6 Common App Essay Mistakes To Avoid | i've edited 50+ essays

Summary

In this video, the creator addresses common mistakes in Common App essays that can detract from their impact. They critique the misuse of metaphors, the overuse of direct statements, the lack of personal catalysts, the focus on others rather than oneself, and the repetition of ideas. The creator shares unique tips to enhance essays, emphasizing the importance of personal narrative, descriptiveness, and maintaining reader interest throughout the application process.

Takeaways

• 📝 The video discusses common mistakes in Common App essays and provides tips to improve them.
• 🌊 Avoid half-ass metaphors that are introduced but not integrated throughout the essay; they should be significant and not cliché.
• 🙅‍♀️ Do not use direct statements like 'this taught me' or 'I learned'; instead, show personal growth and experiences.
• 🔄 Include a catalyst for personal change in the essay, but ensure it's something intrinsic to the writer, not external influences.
• 🤔 Focus on personal transformation and ensure the narrative is centered around the writer's experiences and growth.
• 🚫 Do not spend too much of the essay discussing other people; the focus should be on the writer's achievements and qualities.
• 📚 Use descriptive language to bring readers into the writer's life, but avoid excessive adverbs and filler words that don't add value.
• 🔄 Avoid repeating the same idea in different ways; each sentence should contribute something new to the narrative.
• 🔍 Ensure every word and sentence in the essay is essential and contributes to the overall narrative and personal story.
• 💡 The tips provided are the speaker's personal opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt, but they are based on reading many essays.
• 🔄 The speaker encourages viewers to revise their essays, removing clichés, direct statements, and repetitive ideas to make them more compelling.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is discussing common mistakes to avoid when writing a Common App essay and providing tips to improve the essay.

Why did the author decide to make another video about the Common App essay?

The author decided to make another video because their previous comment-up essay was very successful, and they wanted to ride that wave to share more tips and insights.

What is the author's opinion on using metaphors in the Common App essay?

The author advises against using half-ass metaphors that are set up in the introduction but not integrated throughout the essay, as they can come off as forced and do not contribute to the narrative flow.

What should a metaphor in the essay represent according to the author?

According to the author, a metaphor should represent a fresh and new perspective that is personal to the writer, and it should not be a cliché or generic one.

Why does the author discourage the use of direct statements like 'This taught me...' in the essay?

The author discourages direct statements because they prefer the writer to show their experiences and feelings through actions and personal experiences rather than just telling the reader.

What is the importance of having a catalyst in the essay according to the author?

A catalyst is important because it explains what caused the personal change or transformation that the writer is discussing, making the narrative more believable and compelling.

Why should the focus of the essay be on the writer themselves, even when discussing other people or events?

The focus should be on the writer because the essay is about their personal growth and experiences, and the reader wants to understand why the writer is a good fit for the college, not others in their life.

What is the author's view on using excessive adverbs and descriptions in the essay?

The author believes that excessive adverbs and descriptions can sound forced and elementary, and they should be used sparingly to bring the reader into the writer's life and experiences.

Why is it a mistake to repeat the same idea multiple times in the essay?

Repeating the same idea is a mistake because it slows down the momentum of the essay, bores the reader, and does not contribute new information or insights about the writer.

What should every sentence in the essay contribute to?

Every sentence in the essay should contribute to the narrative, bringing something new and essential to the understanding of the writer's experiences and personal growth.

What does the author suggest doing with the repeated ideas or unnecessary descriptions in the essay?

The author suggests removing repeated ideas and unnecessary descriptions to make room for more meaningful development of the narrative and the writer's personal experiences.