College admission rates have been on a steady decline, while the number of applications to top universities has kept rising. According to a recent survey, most top colleges admit less than 10% of the students who apply for positions. Amid this high competition for limited spaces, it is important for applicants to make sure that they present their best versions when applying for college. Of course, given the high stakes, we understand that the procedure of applying for college can be really frustrating. This is why we have compiled this list of common mistakes to avoid. Here are the most frequent mistakes to avoid.
Repurposing College Application Essays
If you are applying to multiple colleges, you may encounter some essay prompts that appear considerably similar. With so much work to do, there is often the temptation to copy-paste or re-use prewritten essays. This can affect your application negatively as students tend to forget to change things like school names and the details of specific programs offered. Imagine the embarrassment of realizing that you submitted an essay to a college with the name of another. Rather than repurposing your essays, we recommend treating each application as unique, creating a different essay in every case. Also, avoid:
- Shopping for colleges using brand names rather than programs offered;
- Underusing the potential of the personal statement;
- Concentrating too much on building your resume instead of valuable experiences.
Using Improper Grammar and Punctuation
The documents submitted when applying for college can either make or break your prospects. Many students forget to edit their documents for grammar and syntax. Top colleges expect documents that have been thoroughly proofread and are free from errors. They want students who have already mastered the rules of English grammar and punctuation. You shouldn’t be providing any reason for the readers to cast aside your entire application.
Of course, no one expects students to deliver perfect prose, especially when they are international students. Consider getting online college essay editing service to help with sprucing up your document. Most importantly, don’t rely too much on spellcheck programs as they can sometimes fail to identify mistakes. Proofread your work multiple times and have someone else review the paper before you submit it.
Failing to Double-Check the Required Materials
We all know that the process of college application can be really stressful, requiring students to draft and submit multiple documents. Since there is often a lot to keep up with during this process, it is easy to forget to include some information or papers. If you request for some documents to be sent to a college, following up is critical. Double-check to make sure that all materials required have been sent to the respective institution and they have been received.
Failing to Read and Comprehend the Requirements
The most serious mistake when applying to university is not reading the guidelines. Read and understand what is expected. This way, you will provide the required information. It may be just about filling out forms or creating a personal statement. Please understand that different colleges have varying directions that applicants are expected to follow. Don’t end up providing details that were not requested or failing to provide critical information.
Being Redundant and Repeating Information
the procedure of applying for college is multifaceted, and requires various documents. There is often the resume, personal statement, and test scores, among other documents. Many times, students include the same information in different documents, missing the chance to fully take advantage of their benefits. If for instance, you chose to write about swimming as a hobby in your supplemental essay, avoid highlighting it in your application essay. Your readers want to really get to know you, including your personality, ambitions, and motivations. Use essays and resumes as well as documents to allow the officials a glimpse of your values and personality. Try to avoid being redundant when drafting your college application.
Procrastinating Until the Last Minute
There are those students who assume that they work best under pressure, postponing getting started on their applications until the last minute. Please understand that the process of applying for college is a complicated one, and you will require many documents. Also, technical challenges at the last minute can complicate things for you. For these reasons, we often urge students to start early, leaving room to go through the documents and make changes, where needed.
Providing the Inappropriate or Unprofessional Contact Information
Imagine getting all other aspects of the application right, but failing because you did not provide an appropriate email address. Colleges notice when your email address is unprofessional. Even if you are a fan of certain movie or musician, don’t include them in your email address. Or you could create a separate address for serious things like college application. Make the content simple, something like your last name or initials. Also, ensure that the contact details you provide are accurate, allowing the officials to reach you with ease if they want to.
Other quick tips include:
- Always preview applications before hitting the submit button;
- Avoid using abbreviations and jargon;
- Write essays within the required word count.
The tips highlighted in this article should help you to avoid some of serious blunders to avoid during college application. Remember, while the ideal is to work on your own documents when applying for college, it is okay to get assistance if you feel frustrated. Most importantly, double-check all documents before submitting them.
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