Don't use the personal statement essay to repeat your resume - The personal statement is your opportunity to reveal something about yourself that can’t be found anywhere else in your application – use it!
DO show a slice of your life - When developing a topic that reveals something new, find a way to frame the story or idea that shows a slice of your life or the event.
DON’T copy and paste - While students can use the same main essay on the Common App for multiple schools, we always recommend that students tailor their supplemental essays to the individual colleges.
DO show your knowledge of the college - When tailoring responses to individual college prompts, it’s important to use specific details you’ve learned through visiting and research.
Don't say what you think the admissions office wants to hear - So many students think that they “know” what colleges want from an applicant, and this can have a big influence on their essays.
DO use your voice - Don’t let your voice get lost in the pursuit to impress readers. Instead, write like you speak – keeping in mind that proper grammar and spelling are still important.
Don't rely only on spellcheck - Spellcheck won’t catch every spelling or grammatical error! Take the time to read over all your essays carefully and keep an eye out for things like “out” when you meant to say “our” and other common typos.
DO double-check that you’ve addressed the prompt - This is one of the most common mistakes that students make. In the pursuit to write the perfect essay, many forget to connect it to the original prompt.
Don't panic - Instead of beating yourself up for not starting sooner or worrying that you won't be able to finish everything on time, focus on what you can control.
DO seek feedback when you can - While it’s imperative that students write their own essays and use their authentic voices, every writer can benefit from the second set of eyes.