How bad is too bad when it comes to college essays?

You’re definitely not alone in how you’re feeling—lots of students worry that their first draft doesn’t live up to their hopes for their personal statement. The good news is that an essay almost never 'ruins' your entire application, unless it’s offensive, plagiarized, or completely off-topic. Most schools use a holistic review process, so one weaker element often gets balanced out by your strengths elsewhere.

That said, a completely generic or boring essay won’t help you stand out, especially at selective schools where many applicants have good grades and activities. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, and those that feel flat or don’t reveal your personality may not work in your favor. But even then, an otherwise strong application isn’t likely to be disqualified solely because the essay is unremarkable. What can hurt, though, is if the essay is riddled with mechanical errors or makes you come across as uninterested or inauthentic.

As an example, I’ve seen students get accepted to great colleges with essays they considered mediocre because their activities, recommendations, and academics were really strong. On the flip side, I’ve known applicants whose essays really clicked and made them memorable in the admissions reader’s mind, sometimes helping them win out over similar candidates.

If you’re worried your essay isn’t unique, try focusing on a small, specific story or moment from your life. Instead of trying to be impressive, aim to be real. For example, maybe there was a moment when you quietly helped someone or learned something unexpected from a routine experience. Even a brief story about learning to appreciate silence while taking long walks can be insightful if it shows something specific about your perspective.

You might also benefit from having a trusted friend, teacher, or advisor read your draft and tell you what stands out to them. Often, what feels dull to you reveals something important to others. Doing a few rounds of revision with outside feedback almost always helps.

So, don’t panic if your first draft feels off—that’s normal! Giving yourself time to revise and reflect usually leads to a much better result. Just keep working, and know that with effort, your essay can add value to your application.