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Writing your college essay can be frustrating.

Of the dozens of essays that you’ve written in your lifetime, this is just one more. Only this essay is unlike any of your previous ones because for a change, the topic is you. 

It’s about the aspects of your personality that you’d like to share with college admissions officers, people you’ve never met before, and may never meet in-person. 

It’s a little daunting but only in the beginning. Once you plan it out properly and get into the flow of it, it really isn’t so bad.

In another post I’ll cover exactly what you should do to approach your college essay, but in this case, we’re going to take a look at what not to do. Mistakes I’ve seen students make over and over again in my 10+ years as a college counselor.

But first, if you’d like to take a look at the essay prompts, you’ll find them right here.

Alright, let’s get into the most common mistakes students make on their college essays. 

MISTAKE #1: Making vague or general statements.

If you state that your grandmother is loving, caring, and kind, then provide an example of when you saw those qualities in action. SHOW the reader. Provide examples/scenarios of the values you’ve learned in play.

Ex. “As my nana listened attentively to my 8-year-old sister tell the same story for the tenth time, I realized that she really loved us. No matter which one of us she was talking to, she gave us her full attention, and we genuinely felt that we were important to her. In addition to listening to us, she takes the time to check in on us during the week and brings over our favorite foods when she visits. It was from her that I learned to slow down and pay attention to what the people I care for are interested in. What they enjoy doing. Now I ________.”

 

Note: Limit your description to about 3-5 sentences max. Otherwise, you risk going off topic and making it about your grandma instead of about you. See Mistake #6 to learn why that’s a bad move.  

MISTAKE #2: Talking about serious mental or physical health concerns. 

The college essay is really meant to introduce you to the admissions team. So far, all they know are the various bits of data: SAT/ACT scores, GPA, and even your activities. While a reader can glean some information about your personality from all those aspects, it really doesn’t provide a full picture of you as an individual.

So, what you don’t want to do is start with a pity-me approach. It’s makes things a little awkward for the reader, and that is not how you want them feeling about you.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“But, Priyanka, I had a concussion 3 years ago and that had me out of school for over a month and it impacted my GPA!”

Or “It’s my junior year and I was just diagnosed with ADHD! What about the hit that my GPA took for the last two years before anyone ever realized that I needed meds?”

All valid concerns. In fact, these pieces of information SHOULD BE MENTIONED in the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section of the application.

You have an extra 650 words to explain any extenuating circumstances, including health concerns and relevant family problems. Anything that you feel will provide a wholesome picture of your high school years goes in the Additional Information section. You can also use this space to write another essay or expand upon your extracurricular activities.

Note: When talking about injuries/mental health/personal/family circumstances, use a matter-of-fact tone. Clearly describe the before, during, and after…and if it’s a work-in-progress, state where the current situation stands.

MISTAKE #3: Using Clichés. 

Clichés come in all shapes and sizes, from cultural clichés to word usage clichés, i.e. overusing the word “passion/passionate”.

To expand a little more upon this topic:

With cultural clichés: If you happen to have certain stereotypes associated with your culture (i.e. Indian people are good at math & science), then unless you have a legitimate story to tell about your experience, AVOID mentioning it. 

It’s already listed in your “Activities” section, so use this space to tell the reader something about you that ISN’T already a part of your application…

…because otherwise, how are you any different from the other Indian applicants? How should the admissions officer differentiate between you and someone else?

The same premise holds if you’re a recruited athlete or applying in a program that requires a portfolio of some sort. In either case, you have already presented your work or best performance (in arts or sports), so why not tell the reader something else about you?

Ex. If you’re a recruited soccer player, great, but the admissions committee already knew that. How? Because a coach has been coming to watch you play & has already asked you for your GPA/testing info which he/she could pass on the admissions committee. 

So, if that’s the case, what’s the point of telling the admissions committee that you really love your sport? They already know! Share a different side to you. Maybe you paint to relax, or cook, or love puzzles/word games. You definitely have other aspects to you, it’s inevitable. By simply existing you have various interests, so think about those.   

