You Won't Believe These Application Mistakes
Misspell your name? Use an inappropriate e-mail? Oh yeah, it's been done on a college application.
By Melissa Kotas
Postal carriers know when there are college-bound students on their mail route: They're the ones who hurdle dogs and small children on the race to the mailbox, attacking the mail truck with wide eyes and frazzled faces.
It's all part of The Wait — after you've filled out your college applications, but before you've heard back about the decision.
The Wait isn't nearly as terrifying, though, when you know you rocked your app. And rocking them is easier if you follow these tips.
Fill in everything
John Ambrose, director of undergraduate admissions at Marygrove College (marygrove.edu) in Detroit, explains that many students rush through the forms, misreading instructions or leaving blanks. "Some common mistakes we've seen are simple things like ‘birthplace,' and the applicant lists the hospital they were born in," he says.
Know who you are
According to the admissions department at Adams State College (adams.edu) in Alamosa, Colo., some students give incomplete birth dates or even misspell their own names.
These mistakes may suggest that applicants are lazy or just don't care, so taking the time to review your application may set you apart.
Know the school
"Some students list a major that we don't have on their application," says Ambrose. "That one obviously says they don't know much about us."
Type it, or print neatly
Mike Sexton, dean of admissions at Lewis and Clark College (lclark.edu), says, "Make it legible. We're human. First impressions count — consciously or subconsciously."
If there's no salvation for your handwriting, type the application. You can also recruit a proofreader; parents are fantastic candidates. If you do enlist Mom and Dad, do be careful with how much they're involved. Admissions reps want to hear about your brilliance, and they can usually tell the difference between your ideas and your mom's.
Make sure your electronic app went through
If you decide to go the technological route, make sure that the file transfer worked and all of your information sent correctly.
"Electronic applications have made it easier for students to submit applications, but it has also made them a little lazy when it comes to completing the application," Ambrose warns. After you fill out an online application, review it for grammar, spelling and misinformation. You may not have to handle loose papers, but you still need to mind your mouse clicks.
Put yourself in the best possible light
As you're constructing your applications, think about how to portray your best characteristics. Remember all those extracurriculars you've joined and tests studied for in high school? Well, it's time to show how those made you a responsible, well-rounded adult who is ready for college. Your application is not the time to start being humble.
Change your e-mail address
Create a professional or "business" e-mail for your college applications. Keep your "fun" e-mail for friends, forwards or whatever. A professional e-mail will be useful as you develop business relationships and advance in your career. It could be as simple as yourname@domain.com. As long as you could give it to your grandma, it's all right to use for college admissions.
Melissa Kotas recently graduated from Nazareth College (naz.edu) with a degree in communications and rhetoric.
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