Topics to AVOID in Common Application Essays

 Sarah ONeill Coatesville Supreme Editing 

When writing college application essays, we know that highlighting one’s strengths, passions, curiosities, and inspirations often leads to success. A strong essay should reflect personal growth, life lessons, and insights into one's identity. However, certain topics can be risky or even dangerous to explore in this context, raising concerns for the admissions committee. So, what topics should be avoided, and why?

The truth is, most topics can work as long as they genuinely connect to personal growth, lessons learned, or key aspects of the writer’s identity. Writing about a subject that resonates deeply with you can produce a compelling essay, but there are common mistakes that students make. For instance, some students try to sound impressive by choosing a topic they think the admissions officers want to hear, rather than one they genuinely care about. Others avoid revealing much about themselves, focusing instead on a general topic without personal insights. While these approaches may hurt the impact of an essay, they aren’t necessarily dangerous in the sense that they could negatively affect how the admissions officers view you. What makes certain topics dangerous is how they might be perceived, misunderstood, or reflect poorly on your judgment.

According to Stanford’s Common Application Essay book, sex is one of the more dangerous subjects to write about, and for good reason. It's difficult to treat the topic with the level of maturity it demands. Additionally, perspectives on sexual experiences vary widely among readers, which may raise concerns about the essay’s appropriateness. Discussing sex can easily come off as tone-deaf, offensive, or overly provocative, which is why it’s best to steer clear of this topic unless it’s handled with exceptional care and tact. Even then, there’s no guarantee it won’t raise red flags for admissions officers.

Perfectionism is another risky topic, but for a different reason. Writing about being a perfectionist, especially when framed as a weakness, might seem like a clever way to demonstrate high standards and ambition. However, admissions officers often view it as a potential red flag. Describing yourself as a perfectionist may suggest that you are unable to cope in high-pressure environments—exactly the kind of stress college brings. You don’t want to give the impression that you might implode under the academic and social pressures of university life. Over-exaggerating any trait, even positive ones like ambition or perseverance, can backfire by making you seem unbalanced or unprepared for the challenges ahead.

Similarly, it can be dangerous to write about mental health issues. While mental health struggles are real and important, they can be highly sensitive subjects, and sharing them in an admissions essay is fraught with risk. College admissions officers may worry about how well you’ll cope with the pressures of college, and some may have personal or professional biases around mental health topics. Of course, some essays about mental health have been successful, but these essays tend to focus on the growth and insight gained from those experiences rather than the struggles themselves. Context is everything here. If the essay leans too heavily on the negative aspects or portrays an ongoing struggle without resolution, it could raise concerns rather than inspire understanding.

One surprising potential pitfall is unconsciously revealing privilege. For instance, writing about luxury activities like traveling around the world to ride horses or spending summers on a private yacht might not sit well with an admissions officer who isn’t wealthy. While privilege in itself isn’t wrong, the tone and perspective you present matter. Focusing on expensive hobbies or experiences without showing awareness of how unusual and fortunate these opportunities are can make the writer appear out of touch or lacking in empathy. Admissions officers want to accept students who demonstrate humility and gratitude, not someone oblivious to the struggles of others.

Another classic danger zone involves sharing too much information. Some students mistakenly think that being brutally honest about personal mistakes will make their essay more relatable or bold. However, essays that disclose inappropriate behavior, such as underage drinking, pulling harmful pranks, or detailing a history of feeling suicidal, can be perceived as troubling. Though everyone makes mistakes, admitting to illegal or dangerous activities, or discussing deeply personal traumas without framing them in a growth-oriented way, could lead the admissions officer to question your maturity, decision-making, or emotional readiness for college. While there may be rare instances where these topics can work, they require an exceptional level of nuance and should be handled with extreme caution.

Adding Perspective and Insight

The golden rule in determining whether your topic is safe or too risky is insight. Regardless of the subject, what matters most is how you present it and what you’ve learned from the experience. Admissions officers are looking for growth, resilience, and self-awareness in your essay. They want to see how challenges have shaped you into a more mature, empathetic, and capable person. So, whether you’re writing about a seemingly harmless topic or one that skirts the edge of being risky, always ask yourself: What did I learn? How did this experience change me? How have I grown because of it?

An additional layer of protection is sharing your essay idea with a trusted adult or mentor. Their reactions can help you gauge whether your topic is too sensitive or might raise concerns. Sometimes an idea that seems harmless to you might spark a different reaction from someone with more life experience, providing valuable feedback before you submit your application.

Ultimately, writing a strong essay isn’t about avoiding certain topics entirely. It’s about understanding the risks involved and making sure your essay focuses on growth, self-reflection, and personal insight. While some subjects like sex, mental health, or privilege might be difficult to handle, they aren’t impossible to write about. What’s key is showing how those experiences have led to deeper understanding, maturity, and change—qualities that colleges seek in every incoming student.

Sarah ONeill Coatesville Supreme Editing