Common Application Mistakes that Seniors Often Make

By Molly Walsh - Every fall, high school seniors across the country sit down to tackle the Common Application. While the platform is designed to make the college application process easier, it can still feel overwhelming. Between essays, activities, deadlines, and recommendation letters, it’s easy to make mistakes. The good news? Most of these errors are avoidable with a bit of planning.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is procrastinating on essays, especially the personal statement. For the students I work with, I set a due date of July 1st. This allows for time to begin supplemental essays over the summer and relaxes their stress once school starts. Because the essay is such a significant part of your application, waiting until the last minute often leads to rushed drafts that come across as generic or unpolished. Starting early gives you time to brainstorm, draft, and revise until your story feels authentic. 

Another area where students stumble is the activities section. Too often, it gets treated as a simple checklist rather than an opportunity to showcase passions, commitments, and leadership. Listing every club you ever joined without explaining your role can make you look scattered instead of dedicated. Instead, focus on depth over breadth. Highlight the activities that mattered most to you and list them in order of importance. Use the character space to explain your contributions, responsibilities, and impact. Think of each entry as a mini-resume that tells a story about who you are outside of the classroom.

Deadlines are another issue. While the Common App has a single overall deadline, many colleges have additional supplemental essays and requirements, which can easily be overlooked. Missing these can result in an incomplete application. Staying organized is key: create a master calendar with every school’s deadlines and set reminders to give yourself extra time. Alongside deadlines, students often falter with supplemental essays, particularly the “Why Us?” response. Generic statements like “I love the beautiful campus” won’t impress admissions officers. Instead, demonstrate genuine interest by pointing to specific programs, research opportunities, or traditions unique to that college.

Even the strongest essays and supplements need to be proofread. Typos, sloppy grammar, or even misspelling the college’s name can leave a poor impression. Reading your work aloud helps catch errors, and asking someone else to review your application ensures nothing slips through. Finally, some students forget to review their submission after hitting “send.” Overlooking details like missing transcripts, incorrect test scores, or unconfirmed recommendations can jeopardize your application. Always preview the final version, double-check that all supporting documents are received, and confirm that your application is truly complete.

In the end, the Common Application is more than filling in boxes—it’s your chance to share your story. By staying organized, starting early, and paying attention to detail, you can avoid the most common mistakes and put your best foot forward. Remember, colleges don’t expect perfection; they want to see effort and a clear sense of who you are.