Every fall, students across Montreal and around the world begin their college applications to top Canadian universities, Ivy League schools, and other prestigious institutions. They’ve worked tirelessly for strong grades, glowing recommendations, and extracurricular achievements.
But when admissions committees sift through thousands of applications, one piece often makes the difference between acceptance and rejection: the college essay.
Unlike transcripts or test scores, the essay offers something unique: the student’s authentic voice. It’s the moment when admissions officers stop looking at numbers and start seeing a person. Unfortunately, too many students treat the essay as an afterthought—and it’s a mistake that can cost them dearly.
Most students approach their essays the wrong way.
Here are three pitfalls I see time and time again:
Generic statements that rattle off qualities students believe colleges want in an applicant. We already believe that you’re “passionate about (insert any subject here)”, and sure, empathy, critical thinking, and dedication might be some of your key qualities that make you a deserving candidate. But we need you to prove it to us through facts and anecdotes that are unique to your experience. Applying to film school? Don’t tell me that NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts is world-renowned; tell us about the short film you made with your friends remotely during Covid. Interested in mechanical engineering? Tell me about the precise model you designed and built as a robotics student—and how you had to pivot when your initial plan fell through. No need to tell us that it taught you patience and problem-solving skills; we can tell from your experience, and readers already know those qualities would make for a good engineer.
When applicants write what they think admissions wants to hear—or worse, telling prestigious or renowned schools that they have chosen their school based on prestige alone (“I’ve always wanted to go to Yale/ Princeton/ Duke because I want to study with the best professors in the world”). Can you name any of the professors at said school? How about what they have researched? What sets this school apart from the thousands of other schools that offer the same major? For instance, do they offer an interdisciplinary program? Perhaps there are clubs, projects or opportunities unique to this school. Do the research, and integrate it in your essays accordingly.
Believing that writing university essays is easy. Most students are accustomed to impersonal, five-paragraph essays. Many have never been given the opportunity to write about themselves in a narrative format. This kind of writing takes vulnerability, honesty, creativity, and often, professional guidance. Students will typically go through several revisions before a final draft emerges. In order to accommodate this often-lengthy process, I recommend starting to think of topics for all essays the summer before Grade 12. Unfortunately, most students will wait until they’re in the thick of scholastic commitments in the fall and have no choice but to rush through their essays. Start early, and be open to feedback and edits. If the world’s best writers have editors, it should stand to reason that producing high-quality work that must stand out from thousands of other submissions would require a similar level of professional attention.
Take the Next Step
If you or someone you know is preparing for university applications this year, don’t leave the essay to chance! Now is the time to seek expert guidance in order to rise above the competition.
About Stephanie Coco Palermo
Stephanie is a Montreal-based college essay coach and consultant who has helped students gain admission to top universities in Canada, the U.S., and abroad. With expertise in the Common App, UC Application, the Coalition App and other application platforms, she guides families through the complexities of today’s admissions process while helping students craft essays that set them apart from the crowd.
Learn more at stephaniecocopalermo.com, or contact Stephanie directly to schedule a consultation.
