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Top 5: Most Common Mistakes Seniors Make During the Admissions Process

Janan Sabeh

As college application deadlines quickly approach, seniors often struggle to manage all of the demands on their time. Even the most organized and responsible of students make mistakes during the college application process. Thus, we have outlined below some of the most common mistakes students make in hopes that you may avoid them.

  1. Waiting until the last minute! The OCC's "2-week rule" was implemented for this very reason. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their applications, which can often lead to incomplete or incohesive applications. Additionally, there are things out of your control that can impact a last-minute application, like getting sick, a family emergency, a natural disaster, or technological issues. You should expect the unexpected, so do not wait until the last minute to submit your application!

  2. Missing or not reading emails! The OCC, your college counselor, and universities need to communicate important information regarding deadlines, upcoming programming, college visits, and application essentials. It is important for both students and parents to read every communication regarding the college application process. Email is used as the primary and official form of communication (oftentimes including your admissions decision!), so check your emails at least 3x/day. (Are you reading this?)

  3. Skipping the essay revision process! Students applying to multiple colleges and universities around the world, especially the US, will have one or dozens of essays to write. No matter the word limit, each essay is an opportunity for you to make an impression in the application process. By rushing through the writing process and not revising your essays (including sharing them with your college counselor), you are more likely to make a mistake or miss another opportunity to shine. Revise, revise, revise!

  4. Missing an admissions interview / optional application components! There are oftentimes optional application components, especially in the U.S., that students can overlook or ignore. We highly recommend students always take advantage of "optional" components like short videos, additional essays, and in-person or online interviews. While optional, they do provide another way for you to demonstrate your interest in the university or college. If you don't know how to approach these optional components, ask your college counselor. 

  5. Not communicating with your counselor! We are here for you, and we need to hear from you. If you have any questions or concerns about the admissions process or about your college and career goals, please do not hesitate to reach out to your college counselor. We are here to support you, and we can support you more effectively when you communicate with us.