What topics should I avoid in a college application essay?

You can write about almost anything—as long as it actually says something meaningful about you. But some topics are so overused or tricky that they’re best avoided. For example, the big game you won? Great, unless the takeaway is just “winning is fun.” A life-changing trip? Only if it’s not just a list of cool places you saw. Avoid trauma stories unless you’ve had time to reflect and process them. Don’t use your essay as a résumé recap. And for the love of admissions officers everywhere, don’t say AI wrote your essay. Be bold, be honest, and write something only you could write. That’s how you stand out.