By the time you’re a senior, you’ll probably have nightmares about applying to college. You’ve missed the application deadline to your first choice, every school costs $5 million a semester and you’ve been denied financial aid, or you realize your applications are due and you haven’t started any essays.
While some of these nightmares are more realistic than others, there are real-life mistakes that college admissions officers see every year. Here are some of the most common ones to avoid:
Using the same essay for all applications
Everybody likes shortcuts but when it comes to college application essays using the same essay for all your applications could lead you to a dead end. You need to answer the questions posed by each college and they’re not all going to be answered by the same essay. Besides admissions officers are freakishly omnipotent and will know it wasn’t crafted just for them. Take the time to write something fresh and relevant to that school’s particular questions.
Missing deadlines
It’s important that you keep a calendar of all the schools’ deadlines—from applications and supporting documentation to financial aid. Don’t expect exceptions; play by the rules.
Applying early decision when you’re not sure
Although admissions reps don’t always know until it’s too late some students apply “early decision” when it’s not really their first-choice school. Remember early decision is binding. It means you promise to attend that college even if you’re not awarded any financial aid. There are other options like early action which don’t require you to commit to just one school.
Not proofreading
The essay isn’t just about answering questions; it’s a glimpse into your writing ability. Grammatical errors misspellings and incomplete answers to the essay question being asked (e.g. only answering part one of a two-part question) speaks volumes for your college readiness—and not in a good way.
Submitting incomplete applications
Speaking of incomplete applications … make sure everything is filled out! This means answering every question thoroughly and requesting/sending high school transcripts test scores and letters of recommendation as per the directions and deadlines.
Not showing enough interest
While not all colleges weigh in-person interviews when making application decisions they are a good way to demonstrate your interest. Campus visits talking to the schools’ reps at college fairs and even checking in regularly with an admissions officer can indicate that you’re serious about attending the school.
Avoiding these common mistakes is actually quite easy if you stay informed honest and organized. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to research schools fill out applications and customize essays to blow the socks off each school!
