What’s the biggest mistake students make in holistic admissions?

Pretending to be someone they’re not. It’s tempting to write what you think colleges want to hear—“I am a passionate, driven young leader who…” Yawn. Admissions officers see through that faster than you can say “Common App.” The strongest applications don’t sound perfect—they sound real. Maybe you struggled, changed your mind, failed, or learned something the hard way. Own it. Specificity is powerful. Vulnerability is memorable. Authenticity? Unbeatable. When you over-edit yourself into a college brochure cliché, you lose the spark that makes you… well, you. So don’t perform. Reflect. Write like you’re talking to the one person who really gets you because that’s who they want on campus.