<li>Off topic.</li>
<li>Repeat of the application.</li>
<li>Misuse of swearing words.</li>
<li><p>Mistakenly include the name of another college you applied to. For example, if X and Y schools have the same essay topic, you mistakenly say you want to go to X when really you are submitting your essay to Y.</p></li>
<li><p>Exposition of second hand writing.
You must not let them know your parents or whoever have heavily edited your essay.</p></li>
<li><p>Voice and style inconsistent with the SAT essay.</p></li>
<li><p>Show them that you are too serious about grades, scores, and academics. They prefer a passionate writer over a nerd.</p></li>
<li><p>You don’t have a single strong point that distinguishes you from the rest.</p></li>
<li><p>If not even your parents can clarify your point (s), don’t expect the admissions people would.</p></li>
<li><p>Mistype your name when needed (it is just dum to do so).</p></li>
<li><p>Mistype the name of the college! (e.g. do not write Carnegie Melon when you are suppose to write Carnegie Mellon).</p></li>
<li><p>Tell them that they are your safe school.</p></li>
<li><p>Tell them that you have difficulty paying for college.</p></li>
<li><p>Tell them that your high school is the best while its not.</p></li>
<li><p>Tell them that you do not care.</p></li>
<li><p>Write too much about experience and facts rather than personal reflection, growth, and/or opinions.</p></li>
<li><p>Not submitting the Essay.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You must not let them know your parents or whoever have heavily edited your essay.</p>
<p>^^Ideally no one should HEAVILY edit your essay…my GC did a presentation about how if this happens, it’s very easy to pick up on, and sometimes our GO won’t send them out - eek!</p>
<p>People who actually make these mistakes obviously don’t care about their applications.</p>
<p>why does “tell them you have difficulties paying for college” matter? Or, at least, does it matter for the rich Ivies?</p>
<p>It shows the lack of confidence, and if you really have a problem with money, it is far better to talk to the financial aids people rather than with the admissions officers.</p>