5 College Essay Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Writing a successful college essay is one of the most daunting aspects of the admission process, no doubt because of its ability to make or break a great college application for prospective undergraduates. While it is important to know what to do to compose a successful essay, it is just as valuable to know what not to do. We aim to highlight mistakes many students make so you can avoid them while writing your essays.
1. Talking about everyone but yourself
If you talk about anyone but yourself in your college essay in a way where you do not relate to the story directly, you will fail. Many students do this by talking about their parent's or grandparents' trials and tribulations because they cannot think of any challenges of their own. While the media glorifies these essays of immense struggle, most students applying to schools have not had to deal with moving from a foreign country; loss of a parental figure, and a whole host of other challenges. Writing about volunteer work or an immense passion you have can be just as effective because the main focus is on what you can provide to a school’s community.
2. Letting your parents write or peer review your essay
Speaking from personal experience, do not let this happen. When I was applying to colleges, I wrote my college essay about how my disability helps me take action to help others around me. My parents thought my essay was too emotional, lacked a professional tone, and was too weak-willed. My parents took the essay, replaced everything, and wrote something that looked like a cover letter you write when applying for a job. It is true, your parents have your best interests. However, more than likely they do not know any better and your essay can come off as manufactured.
3. Repeating what is in your application
While you might think it's crucial to double down on what is in your application, do not do it. One way students will do this is by mentioning their stats — grades or test scores — in their essays. Admission officers know how to read applications and essays; it's what they are compensated and expected to do. Mentioning an item that is already in your application will make you look like a mundane applicant that cannot provide a sense of personality to the community.
4. Cramming
By cramming your entire seventeen- to eighteen-year life story into your college essay, you are more susceptible to writing an unstructured essay that is off-task. The stress of only having a limited number of words to explain your story can be unnerving, but writing about every major life event that has no relation to one another is not wise. Applicants also tend to cram one too many messages into their essays, which can confuse the reader. It is recommended to pick one story you can tell from beginning to end, and roll with it. Your personality and sense of community are more likely to come out depending on how great of a writer you are. I would recommend brainstorming a handful of life experiences, challenges, or realizations that led to your personal growth, and then honing in on just one.
5. Sounding Inauthentic
Admissions officers know a fake essay when they see one. Using language that does not reflect your personality appropriately, and reads as if it came out of a test prep book, will put a damper on the way your essay comes across. Some students think trying to sound smarter through diction might increase their chances. In reality, it's the opposite. This strategy may work in class, but not on admission officers who read tens of thousands of essays a year. Again, admissions officers use the essay as a chance for you to show what you can provide to the campus community, not to flex your English might.
If you find yourself running into these mistakes above, schedule a consultation with Ivy Brothers at the link below!