7 College Admission Blunders to Avoid

College admissions can feel confusing, stressful, and complicated at times, but for most students, things ultimately work out well. However, your journey to college will likely go more smoothly if you avoid these seven common mistakes.

1. Lying on your college applications.

When you're worried about getting into college, it can sometimes be tempting to stretch the truth on your applications. Maybe add a few extracurriculars that you haven't really actively participated in, or exaggerate a bit in your essay to make it sound like you've faced more challenges or accomplished more than you have. Or, as one student did, go even further and create a false homeschool transcript to overcome a poor academic history.

There is no bigger mistake you can make than to lie, stretch the truth, or exaggerate on your college applications. Admission officers are masters at spotting half-truths and things that don't add up on applications. And all colleges reserve the right to rescind admission offers and expel enrolled students when lies are discovered. Don't risk it. Be absolutely honest in all of your college application materials.

2. Forgetting to build a safety net into your college list.

Many students (and parents) overestimate their (or their child's) chances of being admitted to a particular school or group of colleges. The truth is that even superstar applicants can be rejected, especially at highly competitive schools. So, every college list needs a safety net: a school or two that you love just as much as the others on your list but where your chances of being admitted are excellent. At the same time, don't let fear stop you from applying to schools with lower acceptance rates if your grades and test scores are in the ballpark. The only sure way to not get in is to not apply in the first place. If you have a good safety net built into your list, taking a chance on some more selective schools is fine.

3. Failing to do your own homework on every college you apply to.

Solicitations from colleges offering "free," "easy," or "priority" applications might seem attractive, but there is no sense applying to any college if you haven't done at least some basic research on your own to see if it is a good fit. For every college that makes your final list, you should at least be aware of their academic programs, likely net price, and distinctive characteristics. Don't waste your time applying to colleges that you don't know anything about. By the same token, even if someone tells you it's a good school, do your own research and make your own determination. After all, you're the person who will be spending the next four years of your life attending college.

4. Waiting until the last minute.

While filling out college applications isn't exactly as difficult as conducting neurosurgery, a good, complete application does take time and thought. It is recommended to finish all essays and submit applications at least 1–2 weeks ahead of the college's deadline. Strong essays also require thought, editing, and proofreading. So, give yourself more time than you think you need, and get down to work as early as possible.

5. Making your recommendation writers' jobs tougher.

Teachers and counselors are busy people, and often have dozens, if not more, letters of recommendation (LORs) to write in the fall. If they agree to write a letter for you, they want to do the best job they can. And students can help make this task easier for their teachers. When asking for a recommendation, ask the person who will be writing it what additional information about you might be helpful and then provide it in a timely manner. Be clear about your application deadlines and what the recommendation writers need to do to submit their recommendations. Politely check in with your chosen teachers and counselor to see if any questions or problems have cropped up and, if they have, help your recommenders get answers. The easier you make the process for the people writing your LORs, the more time they'll have to craft letters that sing your praises to admissions!

6. Relying on the advice of strangers on the internet.

The internet is an invaluable tool for gathering information about colleges, but not all internet resources are created equal. Social media sites and college discussion forums, in particular, often have inaccurate information. Strangers online don't know you, haven't seen your transcript, and often know less about admissions than they claim.

A better use of social media: follow a college's official admissions or department Instagram accounts to see what the school itself considers worth showcasing. When in doubt, it's always wiser to trust your independent educational consultant and your school counselor than to trust a stranger's guess about your chances. This goes for both students and parents.

Avoiding these mistakes is easier with an experienced guide in your corner. At Garrett Educational Consulting, we work one-on-one with students to build a balanced college list, keep essays and applications on track well ahead of deadlines, and make sure every application reflects an honest, complete picture of who they are - so families can move through the process with clarity instead of guesswork.

Prepared especially for our clients and their families. The information included in this newsletter is generic and assumes no liability for loss or damage due to reliance on the material contained herein. Copyright © 2025 by The College Advisor, Inc. All rights reserved.