College essay writing guidelines

Hi everyone! I'm starting to work on my college essays and I want to make sure I'm on the right track. What are some general guidelines that I should follow when writing my essays? Are there any common mistakes I should avoid? Thanks in advance!

Hello! It's great that you're working on your college essays! Here are some general guidelines to help you create a strong essay:

1. Be authentic: Colleges want to get to know the real you, not a fabricated or exaggerated version of yourself. Share your genuine voice, experiences, and perspectives.

2. Show, don't tell: Use vivid details, anecdotes, and examples to demonstrate your points rather than just stating them outright. This allows readers to picture your experiences and better understand your message.

3. Focus on one central idea or story: A focused essay is more impactful than one that tries to cover too many topics. Choose a specific aspect of your life or a particular event that defines you in a meaningful way and reflects your personality, values, or talents.

4. Avoid clichés: Steer clear of overused topics like sports injuries or victories, moving schools, or an immigrant's story. Instead, try to find a unique angle or a personal detail that makes your essay stand out.

5. Revise and edit: A well-written essay requires multiple drafts. Take the time to revise and edit your work for clarity, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Having someone else review your essay can provide valuable feedback.

6. Answer the prompt: Make sure your essay addresses the prompt or question asked by the college. While it's important to be creative, your response should still be directly relevant to the topic.

7. Mind the word count: Adhere to the word count limit specified by the college. If you exceed the limit, you risk your essay being cut off or not taken seriously.

8. Start early: Give yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, revise, and polish your essay. Starting early will ease the pressure and help you create a more thoughtful piece.

Common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using overly complex language or jargon: Keep your language clear and concise. Using big words, complex sentence structures, or technical jargon can make your essay difficult to read and may come across as inauthentic.

2. Focusing on your achievements: While it's important to showcase your strengths, your essay should not read like a list of your accomplishments. Use your essay to provide context and share personal insights that go beyond what can be seen in your resume or transcript.

3. Writing about someone else: The essay is an opportunity for colleges to learn about you, not someone else. If you choose to write about another person or source of inspiration, be sure to clearly tie it back to yourself and highlight your personal growth or impact.

Remember that your essay is just one aspect of your college application. The most important thing is to use it as an opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are, what you care about, and why you're a great fit for their institution. Good luck!