One of the worst mistakes you can make in an About Me essay, according to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), is simply boring your reader. Admissions officers aren't inclined to accept tedious or uninteresting people; on the other hand, if your essay is intriguing, the readers will think better of you. Additionally, if your essay is interesting to read, then the person evaluating the essay will consider its contents more carefully, whereas a reader is more likely to skim a boring essay. To avoid this pitfall, the OWL suggests writing an essay that "tell[s] a story," rather than simply listing or discussing your accomplishments, skills or passions.
Admissions officers read numerous essays, so it's easy for them to forget or disregard anything run-of-the-mill. You don't want the readers to view you as simply another random applicant like most of the others; instead, you want them to think you are different, extraordinary and a better-than- average applicant. You want to be remembered, so your About Me essay must be memorable. Focus on any special experiences, skills or goals that make you distinct--and deserving. The University of California, Berkeley website recommends explaining how those things "have shaped your attitude, focus" and "intellectual vitality."
Your About Me essay must present yourself accurately and genuinely. Don't lie about things you have done or things you want to do, and don't include opinions that aren't your own. Don't try to be someone you're not; talk about your actual life, what you really believe and how you truly intend to use your college education. Yale University strongly recommends writing the personal statement essay "in your own voice" so that the admissions readers can learn about the real you and understand what you are truly like.
Write your essay in eloquent but simple language; use precise words and vary the sentence structures, but don't use unnecessarily long words or needlessly complex sentences. The essay should be very easy to read, but it should also sound articulate and persuasive. Write concisely--use fewer words whenever possible--but also be specific, descriptive and engaging, rather than sticking to the boring basics. Some literary devices, such as parallelism or anaphora, can be useful if used sparingly.
Edit the essay several times after you write it to improve any awkward or poorly written parts. When you are completely finished, proofread the paper multiple times to check for any typos or grammatical mistakes. You may want to ask some friends or family members to check the essay or even pay for a professional editor, who can guarantee that the paper is well-written and error-free.