Russian but I didn’t get the jargon and he called me stupid), another teacher which supported me and sent me to a higher level class and the current teacher that keeps supporting me. I finished off with a lesson to stay ahead to not stay behind, a quote from my Homeroom teacher that came to my mind when faced with the problem that I caught up with my higher level class but still didn’t feel like it was enough. This was very brief, but that’s the main idea. Is it bad? Is it stereotypical? Math class had always been somewhat dynamic since all teachers were significantly different. Is this a bad idea? I don’t mind other viewers’ feedback, either, so if you can, please give me a suggestion! 🙏
Hi Ethan! Thank you so much for this video, but now watching your video, i have become slightly nervous about my essay. I already finished it and don't want to restart. My essay is about an essence object: my journal. And how it carries all the past versions of myself and how i have and still can grow, but my past versions of myself have a lot of mental health issues. I know you said to avoid talking about mental health, so is my approach different enough or should i start trying to write a new essay?
You don't necessarily have to avoid writing about your mental health. Ideally, if you are writing about it, it's something you've learned to overcome or are not actively dealing with on a daily basis. You can keep your essay! Perhaps do a bit more revising to ensure your insights, values, and skills are clear (and hopefully somewhat less common).
Hi there! Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, Ethan is swamped this time of year and cannot review or provide feedback on essays. We suggest referring to these blog posts to help with revising your essay: 1. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/5-steps-revising-your-college-essay 2. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/improve-college-essays-last-minute If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and someone from our team will be in touch with you soon. www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching Hope this helps! We believe in you.
If this is for a school assignment or supplemental essay, you should probably select the quote yourself. There are plenty of impactful and profound quotes from Maya Angelou. Maybe start with a google search?
@@Collegeessayguy It’s for a supplementary essay. I did a google search, but I am looking for a more uncommon quote the admissions officers don’t see very much.
In this situation then, I'd recommend choosing a quote that is profund to you in some way so that the writing component isn't forced. And don't worry - if the prompt is specifically asking for a Maya Angelou quote, the readers are prepared to engage with content from the same quotes over and over.
Late to the party, but would writing about how a sports injury from a fairly uncommon sport (Wrestling) changed my mindset on quitting? If it's too cliche, I have other topics ready but have a draft done for this but realize it may be too basic. I don't focus on the injury, it's just used as an introduction. Thank You!
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Ethan Help! I already have a draft on how english wasn't my first language and i overcame that and now I teach ukrainians how to speak english online amid war. BUT i don't like this essay for lots of reasons. I'm glad you said to write about something I love because I've always wanted to write about my deep deep love and passion for the show survivor. I know a lot about it and I even made a club based on the show. But I don't know if this is appropriate since officers wouldn't believe that simply watching this show changed me? Should I write about survivor and what angle should I take?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi Ethan! I wrote my essay on how my small tight nite home community i live in has made me to comfortable and a bit more introverted with life so i believe that moving away would be the best option and would help my confidence with life
0:43 pretty common topics lists.
5 College Essay Topics to Avoid
1:45 big performance essay
2:03 the big game essay
2:14 sports injury essay
2:38 mission trip essay
2:52 mental health issue
just found out ive been doing this summarizing video topics thing quite while for my adhd friends hha
Thanks!
Literally I have ADHD, got 1 and a half minutes in and I was like huh I wonder if there are time stamps. BLESS YOU, you are an amazing friend
Great points on avoiding pitfalls in the essay that don't talk enough about the unique experiences that are the value-add on campus (aka the awesome sides on who you are :)) rather than the travel abroad piece
Thanks for watching!
im recommmending you to every other senior, this is helping me so much!
Glad to hear it!
Thanks for the amazing videos! So helpful and so comprehensive ❤
You're so welcome!
