Red Flags on Essays...Avoid at ALL costs!!!!

Some of the things considered red flags in essays are:

• Essays that seemed to blame others for the applicant’s struggles or mistakes

• Essays that hinted at or showed the applicant had a difficult time fitting in with peers

• Essays where the applicant discussed an inability to cope with adversity

• Essays that talked about previous mental health issues or drug/alcohol abuse (I’ve been told by more than one admissions officers that this is ALWAYS a red flag, particularly with more competitive colleges or programs, because colleges highly value their retention rates and kids who have already exhibited issues in high school, when under their parents’ home, have a higher risk of not finishing college in 4 years. I know this seems unfair, specifically for a student who has persevered, but particularly at highly competitive colleges and programs, suicide rates are generally higher than at other colleges/programs, and colleges have to be cautious about admitting students who may not be able to handle the stress in a healthy way)

Essays that mentioned the student not getting along with a particular teacher/blaming a teacher for failing or not doing well in class (even if it’s true, NEVER mention this in an essay - better to ask your college counselor to write something about it in her letter of recommendation)