When I was writing my Common App essay, I made a bunch of mistakes that could've been easily avoided. One big one? Trying too hard to impress. I thought I needed to use fancy language and complicated sentences, but that just made my writing sound forced.
I realized it's more effective to be genuine and keep it simple. Focus on sharing your personal story, not just what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
Also, don’t forget to have someone else read it! They’ll catch things you might miss, like those awkward phrases or typos.