Application deadlines are fast approaching, and whether you’re on your second draft or your tenth, there’s still time to make your essay stand out. At this stage, it’s all about fine-tuning and making impactful adjustments to elevate your work. While it may seem like you’re running out of time, there are plenty of ways you can strengthen your essay without completely rewriting it. From ensuring you’ve answered the prompt fully to polishing your language and tightening your structure, these last-minute strategies will help you submit your best work. In this post, we’ll walk you through simple, yet effective application essay tips that can turn your good essay into a great one, with concrete examples to guide you every step of the way.
1. Work with what you’ve got
As the deadline nears, some students get cold feet about their draft. Doubts creep in, and you might be tempted to start fresh or rewrite your essay completely. However, it’s important to be realistic about how much time you have left. With limited hours to spare, a major overhaul may not be feasible, and it could add more stress to the process. Instead, focus on refining and polishing the draft you already have.
Example:
Let’s say your essay is about your passion for environmental conservation, and you’ve already written about a project where you organized a beach clean-up. Instead of starting from scratch or shifting topics entirely, look for ways to improve the current draft. Perhaps the description of the clean-up could use more vivid imagery. Maybe you could add a specific moment that showcases your leadership, like inspiring a group of uninterested volunteers to improve their attitude. By focusing on making this existing material stronger, you’ll save time and avoid getting overwhelmed.
2. Ensure you answered the question
Before you hit submit, take a moment to re-read the application prompt. Sounds simple, but many students rush through this step. Ask yourself: What is the question really asking? Are you answering the question in full, or have you gotten lost in tangents?
Example:
Suppose the prompt asks, “Describe a challenge you’ve faced, how you overcame it and what you learned from this experience.” If your essay focuses more on describing the challenge than on how you dealt with it, you’re not fully answering the question. In this case, you might need to shift the focus toward the actions you took to overcome the challenge and what you learned in the process. For example, if you’ve written about struggling with a subject in school, make sure you clearly describe the specific strategies you used—like seeking help from a tutor or dedicating extra time to practice problems. This will show the admissions committee that you not only recognize challenges but also take proactive steps to tackle them. Finally, reflect on what this experience taught you, and how you plan to use those skills in future endeavours.
3. Replace generalities with specificity
One of the most common pitfalls in university application essays is relying on general statements or clichés. It’s tempting to say things like “I learned so many valuable lessons,” but these phrases don’t give the reader much to work with. Instead, dive into specific details that show how you’ve grown and what you’ve learned.
Example:
Instead of writing, “I learned the importance of teamwork,” you could give a more specific example: “During a group project in my biology class, I was assigned to lead a team of four students. We faced a setback when our initial experiment didn’t work, but we pulled together to troubleshoot the problem. I organized extra meetings and assigned tasks to each team member based on their strengths. In the end, our revised experiment succeeded, and I realized how crucial clear communication and adaptability are in a team setting.” This paints a clear picture of your experience and shows exactly how teamwork impacted you.
4. Read out loud for clarity
If you’ve ever worked with an Options writing coach, either one-on-one or in a workshop, you’ve likely heard us recommend reading your work aloud. It’s a simple and effective tool! When you read aloud, you’re more likely to notice awkward sentence structures, missing words, or repetitive phrasing that may not stand out when reading silently.
Example:
Let’s say you read this sentence aloud: “The first time I went to the community center, it was a great time because I met people, and we did fun things together.” When read aloud, you may realize that “it was a great time” is vague and could be more engaging and that the first clause flows awkwardly into the second. Instead, try revising to: “The first time I visited the community center, I was nervous, but when I joined the after-school arts program, I quickly found myself talking to new friends and collaborating on projects that energized me.” This revision sounds more personal and gives a clearer picture of the experience.
5. Edit for grammar
The final step in the revision process is copyediting. Editing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation is essential to make sure your essay is polished and professional. Typos and errors can be distracting for readers and detract from the overall quality of your essay.
Example:
A common mistake in application essays is misusing commas. For instance, “I’ve always been passionate about helping animals and I volunteer at the local shelter” could benefit from a comma after “animals,” to improve readability: “I’ve always been passionate about helping animals, and I volunteer at the local shelter.” Additionally, check for subject-verb agreement: “The team were excited about the project” should be “The team was excited about the project” because “team” is a collective noun that requires a singular verb. If you have access to a grammar-checking tool (or a helpful teacher or writing coach), take advantage of this before you press submit!
6. Seek feedback (if you can)
If you have the time and opportunity, it’s always a good idea to ask someone else to read your essay—especially if it’s someone who knows you well. A teacher, mentor, or friend can offer helpful feedback. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can reveal areas of your essay that need clarification or improvement. Just be mindful of the time constraints: while feedback can be valuable, you’ll want to avoid making drastic changes this close to the deadline.
Example:
Perhaps you’ve written about your passion for social justice, but a teacher points out that you haven’t fully explained what specifically sparked your interest in the cause. You could add a brief anecdote, like how you were moved by a particular experience at a volunteering event, such as a moment when you spoke to someone personally affected by the issue. This small addition would make your essay more compelling and authentic.
7. Stay calm and take breaks
This process can be stressful, especially as the deadline looms, but it’s important to stay calm. A frantic mindset won’t help you catch errors or think clearly. If you’ve been staring at the screen for too long, take a break! Go for a walk, stretch, or do something that helps you clear your head. When you return to your essay, you’ll likely see it with fresh eyes and be able to make more productive edits.
By applying these application essay tips, you’ll ensure your submission is clear, focused, and truly reflective of who you are. But if you want an extra set of eyes to make sure everything is in place, don’t hesitate to reach out for a final review! Booking an appointment with a writing coach or consultant can provide invaluable feedback that fine-tunes your essay even further, ensuring it’s polished and ready for submission. Click here to schedule your final review today and make sure your essay leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee!
Good luck, and don’t forget to breathe! You’ve got this.
