“Is my college essay any good?”
As a college essay coach, this is the question that I get asked the most. As you may have already guessed, “good” is a relative term. One person’s “good” can be another person’s “not so good.” So, how do college essay coaches identify weak topics that will set you off in the wrong direction?
There are several red flags essay coaches look for when reading a student’s essay, the most common of which are:
- You’re struggling to write
- All plot, no story
- Lack of personality
- Misplaced focus
- Emotions overpower reflection
Let’s take an in-depth look at each of these to determine how college essay coaches identify weak topics.
How College Essay Coaches Identify Weak Topics
Experienced college essay coaches identify weak topics by looking for certain patterns and warning signs that limit depth, originality, or insight.
You’re Struggle to Write
Sometimes, spotting a weak topic is easy. Are you struggling to finish writing your essay? It could be because your topic doesn’t excite you—and if you’re not interested in your essay, neither will the reader.
Often, students will choose a prompt or topic because they think it will make them look good. While we want to present the best version of the student to the admissions reader, an essay detailing your National Honor Society acceptance may not be the most compelling narrative. Even if a topic seems niche, if a student enjoys writing about it, it’ll make for a stronger essay.
If you’re stuck after writing a single paragraph, then that’s a sign that the essay topic is weak, at least for a 650-word essay. A topic that works well for a supplemental essay may not be the best choice for a longer personal statement.
This brings us to another way essay coaches identify weak topics:
All Plot, No Story
You may have seen this image in your high school English class: an iceberg, with one-third visible above the water and two-thirds hidden beneath the surface. The part sticking out represents the plot, while the entire iceberg represents the story.
The plot is only a small piece of the whole story. While the moment your experiment won first place at the science fair makes for a compelling plot point, it doesn’t tell a complete story—at least, not yet.
A strong essay topic is straightforward, but sometimes, students forget the big picture. A full story comprises a beginning, middle, and end, allowing for reflection and a clear theme. If your essay topic doesn’t reveal some deeper significance to your character, then it may become a weak essay.
While scenes contribute to a strong essay, reflection is what makes it successful personal statement. Whether you describe a challenge, a pivotal moment, or a flashback, it’s essential to spend time reflecting on what the experience means to you and why it matters. If an essay topic doesn’t naturally lend itself to reflection, it’s likely not a strong choice.
Lack of Personality
When choosing an essay topic, it’s important to remember that admissions readers want to learn about you. A strong essay topic allows for your personality to shine.
Students often mistake the personal essay for a resume or professional cover letter, but the personal statement is a creative essay, and the topic you choose should be equally creative and inviting. The admissions readers will see your grades and activities elsewhere in your application, but those aren’t the only things that make you you. A strong essay topic highlights something unique and specific about your life, while a weak topic makes sweeping generalizations with little definition or detail.
Essay coaches read a lot of student essays. Oftentimes, we’ll come across essays that are bland or even cliché. To avoid this, ensure that your essay reflects your interests and is written in your style and voice. Avoid AI as much as possible, as admissions readers will see right through the universality of an AI-aided essay.
Misplaced Focus
Your Aunt Kathleen has lived an amazing life: she’s sailed a boat, had a family, ridden an elephant, and danced on Broadway. But Aunt Kathleen isn’t applying to college. While family or friends may spark an exciting essay, your essay topic should revolve around you and your journey.
You’re the main character of your essay, and a strong essay topic should reflect this.
Emotions Overpower Reflection
Make no mistake: An emotional essay topic can capture attention and become memorable to an admissions reader, potentially helping you get into your dream school. But, this is only if the well-chosen topic becomes a well-written essay.
Sometimes, a student will choose to write an essay about an experience that they haven’t had a chance to process yet. A topic becomes weak if your emotions are too high and you can’t adequately reflect on the experience.
Politics or religion can make for weak topics if not handled carefully. Mental health struggles, while important, can also make for weak topics if the writer is still deeply in the throes of a battle. Illness, arguments, and grudges do not make for good topics because emotions can run very high, and a good essay should be written with a clear, level-head.
However, none of these topics are strictly off limits. A college essay coach or advisor will be better able to assess if the topic you’ve chosen is truly weak or has potential.
Conclusion
There are many ways college essay coaches identify weak topics. A strong essay topic will highlight your strengths and gives you room to tell a complete, compelling, and personal story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. A weak topic, on the other hand, tends to focus on what happened rather than who you are, leaving little room for reflection, personality, or insight.
Great essays can make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. Your personal statement and supplemental essays show who you are, highlight your growth, and give admissions a reason to choose you. Our team can help you get them right. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.
