When writing a College Essay, what are the most common mistakes?

Question

What are the five common college Essay mistakes?

Answer 1

The two previous tutors' answers are en-pointe. I would add 'waffling' and redundancies. Waffling occurs when a student speaks around the subject without giving concrete examples of points being made. All the paragraphs are generalized and terms are repeated without giving the reader any idea of what the writer is proving. Redundancies include repeating the same vocabulary words throughout the writing without finding meaningful synonyms or antonyms that show variety, thereby keeping reader interest intact. Some students accidentally repeat the same phrases or sentences in different paragraphs, a very boring way to introduce themselves to future Admissions Offices. Others forget to check the online school site to determine exactly what types of essays the Admissions Offices prefer.

Answer 2

If by college essay you mean a college-level essay (or even a college admissions essay), this advice will ring true.

Composition instructors are trained to concern themselves first and foremost with what we call higher order concerns. Higher order concerns pertain to clarity, organization, and cohesiveness--things that have more to do with content than form. Therefore, when you write, your first priority should be that you are getting your point across: that your ideas flow. For example, it is essential that you have a strong, clear thesis statement, distinct topic sentences that relate to your thesis, and effective transitions.

However, writing teachers are also concerned about lower order concerns: things like grammar and citations. Mistakes in these areas are common, and while they may not always interfere with the point you are trying to get across, they can certainly make your writing look unpolished. Students tend to have a hard time with comma placement, semi-colons and colons, and sentence structure.

Answer 3

Spelling and grammar mistakes are by far the most common. Admissions committees at competitive universities, particularly at the graduate level, will disqualify candidates for that sort of thing.

Poor organization and lack of flow is another persistent problem. A good admissions essay should provide a rounded picture of you as an individual, speak to your strengths, explain why you are a good fit for that institution, and elaborate on what you plan to do with your education.

Pro tip: if you aren't super enthusiastic about a university, don't apply there. The admissions committee with catch on. It's a waste of both your time and theirs.