Hi Ethan! I wrote my essay on how my small tight nite home community i live in has made me to comfortable and a bit more introverted with life so i believe that moving away would be the best option and would help my confidence with life
Well, my common app essay topic is a mix of different topics. A short summary: I've been a top student until grade 10, I had to join a diff. school for 11 (due to education system in India). Due to covid I was constricted to join a school I didn't want to, the environment there was utterly negative & toxic which is something I had never experienced. My mental health goes on a decline, accompanied with a burnout and physical health issues. And the fact that I didn't realize about it until quite late + lack of help affects my academics and my life. I switch schools for grade 12, but I was too far affected. After my realization about my mental health, I write about my learnings from it. I also include my activities in it, like how I used quote/peom writing to express myself, how only cooking, music, cars were my only escapes from my current reality. Contrasting between my times when I was at the top and rock bottom, how learnings from them shaped my personality into a trurer & better version of myself: showcasing qualities that I still possess, but also new ones I now have from tougher times.
What is your opinion on this? Is it good/unique enough and stands out or is it common?
Please reply asap, since deadlines are only a few days away, I'd be really thankful.
That mix of topics could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic clearly demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
Hey there! I already finished my essay but your articles have been super helpful during the process, so I just wanted to say thank you in a place you'd see it 😊
Thanks so much for this comment 😊 It's really appreciated 🙏
Hi Ethan! I wrote my personal statement about my ethnic country Pakistan (a common topic, I guess?) but talked about how reflecting on my experience helped me become more humble/less judgmental and build realistic plans for problems I see, and focus on the positives. Do you think the values I used are uncommon enough to make me stand out? I also put a lot of imagery and a hook about seeing an air-conditioned yak on the street in a country where people don't have money to feed themselves much less their pet yaks. Please let me know :)
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
The values of humility and positivity are somewhat common, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't include them!
@@Collegeessayguy Thank you! What resource would you suggest for if I am trying to find uncommon connections/values for my personal statement? I am struggling to think about values that are rare.
I suggest checking out these examples of insight/uncommon connections here:
static1.squarespace.com/static/527cc9ffe4b06105448def23/t/62793ecab3b9d8705d718a7c/1652113099638/19+Examples+of+How+to+Make+Your+Essay+More+Insightful.pdf
@@Collegeessayguy thank you! I also wanted to add, I saw that Girl Scouts is on the list of common topics. I genuinely enjoy Girl Scouts and I have gotten a lot out of it including the Gold Award, a national award that only 6% of girl scouts get. Do you think it is a good topic to write an extracurricular essay on?
It can definitely work for an extracurricular activity essay!
Love your boardgame collection behind you!
Thanks for noticing!
"Western Michigan University", a doctoral research university with the largest donation in public university history, is the best. If you get admitted they have tons of generous scholarships and they even pay for your internship and in some cases, for your dorm.
Thanks for sharing.
Great video.
Thanks!
Great video! I know it's probably a stupid question, but does college essay need title?
Nope--no title required.
Hi. I want to write about an injury I had for a year but now I’m not sure what I can charge it for, because I think that topic really made me grow
Like the video explains - injuries are incredibly common topics for college essays. If you're going to use this topic, I recommend drawing uncommon connections or insights that wouldn't typically be found in a common injury essay.
Hi Ethan, I wrote my personal statement about the challenges I experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic and how these challenges made me into a better student. Do you think this would work or would it belong in the additional information section?
There is a COVID-19 prompt included in the Common App where you can detail how coronavirus or other community disruptions/natural disasters have impacted your life. We'd recommend you share this essay there rather than as your personal statement.
What's your major? I work at the university
can it be a personal essay. talking about myself and my future plans?
Hi Ethan, what if I wrote my personal statement about cooking a dish that highlights my characteristics? Maybe something like relating the different ingredients to my different characteristics, and how they all culminate to make who I am as a person? Do you think that would be a good idea?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hey Ethan! Thank you for this video, I learnt a lot. I was wondering if an essay about accepting my indian culture be a good topic. I am willing to go into a more interesting (i think..?) aspect of questioning if I should believe science or scriptures since I am a very factual based reasoning person. I also wanted to incorporate the aspect that I moved around a lot and felt cultural disconnect. Thank you so much for your time 😊
Your videos have been very encouraging in my writing process so far, thank you very much for all that you do!
