Biggest Mistakes Made When Applying to College

(1) Wait to last minute
· Senior year is tough because you are juggling many activities (school work, sports, clubs, and community service).
· Give those writing letters of recommendation ample time- ask early so that you don’t put them in a bind.
· For you top schools don’t wait until campus visit or interview before applying. Applying early is a strong indicator to college that you have strong commitment to school.
(2) Failure to adequate research college option
· Ask yourself “How have I researched the school?”
· Be “student centered”- is the school the best fit for you.
· You must know why you are going to a college and how this decision will affect you. Ask yourself “what will I get out of this college?” “How has the college sold itself too me?”
· Limit the number of schools that you apply (ideally 5-7)
(3) Students allow themselves to be distracted by what others are doing and saying
· Look at your priorities and values.
· Make decisions that are smart for you.
· Don’t get caught in the “hype” of where everyone else is going to college, stay focus on finding the “best” fit for you.
(4) Students try to be someone they are not
· Don’t create credentials to make yourself “look” good for admissions committee.
· Manage expectations- who you are, what you expect to get out of college.
· Colleges looking for “authentic” you which will be evident in your essay questions and interviews.
(5) Senioritis
· Colleges are watching to see what you do when you think you don’t have to do anything. Many seniors “slack” off once they apply to college.
· Colleges want to see how you challenge yourself- what efforts are you putting forward?
· For some students, colleges will wait until March to make admissions decision which allows them to see your efforts.