Top College Application Mistakes to Avoid

The college application process is complex and nerve-wracking. With an endless stream of documents and paperwork to fill out, it’s all too easy to make a mistake.

US News recently highlighted some of the biggest college application mistakes that applicants make and offered advice on what not to do when applying to college.

READ DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

Applications differ from college to college. Experts say it’s important to read each college’s application directions carefully.

“In some instances, students aren’t filling out all the data on the application. They’re leaving blanks, so they’re not necessarily answering all the questions,” Mike Perry, executive director of admission at Florida Institute of Technology, says.

Additionally, Perry recommends applicants to fill out every question asked—even if it’s listed as optional.

“Most colleges and universities put it on there because they want the information to help them make an informed decision,” Perry says. “It’s important to pay attention to detail and fill out all the stuff that’s being requested from the college or university.”

LIMIT YOUR PARENTS’ ROLE

While parents should be engaged in your college application process, the role that they play should be limited. Avoid having your parent fill out your application for you. Likewise, make sure communication with school officials comes from you, and not mom or dad.

“I think being an advocate for the student is the right role for the parent to play,” says Sarah Richardson, assistant vice provost for enrollment management and director of admissions and scholarships at Creighton University in Nebraska.

Carlos Jiménez, CEO of nonprofit admissions consulting firm Peak Education, says setting a weekly status check in with your parents can be helpful in limiting their role in your application process

“It’s the student’s process to own and the parents’ process to support,” Jiménez says.

PROOFREAD YOUR APPLICATION

Submitting your application with mistakes tells admissions officers that you probably don’t have great attention to detail. Experts stress the importance of proofreading your application and essays—from top to bottom.

“We still see far too many applications where the student has not necessarily taken the time to do a sufficient job of proofreading and sort of relied upon spellcheck,” says Walter Caffey, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and student aid at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.

Additionally, if you choose to use proofreading service, be sure they don’t strip the essay of your authentic voice and personality.

“Applicants who look packaged usually do not make it into the top schools,” Pierre Huguet, CEO and founder of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, says. “Instead, students can have a friend, or a tutor or counselor with extensive writing experience working on the college essay, review their essays for a more balanced and genuine perspective.”

Sources: US News, US News