College Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When preparing and submitting college applications, proper planning and preparation can streamline the entire process. Start by carefully reading all instructions before beginning any application. Avoid waiting until the last day before deadlines, as this increases the likelihood of rushing and making careless errors. Mistakes on critical information like birth dates or social security numbers can cause significant processing problems. Additionally, last-minute submissions may encounter technical difficulties that may not be resolved quickly enough to meet the deadline.
Most applications include automatic timeouts for security purposes, so remember to save your work frequently if taking breaks. Always use the application's built-in navigation buttons rather than your browser's controls, as using the browser's back button can unexpectedly log you out and cause loss of unsaved information.
The Common Application provides a “Preview” function that allows you to see how your application will appear when viewed by admissions. Sometimes students discover that the spacing of their essay isn’t formatted correctly. While you can send complete versions to admissions offices if answers are seriously compromised, this is only necessary for significant truncations. Admissions officers regularly see minor cutoffs and won't penalize otherwise strong applications for a few missing words. When sending complete materials, clearly explain that you're providing them due to potential omission issues during submission.
After submitting the Common Application to a specific college, you cannot modify or resubmit it to that institution. However, when applying to additional Common Application schools, you can edit prior answers before sending your application to subsequent colleges.
Having someone proofread your application helps catch mistakes before submission. Remember that completing an application involves submitting the main application, any required supplements, and payment.
One common source of post-application stress occurs when admissions offices notify students of incomplete files. Resist blaming school counselors or support staff for missing transcripts. Admissions offices often require several weeks to process and file documents, and many colleges automatically send incomplete file notifications. Required documents are typically either at the college or in transit.
Many colleges provide online portals for checking application status. Be sure to look out for an email from each college with instructions for how to set up your online portal. Regularly monitor these accounts and check your email frequently to avoid missing important communications such as alumni interview requests. Stay vigilant about additional requirements, such as sending official SAT or ACT scores where required, or completing the STARS form, and ensure your high school submits midyear reports when required by specific colleges.
