College Essay Tips: What to Do and What to Avoid

Overview

Admissions officers read thousands of essays. The ones that stand out tell a clear story, reflect honestly, and sound like the writer actually cared. These tips help you cut the boring stuff and write something you're proud of.

What works

• Start strong: Open with mystery or vivid imagery. Example: "The ceiling fan spun like a lazy clock."
• Tell a real story: Show a clear beginning, middle, and end with personal growth.
• Reflect: Ask yourself, "Why does this story matter to who I am now?"
• Use past tense: For past events. Example: "I walked into the room," not "I walk into the room."
• Use active voice: The subject does the action. Example: "I wrote the speech," not "The speech was written by me."
• Vary sentence length: Mix short and long. No sentence should go over 3 lines.
• Keep paragraphs short: Max 7–8 sentences. Long paragraphs should include at least one short sentence for rhythm.
• Be consistent: Choose 1 version of words like "mom" vs. "mother," or "10" vs. "ten," and stick to it.
• Use smooth transitions: Link ideas clearly between paragraphs.
• Fix grammar and punctuation: Use commas correctly. Don't splice two sentences with a comma.

What to avoid

• Too much about others: No more than 1/3 of your essay should focus on someone else.
• Generic value statements: Don't say "I learned leadership." Show us how you led.
• Flat storytelling: A story without change or reflection doesn't move the reader.
• Disconnected anecdotes: Avoid stringing together random short stories without a clear point.
• Overloaded activity lists: This is not your resume. Only include details that support the story.
• Repetition: Don't start multiple paragraphs with the same word or reuse phrases.
• Too many rhetorical questions: One (or none) is enough.
• Rants or complaints: Avoid blaming parents, teachers, or systems. It weakens your tone.
• Explaining low grades: Save that for the "Additional Info" section, not your main essay.