Bottom line: Don’t just mention stuff for the sake of filling the word count. Instead, think about what you have already listed in the “Activities” and “Honors” categories, then either expand upon one with a meaningful story, or introduce a new aspect to you. Even when you mention the new aspects to you, you can link them to your current activities, but limit that mention to 3-5 sentences.

MISTAKE #4: Listing out the activities in your résumé in paragraph form.

I’ve had students try to cram in a majority of their activities into their essay. It’s harder to make an essay flow smoothly/tell a story, plus the admissions officers have read that already, so why? Just why?

 

If you really want to expand upon your activities, like we’ve said before, do so in the “Additional Information” section.

As for your essay? Answer the prompt you picked. Think of all the stories and experiences you’ve had, some meaningful, some not so much, and then figure out how you want to pull one or two of them together. Your essay is a story, not a list!

MISTAKE #5: Discussing Sensitive/Divisive topics.

I think in general, when you’re trying to apply somewhere, it’s probably a good idea to just stay away from topics that could potentially anger or irritate your reader.

Crazy, I know.

If you do decide to approach a sensitive issue – i.e. LGBTQ rights because is an important part of you & your high school journey, then make sure you are completely aware of how the university you’re applying to feels about the issue.

Check out their social media to see if they have any posts on the topic. 

MISTAKE #6: Solely talking about the person you admire.

It’s natural to want to write about the traits that your idols embody, but most students don’t know when the story of the other person stops and when their own story begins. As a result, you end up with an essay that’s 50-75% about another person…. a person who is not the one applying to college….you see how that might be a problem.

I’m going to stick to the same policy I’ve mentioned before, keep it to 3-5 sentences about the other person, then transition it to you. What did you learn from this person? How do you plan to implement it?

MISTAKE #7: Being braggy.

The title says it all: be humble and give credit where it’s due. If it was a group effort, say that you collaborated with others to make XYZ happen. It shows the admissions committee that you’re a team player.

Yes, the essay is about you, but you don’t exist in a vacuum, you interact with others every day.

 

 

MISTAKE #8: Making up stuff. 

This is more of an ethical concern than anything else. I’ve had students who’ve tried to claim that a student organization they led or were a part of or co-founded did more/accomplished more than it actually did. Friends of students have even gone as far as to make up entire “life-changing” trips. 

Why? Just why?

Just by the fact that you’ve been alive for 17-18 years, you have stories to tell. It’s inevitable. So, take your time and think about it. 

Of course, after hearing me talk on and on about what NOT to do, you’re probably curious as to what you’re actually supposed to do, right?

Here, take a look at these from Johns Hopkins.

These essays come with feedback from the admissions committee, so you’ll get an idea of how each essay was interpreted. 

Good luck and talk soon,
Priyanka

So far, you’ve poured your heart and soul into your essays, meticulously calculated your GPA, and explained your extracurricular activities. Yet, there’s one crucial element that often gets overlooked in the process: the college interview.

It’s the part that petrifies most students. 

Except what students don’t realize is that while it may seem like a nerve-wracking ordeal, the college interview is your opportunity to put a face and personality to your otherwise paper application. It’s a great way for those who aren’t natural writers to clarify parts of their application. 

Before we dive into this process, it’s important that you remember two major points: 

1. The purpose of the interview is to not only get a feel for your personality, but also to determine whether or not you’d be happy in that particular college atmosphere.
2. You are interviewing the university just as much as the university is interviewing you. 

In this blog post, we’ll talk about the various approaches universities take when to the interview, common interview questions you may come across, and tips to help you portray your best self in an interview. 

So, let’s get started!

HOW DO UNIVERSITIES APPROACH COLLEGE INTERVIEWS?

Does every university require an interview? 

No. 

