What Not to Write: Overdone College Essay Topics and How to Avoid Them

Every year, admissions officers read thousands of personal statements. Some stand out for their insight and voice—others, unfortunately, blend. That’s often because students choose cliché, vague, or overly polished topics. Avoid the most overused ideas if you want your Common App essay to rise above the rest.

Here are some common personal statement pitfalls—and what to do instead.

1. The Sports Injury Comeback Story

We’ve all heard it: an athlete gets injured, works hard to recover, and learns the value of perseverance. While these experiences are deeply personal, the narrative arc is almost always the same. Unless you can offer a unique perspective or reflection—something beyond physical recovery—it’s hard to stand out with this topic.

2. The Mission Trip or Service Abroad

Helping others is important. However, writing about a short trip to a less-developed country often ends up unintentionally centering the writer’s experience rather than showing true cultural understanding. These essays risk sounding privileged or self-congratulatory. If you choose this kind of story, focus less on what you did and more on how your worldview was challenged and reshaped.

3. The “Big Win” or “Perfect Score”

Whether it’s scoring the winning goal, acing the SAT, or becoming valedictorian, stories about big achievements can backfire. They often read more like a brag sheet than a personal reflection. Admissions officers can already see your accomplishments in your activities list—use the essay to show something they can’t find there.

4. The Trauma Dump

Writing about challenges like illness, loss, or mental health is not off-limits—in fact, these topics can lead to powerful, human essays. But students should be cautious. The essay should focus not just on what happened, but on how they’ve grown from it. If the piece reads more like a diary entry or lacks reflection, it may feel incomplete or emotionally overwhelming to the reader.

5. The Resume Rewrite

Some students try to mention every extracurricular and leadership role in their essay. The result? A rehash of their resume with little depth. Admissions officers want to get to know you, not just what you’ve done. Choose one story and go deep.

Instead of aiming for dramatic or impressive, aim for honest and thoughtful. Strong essays often start small: a habit, a moment of curiosity, a conversation that stuck with you. Focus on how you think, what you value, and how you’ve changed. Those are the essays that stand out. Your story doesn’t need to be extraordinary—it needs to be real. Avoid the overdone topics, and trust that your authentic perspective is more than enough. Need a second pair of eyes on your essay? Check out Resume All Day’s essay coaching services for expert feedback!

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