Oh, the Horror! You Made a Mistake on Your Common App?! 😱
Let’s face it, applying to college is a stressful process. You’re juggling academics, extracurriculars, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, all while trying to avoid looking like a total weirdo in your senior pictures (we’ve all been there). And then, BAM! You realize you made a mistake on your Common App.
The Common App: A Love-Hate Relationship
The Common App is like that friend who’s always trying to help, but somehow always manages to make things more complicated. It’s supposed to streamline the college application process, but let’s be real, it’s like navigating a labyrinth of questions, essays, and deadlines. And sometimes, you just make a wrong turn.
So, You Made a Mistake – Now What?
Don’t panic! It’s not the end of the world (unless you accidentally wrote that you want to be a “professional sloth” instead of “professional athlete”).
Here’s the breakdown:
- Minor Mistakes: If you’re talking about a typo or a minor factual error, chill out. College admissions officers aren’t robots. They know you’re human, and they’ve seen it all. Think of it as a “proofreading test” – they’re observing your attention to detail, but a few minor typos aren’t going to be the deciding factor in your acceptance.
- Major Mistakes: Now, if you’ve made a major mistake (like accidentally writing that you’re a convicted felon, even if you’re just a really bad baker), then you’ve got some serious explaining to do.
How to Fix Your Common App Mistake:
1. Contact the College: The first step is to reach out to the admissions office of the college(s) where you made the mistake. Don’t be afraid to email or call. Explain the situation clearly and politely, apologize for any inconvenience, and indicate the correction you’d like to make.
2. Be Brief and Courteous: Keep your communication concise and to the point. Admissions officers are busy people, so don’t bombard them with a novel-length explanation of your error. Just be upfront, acknowledge the mistake, and express your desire to correct it.
3. Document Everything: Keep a record of all your communication with the college, including emails, phone calls, and any correspondence you receive. This will be helpful if there are any questions or issues down the line.
4. Don’t Panic (Seriously): Remember, most colleges are understanding and willing to work with students to correct mistakes. They want to see you succeed, and they’re not going to hold a minor error against you.
The Importance of Proofreading (and Why You Should Never Trust Autocorrect)
We’ve all been there – that moment when you think you’ve finished writing a perfect essay and you click “submit” without proofreading. Then, you notice the glaring error (like accidentally calling your dream school “The University of Snoozeville”).
The Moral of the Story? Proofread, proofread, proofread!
And don’t trust autocorrect. It’s a sneaky little gremlin that can turn your carefully crafted sentences into a linguistic disaster. (Remember that time autocorrect changed “I’m feeling a bit under the weather” to “I’m feeling a bit under the sweater”? Yeah, we’ve all been there.)
What If You Can’t Fix the Mistake?
Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to fix a mistake. Maybe you’ve already submitted the application, and you’re stuck with it. Or maybe the error is so monumental that even the most understanding admissions officer can’t overlook it.
Here’s what to do:
- Focus on Other Applications: If you’ve made a mistake on one application, don’t let it derail your entire college process. Focus on perfecting your other applications and making sure they’re error-free.
- Contact the College (Again): If the mistake is significant, you may want to contact the college and explain the situation. They might be willing to consider your application despite the error, especially if you have strong academic credentials and compelling extracurriculars.
- Don’t Give Up: Remember, the college application process is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if you’ve made a mistake, don’t let it discourage you. Keep working hard, and you’ll find the right college for you.
A Little Humor to Ease the Stress
Let’s be honest, the college application process is enough to drive anyone crazy. So, here’s a little humor to lighten the mood:
- Why did the Common App get a job at a bakery? Because it was always making mistakes (and changing things at the last minute!).
- What’s the difference between a Common App essay and a bad joke? You only cringe at the bad joke once.
- Why did the college admissions officer get a parrot? Because he wanted someone to repeat the same questions over and over again.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Freak Out!
Making a mistake on your Common App is a bummer, but it’s not the end of the world. Take a deep breath, contact the college, and make things right. Remember, college admissions officers are human too, and they understand that mistakes happen.
Need More Help?
For more information on how to navigate the college application process, including making corrections to your Common App, head over to the JobLoving community. We’re here to help you every step of the way!