The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Standout College Admissions Essay

Importance of college admissions essay and why this blog is important-

The application process depends heavily on the college entrance essays, which are quite significant to both applicants and colleges. These writings give applicants a special chance to highlight their personalities, experiences, and goals outside the boundaries of grades and test results. Here are a few factors supporting the significance of college admissions essays:

Admission essays serve several purposes, including helping students stand out from the competition, revealing their communication and critical thinking abilities, and demonstrating their drive and long-term objectives.
These essays require meticulous planning, organization, and self-reflection and are highly valued by admissions officials.
They also allow for introspection and personal development as students reflect on their successes, difficulties, and lessons learned. This self-awareness can lead to personal growth and encourage self-expression and critical thinking, which are valuable both inside and outside of the classroom.
Application essays provide students with a platform to express their true voice, as admissions managers aim to admit people who will contribute to the campus community and flourish in a college setting.
By sharing personal experiences, anecdotes, or vulnerabilities, applicants can establish a stronger connection with the admissions committee, fostering empathy and understanding.

Therefore, essays for college admission are quite important in the application process. They provide students with a stage on which to stand out, display their communication abilities, communicate their motivation and long-term objectives, encourage personal development, and express their true selves. Students have the chance to leave a lasting impression on admissions authorities and raise their chances of getting into the schools or universities of their choice by writing these essays.

Since college admission essays are so important and have so many benefits, it is important to understand the dos and don’ts while writing these essays to ensure that your essay is as perfect as your profile!

Do’s-

1. Do provide a glimpse into your life.

When selecting a topic that reveals something unique, find a way to present the story or idea in a manner that showcases a specific moment, aspect of your life, or the event itself. Use descriptive language and include sensory details that engage the reader’s senses – taste, touch, smell, and so on. When writing about a significant experience or event, there is no need to provide an extensive timeline of events. Instead, offer the reader a piece of the puzzle that effectively conveys your message. Particularly when time is limited, and you feel stressed, it is helpful to remember that your task is not necessarily to tell a lengthy story; rather, focus on a smaller aspect that exemplifies who you are and what you believe in.

2. Ensure that you share a captivating narrative

Your essay should depict how you acquired and developed knowledge through a remarkable experience, whether positive, negative, or challenging. Remember that admissions officers are interested in seeing your authentic human side. Compelling stories often involve elements of conflict, a turning point, and an eventual resolution. Pay close attention to the details. Use vivid descriptions, evoke emotions, and provide insights that captivate the reader, allowing them to visualize and experience the events just as you did.

3. Take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments

Graduating from high school is an achievement that encompasses various successes along the way. Feel proud of your hard work, and use this opportunity to highlight your talents and victories. However, it’s important to maintain a balance and avoid coming across as arrogant or overly boastful. Find that line and stay within it. Discuss it if you dedicated yourself to campaigning and successfully implemented policy changes as class president! If you invested extra hours in improving your personal swimming record by a few seconds, share that achievement! Whether you established a club, played the lead role in a school play, achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, or won the school talent show, this is the ideal time to showcase your accomplishments.

4. Demonstrate your familiarity with the college.

When crafting responses to college prompts, you must incorporate specific details you have acquired through visits and research. This indicates to the colleges that you have thoroughly prepared and showcases your genuine interest in the institution. Colleges seek students who are likely to enroll, and by displaying your knowledge of the college, you can convey your fit with the campus culture and how you will contribute to the community. Mentioning specific courses, professors, notable locations, and other relevant details helps illustrate your understanding of the college and how you envision your impact on campus.

5. Seek input from reliable individuals you trust.

Crafting compelling writing often requires assistance. However, it is important to select your advisors carefully, particularly when it comes to choosing your essay topic. Parents may believe they know their children better than anyone, but they often lack expertise in college admissions. Share your essay with professionals who have knowledge of college admissions, such as your college counselor, English teacher, or admissions coach. Consider their feedback, but ultimately trust your own judgment when making the final decision.

Ensure that you are aware of your requirements and deadlines.

