College application essay topics depend on the school. John Gaines, director of admissions at Vanderbilt University, recommends relating the topic to yourself, your college search process and where you’re applying. He says, “If you write about loving to hike or the outdoors, tie it back to the fact that the school has a great recreation program or to your interest in environmental biology.”

This approach gives the admission counselors who examine your essay insight into who you are apart from your test scores and transcript; what you find appealing about that particular school; and what you have to offer.