College Essay Mistakes: How to Fix Them

Students’ dream schools are often very competitive and challenging to get into, and the difference between getting in and being the first rejected name on the waiting list can be a slight margin. Your resume or GPA could cause your rejection, but it’s more likely that college essay mistakes will prevent you from earning admission. Some of these mistakes are so common that hundreds, if not thousands of students make them, but they are also very easily fixable. Let’s learn some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them in your essays.  

The 3 Most Common College Essay Mistakes

Common College Essay Mistakes

Poor Presentation & Proofreading

One of the most common mistakes students make when writing their college essays is failing to reread their writing. Looking out for basic spelling and grammatical errors and having someone else read it is one of the best ways to notice mistakes. 

Another simple mistake that does not have to do with the actual content of the essay is failing to format the submission. Colleges are not looking for APA, well-researched presentations. However, admissions officers want to see the fundamentals of writing in action as you tell a part of your story.

Generic Introduction or Topic      

Many students begin their essay with a generic quote about achieving your dreams by someone famous. While there is something not inherently wrong with starting things off with a quote, students must use it correctly, or there is no reason to use one. When using a quote, it should be specific to the topic the student is writing about, and it should hook the reader. 

Another thing to keep in mind about the introduction is to make sure that the college essay reader is not bored while reading your essay, as they have to go through thousands. One of the best ways to start a college essay is with a short story or a personal anecdote that is very original and addresses your main talking points. A great example is talking about a learning experience, while one used all too often is talking about sports.

Missing the Point of the College Essay

Some students fall into mistakes or traps because the root of the issue is that they need to understand the real point of a college essay or personal statement. Students should tell their stories, which should be unique and entirely about the students’ experiences. A student should avoid talking about the things already on their resume and avoid talking about personal tragedies.   

Students need to tell a good story about their character or personality, and this story should not include too many clichés. Students should also avoid relying on sympathy. Even if the circumstances aren’t the best, students should be aiming to paint themselves in a positive light. The most important thing to remember is that students should use their writing style to tell their own story and be themselves while writing it. Johns Hopkins University showcases some examples of essays that worked each year, and reading through some samples may help you decide on your unique topic.

Conclusion 

The college essay will likely come after completing the most stressful parts of applying to college. The student should already have the required grades and standardized test scores they need. The best way to continue the momentum is to write a story with a good hook, few mistakes, and an easy-to-read format.  

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