Universities approach interviews in 1 of 4 ways:

1. No Interview: Unless you’re applying to a special program, there is no interview option or requirement. Your application will only include the application itself, transcripts, test scores (if required/provided) and any recommendations that you’ve sent in. That’s it. 
2. The Optional Interview: Some universities give students the option to interview. 

Unsurprisingly, most students opt out. 

I highly recommend that you do the interview. 

Why?

Simply put, it adds another dimension to your application. What if you didn’t do a great job of expressing yourself and your ideas in your essay? What if the “activities” section was lacking or just not well written? 

Also, why would a university add an “optional” component to the application “just for fun”? 

It’s a filter to separate those genuinely interested in the university from those who aren’t. So, remove the word “optional” and sign yourself up for the interview.  

1. The “Everyone is Required to Interview” Interview: Certain universities require all applicants to interview, no exceptions. 

In this case, once you’ve submitted your college application, you’ll receive a follow up email to schedule it. Even if you don’t receive the follow-up, if you know that there’s supposed to be an interview, then you should follow up with the admissions committee. 

1. The “Seriously Considering You” Interview: If you’re moving the application ladder, a university may want to interview you to get a feel for your expectations and personality. 

If that’s the case, the university will contact you directly to schedule an interview. 

No matter the approach that the university may have, remember that it is your job to ensure to not only confirm that your application has been submitted, but that interview follow-ups are happening. 

So, make sure you’re aware of the university’s policies and reach out as appropriate. 

 

THE INTERVIEW FORMATS

Now with that said, what should you expect in an interview? 

Let’s talk about the mode of interview: in-person at the university, in person with an alumni member residing in your area, or via Skype/Facetime. 

As for the interview itself?

Well, there are three ways it could go:

1. The “conversational” style interview: Experienced interviewers are going to do their best to put you at ease. They know and understand that you’re just 17 or 18 years old and that this whole experience may be a little uncomfortable for you. As such, the interview ends up being more of a conversation than a formal, structured setup. 

You may end up talking about what you did last summer or what you’ve been up to in your extracurriculars. It’ll feel like a normal conversation with zero intimidation. 

The interviewer is simply trying to gage your personality and see if you’re someone who’d be happy on that particular college campus. If your vibe matches the university’s. 

No one wants you having a miserable college experience.

1. The “formal” interview: The traditional approach that we picture when we think of interviews. Someone sits across from you spitting out a series of questions while you aim to answer each of them to the best of your ability. 

I’ve included a list of possible questions below along with a few guidelines on best practices for several of them. 

1. The “it’s not really an interview, we’re just getting to know you” interview: A common approach amongst sports recruiters and athletes, these types of interviews are a way for the recruiters/coaches and even athletic teams to meet with you and see if you’d fit in with the vibe of the team. 

These can just be a series of formal/informal phone/text conversations, and even actual meetups with teams. 

While they may not officially be classified as interviews, think of it this way: any conversations or interactions you have with university-affiliated individuals should be thought of as interviews. 

Therefore, be aware of what you say and how you say it. Information can and will be passed on. 

REGISTERING FOR AN INTERVIEW

If you are responsible for signing yourself up for an interview – as is the case with “optional” interviews- then check the university’s website for guidelines. 

Google “*name of university* interview” and Google will lead you to the university’s interview-info page. 

Be sure to register in advance (Sept-Nov of senior year) to secure a spot. 

Universities generally try and round out interviews by Dec-Jan, and registration can close in November.

PREPPING FOR INTERVIEWS

Great, now with all that said, how do you prepare for an interview? 

First, familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may get. Keep in mind that the ones listed below are just some of the common ones, however, you may get some others thrown at you. 

For a more thorough list, just Google “college interview questions” and go from there. 

