n two previous posts, we started explaining the topics you shouldn’t write about in your college essay. There are many pitfalls in the essay-writing process—some of which you perhaps wouldn’t expect. Read on for three final topics to avoid as you begin crafting your own personal statement.
People Who Have Inspired You
Many college applicants write about someone who has influenced them, perhaps a relative, or a teacher, or someone they met through a community service program and built a friendship with. On the face of it, there’s no problem here. I mean, one of the essay choices on the Common App is “Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.” So why is this on the “What Not to Write About” list? The reason it’s on here is that all too often, these essays end up being am amazing story about…someone else. Your great-grandmother started her own successful farm during the dust bowl, and ended up adopting twenty children and becoming a well-known landscape painter? Fabulous. I would love to hear that story. Unfortunately, however, your grandmother isn’t applying to college, so unless that essay is more about you than it is about her, it’s not much good to you. This isn’t so much a “don’t” as a warning—if you choose to write about someone who has had a significant influence on you, don’t forget the second half of the essay prompt—the “describe that influence” part. Make sure that the essay is about how knowing that person shaped you into the person you are today.
Information that can be Found Elsewhere on your Application
This is just a logistical thing. You’re trying to fit so much into your application, and somehow get all the best aspects of yourself down on a relatively small amount of paper. Because of that, you don’t ever want to say the same thing twice—you want to show the full range of your accomplishments and qualities. If your activities resume shows that you’ve played varsity soccer all four years of high school, and are now the captain, perhaps an essay about how much soccer means to you isn’t such a great way to go, because they know that already. The personal statement and extracurricular essay give you space to show different aspects of yourself, so make sure you’re getting the most out of those opportunities.
Character Flaws
There’s a fine line between humility and self-deprecation, and it can be a tricky one in your college essay. It is crucial to take a step back and look at yourself in these essays, and that includes looking at how you dealt with tough situations, and grew as a result. There’s a difference, however, between doing that, and just writing an essay pointing out a problem you have (humorously or otherwise). If you’re talking about a time when you weren’t at your best, you need to show what you learned about yourself, and how you grew as a result.
Looking for more college essay faux pas? Check out Part I and Part II of the series!
If you’d like an expert’s guidance with your own college essay, please get in touch to schedule your free consultation.
Alternatively, check out our College Essay Workshop, running in NYC this August! The workshop assembles a team of admissions experts and writing gurus to take you from concept to polished essay—in only three days.
