College Connection: How students are 'messing up' their college apps

Susan Alaimo
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Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of SAT Smart.

A student applying to college gets just a few minutes of attention from a college admissions officer, so it’s vital to use that time well.

First of all, sloppy or incomplete applications make a bad impression. Spelling and grammar count, as an application filed with errors indicates that either the applicant doesn’t have the writing skills necessary to succeed in college, or the applicant simply doesn’t care.

Missing SAT scores, recommendation letters or high school transcripts will get an application put aside and possibly not reviewed again until many fewer seats are available.

Students should have one or two people carefully proofread their applications, before submitting, to check for any errors or missing information. Likewise, students should be sure that all materials required from outside sources (College Board SAT scores, teacher recommendation letters, counselor transcripts) are sent on a timely basis.

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Students should be sure that the list of colleges to which they are applying is a logical one based on their high school grades, SAT scores and field of interest. Information is readily available as to the average high school GPA and standardized test scores of accepted students at every college.

While it’s fine to have a few “reach” schools on the list, it’s important to apply to colleges where a student’s high school record indicates that he/she would academically make the cut.

Also, if a student indicates a career interest as an engineer or architect or teacher, for example, it’s important to verify in advance that the college offers a degree in the intended field.  

Why should the college accept you? While a college will likely not ask this question so directly, it’s exactly what an admissions officer is thinking while reading your application. Teens who highlight the talents, qualities and potential they will bring to a college campus are much more likely to gain acceptance.

There are many opportunities on a college application for students to present this information. It can be showcased on the “Activities” section of an application, enumerated on an attached resume, and written about in the application essay.

Colleges are looking to populate their campus with a well-rounded student body, encompassing students with a wide range of interests, talents and accomplishments.  Be sure to let the college know how you would be an attribute to their community.
Most importantly, show demonstrated interest. Colleges are well aware that most college-bound students apply to many institutions. While students are worried about getting rejected by colleges, the colleges are just as concerned about getting rejected by the students to whom they issue offers of acceptance.

So colleges, when evaluating an application, carefully consider the likelihood that the student, if accepted, would actually attend. Students should therefore make every effort to visit all the colleges to which they are applying, then personalize each application to let each college know what specifically appeals to them and why that college is a “perfect fit.” 


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