Here’s what we have:

 

1. Tell me about yourself. 
2. What is a major challenge/obstacle you’ve faced and what did you do to overcome it? 
3. Tell me about a time you failed. How did you deal with it? 
4. What do you want to major in/what are you interested in? 
5. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? 
6. Why do you want to attend our university? 
7. Why should we accept you?
8. What do you hope to contribute to the university’s community?/How will you contribute? 
9. What do you do for fun?
10. What is your favorite book/last book you read? What did you like about it?
11. Who do you admire/has influenced you & why/how so? 
12. What are your biggest strengths & weaknesses?
13. What three words would you say best describe you? 
14. What high school experience was most important to you?
15. What do you think about the current event *insert event here*?
16. How have you served your community? What did you learn from the experience? 
17. If you’ve played a sport, instrument, etc., then why did you do it? What did you just enjoy about it?
18. What was your favorite subject in high school? Why?
19. Do you have any questions for me? 
20. Tell us about an extracurricular that’s meaningful to you. Why does it appeal to you?

 

APPROACHING COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Create a Story Bank: Make a list of all the relevant stories that have shown periods of growth, challenges you’ve faced, moments of realization, etc. Now, that seems vague, so let’s get a little more specific. 

Look back at your “Activities” list. For each of these activities, list out at least 3-4 memories of moments when you’ve said, “oh shit”, or “damn, I can’t believe I did that”, or “oh, that’s how that was supposed to work? Wow, who knew?” 

Once you have a few stories listed out, add in moments from your school and personal life. Are there certain traditions your family follows? Any quirks in the family? Any challenging group projects when one person didn’t do anything? How did you approach it?

Feel free to add humor into it. 

Note: I know it’s hard, so, I’ll tell you the same thing that I tell my students: simply by the fact that you’ve existed for so long, you have stories to tell. Ask your parents and friends to help jog your memory. Once you get started, it’ll all just roll out. 

Aim for at least 5-10 different stories that lay out different scenarios and practice telling these stories in a limited time frame. 

1. Time your responses: You have approximately 1-1.5 min to answer the “tell me about yourself” question. Other than that, all questions should be answered within 30-45 seconds. Go any longer than that and you’re probably rambling. 

If the interviewer wants to hear more about your point, he/she will ask you to expand on your point. 

So, practice with a timer (the one on your phone is fine), and if you’re practicing by yourself, then record a video of yourself as you respond. You may notice some wording issues or body language moves (ex. constantly touching your hair) that you don’t want happening at the actual interview. 

1. Research the university: Most of us have the internet at our fingertips, so do your research! Figure out the specific programs – academics, research/study abroad opportunities, career development/advising, etc. – that you like, and study the info. You don’t have to memorize it, but you should be able to show the interviewer that you know what you’re talking about.

Note: Researching the university’s “features” should’ve been a part of your college search process, so this info should already be handy. 

You should be ready to answer questions like “what is it that you like about our university?” or “what made you apply here?” or other variations. 

1. Tips on specific questions: 

• “Tell me about yourself”

You have about 1-1.5 min to answer this question. Be careful as to how you craft this response because this question is practically designed for rambling. Don’t tell the interviewer where you were born – that’s old news. 

If you’re applying for a specific program, then talk about when you became interested in that specific field then show how your current coursework/extracurricular activities support your claim. After that, feel free to add a twist with humor or an additional unexpected activity that a “student like you” may not be expected to pursue. 

I’ll give you an example. 

I had a student a couple years ago who was interested in medicine and potentially interested in attending med school. Sure, he was taking quite a few science classes and an EMT certification course offered at his high school, but there was another aspect to him as well: he liked to sketch and he was phenomenal at it! Now, instead of simply having him mention that he sketched, we went a step ahead and had him take pictures of his work on his iPad and used that as a “show & tell” during his interview. 

How did he introduce it? Something like this: 

Interviewer: So, Kevin, tell me about yourself. 

Kevin: Well, I would say that I am definitely a science-lover, and hope to one day attend medical school. I’ve been taking AP Biology and the EMT course at my high school to see if I really would like medicine, and so far, I love the EMT course. When I’m not doing school work, I’m usually playing an intense game of ping pong with my brother, or dedicating 6+ hours to completing a sketch. I actually have pictures of a couple of my sketches on my iPad if you’d like to see them.