I wanted to write my essay about my favorite K-pop group's complex storyline and how I relate to each member and their individual struggles. I don't think it would be a common topic, but I'm unsure if it can work. What do you think?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
I am a professor. Want some advice?
You are awesome sir
Thanks for watching!
Where is the video for stem students about legos?
It's coming soon! When we upload it, it'll be linked in the description.
Hi Ethan ! I want to become a lawyer so in my personal statement I am gonna write about my traumatic childhood . Like I was born in abnormal conditions and in a family which valued sons over daughter so my mother and I were tortured physically and mentally. Then when I was 14 , they got divorced and all of thsee events encouraged me to become a lawyer like I decided to become a lawyer to raise voice against injustice and take a stand for other girls whose voice has been silenced. So is it okay if I write this in my personal statement?
I know I'm not Ethan, but I feel as if there is a way to spin the essay to work, but be cautious of writing anything traumatic or relating to mental health in colleges. As much as colleges and universities promote mental health awareness, in the end, they want students who will be successful and have a "perfect" image. Mental Health is always a red flag topic for them, because even if people overcame mental health issues, they could still have them and that could taint their perfect image. I think it's a good story, but be careful with how its written. I'm sorry to hear that about your childhood though, hope you become a lawyer!
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
You're the best, Ethan!
Thanks for watching!
Hello Ethan, I have loved watching your videos. I am a nontraditional student (35 years old) who came to the United States in 2028 because my family suffered gun violence in Brazil. We got asylum in the United States. I am proud to say that I cleaned houses and washed dishes at night as a full-time job. I decided to study because, after getting documents, it was the only way I could see that would give me the ability to support my family since my mother is unable to work. This is my last year at Mission College, and I am a 4.0 student. I became so passionate about political science that I became the student government president last semester, and right now, I am trying an internship in Congress. I really wanted to get your opinion about my situation because I want to apply to Stanford, and I believe my determination would allow me to go even further, but I am unsure of how to put my story on paper. Also, this so-called impostor syndrome keeps hunting me. Thank you for your videos, it really helps me a lot.
Go for it! You got this. Colleges (usually) look more at people's skills, qualities, values, and interests than their age.
Hi. My essay is about my love for online gaming it and how it led to me learning coding. It reflects about my interests, my ecs and how I grew as a person. My major is CS.
Sounds like you're making a somewhat common topic work well for you!
@@Collegeessayguy I have another prompt. It is about my persevere cell and resilience. It aligns with the rest of my application as well. It also describes about my hardships during my covid infection What do u suggested, I go with?
That's ultimately up to you! Either topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Will this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hello Ethan, I've been watching your videos for half a year. I'm a grade 11 student from Taiwan, so I still have little time to build my activities; but I'm curious about is lifeguarding a rare and beneficial activity for my personal statement essay because I'm currently being a lifeguard (for summer), or should it be in the extracurricular essay?
Depending on how much content you can generate for that topic, it may be slightly easier to use that topic for extracurricular activity essays (since they typically have a lower word count).
I am a professor at a notable university. I will give you free advice since you are Taiwanese. What's your major?
Can I write about switching educational systems at high school and how I inspired others to do the same? It's for a personal life experience essay, i should talk about the insights i gained from it and the impact I did on my community
Switching schools is a relatively common topic. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
I’m thinking about writing about mbti personally types, specifically my jump from being istp to an estp (not a big jump but between the two tests I took almost a year apart, the 2nd proved that over the past year I’ve felt more comfortable with myself and made some major self improvement). I’ve asked others on what they think I should write about, mostly getting suggestions about experiences with race and racism, or my experiences with the foster care system- but I also get told these topics are overused. What’s your opinion on this?
