S P E L L I N G College admissions essays and essays that are not timed must not contain a single spelling
error. Even if the errors are slight, they can add up to an impression that is decidedly against
the one you are trying to convey. In fact, essay readers have described spelling mistakes as
making the writer seem “sloppy,”“unprofessional,”“not as smart,”“lazy,” and even “foolish.”
Putting in a little time will improve your spelling quickly. You can learn and use the fol-
lowing simple spelling rules that cover the few dozen mistakes which account for the major-
ity of errors. These rules will help you no matter what type of essay you are writing, because
once you know them, you can use them at any time. In addition, you can become a more
proficient user of your computer’s spell check feature. Last, give your essay to at least two
good readers who will check for any spelling errors you may have missed.