At this point, the interviewer can say “sure, I’d love to!” or “no, maybe a little bit later, we’re a little short on time and have a lot of ground to cover.”

Give them an option. Never shove your work in someone’s face. Simply make the offer and leave it at that. 

• “What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?”

Remember that story bank I asked you to create earlier? Well, this is where it comes in handy. 

State your strength: “I think I’m good at taking lessons from what I’ve read and implementing them”, then share an example of when you did that.

“For example, I once read that combining baking soda and vinegar can cause anywhere from a fizzling to an explosive reaction…and I just had to see if that was true, so I ….” 

Add humor in if you can, but if you’re not naturally a funny person, now is not the time to start.

Of course, I’d be reckless if I didn’t say that you should read the situation before you start trying to insert humor. It’s a delicate balance, but for the most part, it’ll be appreciated. Just don’t try and turn the entire interview into a joke. 

• “Do you have any questions for me?”

YES! You always have questions for the interviewer, no exceptions!

Chances are you’ll be able to ask questions as you go along, however, that may not always be the case. Either way, make sure that you have at least 2-3 questions to ask, it shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in what the university has to offer. 

Keep in mind what I mentioned earlier, you are interviewing the university as well. You want to know if that particular university has all that you desire/prioritize. 

For example, if you’re shy or just concerned with whether or not you’ll make friends, then the question to ask is: what does the university do to help new students meet each other?

Or, “what part of your college experience at XYZ university did you really enjoy?”

“I found out about ABC tradition at the university and was curious, what is it like?”

5. Be genuine. 

Oddly enough, this is the one section that I always had trouble with, even when I was in job interviews after I’d finished my Masters. 

What did I do wrong?

Simple. I sounded too polished, as if I was reciting memorized answers like a robot. 

My tip: loosen up a little. Don’t simply memorize your responses, instead create bullet points to remind yourself of certain points you need to bring up or the flow of your response. 

In the “Kevin” example, he didn’t recite that paragraph as I typed it. We simply created a loose flow to his response and highlighted a couple of points that he had to mention. 

He would start by identifying his interest in medicine → mention the AP Bio /EMT class → any hobbies that he wanted, but at the end, mention his sketches → make the offer to view his art on his iPad. 

We had practiced the response to that question at least a hundred times (timed for 1-1.5 min) before we found a flow that worked for him. He didn’t sit there and memorize a paragraph to recite. That would’ve been too polished. Instead, by simply creating an “outline”, his personality came through as he naturally added his own wording variations, body language & facial expressions to his response. 

6. Create your “flow” to responses and practice it a couple dozen times

As I mentioned with Kevin’s example, create a rough outline for your responses to some of the most common questions. The hardest one will be the “Tell me about yourself” since that’s such a broad question, the others will be much shorter and easier. 

With that said, practice telling your stories (from your Story Bank) over and over again until you’ve figured out just how to incite the reaction you want. Comedians practice telling their jokes a couple hundred times before we actually see them perform. Why? Because they need to figure out just how to tell the joke or story to have it land. You will be doing the same thing. 

THE INTERVIEW DRESS CODE

Dress business casual or business professional. 

Someone once told me that you can’t go wrong with dressing business professional, because you can always take off your blazer and dress down. 

Read the vibe of the university before deciding how you should dress. 

CONCLUSION

That sums up about 95% of everything you need to know about college interviews. The other 5% just depends on the university. 

Bottom line: It’s important to practice and remember that you are interviewing the university as much as the university is interviewing you, so be prepared!

Do your research and come up with questions you’d like to ask the interviewer. 

And don’t worry, the first interview is the hardest, but it gets much easier after that. 🙂 

If you end up with any crazy, strange or interesting interview experiences, please share! I’d love to know what’s happening out there and your experience could help others better prep for theirs.

 

Talk soon,
Priyanka