Sample Admission Essay Tips: Overused Terms and Expressions

Getting the attention of the admission committee should be the goal of those who aspire to get into a prestigious university.  There are many ways of getting the committee’s interest.  These include writing a notable admission essay.  But what would make your essay notable?

An essay could only be considered noteworthy if it is free from cliches and other overused terms and expressions.  You have to come up with fresh ideas for your essay and also fresh ways to express these ideas.  To do this, it is important that you know what are the terms and expressions that you have to avoid.  Read on to know the expressions that should not appear on your admission essay.

“I want to give back to the world”

It is good that you let the admissions committee know that you are a person who also thinks of others and who is willing to share what you have with the rest of the world.  However, you have to keep in mind that the “I want to give back to the world” line is already overused.  Hundreds of applicants before you probably used this line.  If you don’t want to remain faceless in the eyes of the admission committee, like others before you, why not think of other means to state your “I want to repay the world” idea?  Instead of trying to overwhelm the admission officers by stating something “big,” why not state it in a simple and subtle way?  If you do this, you’ll sound more sincere.

“I want to make a difference in one’s life”

Another superficial phrase you have to avoid is “I want to make a difference in one’s life.”  This sounds insincere.  Stating this would give the impression that you are desperate to catch the admission officers’ attention that you would say something that would make you appear so kind and selfless.  This is definitely not effective.

“I’m here to make my dreams a reality”

Last but not the least on the list is the phrase “I’m here to make my dreams a reality.”  Instead of writing this phrase, you could just write about your dream and talk about how your application can make your dream come true.  The rule is, be specific.  And importantly, show don’t tell.

You have to keep these phrases in mind and make sure that you avoid using them on your admission essay.  Just be honest.  You don’t have to say something “big” in order to be interesting.  The most important thing is be yourself and write something which no one else has ever written.  As a tip, read a well-written sample admission essay for a guide.

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