20 Creative College Essay Topics

Many college applications list various essay prompts for applicants to follow.
Other schools may provide more open-ended questions for the students’ essay requirements.
Creativity is a great way to showcase your skills and personality, even in your college essay.

The essay is an important component of your college application. This is your opportunity to show the admissions committee that 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.

In many cases, your potential colleges will provide you with a list of prompts. Other times, they may give you a more open-ended question or simply ask you to write about anything important to you. When it’s open-ended like this, coming up with what to write about can be tough! To get you started though, we’ve put together a list of 20 creative essay topics.

College Essay Prompts

Before getting started on your college essay, always check the list of prompts. Many schools will give you a list of topics to choose from, or they might have a single question you need to answer. If your school provides you with a specific topic or prompt, stick to that topic. Creativity is usually welcomed, but you don’t want to stray 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 7 prompts to choose from. While the first 6 are specific, #7 is open-ended and the student can choose what to talk about!

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

Describe an experience, event, or achievement that triggered a new understanding of yourself or others.
Share the best piece of advice you’ve ever received. Why do you rate it as the best? How did it guide or change you?
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. Highlight what you find so intriguing about it and maybe how you stumbled upon that idea or concept.
Describe some of your most noteworthy accomplishments that have no connection to academics.
Choose one quote that defines who you are. Explain why you chose that particular quote and how you think it defines you.
If you have some unusual plans for after you graduate, talk about those plans. Discuss how the idea came about and how you intend to execute it.
Reflect on what you see as the biggest challenge to teenagers today. Explain your reasoning.
Can you think of someone who deserves the Nobel Prize in a particular category? Imagine you’re a member of the Nobel Prize Board and put forward a convincing argument about why they deserve the award.
Reflect on your unique personality trait or special skill that allows you to stand out in a crowd. Back it up with concrete examples where possible.
Discuss an unusual volunteering experience. Highlight the impression these experiences left on you.
Share an unusual traveling experience.
If you had the chance to have a one-on-one conversation with any individual living or dead, who would that be? Explain why you chose that person and what you would like to speak to them about.
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.
Discuss what you learned as part of a competitive sports team.
Talk about a time when you challenged or questioned an idea or a belief. What caused you to question the idea or belief? What was the outcome?
If you could travel back in time to any period in history, which period would you choose? Why?
Name one book, person, or event that has had a profound impression on you or influenced the choices you’ve made.
Recount an obstacle or setback that you experienced that eventually contributed to your success.

Keep These Tips In Mind When Choosing Your College Essay Topic

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, particularly politics and religion. Most people have very strong opinions when it comes to these two areas. If the reader’s beliefs or opinions are the complete opposite of yours, they’ll find it difficult to be objective.

Be Honest

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 to 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. They’re sick of reading them, and, especially when it comes to showcasing teamwork or overcoming a challenge, they can be an “easy” 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 list 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, you can see “Essays That Worked” for John Hopkins University here. Not all colleges do this, but you might be able to find some inspiration from others in this case!

The Importance of a College Essay

While the ultimate admission decision does not depend on the essay alone, a strong essay can sway the decision in your favor. This is particularly crucial 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 prize seat in 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 provided prompts or information and consider what’s important to this particular school. By brainstorming, you can help find the perfect essay topic!

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 College Match tool does the work for you. See how it works and how you can get started here.