How to Ruin Your College Admissions Essay in 10 Easy Steps

Admissions essay guidelines for the aspiring college student.

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We live in the age of oversharing. In a recent op-ed by Frank Bruni in the New York Times titled "Naked Confessions of the College-Bound," Bruni talked about the trend of prospective college students taking their admissions essay to the next level—not in a good way—by divulging personal information that's better left unsaid. So, once you’ve finished your final round of SATs, completed your high school classes, and get to the final touches of your college applications, spend some time on the all-important essay. Don’t brush it off—these 500 words are what can make or break your chances of getting into your dream school. The application process can be tedious and stressful, but don’t freak out. Here are the typical mistakes college hopefuls make when they put together their admissions essay. Oversharing is definitely not a good look.

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Abuse Your Thesaurus

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Unoriginally Explain Your Community Service Trip

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Make Things Up

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Overshare

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Try Too Hard To Be Louis C.K.

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Use Curse Words

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Write About Your Radical Political/Religious Views

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Reiterate Something Already on Your Application

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Prove You Didn't Research the College

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Knot Czech Yore Dam Spelling

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