Essay Dos & Don’ts: Avoid Common Mistakes in Your Application
Introduction
Your college essays are one of the most critical components of your application, especially when applying to Ivy League and elite schools. Beyond your GPA and test scores, your essays give admissions officers a glimpse into who you are — your personality, values, and unique story. However, many applicants make avoidable mistakes that weaken their essays.
This guide will break down the Dos and Don’ts of college essays, covering both personal statements and supplemental essays, with real-life examples and actionable advice to help you craft compelling and authentic essays.
1. Choosing the Right Topic: What to Write About
DO: Choose a Unique, Personal Story
Your essay should reflect something meaningful and distinctive about you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays—avoid clichés and focus on what makes you, you. Think of moments that shaped your values, changed your perspective, or reflect your growth in a unique way. A strong topic is not just about the event itself, but about the personal insight you bring to it.
Example of a Strong Topic:
Instead of writing about "Winning a Championship", an applicant wrote about failing as a team captain and how it reshaped their leadership style.
Instead of "Overcoming an Injury", a student wrote about how learning patience through recovery influenced their love for engineering.
The key is to take an experience and turn it into a deeper reflection about who you are and how you think.
DON’T: Pick an Overused or Superficial Topic
Some essay topics are so common that they fail to stand out. Admissions officers have read countless essays about sports victories, volunteer trips, and grade improvements. Unless you can add a unique and deeply personal perspective, these topics risk blending in with thousands of others.
Avoid these Overdone Topics:
"The Big Game": Scoring the winning goal or facing defeat is a common trope.
"Community Service Trip": Unless it had a deep personal impact, it may seem generic and surface-level.
"How I Got a Good Grade": Academic improvement isn’t compelling unless it connects to deeper themes like resilience, self-discovery, or a shift in learning mindset.
"I Helped Someone in Need": Acts of kindness are admirable, but without nuanced reflections, they may seem superficial.
Better Approach: If your story is common, make it deeply personal and unexpectedly insightful. Instead of just writing about what happened, focus on why it mattered to you, how it changed you, and how it connects to your goals and passions. Your personal perspective is what makes your essay stand out, not the event itself.
2. Writing Style: How to Write Your Essay
DO: “Show, Don’t Tell”
Your essay should paint a vivid picture of who you are, rather than directly stating qualities. Show your personality through storytelling by using detailed descriptions, emotions, and actions that illustrate your character. When you craft your essay this way, admissions officers can experience your growth and qualities firsthand, making your writing much more memorable.
Example: Bad: "I am a hard worker and a leader."
Good: "At 6 AM, I slipped into my worn-out sneakers, ready to lead my team through another grueling swim practice, despite my body aching from yesterday’s meet."
This version allows the reader to see the dedication and leadership rather than being told about it.
DON’T: Be Generic or Use a Formal, Essay-Like Tone
Admissions officers are not grading an academic essay; they want to hear your authentic voice. A robotic or overly formal tone can make your essay impersonal and forgettable. Your writing should sound natural, engaging, and reflective of who you are.
Example of Weak Writing: "Leadership is a quality that is important to have in life because it helps people succeed in their careers."
Stronger Approach: "When my debate partner froze mid-speech, I took a deep breath, stepped in, and seamlessly transitioned to salvage our argument. In that moment, I learned leadership isn’t about being the loudest; it’s about having others’ backs."
This second example makes the lesson personal and compelling rather than a dry, generic statement. Strong essays breathe life into your experiences and invite the reader into your story.
3. Avoiding Clichés and Overused Themes
DO: Offer Unique Insights
One of the most common mistakes applicants make is relying on clichéd themes and generic lessons that don’t offer deep personal insight. Instead of writing broadly about perseverance, leadership, or overcoming obstacles, focus on a defining moment that genuinely shaped you. Admissions officers are looking for personal growth, self-awareness, and unique perspectives rather than broad statements.
