Common Pitfalls of College Application Essays and How to Avoid Them

When applicants start writing college essays, they are often inundated with advice on content. However, the true challenge lies not in deciding what to include but in discerning what to avoid. Whether you’re tackling the main personal essay or each college’s unique supplements, it is wise to seek the counsel of seasoned admission professionals with extensive experience in evaluating countless applications. That’s why, while we highlight the common pitfalls of crafting college essays in this blog, we complement it with guidance from The Red Pen’s leadership, Kim Dixit and Namita Mehta. Their expertise equips applicants with practical strategies to navigate this process. 

Pitfall 1: Second-guessing admissions officers

When navigating the college admissions process, applicants naturally feel pressured to present themselves in a way they think admissions officers will find appealing. However, this approach can backfire for several reasons. Firstly, focusing too much on the expectations of admissions officers can result in a loss of authenticity. Applicants may craft an application that feels generic and insincere rather than showcasing their true selves and unique qualities. This lack of authenticity can also lead to a superficial essay that doesn’t show an applicant’s genuine strengths and aspirations.

Pro-Tip: Embrace authenticity – Kim, our CEO and Co-founder, emphasises the power of authenticity in college essays, stating, “Instead of second-guessing, it’s an effective approach to engage in self-reflection and careful preparation. Take the time to reflect on experiences that have helped you grow and learn more about yourself. Sharing authentic growth stories will help you stand out and can foster a stronger connection with your reader. This approach not only enhances the essay but it is also likely to make a memorable impression on admissions officers.”

Pitfall 2: Using the cookie-cutter approach 

Many applicants use a one-size-fits-all approach when writing supplemental college essays. This involves reusing the same essay or a slightly modified version for multiple universities without adapting it to each institution’s specific programmes or values. While you may save time, this approach can backfire if you’ve overlooked the unique characteristics of each university, failed to demonstrate genuine interest, or have not addressed specific essay prompts effectively.

Pro-Tip: Write supplemental essays differently – Namita Mehta, The Red Pen’s President, recommends a personalised approach to essay writing that involves thoroughly researching each university. She says, “The prompts for supplemental essays are focused on why you want to attend a particular university or why you want to pursue a specific major. In supplemental essays, applicants must highlight aspects of the university or a major that connect with their academic and personal experiences and align with their long-term goals.” 

Pitfall 3: Being redundant 

In their essays, many applicants tend to include an exhaustive list of experiences or achievements in their essays that they’ve already mentioned elsewhere in their application. Remember, the undergraduate application is a comprehensive 10-page document. Therefore, it is crucial not to repeat content. For instance, writing an essay elaborating on a competition you’ve mentioned in your activities section isn’t recommended. Admissions officers use the essay to gain deeper insights beyond activities, grades, and extracurriculars. They want to understand the applicant’s thought process, personal growth, and motivations. The essay should be used as an opportunity to showcase these aspects.

Pro-Tip: Focus on meaningful experiences – Kim advises, “A more effective approach is to select specific moments or experiences that are meaningful and relevant to an applicant’s personal journey. These moments should ideally demonstrate character traits such as resilience, leadership, creativity, or empathy while revealing aspects of a student’s personal growth. When an essay focuses on surface-level accomplishments or information listed elsewhere in the application, it misses the opportunity to demonstrate how specific character strengths can enrich a campus community.” 

Pitfall 4: Relying on AI

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence tools, a growing temptation exists to rely on technology like ChatGPT to shape one’s narrative. However, we strongly advise against this approach. AI-written essays are easily detectable to the trained eye of seasoned admissions officers. Furthermore, universities use plagiarism detection tools like  Turnitin, which now includes an AI detection feature. If admissions officers detect AI-generated content in your essay, they immediately discredit your application. 

Pro-Tip: Use AI for brainstorming instead – Namita suggests, “AI can be a valuable tool for brainstorming and refining essays, allowing applicants to harness its efficiency while maintaining control over their narrative authenticity. It’s crucial to recognise that no chatbot or NLP tool can convey personal experiences as authentically as the applicants themselves. Based on an AI-generated mindmap, applicants can imbue their essays with genuine reflections, emotions, and perspectives that resonate with admissions committees.”

Pitfall 5: Seeking opinions of several editors

Applicants often feel compelled to seek feedback on their college application essays from multiple editors or advisors, hoping to polish their work for maximum impact. However, essays are inherently qualitative; there is no “right answer.” Even within The Red Pen Team, one advisor might favour an essay; another might not. This diversity of opinions can lead to confusion. Ultimately, applicants should prioritise the version that best represents them rather than the one filled with the fanciest vocabulary and complicated sentences.

