Applying to college can be stressful, but knowing what pitfalls to avoid can make the process easier for students.

So, what mistakes drive admissions officers crazy—and sometimes land an application in the rejection pile? Here’s what admissions experts across the country say applicants should steer clear of.

Don’t Skip the Directions

Experts stress that students should carefully follow what each school asks for in the application. In short: read and follow the instructions.

“Sometimes, students leave sections blank instead of answering every question,” says Mike Perry, executive director of admission at Florida Institute of Technology.

Those blanks mean an incomplete application, Perry explains, giving colleges only a partial view of the applicant. He also advises filling out optional sections—if a college requests that info, it’s because they find it useful.

“Most schools include those sections because the details help them make informed decisions. Paying attention and completing everything requested is key,” Perry says.

Don’t Let Parents Take Over

While parents should be involved in the college application process, there’s a limit. They shouldn’t fill out the application, write the student’s essay, or take charge of communicating with admissions staff.

“Parents should advocate for their child, not control the process,” says Sarah Richardson, assistant vice provost for enrollment management at Creighton University.

She suggests parents offer guidance, help track deadlines, and assist with scholarship searches. Setting a weekly check-in—rather than constant nagging—can keep students on track without overwhelming them, adds Carlos Jiménez, CEO of admissions consulting firm Peak Education.

Still, schools want to see students take initiative.

“It’s the student’s journey to own, with parents playing a supporting role,” Jiménez says.

Keep Your Resume Short

Not all colleges require a resume, but some do—and if they ask for one, keep it concise. The Eastman School of Music, for example, caps resumes at two pages. Even professionals are advised to stick to this length.

“A 17-year-old doesn’t need a three-page resume,” wrote Leigh Weisenburger, VP for enrollment at Bates College, in an email.

While some counselors recommend resumes for organization, she adds, “admissions officers first want students to complete the application properly.”

No matter how many extracurriculars a student has, experts suggest limiting the resume to one page.

“Students who give us exactly what we ask for—nothing extra—stand out,” wrote Thyra Briggs, VP for admission at Harvey Mudd College.

Always Proofread Before Submitting

Spellcheck helps, but it’s no replacement for careful proofreading.

“We still see too many applications where students didn’t take time to thoroughly review their work,” says Walter Caffey, VP for enrollment at Wheaton College.

Students should proofread applications as rigorously as they would academic assignments.

Outside help is fine, but balance is key—especially with essays, says Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&C Education.

“Parents or teachers shouldn’t do line-by-line edits,” Huguet wrote. “Admissions officers can spot an overly polished essay instantly.”

Edits should preserve the student’s authentic voice.

“Overly packaged applicants rarely get into top schools,” Huguet says. “Instead, have a friend or writing-savvy counselor review essays for a natural, genuine touch.”

Avoid Last-Minute Applications

Siya Randhawa, now a sophomore at UC San Diego, applied to about 25 schools and regrets waiting until the last minute to finish essays. Between the Common App and supplements, she wrote roughly 70 essays under deadline pressure.

“That caused a ton of stress, and I couldn’t fully develop my best work,” she says.

Students should also know deadlines for early action, early decision, and regular decision. Randhawa advises creating—and sticking to—a timeline to tackle tougher tasks early.

“I thought essays would be quick, but they took hours of thought,” she says.

Don’t Recycle Essays

Because she rushed, Randhawa reused language in essays instead of tailoring responses to each school.

“With some supplements, I recycled so much that I wasn’t even answering the prompt—I just needed to finish,” she admits.

Many colleges ask why a student wants to attend—a question often botched when answers feel generic, says Allen Koh, CEO of Cardinal Education.

“If your essay could apply to 50 schools, your chances drop,” Koh says. “Colleges want to know: ‘Will this student actually come?’”

Huguet suggests starting early and researching each school thoroughly.

“Discuss campus visits, clubs you’d join, or other details showing genuine interest,” he says.

Avoid Generic Applications

Admissions officers read thousands of essays and can spot clichés or cookie-cutter responses.

“Differentiation is key in admissions,” Koh says. “Being unoriginal hurts you.”

His work often involves helping students highlight their uniqueness in essays and applications.

Self-reflection helps, too.

“When students show growth and maturity, colleges notice,” Caffey says. “It paints a clearer picture of their journey.”

Don’t Overload on Extracurriculars Just to Impress

While colleges value engaged students, joining clubs just to pad a resume backfires.

Briggs notes that admissions trends now focus less on “racking up accomplishments” and more on community impact and mental wellness.

Students should never exaggerate activities.

“Purposeful falsification can instantly deny an application,” Perry warns.

The 2019 “Varsity Blues” scandal—where parents and consultants lied about student activities—led to arrests, convictions, and expulsions.

Randhawa initially felt pressure to list every activity but realized depth mattered more.

“Focus on passions that reflect who you are,” she says. “Cutting filler helped my application.”

Check Curriculum Requirements

Students should verify required high school courses for their desired program. For example, engineering applicants often need physics and calculus.

College websites list program requirements, but if details are unclear, students should ask admissions officers directly.

Don’t Obsess Over Elite Schools

Many families assume getting into a top school requires insider secrets—but that’s not true.

“Highly selective schools get a lot of attention, but they’re a tiny fraction of options,” Richardson says.

For instance, Stanford’s 2021 acceptance rate was just 4%. But the national average was 72.5%—meaning most applicants get into their chosen schools.