This guide explains the common pitfalls students face and which college essay topics to avoid. CALL NOW: +1 (866) 811-5546 ... Check to make sure you haven't made any of the common mistakes on this list. Tone-Deafness. ... Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay.
These 20 most common errors can be avoided in your writing if you reserve time to proofread your final draft before submission. Works Cited Lunsford, Andrea A. and Karen J. Lunsford.
Here are the 4 most common grammar mistakes according to CEA. Use this grammar and punctuation check before submitting your essay! Reserve your spot on our 2025-26 roster while you still can! COLLEGE ESSAY ADVISORS . ... Example: Greyson wanted to take a nap, but he decided to do some freewriting for his college admission essays.
What Are the Most Common Grammar Mistakes in College Essays? One of the most common issues in college essays is the incorrect use of grammar. From simple homophones to complex subject-verb agreement, grammar errors can undermine the clarity and professionalism of a student’s writing.
Here are some common grammar and spelling mistakes students should look out for in their college application essays: Its vs It’s, Your vs You’re, and There vs Their vs They’re The spelling and usage of these words is one of the most common mistakes that students make in their writing, but the good news is they’re the easiest mistakes to ...
Mistake 3: Approaching the College Essay Like an English Paper. Many students make the mistake of approaching the college essay as they would a traditional English paper, adhering to rigid structures and using overly formal language. However, the college essay has its own unique requirements and style that differ from academic writing.
By recognizing and avoiding college application mistakes, you ensure your hard work truly shines. In a system designed to weed out the inattentive, being meticulous is your best strategy. 15 Most Common College Application Mistakes To Avoid. When it comes to college applications, even the smallest slip can hurt your chances of getting in.
Now that we’ve established why college essays matter, let’s explore the most common college essay mistakes and how to avoid them! Common College Essay Pitfalls 1. Using Clichés. Clichés, also known as “truisms,” are statements that nearly anyone can make to any audience and they’ll still make sense. They are “it is what it is ...
Essay Writing Mistakes Can Hurt Your College Admission Chances. But the students who have taken the easy way out are not our concern here. Instead, we’d like to know why so many students struggle to write even the most basic essays. The fact is that if you submit essays with even a few grammatical mistakes, college admissions officers will ...
In sum, when writing a college essay there is much more than grammar and spelling mistakes which can affect its success; being conscious of both the content and the readership can help create a piece which stands out among many applications and leaves a lasting impression on those evaluating it. 4. Challenges With The Content
These mistakes range the gamut, from college essay themes to tone. By the end of the post, you’ll know exactly what not to do. Let’s dive in. Mistake #1: Staying shallow. College essays aren’t a time to mess around. As I’ve described at length in the college essay writing guide, they are a time to be deeply personal, even vulnerable.
Here are some mistakes to avoid when writing your college essay: Being too generic: ... Neglecting grammar and spelling: Errors can leave a negative impression. Lack of authenticity: Do not write what you think the university wants to hear. Focus on your true story. Not revising multiple times: The first draft is just a start. Edit and refine ...
The college essay is one of the most important parts of an application. While writing yours, avoid these five common mistakes. The college admissions journey has different stages – and different stress levels associated with each one. Writing the college essay is among the most stressful parts of the process for students I’ve worked with.
Related Resource: The Most Common Writing Mistakes on College Essays. 3. Adding (or forgetting) hyphens. Hyphens are another common writing mistake in college essays, because they’re misunderstood. Rather than detail all of the times you should include a hyphen (“mother-in-law”) and shouldn’t (“fix-up”), you ought to look the word ...
Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist . This list includes brief examples and explanations for you to use as reminders while you are editing your papers. If you would like to learn more, take a short writing course, set up an individual appointment at Student Writing Support, or consult a handbook for complete explanations.
Spelling and grammar errors Overall readability Final Thoughts Writing a college essay is not a heavy task today due to the access of internet-based multiple sources of information. The steps above will make your life easy working on your college essays with each step. Remember, your essay is your opportunity to tell your story make it count!
Having a weak essay title and structure is one of the common writing mistakes that a college student does. Find out some tips here to avoid these mistakes. NEW 2025 Best Colleges Rankings! View. NEW 2025 Best Colleges Rankings! ... Superficial Writing Style. Your essay should be readable that is why it is important to carry out a thorough ...
These are among the most common errors writers make. The rules of grammar and proper usage in English can be tricky. On top of that, the “rules” sometimes change with our language and culture. The errors found in writing evolve as well. The Excelsior OWL first published this collection of writing errors in 2016.
This part of your essay should leave the reader with one clear thought: This student is growing in a direction that matters. 6. Lesson. Here’s where things can get tricky. You don’t need to end your essay with a grand philosophical revelation or a “life lesson” wrapped in a bow. In fact, the best college essays avoid that pedantic tone ...
