Heather Tomasello

Writing Coach
The EssayLady, LLC

DON'T try to sound "academic" or give the "what they want to hear." DO write what only you can write. DON'T be being. ("I am... I was... I have been...") DO use active, interesting details. DON'T just talk about why the school is a good fit for you. DO talk about what you plan to contribute to the school, and why you are the perfect candidate for it! DON'T tell. DO show. DON'T send it...

Steven Crisp

Owner
Crisp College Advising

One of the biggest don'ts from an admission counselor perspective is to use the wrong college name in the essay. Lots of students write one essay and send it to several colleges. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you are following the guidelines that particular college has set for you. However, if you forget to change the college name and you send an essay to Harvard that says you would...

Brittany Maschal

Founder/Director
B. Maschal Educational Consulting

Do: 1. Start early. The more time you have, the less stress you’ll have. 2. Be honest and yourself. One of the biggest mistakes students make is “writing what they think others ?want to hear.” 3. Take a risk. Don’t settle for the essay that everyone else is writing. 4. Keep in focus. Use the essay to help the admission officers get to know you as a person. 5. Write and rewrite. Don’t try to...

Rebecca Joseph

Executive Director & Founder
getmetocollege.org

Do tell a great story that communicates some unique qualities you offer a college. Do tell a specific story that grabs the reader's attention. Don't let anyone else write the essay for you. Don't focus on a negative event or a struggle without spending more time on what you learned or gain from it? Don't write about a person without spending 2/3 of the essay focusing on how that person shaped...

Chris Powers

College Counselor and Philosophy Teacher
Powers College Counseling

TO BEGIN WITH... I) Remember that this is the part of the application you have total control over. (That's good.) 2) Don't write your essay at the last minute. This is an important part of the application. Leave yourself enough time to be able to think about it for a while, talk about it with others if you Wal1t, write it, leave it for a few days and come back to it. 3) Take seriously any...

Lora Lewis

Educational Consultant
Lora Lewis Consulting

Do address the essay prompt. Do brainstorm ideas before writing. Do write your own essay. Do let your unique voice and personality come through in your writing. Do have a teacher, counselor, parent or friend with strong writing skills proofread your essay. Do write as many drafts of your essay as it takes to make it shine brightly. Don't wait until the last minute to start writing. Don't be...

Allen Regar

Do take your time on the essay. Although it is not long compared to some papers you have written by now, your essay must possess a depth of self-understanding that your high school research papers probably do not. Do plan ahead. Diving right into writing the essay may be okay for some, but most students need time to brainstorm, to consider a few topics before committing to one, and to have a sense...

Janet Elfers

Do tell a story in an interesting and engaging way. Don't just relay the facts, but pretend you are sitting in a coffee shop talking to a friend. Don't repeat what is found elsewhere in your application, unless you're adding pertinent information to round it out. Do be yourself. Do write in your own style and using your own words. Don't steal an essay from the internet. Don't let someone else...

Eric Dobler

President
Dobler College Consulting

DON'T tell the reader what they already know about you. Instead, tell them what they should know about you. Respond to the question at hand and let them know why you matter, what kind of a difference you will make, that you can reflect on your life and who you are as a person and that you know how to use that understanding to make progress towards your goals and dreams. Before you start writing, DO...

Mary Mariani

Make sure that your essay is grammatically. A poorly written paper with grammar errors is a real "killer". The readers expect the applicant to have a good foundation in writing. I believe it is always advisable to have someone re-read and "proof" your writing for you. Don't frequently use personal pronouns such as "I" or "you" in your essays. This tends to make the essay boring. Try to use an...