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Common App Essay Clichés

Roxanne

By Roxanne

•

29 Aug 2024

Common App Essay Clichés cover image

Clichés in college essays are common phrases or ideas that have been overused to the point of losing their original impact. While they may seem like easy go-to statements, they often fail to make a memorable impression on admissions officers as too many students use them. Instead, they can make an essay feel generic and uninspired.  If you are a student who is currently writing their college essays, it is important to avoid clichés and focus on authentic, experiences that can help give the admissions officers a more insightful look into your application. This post is here to provide you with some overused clichés so that you can see what to avoid when writing your college essays. 

 

 

Common App Essay Clichés

 

 

Overused Phrases To Avoid

I've always known that

This has opened my eyes

I realized that the little things matter

I learned not to take things for granted

I realized my potential

Ever since I was a child

I have a thirst for knowledge

I want to use my voice for the voiceless

Everything happens for a reason

I always strive for excellence

This has changed my life forever

This journey has been a rollercoaster

I can do anything if I put my mind to it

I live life to the fullest 

It's okay to be different

I've always wanted to help others

I want to be the change I wish to see in the world

I am passionate about making a difference in the world

Failures are stepping stones to successes

True success is measured by happiness

I discovered myself through this

I am a team player

I've always been naturally curious

I want to make a positive impact on the world

I learned to see things from a new perspective

I've learned never to be a quitter

I know how to think outside the box

These values have been instilled in me

I found my true calling

I turned my weaknesses into strengths

I never give up

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

I've learned to embrace challenges

I learned more from failure than I did from success

Life is what you make of it

I've always been a hard worker

This has made me more responsible

This taught me the true meaning of

I've always been a go-getter

I learned to get out of my comfort zone

I want to make the world a better place

This has taught me the importance of gratitude

My journey has been full of ups and downs

I followed my heart

I always go above and beyond

My greatest weakness is that I'm a perfectionist

This has helped me grow as a person

I always give my 100%

I focused on the journey, not the destination

This was a wake-up call

 

 

 

Now that you've seen some clichés to avoid, let's take a look at some examples from the Clastify website where students have used unique phrases to make their essays more personal. Of course, the examples below cannot be copied directly into your essays, but you should use them as a springboard to think about creative phrases you can use in your essay that are related to the story you are telling. Click the links in blue below to access the full exemplar.

 

 

Example 1

 

 

So now the uncomfortable story that was the uncomfortable answer to an uncomfortable question comes to an uncomfortable ending. Read the whole essay here.

 

 

This sentence is unique as the student has used repetition of the word "uncomfortable" to signify their journey of feeling out of place due to their religious identity and how they overcame this. The use of this sentence avoids the following clichés:

 

  • It's okay to be different

     

  • I realized my potential

     

  • I live life to the fullest

     

  • I discovered myself through this

     

  • This has helped me grow as a person

 

 

 

Example 2

 

 

A cow gave birth and I watched. Staring from the window of our stopped car, I experienced two beginnings that day: the small bovine life and my future. Read the complete essay here.

 

 

This is good phrasing as the student has linked their experience of watching a cow give birth to signify the beginning of 2 things - the calf's new life as well as the student's new thinking about their femininity. This avoids clichés such as:

 

  • I've always been naturally curious

     

  • This taught me the true meaning of

     

  • This was a wake-up call

     

  • I focused on the journey, not the destination

     

  • My journey has been full of ups and downs

 

 

 

Example 3

 

 

My new aspiration is to combine these two selves. Now, l'm always delicately balancing between being careful yet comfortable. Firm yet friendly. Humble yet honest. Read the full example here.

 

 

This is an interesting structure as the student has used opposing adjectives to describe how they want to balance being disciplined while also being carefree. This avoids clichés such as:

 

  • I learned not to take things for granted

     

  • This journey has been a rollercoaster

     

  • Failures are stepping stones to successes

     

  • I learned to see things from a new perspective

     

  • This has made me more responsible

 

 

 

We hope that this guide has helped you identify common clichés so you can avoid them when writing your essays. Good luck with your college applications!