What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a college essay?

It's totally normal to feel a bit stressed about your college essays, but being aware of some common pitfalls can really put you ahead of the game. Here are key mistakes to avoid:

1. **Overused Topics**: Admissions officers read thousands of essays every year. Some topics come up again and again, like sports injuries, moving to a new school, a relative's illness, and even journey-to-America stories. While you absolutely can write about these if they're personally meaningful, it's crucial to focus on a unique angle or a specific moment. For example, instead of a generic story about losing a big game and learning perseverance, you could talk about how the experience led you to mentor a younger teammate who was struggling with confidence.

2. **Clichés and Generalities**: Avoid vague statements like "I learned never to give up" or "This experience changed my life" without showing how. Use specific stories, details, and reflection. If you're writing about volunteering, don't just list the activities—share a particular moment that challenged your thinking or changed your perspective, and explain what you took away from it.

3. **Trying to Impress Rather than Reflect**: Admissions teams want to get to know the real you. Using too many big words or writing what you think sounds impressive can come off as inauthentic. For example, instead of writing, "This endeavor allowed me to develop unparalleled leadership acumen," you could say, "I used to be nervous speaking up, but leading my robotics team's meetings taught me how to turn my ideas into action."

4. **Lack of Personal Voice or Vivid Details**: Some essays sound too generic because they could apply to almost anyone. Make sure your personality shows through—use your natural way of speaking, share your actual feelings, and describe experiences in a way only you could describe them.

5. **Ignoring the Prompt**: Stay focused on what the question is actually asking. Especially for supplementals, answer every part of the prompt. If they ask about a community you belong to, make sure you don't wander off into talking about something unrelated.

6. **Basic Writing Errors**: Spelling, grammar, and punctuation matter. Proofread your work or ask someone you trust to help review for errors. Even small mistakes can distract a reader and take away from your message.

A helpful example: let’s say you want to write about your role in your family’s restaurant. Instead of saying "I learned about hard work by rolling silverware," you might reflect on how sharing stories with customers made you realize the value of community and communication, then describe a specific moment when your conversation with a regular sparked an idea for a new restaurant special.

Take your time, be yourself, and focus on sharing specific moments that show who you are. If you can do that, your genuine voice will always stand out!