Before writing your college essay, here is a list of What to Not Write About in College Essays.
College essays are an opportunity for students to show their unique personalities and experiences to admissions officers.
However, some topics can be off-putting or even harmful to a student’s chances of getting accepted.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what to write about in a college essay, What to Not Write About in College Essays, and provide examples of successful college essays.
To help you have a better understanding of how to write a compelling college essay that shows your strengths and avoids common mistakes.
How to Write a College Essay About Yourself
When writing a college essay about yourself, you need to focus on your strengths, experiences, and unique qualities.
Admissions officers want to get to know you as a person, so you need to be authentic and genuine.
You should
- Start by brainstorming ideas about your life experiences, hobbies, and passions.
Think about what makes you unique and what you would bring to the college community.
- Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that portrays your personality.
- Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.
- Show, don’t tell. Instead of simply stating that you’re a leader, describe a time when you demonstrated leadership skills.
- Be concise and to the point. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so you need to make a strong impression quickly.
What to Write About in a College Essay
Before we talk about What to Not Write About in College Essays, see what you should include in your college essays.
When choosing a topic for your college essay, select something meaningful to you that shows your strengths.
Here are some ideas for what to write about in a college essay:
- A life experience or event that has shaped who you are today.
- A challenge or obstacle that you’ve overcome.
- Your passion for a particular hobby, activity, or subject.
- A personal quality or trait that sets you apart.
- A life goal or ambition that you’re working towards.
What to Not Write About in College Essays
Here we are, let’s discuss What to Not Write About in College Essays
While there are many great topics to write about in a college essay, there are also some topics that you should avoid.
Here are some things to not write about in college essays:
- Controversial or polarizing topics. While you need to be authentic, it’s also important to avoid topics that could turn off or offend admissions officers.
- Overly personal or sensitive topics. While you need to be genuine, you also need to maintain a level of professionalism and decorum.
- Clichés or overused topics. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so you need to stand out by choosing a unique topic.
- Pessimistic topics. Focus on the positive and show admissions officers why you’re a great fit for their college.
- Lack of focus or clarity. Make sure your essay has a clear focus and that your points are well-organized and easy to follow.
Also, do not include any of these in your college essays
- Humor
- Illegal activities
- Listing accomplishments
- Tragedy
- Controversial topics
- Creative writing
- Your hero
- Controversial or polarizing subjects
- Inappropriate content
- Romantic relationships
- Big words
- Highly personal topics
- Negative perspectives on school
- Privilege or luck
- Volunteer trip
- An influential person or place
- Athletic topics
- Sports
- Sports challenge essays
- A political or religious issue
- Anything that
- Service trips
- The person you most admire
- Too clichéd or boring
College Essay Samples Topics
Now you know What to Not Write About in College Essays.
If you are looking for some inspiration for your college essay, Here are some examples of successful college essays:
- “The Art of Rejection” by Emily Dickinson (University of Pennsylvania)
- “Why I’m Not Afraid to Be a Boy Who Knits” by Jacob Pina (Brown University)
- “Why I Love the Night Shift” by Sarah Myers (Harvard University)
- “A Lesson in Grace” by Kwasi Enin (Yale University)
- “The Power of Words” by Maria Ramos Chan (Stanford University)
Final Thoughts
Writing a college essay is an opportunity to show your unique qualities and experiences.
Here, we have discussed what needs to be in your college essay and What to Not Write About in College Essays.
We also gave some college essay samples.
If you follow these tips, we are sure you can avoid common mistakes, and write a compelling college essay that increases your chances of getting accepted.
However, don’t forget to be authentic, genuine, and focused, and your essay is sure to stand out.
We hope this guide on What to Not Write About in College Essays is helpful to you.
If you have any comments or question, don’t forget to drop them below.
FAQs
How long should my college essay be?
Most college essays are between 500 to 650 words.
Can I submit more than one college essay?
It’s best to stick to one essay per application, but some colleges may allow for supplemental essays.
How important is the college essay in the admissions process?
The college essay is an important part of the admissions process, but it’s not the only factor that admissions officers consider.
Your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities are also important.