Can writing about using a dustbin as my basketball hoop be wonderful?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
How I can send you my essay and get some tips and insights about it?
Can I use legos as a motif throughout my essay while also making it a metaphor about parts of my life (culture, family, interest)
It's a very common topic, but you can still go for it if it's what feels right. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Is writing about a break through with mental health a good topic?
Pro tip: listen to the whole thing before asking questions 😅☝🏾
LOL. You got this.
Can I talk about being a TCK???
Tyouuu 😢
No p
Hey! So i’m just getting started in all the college essay stuff, and have plenty of time to decide but i was wondering if you would consider fencing, like the sport fencing, and uncommon activity? I don’t THINK fencing is a very common sport but i’m not really sure. What do you think?
Fencing is relatively uncommon!
4:32
Ha! Awesome.
Hi Ethan! Is it too basic I talk about the contrast between growing up in Colombia (Which has a very lively and colorful culture) and my shy personality, and how that made me want to become a writer?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi im an engineering student and I cant find your video about legos.
Same! I was looking for the "STEM" student "don't talk about Legos" Engineering video but couldn't find it. And I wanted to watch the mental health video too, but it is marked as Private.
We'll be uploading it soon! Stay tuned! If you want to know the instant it goes live, make sure you have our post notifications turned on.
thanks!
@@Collegeessayguy
Western Michigan University would be a good choice
Hey, apologies for the off topic question, in my personal statement the reader had to find the characteristics themselves (although most people understood most of the characteristics ) I got some advice that I should explicitly say the characteristics sometimes, what do you think?
It's tough to say without having read the essay, but implied values/characteristics is totally OK as long as it feels really clear to readers what those are. (No need to get explicit.)
Thank you for the quick reply!
@@satella8963 hey, I think we can help each other on this. I need a partner. What do you say?
Hi Ethan!! what is your opinion about my essay topic about motivating my peers or being a student psychiatrist in my community and how i literally saved a life through it. Could this essay outstand
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
@@Collegeessayguy thank you sir, but i want to major in engineering does that affect my admit
It shouldn't make a big difference, no!
I was wondering, is it appropriate to write about some of the life skills and other things I learned from observing someone else's life experiences?
Sure, as long as your essay is largely about you and not this other person.
Hi Ethan! I am currently writing about my experience in beginning to play hockey as a minority race in the sport, the cultural shock, and the desire to fit in. Would this fall into the themes of cultural identity and new environment, which you said were common topics across essays? Also, I'm hearing from many different sources the the personal statement should be a specific, singular event, but I feel like I could best write my essay by talking about my desire to fit in over a larger period of time. Please share your thoughts. Thank you in advance.
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
If you're feeling like the topic is too common, try focuing on drawing uncommon connections or insights through your writing.
Oh then you should attend Western Michigan University. They had one of the first black hockey players and native American and Asian too
Hi! Can i write about mistakes i have made growing up and how it helped me in character development .. would it be good for college essay ?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Do you think these same tips apply when answering specific essay prompts like the UC PIQs?
More or less, yes!
I'm thinking about writing my college app essay about my first time at a state level choir festival, although instead of the actual performance, i would be writing about my first time finding a sense of belonging within the people there upon singing with them for the first time. would that be alright? im applying as a music education major if that helps.
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
What do you think about culture and tradition and being like born ina different culture and embracing it?
Since it is a fairly common topic, check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/2-Sf20y72P0/v-deo.html
Hello my essay was about a time when a comment during a cricket game brought cultural tensions among my diverse group of friends, and I had to step in to resolve the conflict. That experience taught me a lot about empathy, communication, and the importance of embracing our differences, which I plan on applying to an engineering degree at college. I wrote a comprehensive essay detailing what I learned and the impact on my character and how I will approach my college degree with that renewed sense of personality. Is this a good, unique topic or common?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hey Ethan I chose to talk about my love and I experience with business. Do you think it still works if I talk about parts of my life that contribute to aspects of why I love business?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi Ethan, I wrote my personal statement about my parents impact on my life, and how I created clubs in my high school, cause I'll be applying to Stanford and Dartmouth, is it a good essay
Maybe! It sounds like you'd be able to discuss some of those things in your Activities List rather than in the personal statement, but the choice is yours. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
@Collegeessayguy Thanks
How can I find the "How to write about engineering" video? One of my student wrote one of his essays about leLego and Engineering and I want to help him.
