Writing your Common App essay is one of the most important, and sometimes most stressful, parts of the college application process. It’s your chance to show admissions officers who you are beyond grades, test scores, and activities. But once you’ve written a draft, the real work begins: revising and polishing until your story shines. That’s where our Common App essay editing checklist can make all the difference.
Think of editing as more than just fixing grammar or spelling mistakes. It’s about making sure your essay actually answers the prompt, flows logically, and reflects your authentic voice. A strong essay should reveal your personality, highlight your growth, and leave college admissions officers with a clear sense of who you are and what you care about. Without careful editing, even a good draft can fall flat, or worse, feel like AI wrote it.
Never fear!
Our Common App essay editing checklist is here!
It covers everything from structure and clarity to word choice and style. Whether you’re polishing your first draft or finalizing your essay for submission, these questions will help you strengthen your writing and ensure your story makes a lasting impression.
Common App Essay Editing Checklist: Content & Prompt Alignment
Does my essay clearly respond to one of the Common App prompts, or could it fit under any topic (which usually signals vagueness)? HINT: A direct answer to the Common App prompt should be in your introduction.
Am I telling a story that only I could tell, not one that thousands of other students might also write?
Does the essay reveal something meaningful about who I am, not just what I’ve done?
Am I showcasing qualities (resilience, curiosity, creativity, empathy) that admissions officers value in a student?
Is there a clear “so what” moment, why this story matters to me, and why it should matter to the reader?
Does the essay avoid being a resume in disguise? Am I writing about my growth, not just listing activities?
Have I chosen experiences that genuinely shaped me, rather than ones that sound impressive but don’t feel authentic?
Would someone who doesn’t know me understand what I value and care about after reading this essay?
Do my program choices, extracurriculars, and essay themes connect in a way that tells a consistent story about me?
Have I stayed within the 650-word limit while still giving my essay enough depth to be memorable?
Common App Essay Editing Checklist: Structure & Flow
Does my introduction immediately draw in the reader (through curiosity, vivid imagery, or a compelling statement) without being gimmicky? HINT: A quote from a famous person is a gimmick.
Am I beginning my essay in the middle of the action, or am I starting with something too generic like “I have always loved…”?
Is the essay structured like a story with a beginning, middle, and end or does it feel like a collection of unrelated thoughts?
Do my paragraphs flow logically, or do I jump around in a way that confuses the reader?
Are transitions smooth and natural, guiding the reader from one idea to the next?
Am I building toward a moment of reflection, self-awareness, or discovery?
Does my conclusion add depth or perspective, rather than simply repeating what I already said?
Have I avoided the “movie trailer” ending that tries to sum up everything with clichés like “and that’s why I know I’ll succeed in college”?
If someone skimmed only my first and last paragraphs, would they understand my story and feel intrigued to read more?
Common App Essay Editing Checklist: Voice & Style
Does the essay sound like me? Would my friends or family recognize my voice in it?
Am I balancing storytelling with reflection, so the essay is not just a diary entry but also not an academic paper?
Have I been honest and vulnerable, showing my true self rather than writing what I think admissions officers want to hear?
Am I using humor or creativity naturally, or am I forcing it?
Does my personality come through in my word choices, tone, and perspective?
Am I writing with energy and confidence, not just in a flat, explanatory tone?
Is there a sense of rhythm in my sentences, with a good mix of short impactful ones and longer reflective ones?
Have I cut out jargon, clichés, and “big words” that don’t fit how I normally speak or write?
Do I show maturity without sounding like I’m trying to impress with vocabulary alone?
Common App Essay Editing Checklist: Clarity & Word Choice
Are all my sentences clear on the first read, or do they require rereading to understand?
Have I chosen precise words over vague ones (for example, “I felt embarrassed” vs. “I felt bad”)?
Do my examples illustrate my points better than abstract generalizations ever could?
Have I trimmed away filler words like “very,” “really,” or “basically”?
Am I using sensory details where appropriate to make the essay vivid?
Have I replaced clichés like “think outside the box,” “follow my passion,” or “made me who I am today” with original phrasing?
Does every sentence add value to the essay, or are there lines that could be cut without changing the meaning?
Have I kept my language conversational but polished, like the best version of me speaking?
Common App Essay Editing Checklist: Grammar, Sentence Structure & Mechanics
Are my sentences grammatically correct, but also natural-sounding, not overly formal or stiff?
Have I varied sentence beginnings to avoid repetitive patterns?
Is my verb tense consistent throughout the essay?
Am I using active voice where possible to keep the writing energetic?
Are punctuation marks, especially commas, used correctly and not overused?
Did I carefully check for homophones like “their/there/they’re” or “your/you’re”?
Are proper nouns (names of places, organizations, people) spelled and capitalized correctly?
Are my paragraph breaks logical and not too long or too short?
Common App Essay Editing Checklist: Polish & Final Review
Have I read the essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing or clunky sentences?
Does the essay sound smooth and confident when spoken, not robotic or forced?
Did I take at least a day away from the essay before rereading it to see it with fresh eyes?
Have I asked at least one trusted person to read it, and did I consider their feedback carefully without losing my own voice?
Have I checked that my essay works both as a stand-alone story and as part of my larger application narrative?
Did I double-check formatting (no weird characters, random spacing, or formatting issues when pasting into the Common App)?
If someone read this essay without knowing me, would they feel like they just “met” me in real life?
Am I confident the essay highlights who I am becoming, not just who I was?
Could I defend every word and choice in this essay as intentional, not accidental?
Do I feel proud of this essay, like it represents the best version of myself?
Finally, if admissions officers read only this essay (and nothing else in my application), would they want to meet me?
Ready to Perfect Your Common App Essay?
You don’t have to go through the editing process alone. Our expert editor knows exactly what admissions officers look for. We’ll help you refine your essay so your voice shines through. From polishing grammar and structure to strengthening your storytelling and reflection, we’ll make sure your essay is both authentic and powerful.
Students we’ve worked with have gone on to top universities in the U.S. and Europe, thanks to essays that truly stood out.
Book your free consultation today and submit your Common App essay with confidence!
