Top 4 Mistakes College Applicants Make—and How to Avoid Them

At Neushul College Counseling, we work with students every day who are doing their best to stand out in a competitive college admissions landscape. With so much advice circulating online and from peers, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—or worse, sidetracked by strategies that hurt more than help.

After years of experience helping students craft compelling applications, here are the four most common mistakes we see—and how you can avoid them.

1. Losing Your Voice in the Essay

When too many people help edit a college essay, it can lose the one thing admissions officers are most looking for: authenticity. A perfectly polished but generic-sounding essay won’t stand out—especially if it doesn’t match the tone and personality reflected in the rest of your application.

How to avoid this:Seek feedback, but don’t let others rewrite your story. Use your own voice. The goal is to sound like a real person, not a committee. Admissions officers can tell when a student means what they say—and when they don’t.

2. Focusing Only on Academics

Of course grades and rigor are essential. But colleges want more than students who’ve maxed out their AP schedule—they want to see how you engage with the world beyond the classroom.

How to avoid this:Look for ways to contribute to your community. Whether that means starting a project at your school, volunteering at a local nonprofit, tutoring younger students, or organizing a drive for a cause you care about, colleges notice when students take initiative close to home. These efforts don’t have to be flashy—they just have to be meaningful.

Also, intellectual curiosity matters. Colleges love students who explore topics outside of required coursework. Did you take an online course just because it sounded interesting? Do you read, research, or build something in your spare time? These are signs that you’re genuinely engaged in learning—and that’s the kind of student colleges want on campus.

3. Letting Academics Slip in Favor of Activities

On the flip side, some students focus so much on building an impressive résumé that their grades take a backseat. That’s a mistake. Strong academics are the foundation of your application.

How to avoid this:Balance is key. Time management is a critical life skill. Don’t take on more than you can handle, and be honest about where your energy needs to go during busy seasons.

4. Underestimating Supplemental Essays

Many students spend weeks crafting their Common App personal statement—and then throw together their supplemental essays in a rush. These school-specific responses are a major part of how colleges evaluate fit and interest.

How to avoid this:Start your supplemental essays early and treat each one like it matters—because it does. Think about why the school is asking the question, and give a thoughtful, personal response that couldn’t be copied and pasted elsewhere. Strong supplements can show not only why you're a great fit, but also how your curiosity and goals align with what the school offers.

Final Thought

The strongest college applications are thoughtful, personal, and well-planned. Students who stand out are not just high achievers—they’re also curious, engaged, and intentional about how they spend their time. Whether you're leading a service project, diving into a passion project, or asking great questions in class, those efforts all matter.

Need help navigating the application process? Neushul College Counseling is here to support you every step of the way.