We're publishing it to the channel soon!
what if my personal statement is about moving between two cities *five* times? would that still make it common or no? Also, the end of mine basically just talks about how I want to help other people create themselves, like how moving a lot has had me realize a bunch of things and create myself, is that also a common thing to talk about or no?
Moving is a fairly common topic (I wrote about moving a lotin my own college essay!), so I'd check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/2-Sf20y72P0/v-deo.html
how come you shouldn't write about water polo, as most people don't do it
It's not that you SHOULDN'T write about it--it's that water polo is a relatively common topic which can make it harder for students to stand out if they choose to write about it profusely in their college essays.
If you're going to write about water polo, try including uncommon insights/connections to help your chances of standing out.
@@Collegeessayguy thank you.
Hi ethan, i wrote on happiness
I wrote on how i lost my friend and how the experience helped me shape my life and my passion for science. Do you think It'll work?
And please drop a link on where i van get someone proofread my essays for free and give me nice feedbacks
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Unfortunately, Ethan is swamped this time of year and cannot review or provide feedback on essays.
We suggest referring to these blog posts to help with revising your essay:
1. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/5-steps-revising-your-college-essay
2. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/improve-college-essays-last-minute
If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and John from our team will be in touch with you soon. www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching
Hope this helps! We believe in you.
Hy eathan ,
I need someone to proofread my essay.
Can anyone help me
Hi there! Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, Ethan is swamped this time of year and cannot review or provide feedback on essays.
We suggest referring to these blog posts to help with revising your essay:
1. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/5-steps-revising-your-college-essay
2. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/improve-college-essays-last-minute
If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and John from our team will be in touch with you soon. www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching
Hope this helps! We believe in you.
Where's the link for the engineering topics?
It's coming soon! When we upload it, it'll be linked in the description.
I want to write about Formula 1, my love for the sport how I grew up with it around me (my dad and brothers watching it) but yet I was told it was a sport for only boys and my experience going to a few races and how I want to break the barrier and work in formula 1 one day. is it a good idea? also, I don't really know where to start with it
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hello. Im trying to write my essay on my favorite show about someone chasing their dream and am going to try to relate their journey with my own. is this a unique topic?
It's definitely been done before by some of our students. Just make sure the content is your own and draws uncommon connections to your skills, qualities, values, and interests and you should be good to go!
why not lawyer?
Could you please clarify your question or phrase it differently? Hope to get back to you!
@@Collegeessayguy In the video you said you love it when students talk about skills which will serve them in their career. But then you said "Maybe not a Lawyer". For context I aspire to become a lawyer and am really confused what to write about. Thanks in advance ( Your videos are really helpful thanks a lot).
Law is a common career path and while it's not wrong to want to be a laywer (quite the opposite actually!) writing about skills that would help you in law could be a more common essay that admissions readers are encountering. In that case, it might serve you better to write about one of the other 7 suggestions, such as I Love/I Know, homes, or identities.
Hey Ethan, I wrote about my experience as a soccer goalie, and how it helped me build self-confidence and get into the zone. I also talked about how I applied this to my academic life. Is this a cliche topic?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
hey! i have a question, what if i write about my background e.g
having my entire childhood in a village and how it made education difficult for me but also in a way made me a person who i am today while giving several examples along the way. will this be something good to write upon?
(first prompt)
It depends. Typically, we recommend writing about something more recent than your childhood. Colleges want to know what you're currently like, so if you choose a topic that reflects a lot on your childhood, remember to connect it back to your present self.
