-
Choosing a wrong
topic or subject: picking an easy essay that does not show
who you are.
-
Overselling
yourself. Being confident is good. Being too
confident is bad.
-
Not researching the colleges before writing your essays.
-
Not being specific and
personal.
-
Not answering
the question directly.
-
A weak opening.
-
Writing over the
word limit.
-
A negative tone:
If the student writes an essay full of complaints,
or sounds sarcastic, lazy,
or spoiled, he or she might be rejected.
-
Lying.
-
Using large,
pretentious words.
-
Making excuses
for any blemishes on your record, such as missing an
important volunteer activity or performing poorly without a
legitimate reason.
-
Using a passive
voice.
-
Twisting the
sentence structure.
-
Overusing humor: A little
well-placed humor is ok, but don't be a clown.
-
Relying on your
computer’s spell checker.
-
Not proofreading
enough.
-
Writing at the
last minute and not spending enough time writing.
-
Asking an adult or
professional to write the essay.
