Common Common App MIstakes

The may have escaped your attention somehow with all the news about tariffs and controversial ads for jeans, but yesterday the new Common Application -- with a "refreshed" look and feel! -- became available.

Sadly, each year, college applicants commit numerous errors.  Some of these unforced errors are more significant than others. 

I want to highlight a short, non-comprehensive list, to help if you have a class of 2026 kiddo about to tackle his or her college applications.

1. Completing last year's application.  A bunch of kids have "already filled out" the Common App in school, during 11th grade.  But that was last year's application. All of their information will not port over to this year's, the correct one for students headed to college in August 2026.
2. Unbalanced list.  Too many "reach" or highly rejective colleges, not enough safeties and target schools.
3. Blowing deadlines.  The Common App has a built in application tracker doohickey so that you never miss deadlines or get blindsided by requirements.  Use it so that you every deadline and don't miss out key requirements, such as extra writing dependent on the type of program you're applying to.
4. Wrong major.  Some majors are harder to get into than others, such as Engineering.  Some are easier, especially those that are underserved but higher priority for the college's institutional goals.  An example of the latter is, years ago, Carnegie Mellon prioritized performing arts majors as it transitioned from Carnegie Tech to a more liberal arts-based school.
5. Activities section.  Failure to realize that this is a "selling" part of the application, not a dry recitation of the stuff you did outside of class.  Example:  Babysitting.  Pick the description that sounds  better, "I babysat my neighbors' kids" or "Duties and responsibilities include helping with homework, preparing meals, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children ages 6 and 8."

Those are a quick few that I came up with off the top of the ol' noggin.  I'm considering doing a paid webinar (free for clients) in the next week or so, walking you through the inner workings of the Common App, covering more strategic and other info about the essays and Activities Section, more.  If interested, reply to this email and I'll gauge whether there's enough interest for me to make it happen.

- Andy Lockwood

P.S.  If you know your 2026 kiddo needs help with the essays and applications, contact our office ASAP to get details before we stop taking on high school seniors.