A good essay for a college application would show a person’s knowledge and respect for literature, religion and history and relate such things to a part of an applicant’s life. An essay about conquering personal trauma like the loss of a family member, etc, are also other topics. Since most high school students couldn’t name one romantic poet, perhaps a STEM student would stand out by reflecting on what these poets thought about science and technology and what it means in the modern era.
Most science oriented high school students are generally unaware that the great scientists were also theologians and philosophers, so any number of good topics could spring from that.