Example: Instead of writing about "hard work", explore a specific moment that tested your perseverance. Perhaps it was the late-night coding project that sparked your love for problem-solving, or the time you had to navigate a difficult family situation that changed your understanding of responsibility. What matters is how you reflect on these experiences and connect them to your larger personal narrative.
DON’T: Rely on Overused Phrases or Generic Lessons
Many essays fall into the trap of vague reflections that don’t offer any new insights about the applicant.
Common Clichés to Avoid:
"I learned not to give up." (Too vague; show the lesson in action.)
"This experience changed my life forever." (All experiences shape us, but how specifically?)
"I discovered the importance of teamwork." (What specific challenge led to this realization?)
Better Approach: Instead of stating "I learned the importance of persistence," show the small moments of frustration and growth that led you to that realization. Did you stay up until 3 AM debugging a failed project? Did you struggle with self-doubt before finally mastering a complex concept? Focus on real, specific experiences rather than broad takeaways.
By grounding your essay in personal, vivid storytelling, you can avoid clichés and craft a truly compelling application that stands out.
4. Editing & Refining Your Essay
DO: Revise and Seek Feedback
Editing is a crucial step in the essay-writing process. Your first draft is rarely your best work, and revising allows you to refine your ideas, clarify your message, and polish your writing.
Read your essay out loud to identify awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.
Seek feedback from a trusted teacher, mentor, or experienced reader. They can provide valuable insights into clarity, impact, and flow.
Ask yourself: Does this essay still sound like me? Your voice should remain authentic and true to who you are.
DON’T: Let Others Over-Edit Your Voice
While feedback is essential, too many revisions—especially from multiple sources—can dilute your voice and authenticity.
Avoid these common pitfalls:
Losing your unique voice: If the essay no longer sounds like you, it has likely been over-edited.
Trying to please everyone: Different readers may have conflicting advice. Choose edits that align with your true story.
Rewriting too much: Tweaking is good, but a total rewrite that shifts the essence of your essay can be counterproductive.
Better Approach: Use feedback wisely. Keep what enhances clarity and impact, but ensure the final version is still your own story in your own words.
5. Supplemental Essays: Making Them Count
DO: Tailor Your Responses to Each School
Supplemental essays are your opportunity to demonstrate why you are a perfect fit for a specific school. Admissions officers can easily spot generic, copy-pasted responses, so make sure each essay is unique and school-specific.
How to Make Your Response Stand Out:
Research the school’s programs, professors, and values. Mention specific courses, initiatives, or faculty members that align with your goals.
Highlight how you fit into their academic and social environment. Explain how your experiences and ambitions align with what the school offers.
Good Example: "Brown’s Open Curriculum aligns perfectly with my interdisciplinary interests in neuroscience and philosophy, allowing me to explore the ethics of artificial intelligence."
Weak Example: "I love Harvard because of its great academics and reputation." (Too generic! This could be written about any school.)
DON’T: Repeat Your Personal Statement
Each supplemental essay should add new dimensions to your application rather than rehash what’s already covered in your personal statement.
Common Pitfalls:
Restating your personal statement: If a school asks "Why This Major?", don’t just repeat what you wrote in your main essay.
Focusing too much on prestige: Admissions officers want to know why the school is a good fit beyond its ranking.
Better Approach: Use supplementals to explore different aspects of your personality, experiences, and goalsthat were not covered in your personal statement. Show how you will contribute uniquely to the university’s academic and social environment.
6. Final Checklist: Before You Submit
Does your essay:
Have a compelling story?
Show personality and self-reflection?
Avoid clichés and generic statements?
Stay within the word count?
Sound like you?
Conclusion: Make Your Essay Unforgettable
A well-crafted essay can elevate your application and make admissions officers remember you. Tell your story authentically, avoid common pitfalls, and revise strategically. Follow these Dos and Don’ts, and you’ll be on your way to crafting essays that stand out in the Ivy League admissions process.
