4 Common University Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Are you applying to colleges or universities this year? Here are our top 4 most common university application mistakes – and how to avoid them!

1. Waiting too long.

Arguably the most common mistake we see with college applications is simply waiting too long to fill them out. A lot is required when submitting an application, which can include (but is not limited to):

Personal statements/essays
Letters of recommendation
Sealed “official” test scores/transcripts
Community service records
High school portfolio/curriculum vitae
Financial aid documents
University/career specific requirements
Scholarship applications

Considering the fact that most students will apply to more than one university, this process can quickly become overwhelming. Our best advice is to start compiling all necessary documents months in advance, and make sure not to wait until the last minute to start filling out applications!

2. Leaving out information – or including too much.

When it comes to college applications, it’s important to read the directions carefully. Applicants should submit the materials required – nothing more, nothing less. For example, as previously stated, it’s very common for students to take the SAT and/or ACT exams multiple times. While students have the option of submitting all their scores to their college of choices, this isn’t necessary or ideal. The vast majority of colleges and universities allow applicants to submit only their best scores, and both the College Board (SAT) and ACT, Inc. specifically provide services which allow students to choose the scores they wish to submit.

As for including too much? A common example is including a resume, which is almost never required with a college application. While adding details about community service, work experience, and personal accomplishments are highly beneficial to include on your application itself, colleges and universities are more likely to ask for a curriculum vitae over a resume. Remember, you’re applying for an educational opportunity – not a job position!

3. Working inefficiently.

There’s quite a few things students can do to minimize the stress of college applications. As one example, the problem of filling out paperwork for multiple universities can be solved by using the Common App, a single application that can be used to apply to over 1,000 universities in the United States alone.

While many universities will require their own unique application, much of the required information will be the same across the board (test scores, personal statements, official transcripts, etc.) Students should save time by preparing this information ahead of time!

4. Filling out the wrong application.

Something that many students (and even parents) forget about is that applying to college itself costs money – and it can add up quickly. Each application will set you back around $50, and many schools cost even more (at time of writing, the highly competitive Harvard University has an $85 application fee). This also doesn’t include the cost of official transcripts, test scores, and any other required documents.

Our best advice to families and students is to really take the time to research schools ahead of time. We recommend making a top 5 list, and maybe even picking a couple “wildcards” for schools with low admission rates. Certainly, if money isn’t an issue, there’s no harm in applying to lots of colleges and universities – just remember that each application takes time and effort. In many cases, it can be better to focus on quality over quantity!