Top 10 College Application Mistakes

Senior year is filled with plans and wonder of what lies ahead. As much fun as your last year in high school may be, don’t let that distract you from putting your best foot forward in applying for college applications. Take some time to determine the deadlines, plan ahead and pay attention to detail on meeting all requirements.

The following are said to be the top responses from counselors and admissions staff in regards to the most common mistakes they see on college applications.

  1. Misspellings and Grammatical Errors – If you misspell on something as important as your college application, it shows that either you’re lazy or you just aren’t good at spelling. Either way, this will get your application tossed quickly. There are multiple tools out there that can help you along the way – spell check your work, proofread, have someone proofread your work for you. Don’t let something as easy as correct spelling and grammar keep you from getting into the college of your choosing.
  2. Applying Online, but not Submitting – If you apply online, you should receive confirmation that the institution received it. This could come as an email message, a Web page response or a credit card payment. You may want to follow up and make sure your application was submitted and received.
  3. Forgotten Signatures – Make sure you sign and date the form in ALL appropriate areas. It is listed on the back of forms and therefore, overlooked. Check that all spaces are completed and then double check.
  4. Not Reading Carefully – Make sure you pay attention to detail when completing all forms. For example, if the form asks what County you live in, don’t misread it as Country and write United States.
  5. Listing Extracurricular Activities that don’t apply – Sports, the arts, formal organizations and volunteer work all make the list. Hanging out with friends and taking long walks on the beach don’t make the cut. Remember, you are applying for college, not an online dating site.
  6. Not Telling your Guidance Counselor Where You’ve Applied – Let them know which colleges you are applying to. Ask him or her to review your high school transcript prior to sending it to college, as they oftentimes have errors.
  7. Writing Illegibly – Ever heard the saying “It’s all about making a good first impressions?” Well, it’s true. This may be your first and ONLY shot at getting their attention, so take your time and use your best handwriting.
  8. Using an Email Address that Friends might Laugh About, but Colleges Won’t – Most webmail providers offer free accounts. Use these free resources to select a professional email address, to include your name, for the college application process, and then later for job applications. Keep your fun address for your friends.
  9. Not Checking Your Email Regularly – If you have given an email address, chances are, the college will use it. Don’t miss out on anything because you didn’t check your email.
  10. Letting Mom or Dad Help you Fill Out Your Application – Admissions people can read and comprehend. They can decipher between two different styles of handwriting or realize your admissions essay sounds more like a 45 year old than a 17 year old. Get advice, but do the work yourself.