What Not to Write About in a College Essay
Dec 02, 2024
3 Key Takeaways
- Authenticity Over Sensation: Avoid writing essays designed to shock or provoke; instead, focus on genuine stories that showcase your unique perspective and values.
- Tone Matters: Humor and challenges can enrich an essay, but they require a delicate touch. Keep the focus on growth, maturity, and your authentic voice.
- Stay Specific and Personal: Avoid generic or overly broad topics. Admissions officers want to learn about you—your experiences, reflections, and insights.
At Anja Education Consultants, we understand that crafting a compelling college essay is one of the most important—and often most daunting—tasks for applicants. With years of experience guiding students toward top-tier admissions success, we’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Your college essay is your chance to shine, to tell a story that is authentically you, and to captivate admissions officers who sift through thousands of applications. But there are clear missteps to avoid.
1. Don’t Be Shocking for Shock’s Sake
It’s tempting to write something sensational to grab attention. But admissions officers are seasoned professionals who have read it all—from bizarre anecdotes to shocking confessions. Writing solely to surprise or provoke will likely backfire. Instead, focus on authenticity and depth. Your essay should make the reader feel like they’ve glimpsed a true piece of your world, not that they’ve been subjected to a theatrical performance.
2. Humor: Proceed with Caution
Humor can be a fantastic way to show personality, but it’s also notoriously difficult to execute. If you’re not accustomed to infusing humor into your writing, your college essay isn’t the best place to experiment. Missteps with humor can distract from your main message or, worse, leave the reader feeling confused about your intent. Stick to a tone that reflects your authentic voice and confidence.
3. Skip the Complaint Fest
Discussing obstacles or challenges is a common essay approach, but a negative tone can derail even the best narrative. Complaining about setbacks without showing resilience or growth leaves readers uninspired. Use your essay to highlight how you’ve learned, adapted, and emerged stronger—not just the details of what went wrong.
4. Crimes Aren’t Compelling
While it seems obvious, we’ve seen students mistakenly attempt to demonstrate honesty or growth by confessing to past minor crimes or moral lapses. Whether it’s shoplifting as a seventh grader or a parking lot mishap, these anecdotes don’t showcase the qualities admissions officers are looking for. Focus instead on moments that highlight your values, problem-solving skills, or maturity.
5. Stay Personal, Not Global
Essays tackling broad topics like “society,” “humankind,” or world issues can feel impersonal. Admissions officers want to get to know you. Even if you’re passionate about larger societal challenges, tie your essay to a specific, personal experience or insight. Specificity allows your unique voice and perspective to shine.
Crafting Winning Essays
At Anja Education Consultants, we excel at helping students uncover their authentic narratives while steering clear of common pitfalls. With a 100% success rate of guiding students to acceptance into one of their top three choices, including elite institutions like Yale and Stanford, we know what it takes to stand out.
Our approach combines the expertise of founder Anjali Maazel, a multilingual college admissions expert and former Princeton University admissions interviewer, with personalized strategies tailored to your strengths. We help students find their voice, refine their storytelling, and deliver essays that resonate with admissions committees.
Let’s work together to ensure your essay represents your best self—without falling into these common traps. Reach out today, and let’s craft your path to success!
