College Application Mistakes
- Katie Garrett, Founder
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
When preparing and submitting college applications, proper planning and preparation can streamline the entire process. Start by carefully reading all instructions before beginning any application. Avoid waiting until the last day before deadlines, as this increases the likelihood of rushing and making careless errors. Mistakes on critical information like birth dates or social security numbers can cause significant processing problems.
Additionally, last-minute submissions may encounter technical difficulties that may not be resolved quickly enough to meet the deadline. Most applications include automatic timeouts for security purposes, so remember to save your work frequently if taking breaks. Always use the application's built-in navigation buttons rather than your browser's controls, as using the browser's back button can unexpectedly log you out and cause loss of unsaved information.
📄 Common Application Tips & Technical Considerations
The Common Application provides a “Preview” function that allows you to see how your application will appear when viewed by admissions. Sometimes students discover that the spacing of their essay isn’t formatted correctly. While you can send complete versions to admissions offices if answers are seriously compromised, this is only necessary for significant truncations.
Admissions officers regularly see minor cutoffs and won’t penalize otherwise strong applications for a few missing words. If you do send additional materials, clearly explain that you're providing them due to potential omission issues during submission.
Once you submit the Common Application to a specific college, you cannot modify or resubmit it to that institution. However, when applying to additional Common App schools, you can edit prior answers before submitting to the next school.
✅ Final Checklist Before You Submit
Having someone proofread your application helps catch mistakes before submission. Remember, completing an application includes:
The main application
Any required supplements
Payment of application fees
One common source of post-application stress is when admissions offices notify students of incomplete files. It's important to remain calm and patient. Resist blaming school counselors or support staff for missing transcripts. Most colleges take several weeks to process and file documents, and many send automatic incomplete file notifications even when materials are already en route.
🔔 Stay on Top of Status Updates and Extra Requirements
Many colleges provide online portals for checking application status. Be sure to look out for an email from each college with instructions on how to set up your portal. Once logged in, regularly monitor the portal and check your email frequently to avoid missing important communications, such as:
Alumni interview invitations
Missing document alerts
Application status updates
Stay vigilant about additional requirements, including:
Sending official SAT or ACT scores where required
Completing special forms such as the STARS form
Ensuring your high school submits midyear reports to colleges that require them
By staying organized, proofreading carefully, and checking your college portals regularly, students can avoid many common mistakes and submit strong, complete applications with confidence.
At Garrett Educational Consulting, we offer expert college application support designed to reduce stress, minimize errors, and help students present their most authentic and compelling applications. From reviewing Common App materials to strategizing supplemental essays and staying ahead of deadlines, our team provides personalized guidance every step of the way. Whether you’re just getting started or in the final stretch, we’re here to help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
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.