The Common Application is a crucial part of the college admissions process, but small mistakes can weaken your application. Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your application stands out for the right reasons.
1. Starting Too Late
The Common App opens on August 1, many students wait until the Common App opens.
Solution: Begin early in the summer after your junior year to give yourself time to compose your profile, refine essays, gather recommendations, and organize extra curricular narratives.
2. Applying Templates for Supplemental Essays
Many students fail to adequately understand the college-specific essay prompts.
Solution: Research each school’s essay requirements, attributes they value, and plan accordingly.
3. Using a ‘Professional’ Personal Statement
A flowery, cliché-filled essay won’t make an impression.
Solution: Focus on a unique, personal story that reveals something meaningful about you, and is written in your own voice.
4. Ignoring the Activities Section
This section is just as important as your essays and grades.
Solution: Be specific, highlight leadership roles, and quantify impact where possible.
5. Listing Too Many Extracurriculars Without Depth
Colleges value meaningful involvement over sheer quantity.
Solution: Prioritize activities where you’ve made a significant impact. Ideally, prune the list during junior high school and pursue deeply the ones you’re most passionate about.
6. Submitting Without Proofreading
Spelling and grammatical errors can make a bad impression.
Solution: Have teachers, mentors, or peers review your application before submission.
7. Mismatched or Weak Letters of Recommendation
Choosing recommenders who don’t know you well can result in generic letters.
Solution: Select teachers who can speak to your strengths and provide them with context about your goals.
8. Failing to Demonstrate Interest
Some colleges track demonstrated interest.
Solution: Attend virtual events, visit campuses, and engage with admissions offices where possible.
9. Providing Inconsistent, Incomplete or Incorrect Information
Mismatched details across applications can raise red flags.
Solution: Double-check all information for accuracy, completeness and consistency.
10. Applying for the ‘Easy’ Majors
Colleges are aware of this trend, and they take into consideration your preparation towards your preferred major.
Solution: Ensure all sections in your application build up a cohesive picture to support your preferred major as well as your second-choice major.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common mistakes can strengthen your application and improve your chances of acceptance. Take your time, plan strategically, and present your best self to admissions committees.
