Essays, as the key to college applications, have a significant impact on the success or failure of the application. Unfortunately, many people overlook some principles when writing essays. Today, I have compiled several taboos when writing essays, so that students can avoid pitfalls and get closer to their dream schools!
Avoid listing activities and awards:
As Yale admissions officers say, ‘We don’t care about what activities you participated in or what awards you received; we care more about what you did in those activities.’
Information about activities and awards is already reflected in your resume. These details, which are already present in your resume, do not need to be repeated in your essay.
Many people mention the projects and activities they participated in, but most of them just brush over them without providing substantive content. For example, what did you gain from the activity? This gain refers to factors that can influence some of your future decisions.
Admissions officers prefer to see what you have learned from the activity, how it has helped you, or how it will be reflected in your values after enrollment. These aspects are crucial.
Remember: Do not turn your essay into another resume listing your extracurricular activities.
Do not use the same essay for multiple applications:
If you are applying to prestigious universities, especially top-tier ones, remember this: essay writing is a challenging and demanding process(quotes from usms.ac.ma).
If it were easy, everyone would get into top-tier universities. It is difficult, so you need to invest time and effort into thinking.
Ask yourself why you want to apply to this university. Is it your dream school, or is it a backup choice when you have no other options? Regardless of whether it’s your dream school or a safety school, they deserve respect. Each top-tier university is different, providing different resources. You should think about how to integrate the resources of the university with your background and maximize their use. Consider whether the university is genuinely suitable for you.
Many schools require additional essays. If you use an essay from another application, even if it is excellent, it may cause the school’s dissatisfaction. Even if you are outstanding, the school may not admit you.
Be cautious when quoting famous sayings:
Every year, many people quote Confucius, Lincoln, and others. An essay is a ‘resume of life,’ emphasizing what you have personally experienced and felt. It is a very personal document, and your own voice should be heard.
The essay is a highly personal document, so it requires your unique expression of what you have experienced and felt. It should be in your own words, not what you have seen. Avoid quoting famous sayings excessively.
Be cautious about quoting content from the school’s official website:
Some students may quote extensively from the school’s website or promotional materials when writing ‘Why School’ essays. This approach is not recommended.
Statements about the university’s excellent location and abundant resources are typically found in the school’s admission brochures and should not be your reasons for applying.
Therefore, it is advisable to write about things that are not found on the school’s website or promotional materials. Express your personalized feelings about the university. Otherwise, your essay will lack value because the admissions officers know more about those things than you do.
Avoid overly detailed descriptions:
When describing an experience, many people tend to provide excessive details about unnecessary aspects, making every detail sound as if they had experienced it again.
Although essays should have a certain degree of narrative, be sure not to use long paragraphs to describe the process in too much detail. Admissions officers are not interested in whether you ‘liked this major after listening to a senior’s sharing’ or not(sources from usms.ac.ma).
The essay has limited space, so use examples where it matters! Avoid overly detailed descriptions of the process, but instead, express the essence directly.
In conclusion, for early applicants, time is running out. Remember to write your essays in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.