Polishing Your College Essays: Last-Minute Tips for a Stronger Application
Written by Amanda, University of Pennsylvania
The Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) deadlines are coming up fast! If you're working on your college application essays, now’s the time to make those final tweaks. Here are some last-minute tips to help you submit polished essays.
1. Proofread for Typos and Grammar Mistakes
Even a great essay can be weakened by small errors. Here's how to catch them:
● Read your essay out loud: This helps you notice awkward phrases or missing words.
● Use spell check, but don’t depend on it completely. Some errors, like "their" vs. "there," might be missed, so it’s important to read carefully yourself.
2. Keep Your Voice Consistent
Admissions officers want to hear your true voice in your essay. Make sure your tone stays the same throughout. If someone gave you feedback, double-check that their suggestions didn’t change your style too much.
● Don’t over-edit: At this stage, focus on being clear and authentic, not perfect.
● Stay confident but humble: find a balance of sharing your accomplishments without sounding like you’re bragging. Confidence, not cockiness, is key!
3. Tighten Your Sentences
With the deadlines approaching, make your essay as clear as possible. Look for places where you can:
● Cut unnecessary words: For example, change "in order to" to just "to," or "at this point in time" to "now."
● Avoid repeating yourself: If you’ve said something once, trust that the reader will remember it.
4. Answer the Prompt
Before you finalize your essay, re-read the prompt and ask yourself:
● Does my essay answer the question?
● Am I staying on topic, or did I get off track?
● Did I provide enough details for someone who doesn’t know me?
Make sure your essay fully addresses what the prompt is asking!
5. Check Your Word Count
Many applications have strict word limits, so make sure:
● You’re within the limit.
● Every word counts! If you’re close to the limit, cut filler words to make your essay stronger.
6. Get a Fresh Set of Eyes to Review
After reading your essay so many times, it can be easy to miss mistakes. Ask a trusted teacher, parent, or friend to review it. Have them check for:
● Clarity and flow: Does the essay make sense? Are there any confusing parts?
● Errors you’ve missed: A fresh perspective can catch things you didn’t previously notice.
7. Check Your Formatting
Before submitting, make sure the formatting is correct. Sometimes pasting your essay into an application can mess things up. Double-check:
● Paragraph spacing and indentation: Make sure paragraphs are separated properly.
● Font consistency: Use the standard font the application system recommends.
8. Take a Break Before Submitting
If possible, step away from your essay for a few hours or even a day before submitting. Coming back with fresh eyes helps you catch last-minute mistakes or awkward sentences!
9. Trust Your Work
By now, you’ve put a lot of effort into your essay. Trust the process and your instincts. You’ve worked hard to show your best self; now it’s time to submit with confidence!
10. Submit Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to submit. Internet problems or technical issues can cause stress, so try to submit a day or two before the deadline to avoid any surprises.
Final Thoughts
As you make the final edits for your Early Action or Early Decision essays, remember that no essay is perfect. What’s most important is that it reflects who you are. Make those last adjustments, but trust that your hard work will shine through!
