5 Common Mistakes Students Make On The Common App Essay

This week, the Common Application opened, allowing students across the country to officially begin their college applications. As they embark on the admissions process, one of the most significant components that students will tackle is the oft-dreaded Common App personal essay. The personal essay offers students an opportunity to showcase their unique personalities, experiences, and aspirations and give their application dimension beyond numbers and statistics. A well-crafted and compelling essay can be the factor that sets a candidate apart from thousands of other applicants.

However, in their desire to impress admissions committees, many students inadvertently fall into common traps that diminish their essay’s impact. Approaching the essay strategically and with an understanding of what colleges are looking for—as well as prevalent misconceptions about what they are looking for—will help students develop eye-catching essays.

Below are five common mistakes students make when writing their personal essays—and, more importantly, how to avoid them to create a memorable piece of writing.

1. Telling Stories They THINK Admissions Officers Want to Read

One of the most common mistakes students make is writing what they think colleges want to hear rather than embracing their authentic voice. Doing so leads to contrived, generic, and uninspiring essays. The essay is a critical opportunity for students to share their unique voice and perspective with admissions officers— they want to hear who an applicant is in their own words. When choosing a topic, students should strive to tell a story only they could tell, and do so in their own distinct way.

2. Listing Achievements Without Narrative or Reflection

While extracurricular activities are important, students often make the mistake of merely listing a myriad of accomplishments without providing depth or insight into their involvement and the impact these experiences have had on their perspective. While it is natural to want to highlight accomplishments in a personal essay, simply reciting a list of achievements without reflection fails to demonstrate growth, personality, and self-awareness. Admissions committees are interested in understanding how a student has overcome challenges, what lessons they learned, and how these experiences have shaped their character and outlook on life. Rather than creating a laundry list of activities, applicants should focus on a few meaningful experiences and explain how these pursuits have shaped their character, skills, and ambitions.

3. Writing Their Autobiography in 650 Words

While the personal statement should showcase the applicant’s experiences, students should not seek to provide a chronological account of their life or a detailed description of their relationships with various family members. Instead, students should focus on a specific aspect of their life or a transformative experience that reveals something deeper about their personality, values, and goals. The subject students choose to write about does not have to be something earth-shattering or jaw-dropping—often, the most mundane or quotidian topics are the basis for particularly creative and engaging essays. However big or small, the anecdote that students choose should paint a vivid picture of one important aspect of their character and story.

4. Relying on Cliches

Many students employ overused clichés and generic phrases in their personal statements. Overused topics students should generally avoid include study abroad or travel, sports, the death of a pet, or the college application process itself. These topics are boilerplate and blend in with a sea of other applications rather than grabbing the attention of the admissions committee. Additionally, phrases like “broadened my horizons,” “doing x made me learn the value of y,” or “little did I know” have become so common that they lose their impact. Admissions officers are looking for originality and genuine expressions of the applicant’s character and aspirations. Avoiding clichés and finding unique and descriptive ways to convey one’s passions and motivations will make the essay more engaging and memorable.

5. Neglecting Proofreading and Editing

Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and typos can be distracting and detrimental to an otherwise outstanding personal statement. Students often underestimate the importance of proofreading and editing, but these elements can significantly impact how their application is perceived. Students should reach out to a trusted family member or friend to read through their essay for content and clarity. Taking the time to meticulously review and refine the essay will ensure that the essay is not only polished and well-written, but also that it captures the student’s voice in a compelling way.

Crafting a compelling personal statement requires introspection and self-expression. A well-written personal statement has the potential to captivate admissions officers, providing a window into the applicant’s character and potential contributions to the college community. By steering clear of common pitfalls, students can ensure their essays are powerful, unique, and truly representative of their identity.