avoiding a small mistake on my Common App that cost me

AdmissionsCommon Appapplication tipscollege admissionsstudent advice

So, I was finalizing my Common App last year and I realized I had made this tiny mistake that could have totally derailed my application. I had listed my activities but didn’t really think about how they came across in such limited character counts.

After I tightened everything up to fit the restrictions, one activity description ended up being just a string of words that didn't really make sense. It was only when I read through the entire activities section out loud that I caught some awkward phrasing and noticed I had repeated verbs too.

Take the time to ensure each description still flows well after edits. It might seem like a minor detail, but it can really make a difference in how your passions and skills come across. Trust me on this one!

Loading replies…