College Essay Mistakes That Hurt Your Application
FordCollege Essay Mistakes That Hurt Your Application
Every year, admissions officers read thousands of essays — and most make the same avoidable mistakes before a single word is written. Former Johns Hopkins admissions officer Ford reveals the pitfalls that quietly sink strong applications, and what actually makes an essay sound like a real person instead of a resume. Whether your student hasn't started or already has a draft, this session shows you exactly what to fix.
Speaker Info
Ford
Ford brings over 5 years of experience in admissions at Johns Hopkins University, where he supported 1,200+ applicants annually from the Pacific Northwest and Canada. As a committee member and Assistant Director, he led scholarship selection, revamped the reading process, and launched a Humanities Overnight Program. He holds a BA in Theater from the University of Mary Washington and has helped students gain admission to top schools including NYU, Duke, JHU, Georgetown, and the UCs—specializing in STEM and CS applicants.
About this Webinar
Every year, admissions officers read thousands of essays and most make the same avoidable mistakes before a single word is written. Join Ford, a former Johns Hopkins admissions officer, for a candid look inside the essay pitfalls that quietly sink strong applications. You'll learn why certain "safe" topics fall flat, how to spot a cliché before it's too late, and what actually makes an essay sound like a real person instead of a resume. Whether your student hasn't started or already has a draft they're unsure about, this session will show you exactly what to fix and what to avoid. Come with questions—Ford's read the essays that worked, and the ones that didn't.
In this webinar, you'll learn:
- The Topics That Backfire: Some essay topics feel meaningful to write but read as generic to admissions officers — you'll learn which ones to avoid and why.
- The Authenticity Test: The best essays sound like one specific person, not an impressive list of accomplishments. Daniel breaks down how readers tell the difference in seconds.
- The Edit That Matters Most: Most students over-polish the wrong things. Learn what admissions officers actually notice and what they scroll right past.