10 Things Not To Do On A College Application

When the time comes for you to apply to college, there are certain mistakes you should always avoid. Read below to learn how you can prevent some of these common pitfalls:

1. Failing to Answer the Question Asked

Bari Norman, co-founder and president of Expert Admissions, said some applicants don’t actually read the essay prompts and simply “go in with a lot of assumptions about what the college wants to hear.”

“I think sometimes students overthink things and begin reading into things without looking first at what’s right in front of them,” she said.

How to avoid it: Read each essay and short answer prompt thoroughly, underlining the important components you want to address. Once you’re done writing each response, re-read what you wrote to make sure it addresses the prompt.

2. Including Typos and Grammatical Mistakes

Avoid spelling errors and grammar mistakes in your application. Attention in this regard shows admissions officers that you took the time to  answer their questions thoughtfully and to review your work.

“Students can be so anxious about [their applications], but on the other hand, so eager to get [them] done, and wanting to get it off their lap and into the admission officer’s lap,” Norman said.

It’s okay to recycle parts of essays on different applications if the questions are the same, Norman says — but don’t forget to change the name of the school on each application, a mistake she’s seen in the past. And be sure you tailor your responses to each school, even if the basic framework is the same. For instance, if you’re looking at a large college in the city and another in the countryside, make certain you explain why each of these settings is the one you’re looking for on the correct application.

How to avoid it: When it’s time to start editing, don’t rush it. Copyeditors read through pieces several times, and so should you. It also doesn’t hurt to have a fresh pair of eyes on your application, so ask a strong writer to take a look. They might catch a mistake you didn’t.

3. Overusing the Additional Information Section

Use it sparingly, Norman says, adding that she recommends students avoid “writing a whole other essay about why you want to go there.”

You also shouldn’t feel like you have to have additional information to report. According to College Coach, an educational advising organization, you should carefully consider whether it’s necessary for you to use this space.

This section isn’t a chance to talk about something you’ve already mentioned in your application, or to further expand on your accomplishments. This area is for you to share information that didn’t fit in anywhere else and that has impacted your academic career. College Coach gives the following examples of appropriate subjects to share: divorce, a death in the family, a serious illness, a lengthy interruption in school, a disciplinary issue, a learning disability, and other major life events.

How to avoid it: Before filling this section in, ask yourself, “Is the picture I’m presenting of myself incomplete?” If you answer yes, try enhancing other parts of your application, such as your essay or short answers, before relying on this section. If you feel certain you should fill in this area, ask your college counselor to tell you whether you are using the space appropriately.

4. Asking the Wrong Teacher for a Recommendation

Lynn O’Shaughnessy, author and consultant on issues that college-bound teens may face, wrote that it’s important for teachers to be specific in their recommendation letters — and you won’t get that from a teacher you don’t have a relationship with.

“The more a teacher knows and respects a student, the better the letter is likely to be,” O’Shaughnessy wrote.

How to avoid it: Think carefully before asking a teacher for a recommendation. Does this person know your passions and strengths well? Have some back-up choices in case things don’t work out with the person you had in mind.

5. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

According to ACT Student, you should avoid using an email address “that friends might laugh at.” In other words, keep it professional.

How to avoid it: If you still chuckle every time you look at the email address you’ve had since first grade, it’s time to change it. A good rule of thumb is to use a combination of your first and last name.

6. Writing With Unnecessarily Flowery Language

In your essay, don’t be metaphorical where it doesn’t work well. Norman points out that students often believe they must have some sort of “hook” in their essays, and try to make the writing seem metaphorical, even when doing so might not happen naturally. “Things can come across as a lot more forced,” Norman says.

How to avoid it: Your essay should sound natural. Ask someone who knows you well to read it and tell you if it sounds like you.

7. Not Giving the Activities Section Enough Attention

Take your time when filling out the activities section, Norman says. That means making sure you include everything — or at least everything that’s substantive.

Norman explains that she encourages students to remove activities that don’t add value, or that didn’t really impact the applicant. But, she also adds, “I think it goes both ways —where people throw everything on, and then when people leave important things off.”

How to avoid it: If you had to give someone a quick summary of your extracurricular life, what would you mention? You should probably focus on the activities you feel would sum up this part of your life.

8. Not Checking Your Email

You can miss out on an important email from a college or university just because you don’t regularly check your inbox. Emails can include updates about your application status or follow up questions about missing information.

How to avoid it: If you aren’t in the habit of looking at your inbox, set an alarm on your phone to remind you to check email once a day.

9. Forgetting Sections, Signatures, and Payments

This might seem obvious, but don’t forget to check that everything is filled out, including all necessary signatures. Leaving something blank raises questions about what you’re choosing to leave unanswered.

Karen Giannino, senior associate dean of admission at Colgate University, said that anything that raises a question — dropping out of your foreign language class your senior year, for example — should be clarified.

“Tell us, so we don’t just assume you decided to take it easy senior year,” Giannino said on U.S. News.

And don’t forget to pay those pesky application fees! Overlooking this requirement will keep your application from being processed. If you need help covering the cost of applying, check out the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) waiver or the Common App Fee Waiver.

How to avoid it: Read through your application as if you are someone who knows nothing about you. If there are parts that are unclear, or parts that you accidentally forgot to fill out, make sure to address them before hitting the submit button.

10. Having a Parent Fill out the Application

You, rather than your parents, should take the lead in the college application process. It’s okay to get some advice from them, but the essay and other material should come from you. For the sections that ask specifically about your parents, you can get the information from them and add it yourself.

How to avoid it: The college is accepting you, not your parents. You can ask them to help you answer specific, parent-related questions, instead of allowing them to make the changes to your application themselves.

Related Topics: 

5 Things I Would Do Differently If I Were Applying To College Today

Five Tips To Answer The Universal College Essay Prompt: Why Are You A Good Match?

Application Essay Dos And Don’ts From A College Advisor

How To Write Your Common App Essay – Part 1 Of 8

Noodle Pros SAT And ACT Specialists

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