TL;DR
These 10 mistakes appear in thousands of college essays every year. Avoid them, and you'll instantly stand out from the crowd.
Why These Mistakes Matter
Admissions officers read 50-100 essays per day during peak season. When they encounter these common mistakes, essays blur together into forgettable sameness. Worse, some mistakes signal carelessness or poor judgment.
The good news? These mistakes are completely avoidable once you know what to look for.
Mistake #1: The "Resume Essay"
What it looks like: A laundry list of activities, achievements, and awards with no deeper insight.
❌ Example:
"I am student body president, varsity soccer captain, and National Honor Society member. I also volunteer at the animal shelter and work part-time at my family's restaurant. These experiences have taught me leadership and time management."
Why it fails: Your activities are already listed elsewhere in your application. Essays should reveal who you are, not what you've done.
How to fix it: Pick ONE experience and dive deep. Show your thought process, challenges faced, and personal growth.
Mistake #2: The Thesaurus Explosion
What it looks like: Using unnecessarily complex vocabulary to sound "smart" or "sophisticated."
❌ Example:
"My perspicacious observations regarding the multifarious challenges of contemporary society have engendered within me an inexorable desire to ameliorate the deleterious effects of socioeconomic disparities."
Why it fails: It sounds forced and fake. Admissions officers want to hear your authentic voice, not a walking thesaurus.
How to fix it: Write like you talk when you're explaining something important to a friend. Use vocabulary that feels natural to you.
Mistake #3: The "Mission Trip Savior" Essay
What it looks like: Writing about how you "helped" or "saved" people in another country or community, focusing more on your impact than your learning.
Why it fails: Often comes across as privileged or naive. Shows lack of cultural awareness and self-reflection.
How to fix it: Focus on what you learned, how your perspective changed, or how the experience challenged your assumptions. Make it about growth, not heroism.
Mistake #4: The Vague, Generic Opening
What it looks like: Starting with broad, meaningless statements that could apply to anyone.
❌ Examples:
- • "Ever since I was young, I have always been passionate about..."
- • "In today's society, education is very important..."
- • "Webster's Dictionary defines leadership as..."
How to fix it: Start with a specific moment, scene, or detail that immediately draws readers in and hints at your story's direction.
Mistake #5: The Tragedy Olympics
What it looks like: Competing for who has overcome the most hardship, focusing on trauma rather than resilience and growth.
Why it fails: Makes admissions officers uncomfortable and doesn't show your potential for success in college.
How to fix it: If you write about challenges, focus on your response, adaptation, and what you learned. Show strength and resilience, not just suffering.
Avoid these mistakes with expert guidance
Admitra's AI coach identifies common pitfalls in your draft and guides you toward authentic, compelling storytelling that showcases your best self.
Get feedbackMistake #6: The "I've Always Known" Myth
What it looks like: Claiming you've known your career path since childhood with no mention of exploration or growth.
❌ Example:
"I have always wanted to be a doctor. Since I was five years old, I knew medicine was my calling."
Why it fails: Sounds unrealistic and shows lack of self-reflection or intellectual curiosity.
How to fix it: Show how your interests evolved through specific experiences, questions, and discoveries.
Mistake #7: The Humble Brag
What it looks like: Disguising boasts as modesty or self-deprecation.
❌ Example:
"I was surprised when they chose me as valedictorian since I'm not the smartest person in my class. I guess my 4.0 GPA and perfect SAT scores helped."
How to fix it: Be genuine about your achievements without false modesty, and focus on what you learned or how you grew.
Mistake #8: The Cliché Storm
What it looks like: Overusing tired phrases that appear in thousands of other essays.
❌ Common Clichés:
- • "Step outside my comfort zone"
- • "Give 110%"
- • "Make a difference in the world"
- • "Life-changing experience"
- • "Learned valuable life lessons"
How to fix it: Use specific, original language that captures your unique perspective and voice.
Mistake #9: The Non-Answer
What it looks like: Writing a beautiful essay that doesn't actually answer the prompt question.
Why it fails: Shows you can't follow directions or don't understand what's being asked.
How to fix it: Before you start writing, underline the key parts of the prompt. After you finish, check that you've directly addressed each part.
Mistake #10: The Weak Conclusion
What it looks like: Ending with a summary, generic life lesson, or vague future plans.
❌ Example:
"In conclusion, this experience taught me that hard work pays off. I hope to continue working hard in college and beyond."
How to fix it: End with forward momentum—show how this experience continues to influence you or connect to your future goals in a specific way.
The Quick Fix Checklist
Before you submit, ask yourself:
- □Does this tell a story only I could tell?
- □Do I sound like myself at my most thoughtful?
- □Have I directly answered the prompt?
- □Do I focus on insight and growth, not just events?
- □Would someone who knows me well recognize my voice?
Remember: The goal isn't perfection—it's authenticity. Avoid these common mistakes, but don't overthink every word. Your genuine voice and perspective are more valuable than flawless technique.