Have you ever felt lost when writing your Common App essay? I definitely was! I made some rookie mistakes that I wish I could take back. For starters, I totally overthought the prompts. I kept trying to find the "perfect" response instead of just being myself. One thing that helped me was focusing on a specific moment or experience rather than trying to cover my whole life story. Keeping it personal and authentic made a big difference!
Another mistake was not proofreading enough. Spelling errors in such a personal piece are a big no-no. Asking friends for feedback was a lifesaver. So, be sure to take your time, proofread, and keep it genuine. Trust me, it's worth it!