Maintain organization throughout the application process. Consider it a practice for handling deadlines and assignments during your initial semesters in college. Admissions officers advise creating a spreadsheet or document to keep track of the universities you are applying to, noting their specific requirements and deadlines, and maintaining a checklist to monitor your progress.

Don’ts-

1. Avoid expressing what you believe the admissions office desires to hear –

Many students make the mistake of thinking they know exactly what schools want from candidates, and this frequently affects how they write their essays. Students usually rely excessively on thesauruses and debate odd topics in an effort to impress and stand out. Focus on communicating what you want the admissions officer to understand rather than writing information based on their preferences. Remember, the essay is a great chance for you to show off a new side of yourself, so make a statement by being yourself and showing a distinct side. The most effective strategy is probably sincerity for pupils who feel time-constrained. Disregard the notion of fabricating a version of yourself that you think the admissions office wants to see, and instead, let your genuine persona shine through.

2. Stay away from superficiality.

Keep in mind the purpose of a college admissions essay as you contemplate your choice of topic. Universities aim to educate and cultivate future innovators, community leaders, and individuals who can address societal challenges. Your essay should reflect your comprehension of this objective and showcase your readiness to embrace it. Ensure that the subject you choose for your essay aligns with the significance of the occasion.

3. Avoid attempting to incorporate numerous themes or subjects into your essay.

Embrace simplicity. Frequently, the most impactful essays are those that skillfully narrate a single theme in a straightforward manner. One theme is sufficient and can be incredibly powerful.

4. Do not solely rely on spellcheck.

Spellcheck is not capable of catching every spelling or grammatical mistake. Take the time to thoroughly review all your essays and remain vigilant for errors such as using “out” instead of “our” and other common typos. It is easy to overlook spelling and grammar, especially when time is limited, but it is always worth investing a few extra minutes to ensure your content is free of errors. For added assurance, ask a parent or counselor to review your essay as well, as they may spot errors that you might have missed. Spelling and grammar mistakes can detract from an otherwise excellent essay, so it is important to be mindful of them.

5. Avoid using clichés in your writing.

College essay clichés, like sports and travel, are common and seen by admissions counselors. To stand out during peak application season, avoid using clichés and trying too hard to impress. The key to crafting a unique essay is to narrate your story in a way that is distinctive to you. This can be achieved by incorporating thoughtful details and personal insights, including your own thoughts, emotions, and reactions to the specific examples you plan to write about. Doing so makes it challenging for anyone else to tell the story exactly as you have, even if they had the same experience. A useful technique to determine if your story has enough detail is to read it and be honest with yourself. For instance, it is acceptable to mention that being an athlete taught you about the value of teamwork. However, anyone can make such a statement. To make your essay more personal, elaborate on why and how you came to realize this lesson. If you ask yourself whether someone else could tell the story the way you just did, and the answer is yes, then you need to add more detail. If you find it difficult to accomplish this, you may need to explore a different story to share in your essay.

6. Avoid rambling or veering off-topic.

Remain focused on the prompt. While recounting your story, it is tempting to go off on tangents and provide excessive backstories, summaries, or irrelevant information. To prevent this, consider outlining your essay and identifying key points to stay on track. Concentrate on conveying the central message of your essay.

7. Avoid duplicating your resume in the personal statement essay.

It is crucial to emphasize this point. The personal statement provides an opportunity to share something unique about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application—seize it! Many students make the mistake of using this essay to elaborate on activities or interests that are already extensively covered in their application, such as through courses or the activity list. Instead of reiterating a prominent activity or interest, choose a topic that unveils another aspect of your life or personality. If swimming is your primary activity, refrain from writing about a well-known championship meet. Instead, find something else that reveals a new dimension and demonstrates thoughtful consideration in your essay. For instance, if your study of AP biology conflicts with your religious views, explore that conflict and how you reconciled the two. Delve deep to find a meaningful topic that truly resonates with you. In conclusion, this blog is important to guide you in your college admission essay. However, you might require further guidance for drafting these essays. For that, we recommend you seek out help from adults at home or school or consider reaching out to our top counselors here at Rostrum.

The dos and don’ts of writing a standout college admissions essay