Every year, 2.2 million recent high school graduates enter college. The process can feel very long. It starts with taking the SAT or ACT and asking teachers for recommendations. Then, students need to decide where to apply.
For many, however, the scariest part comes next. It’s time to send in the application.
Truth be told, the application does not need to be so stressful. In a way, much of the admissions decision is decided before you even apply. Your grades and test scores are what decisions are based off of, and your teachers have already decided what (nice!) things to say about you.
But there is one thing you have immediate and total control over: the college paper. Marketed as a way to “be your true self,” admissions officers are really trying to see how you’d fit in at their institution, both in and out of the classroom.
As such, it’s generally a good strategy simply to talk about your passions, goals, or ambitions. Every institution wants happy and engaged students, but there are a few serious pitfalls to avoid. What follow are the four worst mistakes you can make in your college essay, and how to avoid them.
1. Complaining about your teachers / coaches / other adults
It’s true. We have all had bad teachers. And as for coaches, well, sometimes they can be a bit too passionate.
Many students will use their paper to discuss how they handled a conflict, and the results can sometimes be amazing. However, if you take this route, be sure to keep the focus on yourself and what you learned, and less on the principal who suspended you for being one minute late to class.
Why? Because conflict is everywhere, including on the campus of the college where you’re applying. Admissions officers want to see that you can navigate these tough situations. Write about what you learned, and what you would do differently next time. You don’t need to apologize for everything; it’s okay to say that you felt the situation was mishandled, but be very careful not to go overboard.
2. TMI: Too much information
When students hear that the paper is a chance to “be your true self,” many take this as an invitation to write about their life’s darkest moments.
Approach sensitive topics with care. Remember that, by its nature, the college paper is a professional document, and you want to present yourself in the best light possible. If you choose to write about a personal issue, make the focus on how you’ve grown or learned about yourself. Reading between the lines, you want to convey that you’re ready for college. Angsty screeds about ongoing personal problems will not send this message.
3. Typos & grammar mistakes
Although it’s never explicitly stated, many colleges will use your application paper to evaluate your writing ability. This is especially the case if you have struggled in English courses, or have a poor score on the reading and grammar sections of your SAT or ACT.
Typos cast doubt on your readiness for college-level work, and also send a bad message about how seriously you take your future. That said, a tiny error or two will rarely harm you. But be sure to read your paper several times before sending it out!
4. Mentioning the wrong school
This is, at once, the most amusing mistake for an admissions officer to encounter, and the one that is almost certain to doom your application.
Colleges are very concerned about their yield: that is, how many of the students they admit will actually attend? In addition to the readiness questions with any type of error, mentioning the wrong school’s name shows a lack of interest that is targeted at the school you’re applying to. Admissions officers will assume that you’re not actually interested in their institution, and may reject your file for that very reason.
The college admissions process may seem very stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. By sticking to these few, simple rules when writing about your interests, passions, or goals, you can feel confident that your college paper will stand out only in the best of ways!