Pro-Tip: Select two or three trusted editors – Kim advises applicants to be selective in their approach as it safeguards the integrity of their essays. “Limiting the number of editors ensures you’ll receive thoughtful and constructive feedback that aligns closely with your voice and vision. This selective approach helps prevent the dilution or distortion of your narrative. Moreover, it allows you to control  the communicated ideas, ensuring that the final essay genuinely reflects your capabilities and perspectives.”

Pitfall 6: Presenting an idealised version of yourself

Applicants often feel pressured to portray a glorified version of themselves in college essays. This can lead to exaggerating accomplishments, adopting a persona they think fits the mould of a perfect candidate, or even mimicking styles of writing that don’t reflect their true selves. But this often backfires because the essay feels forced, and admissions officers are adept at spotting inauthenticity. 

Pro-Tip: Be true to your writing style – Namita says, “If humour isn’t your strength, avoid writing a funny essay. In your limited space, express yourself sincerely and thoroughly, with all the emotional nuances and exactness of your feelings. Only then can you create an engaging essay that leaves the reader wanting to hear more.”

Pitfall 7: Being unintentionally offensive

When crafting the college essay, applicants must be mindful of what could offend someone’s sensibilities, which could have severe consequences for their application. Topics related to religion, politics, or socioeconomic status without careful consideration of diverse viewpoints could inadvertently offend readers. Colleges and universities value students who are both academically capable and socially and culturally aware, as these qualities contribute to a harmonious and enriching campus community. 

Pro-Tip: Prioritise cultural sensitivity – Kim suggests, “Carefully review your essays from a cultural sensitivity perspective. Consider whether any anecdotes, opinions, or interpretations could be misinterpreted or cause discomfort to someone from different cultural backgrounds. Engaging with diverse viewpoints respectfully and thoughtfully can strengthen your essay, demonstrating maturity and readiness to contribute positively to campus life.”

Pitfall 8: Writing a sob story

Applicants are frequently advised to delve into topics such as grief, hardship, or other deeply personal experiences in their college essays to reveal their authentic selves. This advice demonstrates how the experience has shaped the applicant’s growth and development. However, you may get caught up in describing the intricacies of the challenging event itself rather than reflecting on its transformative impact. For example, recounting the loss of a loved one without clearly articulating how it fostered resilience makes the essay emotionally heavy. It fails to highlight the applicant’s strengths and potential effectively.

Pro-Tip: Name it and share the impact – Namita says, “When writing your essays, aim to balance authenticity and reflection. It’s crucial to narrate your experiences and underscore the meaningful insights gained and the personal growth that resulted. For example, if you discuss a setback such as being diagnosed with a life-altering disease, reflect on how you navigated the initial shock and later supported fellow students coping with the same affliction. This approach enriches the essay’s impact and bolsters your overall candidacy by demonstrating your maturity, introspection, and preparedness for the challenges of higher education.” 

Pitfall 9: Focusing too much on the mentor or influencer

When applicants choose to write about someone who has significantly influenced them, such as a family member, teacher, or mentor, they often unintentionally make the essay more about the influencer than about themselves. While it’s natural to want to honour and showcase the impact of these influential figures, the essay risks becoming a tribute rather than a personal reflection.  This can lead to the applicant’s unique experiences being overshadowed, making it challenging for admissions officers to understand their individuality, personal growth, and aspirations. Therefore, it is crucial for applicants to highlight their own journey and the specific ways in which the influencer’s guidance and support have shaped them.

Pro-Tip: Maintain a balanced narrative – Kim says, “The essay should primarily explore how the mentor has shaped your personal journey and perspectives. Avoid recounting their achievements or qualities; instead, focus on specific moments or lessons that have profoundly impacted your growth. By reflecting on your own evolution and insights gained through this relationship, you not only highlight your unique qualities but also demonstrate your capacity for introspection and self-awareness.”

In conclusion, crafting a standout college essay requires more than just understanding what to include; it’s equally important to know what to avoid. By removing these common pitfalls, applicants can create authentic, engaging, and memorable essays that could increase the chances of admission. You may also read our blog on how to write a reflective essay and why you need to start your essays early. If you need further guidance with your college essays or application, please contact us. We look forward to assisting you.