College essays are a chance for you to stand out from the crowd and show admissions officers who you are and what you’re all about.
You can do just that by using these college essay cliches.
The Overused Clichés
These are the clichés that admissions officers have read countless times. They’re so overused that they’ve lost all meaning.
- I’ve always been fascinated by…
- I’ve always dreamed of attending…
- I’m a hard worker and I’m always striving to achieve my goals.
- I’m passionate about…
- I’m a leader and I’m always looking for ways to make a difference in the world.
If you use any of these clichés, your essay will be instantly forgettable. Admissions officers will just skim over it and move on to the next one.
The Clichés That Make You Sound Like Everyone Else
These clichés are a little more subtle than the ones above, but they’re just as overused. They make your essay sound like every other essay that admissions officers read.
- I’m a well-rounded individual.
- I’m a good student and I’m involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.
- I’m a good friend and I’m always there for the people I care about.
- I’m a responsible person and I always meet my obligations.
- I’m a creative person and I’m always looking for new ways to express myself.
These clichés are so overused that they’ve become meaningless. They don’t tell admissions officers anything about you that they don’t already know.
The Clichés That Make You Sound Arrogant
These clichés are the worst of the worst. They make you sound like you’re better than everyone else.
- I’m a natural leader.
- I’m a genius.
- I’m the best at everything I do.
- I’m going to change the world.
- I’m the future.
If you use any of these clichés, admissions officers will probably just laugh at you. They’re so overused that they’ve become a joke.
How to Avoid Clichés
The best way to avoid clichés is to be yourself. Write about your own experiences and your own thoughts and feelings. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
Here are a few tips for avoiding clichés:
- Be specific. Instead of saying “I’m a hard worker,” say “I worked three jobs to help pay for my education.”
- Be personal. Instead of saying “I’m passionate about helping others,” say “I volunteered at a homeless shelter every week for two years.”
- Be unique. Instead of saying “I want to change the world,” say “I want to start a non-profit organization that provides free tutoring to underprivileged children.”
By avoiding clichés and being yourself, you can write a college essay that will stand out from the crowd and get you noticed by admissions officers.
Common College Essay Clichés to Avoid
-
I have always been fascinated by…”
-Admissions officers can see through this tired cliché, so steer clear and jump right into specifics. -
I have always dreamed of attending…”
-This overused line fails to make your application unique. Instead, dive into the details of why you are a perfect fit for this particular school. -
My greatest strength is…”
-Resist the urge to use this age-old cliché. Instead, think of an anecdote that shows your strong work ethic. -
I am a hard worker…
-Everyone says they are a hard worker, so ditch this mundane phrase and demonstrate your work ethic through specific examples. -
I am a leader…”
-Show, don’t tell. Replace this cliché with a compelling narrative that showcases your leadership skills. -
I am passionate about…
-Express your passion by describing the projects or activities that ignite your enthusiasm.
How to Avoid Clichés and Write a Standout Essay
Now that you know what clichés to avoid, let’s take a look at some tips for writing an amazing essay.
- Start with a strong hook. The first few sentences of your essay are your chance to grab the reader’s attention. Don’t waste this opportunity with a boring cliché. Instead, start with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a surprising fact.
- Be specific. Don’t just tell the reader what you’re like. Show them. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
- Be yourself. The best essays are the ones that are written from the heart. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself and let your personality shine through.
- Proofread carefully. Before you submit your essay, make sure to proofread it carefully for errors. Typos and grammatical errors will make your essay look sloppy and unprofessional.
The Importance of Avoiding Clichés
Clichés are overused phrases that have lost their original meaning. They can make your writing sound dull, unoriginal, and even arrogant.
When you use clichés, you’re not saying anything new or interesting. You’re just repeating the same old tired phrases that everyone else is using. This makes your writing bland and forgettable.
Clichés can also make you sound arrogant. When you use clichés, you’re implying that you’re better than everyone else. You’re saying that you know all the right things to say and that you’re above using original language.
This can be a big turn-off for admissions officers. They want to see essays that are fresh, original, and personal. They don’t want to read the same old tired clichés that they’ve seen a thousand times before.
Types of College Essay Clichés
There are many different types of college essay clichés. Some of the most common include:
- The Overused Cliché: These are the clichés that admissions officers have read countless times. They’re so overused that they’ve lost all meaning.
- The Cliché That Makes You Sound Like Everyone Else: These clichés are a little more subtle than the ones above, but they’re just as overused. They make your essay sound like every other essay that admissions officers read.
- The Cliché That Makes You Sound Arrogant: These clichés are the worst of the worst. They make you sound like you’re better than everyone else.
How to Avoid Clichés in Your Essays
The best way to avoid clichés is to be yourself. Write about your own experiences and your own thoughts and feelings. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
Here are a few tips for avoiding clichés:
- Be specific. Instead of saying “I’m a hard worker,” say “I worked three jobs to help pay for my education.”
- Be personal. Instead of saying “I’m passionate about helping others,” say “I volunteered at a homeless shelter every week for two years.”
- Be unique. Instead of saying “I want to change the world,” say “I want to start a non-profit organization that provides free tutoring to underprivileged children.”
By avoiding clichés and being yourself, you can write a college essay that will stand out from the crowd and get you noticed by admissions officers.
Conclusion
Clichés are the enemy of good writing. They make your writing sound dull, unoriginal, and even arrogant.
If you want to write a college essay that will stand out from the crowd, avoid clichés at all costs. Be yourself, be specific, and be unique.
With a little effort, you can write an essay that will impress admissions officers and help you get into the college of your dreams.