The Biggest College Application Mistakes to Avoid & How to Fix Them

I’ve read hundreds of college applications—some incredible, some forgettable, and some downright painful. I’ve interviewed students who were perfect on paper yet couldn’t articulate why they were applying to their dream school. And I’ve seen others with marginally higher than average stats get into top-tier universities simply because they told their story the right way.

The truth? Getting into college isn’t about being perfect. It’s about presenting yourself in a way that feels authentic and compelling. But far too often, students fall into the same predictable traps.

Let’s make sure you don’t.

Mistake #1: Trying to Be What You Think Colleges Want

I can’t tell you how many students have asked me, “What do Ivy League schools want to see?” The answer? You. Not the version of you that you think they want. Not the student who stacks random extracurriculars just to look impressive. But the one who genuinely loves what they do and can articulate why. By filling your resume and story with things that you think admissions officers want to see, you fall flat, you don’t sound original, and you sell yourself short.

🔹 How to Fix It: Instead of checking boxes, focus on depth. Choose activities that excite you, not just ones that look good. If you love filmmaking, don’t just join the film club—enter competitions, create projects, or start a YouTube channel. Colleges value students who are engaged and original, not ones who follow a script. Colleges are looking to fill a class of diverse peoples, ideas, and interests… not 100% math geniuses and Model UN stars.

Mistake #2: Writing an Essay That Sounds Like Everyone Else’s

If I had a dollar for every essay I’ve read about a “life-changing volunteer trip” or a “big game that taught perseverance,” I’d be writing this from a villa in Portugal. These essays aren’t bad, but they’re often predictable. Admissions officers read thousands of applications. If your essay could easily belong to someone else, it won’t stand out.

🔹 How to Fix It: Tell your story in a way only you can. Instead of writing about the general experience, focus on a small, specific moment that shaped you. Did a single conversation change your perspective? Did a failure push you to grow? The best essays aren’t about what happened—they’re about why it mattered. My favorite essays are the ones that set the scene and invite the reader inside a student’s head.

Mistake #3: Not Connecting Your Interests into a Cohesive Story

Your activities, coursework, and essays should paint a clear picture of who you are and what excites you. Too often, students have a scattered list of extracurriculars with no common thread—robotics club, debate team, community service, a random summer internship—without showing a deeper connection between them. Admissions officers don’t just want to see what you’ve done; they want to understand why. This why is much easier to demonstrate if your extracurriculars and academic interests seem intentional and connected.

🔹 How to Fix It: Look for the common theme in your interests. Maybe you love problem-solving, which connects robotics and debate. Or maybe you’re passionate about social justice, which ties together your community service and research paper on policy reform. Use your application to tell a story that feels intentional, not just like a collection of unrelated achievements.

Mistake #4: Underestimating the Power of the “Why This College?” Essay

A surprising number of students treat this as a throwaway question. They list a school’s ranking, name-drop a famous professor they’ll never meet, or copy-paste the same response for multiple schools. Admissions officers can tell when an answer is generic or completed with a cursory Google search. If your “Why X?” essay could apply to ten different colleges, you’re doing it wrong.

🔹 How to Fix It: Get specific. Mention courses, research opportunities, or unique traditions that genuinely excite you. Connect your academic and personal interests to what the school uniquely offers. A strong answer shows that you’ve done your homework and that this school is the right fit—not just another name on your list.

Mistake #5: Thinking the Interview Doesn’t Matter

I once interviewed a student with a 1600 SAT and a perfect GPA. On paper, he was flawless. But in person? He had nothing to say. No passion, no curiosity—just robotic, rehearsed answers. That student didn’t get in. Contrast that with another applicant who wasn’t as academically strong but spoke passionately about the books that shaped his worldview. He got accepted. Maybe for 80% of students, the interview is more of a confirmation of what the admissions officers already know and think about the student… but for that last 20%, it can be make or break.

🔹 How to Fix It: Treat the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. Be prepared to discuss what excites you, why you’re interested in the school, and what you’ve done outside the classroom. I tell every student to know their WHYs! And most importantly—let your personality shine. Colleges aren’t just looking for smart students; they’re looking for interesting ones.

Mistake #6: Rushing the Process (Or Starting Too Late)

Procrastination is the enemy of a strong application. I’ve seen students throw together essays at the last minute, only to regret it when they realize they could have done better. On the flip side, I’ve seen students who planned ahead and strategically built their applications over time, resulting in much stronger submissions.

🔹 How to Fix It: Start early. Ideally, by junior year, you should be thinking about your application narrative—how your activities, interests, and experiences fit together. By the summer before senior year, start brainstorming essays. Give yourself time to reflect, revise, and refine. A rushed application looks rushed. A thoughtful one stands out.

Final Thoughts

College applications aren’t about chasing perfection. They’re about showing up as yourself in the best possible way. Avoiding these mistakes won’t just make your application stronger—it’ll make the process less stressful and more rewarding.

So take a breath. Focus on your story. And if you need guidance along the way, you know where to find me.