Hello Mr. Sawyer! I was wondering if you could help me with something.
My counselor told me my essay was generic, and I wanted to ask for advice. I wrote about moving every year and my experience moving into different math classes as a result of switching schools. I went through how one teacher was incompetent, other taught in a language I couldn’t understand well because he had all Russian students (I’m also Russian but I didn’t get the jargon and he called me stupid), another teacher which supported me and sent me to a higher level class and the current teacher that keeps supporting me. I finished off with a lesson to stay ahead to not stay behind, a quote from my Homeroom teacher that came to my mind when faced with the problem that I caught up with my higher level class but still didn’t feel like it was enough.
This was very brief, but that’s the main idea. Is it bad? Is it stereotypical? Math class had always been somewhat dynamic since all teachers were significantly different.
Is this a bad idea? I don’t mind other viewers’ feedback, either, so if you can, please give me a suggestion! 🙏
Check out this video we released today: ua-cam.com/video/ZoF6Cq4Itms/v-deo.html&ab_channel=CollegeEssayGuy
Hi Ethan! Thank you so much for this video, but now watching your video, i have become slightly nervous about my essay. I already finished it and don't want to restart. My essay is about an essence object: my journal. And how it carries all the past versions of myself and how i have and still can grow, but my past versions of myself have a lot of mental health issues. I know you said to avoid talking about mental health, so is my approach different enough or should i start trying to write a new essay?
You don't necessarily have to avoid writing about your mental health. Ideally, if you are writing about it, it's something you've learned to overcome or are not actively dealing with on a daily basis.
You can keep your essay! Perhaps do a bit more revising to ensure your insights, values, and skills are clear (and hopefully somewhat less common).
Hi Ethan. Thanks for the informative video. May you please review my essay for me. I've just completed my final draft. Thanks once again from Zimbabwe
Hi there! Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, Ethan is swamped this time of year and cannot review or provide feedback on essays.
We suggest referring to these blog posts to help with revising your essay:
1. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/5-steps-revising-your-college-essay
2. www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/improve-college-essays-last-minute
If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and someone from our team will be in touch with you soon. www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching
Hope this helps! We believe in you.
Do you know any great Maya Angelou quotes to write an essay on?
If this is for a school assignment or supplemental essay, you should probably select the quote yourself. There are plenty of impactful and profound quotes from Maya Angelou. Maybe start with a google search?
@@Collegeessayguy It’s for a supplementary essay. I did a google search, but I am looking for a more uncommon quote the admissions officers don’t see very much.
In this situation then, I'd recommend choosing a quote that is profund to you in some way so that the writing component isn't forced. And don't worry - if the prompt is specifically asking for a Maya Angelou quote, the readers are prepared to engage with content from the same quotes over and over.
Why would mission trip be a privileged awakening? Most church kids I know have to raise money to go on a mission trip.
@@SimpleCleanAndGreen that’s probably a small portion. There’s most likely a huge portion of People that go on mission trips that have hella money.
Late to the party, but would writing about how a sports injury from a fairly uncommon sport (Wrestling) changed my mindset on quitting? If it's too cliche, I have other topics ready but have a draft done for this but realize it may be too basic. I don't focus on the injury, it's just used as an introduction. Thank You!
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Lego
😤
Ah anime .. haha ah man
Thanks for watching.
Ethan Help! I already have a draft on how english wasn't my first language and i overcame that and now I teach ukrainians how to speak english online amid war. BUT i don't like this essay for lots of reasons. I'm glad you said to write about something I love because I've always wanted to write about my deep deep love and passion for the show survivor. I know a lot about it and I even made a club based on the show. But I don't know if this is appropriate since officers wouldn't believe that simply watching this show changed me? Should I write about survivor and what angle should I take?
That topic could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"
If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!
Hi Ethan! I wrote my essay on how my small tight nite home community i live in has made me to comfortable and a bit more introverted with life so i believe that moving away would be the best option and would help my confidence with life
Why not lawyer?