If you are an incoming high school senior, you’re probably already thinking about your college admission applications. As summer winds down and students get ready to head back to school, now is a good time to start narrowing down your list of potential schools and start working on your admission essays. While some of the college admission applications will have similar requirements, be sure to treat each as a separate entity, carefully reviewing all necessary documentation and deadlines required for admissions. Unfortunately, some students rush through the process, making simple mistakes that may mean the difference between being denied or being accepted. Here are 10 of the most common college application mistakes that you should try to avoid.
1. Grammatical Errors
Your teachers have drilled this into you for years – always double-check your work! Whether it’s a paper for English class, a scholarship essay, or your college application packet, be sure to have someone review your work and check for grammatical errors.
2. Sign on the Dotted Line
Believe it or not, some students neglect to sign their applications in the appropriate locations. Be sure to review all forms, paper and online, to ensure you have provided a signature where it is required.
3. Do the Work Yourself
It’s okay to include mom and dad in the college admission process, but when it comes to completing your college admission application and essay, do the work yourself. College admission officers are very savvy and know when a parent has submitted the work. Don’t give them any additional reasons for rejecting your application by allowing someone else to complete your application.
4. Don’t Embellish
When it comes time to list your extracurricular activities and volunteer work, try not to exaggerate. Some colleges will check with your school to confirm your participation in any clubs, organizations and activities listed on your applications. They may also contact any organizations you list for volunteer services. Honesty is always the best policy.
5. Be Professional
A common error on admission applications is students using their personal emails for correspondence. If your email handle is [email protected], what message is that sending to the admission staff? Instead, create a separate email account for business purposes, keeping it simple and professional.