<p>Everyone on CC is telling students what TO DO on their app. Obviously no one will have the "perfect application." I just want to hear the general taboos for the benefit of myself and other future applicants, so we don't make careless mistakes on our apps.</p>
<p>i.e. What essay topic NOT to wrote, what subjects NOT to recommendations from, etc</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! Post away!</p>
<p>Here are a couple that I would suggest for your personal statement,</p>
<p>[ul]
[li] Avoid writing about death, depression, sports, mission trips, or about any particular college. They are overused and won’t help you stand out unless you do something very clever with them.[/li][li] Don’t make your essay about other people. Yes, I realize that a common topic is to discuss how someone has influenced you, but the point of those essays is to demonstrate how he or she has affected you. The admissions officers don’t want to know more about your dad or your best friend; they want to learn about you. It’s fine to write about someone else, as long as you make it about you.[/li][li] Don’t submit your first draft. Just browse through CC a week or two after a major application due date and you’ll see all the people panicking about typos that they made. Even though it’s not a big deal, they can easily be avoided if you take the time to proofread and have other people proofread.[/li][li] Don’t fall in love with your first draft. It won’t do much good not to submit it right away if you are unwilling to consider making any changes. Put the essay away for a few days before looking at it again, and once your mind is clear, approach it with a red pen and an objective point of view. Also, don’t be afraid of constructive criticism from friends, parents, teachers, etc.</p>[/li]
<p>[li] Don’t write a novel. If your essay is over the 500 to 750 word range, I promise that not every word is necessary. Just put yourself in the place of an admissions officer who has been reading applications all day and ask yourself if you would like to read a 3000 word essay.</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]</p>
<p>Some other general tips,
[ul]</p>
<p>[li] Don’t include materials that the schools didn’t ask for unless it’s absolutely necessary. There’s a saying that the denser the application, the denser the applicant. So do yourself and the admissions officer a favor, and keep it down to the essentials.[/li][li] Don’t wait too long before asking for recommendations. If you know that you want a teacher from a past year to write a recommendation for you, ask them at the beginning of the school year. That way, you’ll give them plenty of time to write the best recommendation they can and avoid the possibility of them getting booked up with other students’ requests.[/li][li] Don’t be afraid to give a friendly reminder when necessary. Teachers are busy people, so occasionally you might need to let them know that a due date is approaching. But keep in mind there’s a big difference between nagging incessantly and reminding when necessary. I recommend the latter.[/li][li] DO NOT Procrastinate! This is the most important advice I can give. Trust me, if you stay on top of things, it will be a lot easier to enjoy your senior year.[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Do not apply to a school just for the sake of it!</p>
<p>Do it if you know you feel you have the right fit in that school, or if it can offer you something special no other can, such as a specific major.</p>