Why Your Essay Matters
With over 1 million Common App submissions each year, your essay is often the deciding factor between acceptance and rejection—especially when grades and test scores are similar.
Critical Mistakes (1-6)
Writing About an Overused Topic
40% of weak essaysSports injuries, mission trips, immigrant grandparents—unless you have an extraordinary angle, your essay will blend in with thousands of others.
How to fix it: Find the unexpected angle or choose a less common topic. Small, mundane moments often make better essays.
Telling Instead of Showing
60% of weak essaysStating "I'm passionate about helping others" proves nothing. Admissions officers want to see your qualities through specific actions and moments.
How to fix it: Use specific scenes, dialogue, and sensory details. Describe actions that demonstrate your qualities.
Writing About Someone Else
CommonEssays that spend 80% discussing someone else's life tell admissions officers nothing about who you are.
How to fix it: Make yourself the protagonist. Use the 80/20 rule: 80% about you, 20% about others if necessary.
Using Overly Formal Language
Instantly recognizable"I utilized multifarious methodologies" sounds artificial. Natural, authentic voice is more impressive than fancy vocabulary.
How to fix it: Write like you speak (but polished). Read your essay out loud—if it sounds unnatural, revise it.
Not Answering the Prompt
FatalNo matter how well-written, if your essay doesn't address the specific question, it will hurt your application.
How to fix it: Underline key words in the prompt. Check that your essay addresses ALL parts of the question.
Repeating Your Resume
Wastes opportunityYour activities are already listed elsewhere. The essay should reveal something not captured by resume bullets.
How to fix it: Pick ONE experience and go deep. Focus on failure, vulnerability, or growth—not accomplishments.
Common Mistakes (7-12)
Starting with a Generic Hook
Opening with a quote, definition, or "Have you ever wondered...?" signals that your essay will be generic.
How to fix it: Start with a specific moment: "The email arrived at 2:47 AM." Or use dialogue to jump right in.
Being Vague Instead of Specific
"I learned a lot from volunteering" could apply to anyone. Specific details prove you're genuine.
How to fix it: Use names, numbers, and exact details. "Mrs. Chen in Room 412" not "a patient."
Ending with a Weak Conclusion
Conclusions that simply restate what you said or make vague promises waste valuable space.
How to fix it: Look forward with specificity. Circle back to your opening to create a narrative arc.
Not Showing Personal Growth
Essays that describe an experience but don't show how you changed miss the entire point.
How to fix it: Show "before and after." Admit you were wrong. Describe specific behaviors that changed.
Grammar and Spelling Errors
Typos signal carelessness. Using the wrong school name is fatal.
How to fix it: Read out loud. Have 2-3 people proofread. Do a Ctrl+F search for school names.
Not Getting Feedback
You can't see your own blind spots. What seems clear to you might be confusing to readers.
How to fix it: Get expert feedback before submitting. Quality over quantity—one expert review beats 10 friends.
Quick Self-Check: Is Your Essay Ready?
Answer honestly. If you answer "no" to ANY of these, your essay needs more work:
Does my essay tell a specific story (not a summary)?
Is MY voice authentic and natural (not overly formal)?
Did I show my qualities through actions (not just state them)?
Is my essay about ME (not someone else)?
Did I include specific, vivid details?
Does my essay reveal personal growth or insight?
Did I directly answer the prompt?
Is my opening strong (not a generic hook)?
Is my conclusion insightful (not just a summary)?
Have I proofread multiple times?
Have at least 2 people given me feedback?
Could only I have written this essay?
If you answered "no" to 3+ questions:
Your essay likely needs significant revision. Consider getting professional feedback to identify exactly what needs to change.