--- title: "Am I Oversharing in My College Essays? | Elite Prep" description: "Personal statements should be personal, not uncomfortable. Use these questions to test a risky topic, and see how details make common subjects stand out." url: "https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/10/25/am-i-oversharing-in-my-college-essays/" image: "https://media.eliteprep.com/oversharing-webp-card.jpg" language: "en" datePublished: "2017-10-25T23:30:31.000Z" source: "eliteprep build" --- [College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) # Am I Oversharing in My College Essays? October 25, 2017 [Kiley A.](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/10/25/am-i-oversharing-in-my-college-essays/#about-the-author) 2 min read [Explore Elite College Consulting](https://eliteprep.com/consulting/) ![Am I Oversharing in My College Essays?](https://eliteprep.com/media/oversharing-webp-w800.webp) This post is 9 years old. Test formats, deadlines and admissions policies may have changed since it was published. [See newer posts about College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) You know the saying, “Life isn’t fair”? Well, one of those unfair things might be that it’s possible to have a perfect SAT score, straight A's, and impressive extracurriculars, yet still be rejected from competitive colleges and universities. How could this happen? In short, because spots are limited. So the reality is that more than a few perfectly qualified applicants have to be turned away. (Even if you end up being one of these people, refer to this earlier post about [why rejection isn't the end of the world](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/4/13/dealing-with-college-decisions-why-its-not-the-end-of-the-world-but-more-like-the-opposite/?rq=college%20decision)). Given that a significant part of a college's admissions decision is out of your control, let’s focus on one way you can maximize your chances of acceptance: ## **Stand out.** Personal statements (a.k.a. college essays) are great opportunities to clearly demonstrate that you have something unique and valuable to offer campuses. As you craft your college essays, keep in mind that, depending on the school you’re applying to, admissions committees might receive upwards of 60,000 applications. So if you’re going to write about playing piano, for example, you might be one of like 20,000 other piano essays. (Keep reading to find out why this doesn’t mean you can’t write about piano, or any other common topic for that matter.) With all this competition, you might feel tempted to include outrageous personal details in an attempt to get noticed. Be careful. Yes, it’s called a personal statement, but there is such a thing as being *too* personal. If you are considering a potentially “TMI” topic, here are some questions to help you stay college app appropriate: - Would you tell this detail to a stranger? Or is it better suited for a best friend or therapist? - Is it “R” rated? (It’s usually better to stay away from discussing sex or anything illegal.) - Does it make you sound currently unwell, insecure, or emotionally unstable? Basically, you *don’t* want to cause readers to feel uncomfortable, or doubt that you’d be a positive addition to their school. You *do* want to make them interested in getting to know you better. You can still stand out without divulging off-putting details about of yourself. Even if there are 20,000 applicants who write about playing the piano, no one but you has lived your particular experiences. As long as you include specific enough details, examples, and insight, and you don’t hold back your true interests and personality, your essays will not be like anyone else’s. So express your true greatness in a way that shows it belongs to the one-and-only, awe-inspiring YOU. ![Elite College Consulting](https://media.eliteprep.com/College-Consulting.webp) **Need help brainstorming and editing your college essays?**\ [**Contact your local Elite branch about college consulting services today!**](https://eliteprep.com/locations/) About the author ## Kiley A. Kiley A. teaches SAT/ACT Writing and leads College Application Workshops at Elite Prep Rowland Heights. As the Elite Community Scholars Coordinator, he also works to spread this college preparation guidance to low-income, first-generation students who may not otherwise have access to such support. Above all, he wants his students to know the far-reaching power of their own self-assurance. [All articles by Kiley A.](https://eliteprep.com/blog/author/kiley-a/) ## Free Tools for This Topic - [College list builder](https://eliteprep.com/college-list-builder/) - [Early decision vs. early action](https://eliteprep.com/early-decision-vs-early-action/) ## More on This Topic [All posts in College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) ![Comic: a boy asks "Dad! Can I ask you a question?" His father says "But son, you just did." The boy asks "Can I ask two?" and his father stares: "You just did…"](https://media.eliteprep.com/dad-i-have-a-question%2B2-webp-w400.webp) [College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) ### [College Application Essay FAQs](https://eliteprep.com/blog/college-application-essay-faqs.html/) October 17, 2013 Ethan Sawyer ![Why you should start your college admission essays this summer](https://media.eliteprep.com/image-asset-33-webp-w400.webp) [College Admissions](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-admissions/) ### [Why You Should Start Your College Admission Essays this Summer](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/5/30/why-you-should-start-your-personal-statement-and-college-essays-in-the-summer/) May 30, 2017 Stephen P. ![A green felt-tip Pentel Sign Pen with the cap posted on the end](https://media.eliteprep.com/green-pen-webp-w400.webp) [College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) ### [Three 15-Minute Brainstorming Exercises for Your College Essay](https://eliteprep.com/blog/three-15-minute-brainstorming-exercises-for-your-college-ess.html/) October 30, 2013 Ethan Sawyer ![Someecard: "I promise to tolerate your freedom of speech, unless it involves two spaces after a period. Because that's not freedom, that's just wrong."](https://media.eliteprep.com/two_spaces_after_a_period-webp-w400.webp) [College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) ### [Two Spaces After a Period (And four other mistakes your making in you're college essay)](https://eliteprep.com/blog/two-spaces-after-a-period-and-four-other-mistakes-your-makin.html/) October 29, 2013 Ethan Sawyer ## Ready to Study This with an Instructor? Elite Prep offers this program at centers across the country. Review what the course covers, or find the center nearest you. [Explore Elite College Consulting](https://eliteprep.com/consulting/) [Browse programs](https://eliteprep.com/programs/)