Guide
The college essay guide
Most of the work in a college essay happens before you write a word: finding a topic worth writing about. This guide takes you from there to the Common App prompts, supplements, and the question of using AI. Read it in order, or jump to the part you need.
- 1 How to figure out what to write your college essay about
A high school counselor on how to choose your Common App personal statement topic: what the essay is for, what works, what to skip, and how to find yours.
- 2 What makes a college essay topic actually work
A workable college essay topic passes three tests. Learn what they are and how to pressure-test a Common App topic you already have for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- 3 20 questions to find your college essay story
20 specific, concrete questions to help you surface real college essay material fast, then pressure-test what you find against three simple tests.
- 4 50 college essay topic ideas, sorted by what they show about you
50 college essay topic ideas organized by category, from everyday moments to disagreements and hobbies, with a quick test to tell if an idea is worth writing.
- 5 How to turn an ordinary moment into a strong essay topic
A counselor on why small, everyday moments often beat dramatic ones as college essay topics, and how to tell if one has enough in it.
- 6 College essay topics to avoid, and why "overdone" is mostly a myth
Seven college essay topics admissions readers see every cycle, and why none of them are actually off-limits if the angle is right.
- 7 The Common App essay prompts, and how to tell which one is yours
The seven Common App essay prompts for 2026-2027, what each one really asks, and how to work out which prompt your chosen topic already answers.
- 8 Personal statement vs supplemental essays: different topics, different jobs
The personal statement and supplemental essays ask different questions. What each one is actually for, and how to pick a topic for both.
- 9 How to find an angle for the "why us" essay
Learn how to find a specific, personal angle for the why us supplemental essay by connecting one real thing about you to a checkable detail at the school.
- 10 How to choose a topic for the activity or extracurricular essay
Pick the right activity for the extracurricular essay: how to choose between your commitments, find the one moment that matters, and avoid repeating your resume.
- 11 Is it okay to use AI for your college essay? Where the line is
Using AI to brainstorm or get feedback on a college essay is widely tolerated. Having it write your essay is not. Here is where the line sits and how to stay on the right side.
Looking for schools instead? See the college list builder and how to build a balanced list.
