Which of the following is a common mistake in college application essays?

A Being too specific

B Writing about a topic that does not reveal anything personal and could be written by any applicant

C Using a personal voice

D Including a narrative arc

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

Common essay mistakes: generic topics (volunteering abroad without reflection), thesaurus syndrome, résumé recap, controversial topics without nuance, writing what you think admissions wants, lack of specificity, no personal reflection or growth.

💡 Why is B) the correct answer?

The correct answer to the question "Which of the following is a common mistake in college application essays?" is Option B: Writing about a topic that does not reveal anything personal and could be written by any applicant.

The other options — A) Being too specific, C) Using a personal voice, D) Including a narrative arc — are incorrect for this College Advising question. As explained above: Common essay mistakes: generic topics (volunteering abroad without reflection), thesaurus syndrome, résumé recap, controversial topics without nuance, writing what you think admissions wants, lack of…

📚 About This College Advising Practice Question

This 2-level College Advising question from the Application Essays topic is part of BrainForge Quiz's free exam preparation library. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation to help you understand the underlying concept, not just memorize the answer.

How to use this page: Read the question above, consider all four options (A through D), then check the highlighted correct answer and explanation. For active timed practice, start a free College Advising practice test or use flashcards for spaced repetition review.

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Which of the following is a common mistake in college application essays?

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

📚 About This College Advising Practice Question

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