Try to lighten up the essay with a clever metaphor, a well-placed witticism, or a little self-deprecating humor. The essay that is filled with bad puns or off-color jokes will often end up in the rejection pile. Your primary task is to answer the essay prompt thoughtfully; the smile you bring to your reader's lips is just a bonus (and a tear can sometimes be effective too).
Many students have been rejected for failing to take the prompt seriously and writing essays that end up being more foolish than clever.
Also be sure to check out these tips for the 7 personal essay options on the Common Application, this advice for improving your essay's style, and the sample essays.
Many college applicants make the mistake of trying to include all of their accomplishments and activities in their application essays.
On the flip side, exceptional application essays can help students with marginal scores get into the schools of their dreams.
The tips below will help you win big with your essay.
Such essays read like what they are: tedious lists.
Other parts of the application provide plenty of space for you to list extracurricular activities, so save your lists for the places where they belong.
Remember that you don’t know who will read your essay or how they will feel about such topics. Similarly, avoid controversial or hot-button topics. These especially include politics and religion, which can be very polarizing subjects.
Other examples include abortion or any hotly debated current event.
Comments Risky College Essays That Worked
Use These Two Words On Your College Essay To Get Into.
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Guys, I'm willing to burn every bridge I have built in the college admissions process so far. I spent a lot of time and effort writing follow-up emails to tour guides.…
What is the most creative college admissions essay you've read.
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Read the essay that got a high-school senior into 7 Ivy League.
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Avoid These 9 Topics When Writing Your College Essay
These college essay topics will lead to bland or cliche stories that. essays on illegal or illicit topics that they may have worked through. It's possible to write an effective essay on these topics, but it's better to avoid such risky.…
College Admissions Essay Topics to Avoid Fastweb
What's most curious about the college essay is that most of the topics on this list. But, the first essay example didn't make you want to continue reading on to learn any. Either way, it's risky business to go this route and is not recommended.…
Common Application Essay Mistakes and How to Avoid.
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College Essay Topics You Should Never, Ever Write About.
College essays are one of the few opportunities you have to. take risks with your college application essays, but you don't want to be too risky.…