Seven don'ts of writing your college essay

1. NEVER rush it.
Good essays can take weeks, not days, by the time you’re done writing, re-writing and getting feedback from others. “Be patient with the writing process — it can take many, many drafts to get there,” says Maureen Ferrell, college counseling director at The Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati. (Not to mention that writing too quickly opens the door to typos and other mistakes, which won’t exactly inspire confidence in your attention to detail.)

2. NEVER go rogue on the prompt.
The fastest way to show you can’t follow directions is to ignore the question in front of you. College essay questions have been carefully selected to help reveal specific information admissions professionals are looking for. Reusing an essay that you created for an English assignment or saying, “I don't really like any of these prompts,” can send the message that you’re lazy and can’t adapt — red flags for those judging how well you’ll do in college.

3. NEVER write what you think somebody else wants to hear.
You might think admissions counselors expect you to write about your life-changing experience volunteering over summer break. And they do — if it’s true. If it’s not, find something that truly moves you. Ferrell says one of the best essays she ever read was about the kitchen table a student grew up with: Where he learned to eat, learned to read and was now applying to college. “You can write about simple things, as long as it’s genuine,” she says.

4. NEVER lose your voice.
Your application is filled with information, but your essay is often the only place where the “real you” gets a chance to shine. So dig deep, figure out what makes you tick and write about that. There is no need to repeat what’s on your transcript or your extracurriculars. Admissions counselors want a fuller picture of who you are and how you may fit into their community.

5. NEVER let others put words in your mouth.
The greatest writers in the world need editors, and guess what: You do, too. So share your work with your parents, guidance counselors and others you trust. But don’t let them polish your work too much. Most admissions counselors can tell in two sentences if you didn’t write it. So put away the thesaurus and write from your heart!

6. NEVER be boring.
Your lovingly crafted essay is one of thousands pouring into the admissions office. At the University of Cincinnati, for example, every admissions counselor reads between 800 and 1,000 essays each year. Don’t miss out on this important chance to say something the staff will remember.

7. NEVER freak out.
As important as these essays can be, remember that they’re just a part of what counselors consider. Grades, letters of recommendation, test scores and how you spend time out of class — not just extracurriculars, but jobs, caregiving responsibilities and other obligations — are all factors.

Various aspects of the college application are like pieces of a puzzle. For some students, the essay may not be a big piece, because everything else paints an impressive picture. But if you believe you hold more average credentials, or if you’re aiming for scholarships or honors programs, your essay may make all the difference.