Let’s face it. High school seniors are not the best writers out there. Even future English majors are still learning to find their voice and express themselves clearly. To make matters worse, some students think they must overcompensate for their shortcomings as writers by using big words and fanciful turns of phrase. They might think these flourishes will distract their application readers from their less-than-perfect grasp of English. But chances are these attempts to turn up the literary or academic jargon will fall flat. Instead, why not write colloquially? Since you’re not fooling anyone with that pretentious tone, embrace the casual style that often characterizes high schoolers’ writing. This approach will not only make your writing more relatable but also make the writing process more enjoyable. Read on to learn how to find your unique writing style in college essays.

Writing Colloquially is Key in College Essays

Your college essays are not academic papers. It’s not your last and final opportunity to express yourself. It’s a means to an end. And that end is admission to a highly selective college. There’s no need to feel pressure to write an elaborate essay with many twists and turns. Instead, go back to basics. Instead of starting a sentence with Nevertheless or However, dare to start it with And or But. Your application reader will appreciate your casual style, and it will come off as more honest. If there are too many big vocabulary words used correctly in your essay, you start to seem like you had outside help to complete your application. Too many big words used incorrectly, and you seem to be putting on an act that your application reader will see right through!

This reality grates against what many of us choose to believe about elite college admissions. “Shouldn’t my English teacher have the final say on my paper?” you ask. It’s time we dispel this misconception. Your English teacher, no matter how talented they are at their job, doesn’t know how to write in your voice. Place your essays in their hands, and you’ll wind up with a cookie-cutter style that may fare well in a college classroom but won’t impress anyone in elite college admissions offices. A no-frills approach that highlights how your singular admissions hook and provides a roadmap for taking advantage of all that your future school has to offer, on the other hand, is sure to be well received.

Can College Essays Be Informal?

Yes and no. Should you write your college essays in a down-to-earth style that sounds like it came straight from the mind of a college-bound teenager? You bet! But should it be filled with slang that only you and your peers could understand? No — it still must be intelligible to your application reader. So opt for an informal style that still hits on all of the fundamentals of a good college essay: a compelling story, a singular hook, and an optimistic tone that will inspire your application readers to root for your cause. Your informal approach will serve you well as long as you spend time rereading, retooling, and proofreading. Don’t take this as an excuse to submit sloppy work!

Is It Okay to Leave Grammatical Errors in College Essays? No!

When it comes to your college essays, content is more important than form. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no need to proofread your essays or ensure that they conform to the conventions of written English. You must give it your all and produce the best writing possible. All we’re saying is don’t try a whole new approach that makes you sound a lot more pretentious than you are. Having a trusted adult proofread your essays and give you substantive feedback is not just advisable, it’s crucial. But just don’t let them influence your writing into being unrecognizable.

Striking this balance is easier said than done. Be colloquial, but not lazy. Get your point across, but don’t rely on clichés. College essays are a difficult genre to do well, and navigating these contradictions is challenging. But with the right guidance, you can master this balance and craft compelling essays that stand out. Turn to Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers to help you pen highly competitive essays that incorporates your singular hook without appearing overly polished. We know what works well in elite college admissions offices and what falls flat. After all, we’re the ones who used to decide who gets into places like Yale and Harvard.

If you’re concerned that your child might need extra help to outline and edit their college application essays, look no further. Fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch to discuss our college counseling services.