4 Ways College Applicants Fail the Essay Assignment

Hey guys, it’s Eric at Solution Prep, and today we’re talking about four ways students fail the assignment of writing their college application essays.

One is by writing about their grades, trying to explain away bad grades, or say why it wasn’t their fault and why they should still be accepted to college despite those poor grades. But, if you read the directions for the Common App essay, it specifically says “apart from grades and scores.” So, read the freaking question and don’t make this your essay topic.

A second thing to avoid is famous quotes. People try to talk about some quote by Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. and explain what it means to them. But again, the directions specifically say “in your own words”, and someone else’s quote doesn’t constitute your words.

A third thing to avoid is trying to write about everything. Students try to put the whole litany of all of their activities, maybe one paragraph per, but there’s a separate place in the application for your activities where you can list up to 10 and write about them. And some colleges even let you upload a resume. So, this essay is a chance for you to let the colleges get to know you through the lens of a particular story and experience of something that matters to you and who you are as a person.

And the fourth thing to avoid is the trauma essay. Trying to write some sob story that makes them pity you. Do you think that’s what they want? That they want a bunch of pitiful students they feel bad for? A pity acceptance? And I guarantee you, whatever pity story you think you have, someone else has something that’s genuinely worse. And this should not be a race to the bottom. So instead, write about your positive qualities, like your motivation, your determination, your perseverance, and your achievement, all of which are qualities of a successful college student that will help you succeed at their college.

So think hard and write about something that matters to you. And if you have questions, call us at 732-556-8220. We are here to help.