The Art of Self-Proofreading

You've written your college essay draft. Congratulations! But before you send it off, you'll want to make sure it's polished. Proofreading your own work is tricky: your brain fills in what you meant to say, not always what's on the page. Here are some key dos and don'ts to catch mistakes before you hit submit.

Dos:

✅ Take a break: Step away for a few hours (or even a day) before rereading your draft. Fresh eyes spot errors.

✅ Read out loud: Awkward phrasing and run-ons jump out when you hear them.

✅ Make Sure You're the Star: It's okay to mention how others have inspired you while telling your story, but make sure your essay focuses on you.

✅ Focus on one issue at a time: First spelling, then punctuation, then flow.

✅ Ask yourself: Does this sound like me? Proofreading isn’t just about grammar; it’s about making sure your authentic voice comes through.



Don'ts:

❌ Don’t rely only on spellcheck: It misses homophones (their/there) and context errors.

❌ Don’t proof in a rush: Typos love to hide when you’re pressed for time.

❌ Don’t make it too formal: Admissions officers want personality, not a research paper.

❌ Don’t skip the big picture: Even if grammar’s perfect, a confusing essay won’t land.

❌ Don’t assume one draft is enough: Great essays are rewritten, not just written.

Let's Do This!

Self-proofreading helps, but no one catches every mistake in their own work. That's why we offer affordable proofreading at Rewrite Club, designed specifically for college essays.

Learn more about our services.