source: http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-college-application-mistakes-to-avoid/12 By Courtney Rubin and Travis Mitchell Oct. 21, 2013
Not Checking Class Requirements
Make sure you take the required classes before graduating from high school.
“There’s nothing more disappointing than to review an application of a student who might otherwise be competitive for admission and realize she is ineligible because she didn’t take the required courses,” says Kelly A. Walter, associate vice president and executive director of admissions at Boston University.
Overemphasizing Extracurriculars
Experts recommend demonstrating the personal significance of chosen extracurricular activities, and focusing on quality over quantity.
“We want to know where a student’s passions lie, and genuine interests tend not to appear suddenly in senior year,” says Sarah Richardson, director of admissions and scholarships at Creighton University.
Writing a Generic Essay
Don’t write an essay with the intention of simply changing the college or university name for each version.
“Demonstrating true interest and care can make a difference on the margin. And when you’re talking about universities that admit under 20 percent of applicants, you may need it,” says Chris Munoz, vice president for enrollment at Rice University.
Asking the Obvious Questions
When visiting colleges, focus on asking insightful questions and avoid inquiring about numbers like test scores or average GPA.
“We’re not keeping track of who asks ridiculous questions. But if you ask thoughtful questions, it’s a chance to wow us,” says Emily Simmons, associate dean of admissions at Emory University.
Repeating Yourself
“In the application, real estate is so valuable!” says Amy Jarich, assistant vice chancellor and director of undergraduate admissions at the University of California—Berkeley.
Each part of your essay should focus on a new idea, not rehash the same old thought.
Waiting Until the Last Minute
“Many students who submit on the date of the deadline assume that everything transmitted and was received,” says Julie Shimabukuro, director of admissions at Washington University in St. Louis.
“We try to give a few days’ grace period, but colleges and universities expect you to confirm that your application has been received and that it is complete,” she says.
Not Proofreading Applications
“Julie Taymor, who wrote and directed ‘The Lion King,’ is a graduate of Oberlin, and we had a student who was really passionate about [Taymor’s] work and wrote a really well-done essay about it. But she neglected to proof it, and throughout she referred to the musical as ‘The Loin King,'” says Debra Chermonte, Oberlin College’s dean of admissions and financial aid.
Submitting a Lengthy Resume
“No 17-year-old should be submitting a three-page resume,” says Leigh A. Weisenburger, dean of admission and financial aid at Bates College.
“It just rubs me the wrong way when students submit a resume rather than filling out the activity portion of the application,” she says.
Not Taking Ownership of Applications
“It doesn’t tell us that a student is interested if we get 15 phone calls from Mom,” says Tom Weede, vice president for enrollment management at Butler University.
“We want families involved. But the student needs to take the lead,” he says.
Failing to Read Directions
Robert Barkley, Clemson University’s director of undergraduate admissions, says some U.S. applicants misunderstand a prompt asking international students to provide their student visa information.
“In one case we got Bank of America. And where we asked for the number of the visa, we got the credit card number. We were not impressed,” he says.
Eliminate Common College Application Errors
Applying to college is a stressful time for any student, so don’t risk sabotaging your hard work by making avoidable mistakes during the process.
U.S. News asked admissions professionals from around the country to weigh in on their biggest college application pet peeves.
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