5 Things to Avoid on Your College Essays
College application season is officially in full swing. Maybe you have already submitted an application or two. Perhaps you have already even heard back from a rolling-decision school. For any schools you are still planning on applying to, you still have time to edit and adjust your personal statement and especially your supplemental essays. Here are 5 things to avoid when writing them.
Essay-as-activities-delivery-system: Your application aptly lists the activities in which you are involved. Although limited to a 150-characters, rest assured the adcoms will see your activities. There are creative ways to discuss your activities in your personal statement if you wish, but you should not go listing all of your activities once again in your personal statement. Another exception is the obvious supplemental essay that specifically asks you to elaborate on an extracurricular activity.
Writing about 13-year-old you: Colleges are interested in who you are today, and who will be attending their institution tomorrow. Try not to root too far into your past. Keep current.
Vague generalizations: Some of my most brilliant students think philosophically and broadly about the world around them. While waxing poetic about the meaning of life in their personal statements, they often miss the mark. Be specific and concrete in your essay. Write about your particular experiences on a topic using personal anecdotes rather than your broad philosophy around it.
Contradictory information: If your entire essay is about how you have wanted to be in a STEM field your whole life, yet your application is void of any STEM-related clubs and classes (other than the basic requirements), then you are presenting contradictory information. Underclassmen take heed: start looking into extracurricular activities that reflect your passions.
Writing about your favorite horse or a European vacation: Avoid the obvious purchased experiences trope, unless it can bring profound meaning to your writing. Topics such as these reveal privilege, but say little about the student’s character, meta-cognition, and initiative.
Happy writing! Feel free to reach out to me to book a session for proofreading your college essays if you’re afraid you are leaning into any of the above topics to avoid.
