Top 10 College Application Mistakes

Your senior year will be hectic, but don't let it affect the quality of your college applications. Take your time, pay attention to detail and plan ahead so you can meet the deadlines.

Here are some of the most common mistakes made on college applications:

1. Misspellings and grammatical errors
   This is a big pet peeve of admissions people. If you misspell on something as important as the application, it shows that either you don't care or you aren't good at spelling. But don't stop with a spell check. Proofread for grammatical errors, too.
2. Applying online, but the application isn't submitted
   If you apply online, you should receive a confirmation that the college or university received it. Confirmation could be an email message, a Web page response or a credit card receipt. Follow through and make sure that the application has been received.
3. Forgotten signatures
   Make sure you sign and date the form. Often students overlook that part of the form if it's on the back. Check that all spaces are completed.
4. Not reading carefully
   For example, if the form asks what County you live in, don't misread it as Country and write United States.
5. Listing extracurricular activities that aren't
   Those that make the list include sports, the arts, formal organizations and volunteer work. Talking on the phone and hanging out with friends don't make the cut. Make sure any activity information is accurate. Colleges may check with the high school.
6. Not telling your school counselor where you have applied
   Let the counselor know which colleges you're applying to, and ask him or her to review the high school transcript before sending it to colleges. Sometimes transcripts have errors.
7. Writing illegibly
   First impressions count, so take your time and be sure you use your best handwriting. It will make a better impression. .
8. Using an email address that friends might laugh about, but colleges won't
   Select a professional email address. Keep any fun email addresses for friends.
9. Not checking the email regularly
   If you have given an email address, the college will use it. You don't want to miss out on anything because you didn't read your email.
10. Mom or Dad filling out the application
    Admissions people know if your parents helped, whether you have two different styles of handwriting or your admissions essay sounds more like a 45-year-old than a 17-year-old. It's fine to get advice, but you do the work yourself.

Source: ACTstudent.org