Essay Writing

Revising and proofreading

Revise in passes: big ideas first, then sentences, then spelling. Get feedback from people you trust, and keep every word your own.

Good essays are rewritten more than they are written. Revising and proofreading are two different jobs. Revising changes what you say and how you say it. Proofreading catches errors at the end. Do them in that order, or you will polish sentences you later delete.

Pass one: the big picture

Set your draft aside for a while, then read it fresh. Ask these questions:

  • After reading this, what would someone know about me?
  • Does the essay add something new to my application?
  • Is there enough thinking, or is it mostly plot?
  • Is the most interesting part buried in the middle?

Be willing to cut whole paragraphs. If the big idea is wrong, fixing commas won't help.

Pass two: sentences

Now read for clarity and voice. Cut filler words. Replace vague words with specifics. Read it aloud and fix anything you would never say.

Made-up example: cutting filler
Weaker

I think that it was really at that moment in time that I was able to come to the realization that I needed to start making some changes.

Stronger

That afternoon, I knew I had to change how I ran practice.

The strong line says the same thing in far fewer words and adds a real detail. Every word you save can go to something more interesting.

Made-up example: replacing vague words
Weaker

The club did a lot of good things and it was a very meaningful experience for many people at my school.

Stronger

Our club set up a lunch table for new students, and by spring, the table had its own regulars.

The weak line tells the reader the club mattered. The strong line shows one concrete thing the club did and lets the reader judge.

Getting feedback

Pick one or two readers who know you, such as a teacher, a counselor or a family member. Too many readers can flatten your voice. Ask useful questions:

  • What do you remember after one read?
  • Where did you get bored or confused?
  • Does it sound like me?

Take notes and then make the changes yourself. If a reader starts rewriting your sentences, thank them and keep your own wording.

AI tools and your own words

AI tools may be used for feedback, such as asking where an essay feels unclear. The words and experiences must be your own. Do not have a tool draft or rewrite your essay. Do not copy its sentences into your application, and do not let it invent stories for you.

Pass three: proofreading

  1. Run a spell check, but do not rely on it. It won't catch every wrong word.
  2. Read your essay aloud, slowly.
  3. Read it backward, one sentence at a time, to catch errors.
  4. Check names, including college names, and confirm each one is right.
  5. Paste your text into the application and check the preview. Formatting can change when you paste.
  6. Check that you are within the word limit shown in the application.

Knowing when to stop

You are done when changes stop making it better. If you are swapping words back and forth, stop. An essay revised too many times can lose your voice. Your first draft's energy is worth keeping.

What to do next

Do one pass at a time in the Essay Studio. When your essay is ready, go through Common application mistakes and your application checklist before you submit.

Sources

Reviewed October 2026.

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