5 mistakes that cause applications to be rejected by American universities

Bright candidates can still be rejected by American universities if they do not know how to select extracurricular activities to include in their application, or do not learn about the school.

According to Christopher Rim, Director of college admission consulting company Command Education in New York (USA), there are 5 common mistakes that candidates often make when applying to college.

Not selective about extracurricular activities

Given that colleges want to admit "well-rounded students," many applicants list many extracurricular activities in different fields. In fact, even though this is part of your application, you need to prioritize quality over quantity.

Instead of looking at the many activities in which you participate superficially, the admissions committee is more interested in your true level of commitment to a few typical activities through which you demonstrate selectivity and ability. his leadership ability.

Activities also need to support the interests and hobbies that you learn and explore both inside and outside of the classroom. They will help you tell a coherent story about your passions. So ask yourself what you truly love, and emphasize your dedication and leadership in that area.

Only care about scores

While many applicants take advantage of their time to participate in clubs or school activities, others ignore all of that, thinking that perfect scores are all they need. This is also not true.

Top universities can fill students by selecting high school valedictorians or candidates with perfect SAT scores. However, they want to find young people with unique interests and passions who will contribute positively to their community.

Therefore, the admission committee is interested in your personality, passion and experience when in a leadership position, or when you brought many changes to the community during your high school years. Make sure your application demonstrates these qualities in you.

Illustration photo: US News

Write general essays

Each admissions cycle, the admissions committee must read thousands of essays. Therefore, non-specific or reused essays will make you overshadowed among many other candidates.

In addition to the main essay, some schools also require candidates to submit additional essays. This is a request for the school to better understand your interest in the program or anything in life. The supplemental essay will fail if it isn't authentic enough or doesn't highlight school highlights that align with your goals.

Take the time to write a separate essay for each application, explaining why you are a good fit for that particular program and how you will contribute to the school community.

Not researching the school thoroughly

Learning about and showing interest in the school is something many candidates often overlook when preparing their applications. However, this is a factor that some admissions committees rely on when considering candidates.

My advice is to visit schools, attend seminars to get more information or connect with current students and faculty. If you cannot come in person, you can participate in the school's online exchanges.

Another way to learn more about the school is to contact the admissions office and ask them to connect with alumni near you. This shows that you are truly interested and make an effort to learn about the school.

Do not review records

Submitting an application with many errors is one of the most common mistakes. Minor errors can be grammatical errors or misspellings. The bigger mistake might be not answering the essay prompt correctly. All of these mistakes can overshadow the positives on your resume.

Therefore, before submitting, you should check several times to see if any information is missing, or if there are any spelling or formatting errors. Ideally, ask friends or family members to proofread for you both content and form. Getting feedback from the people who know you best will ensure your application truly reflects your personality and unique voice.

In addition, a polished application also shows that you are seriously interested in the school and the admission process.