Writing supplemental essays can be super tricky, and I learned the hard way how to avoid common mistakes. Here are the top five I saw while reviewing my own drafts:
- Not Answering the Prompt: Seriously, make sure you actually address what they’re asking. I missed the point a couple of times and had to redo entire essays.
- Generic Responses: Don’t fall back on clichés. Everyone loves their school’s ‘vibrant community’—give specific reasons why that matters to you.
- Focusing on Yourself Too Much: It’s important to share your story, but show how it connects to the school or program.
- Poor Proofreading: Typos and grammar mistakes can be a killer. I had friends look over my essays multiple times to catch what I missed!
- Ignoring Word Limits: Don’t try to cram everything in or go over the limit. Stick to what’s important!
Remember, your essays should reflect your unique voice and perspective. Good luck!