The Application Audit: Double-Check These 10 Things Before You Hit Submit
You’ve worked hard on your college applications—now it’s time to make sure they’re polished and ready. Admissions officers read thousands of applications, and small mistakes can make you blend in instead of stand out.
Before you hit that submit button, run through this 10-point application audit to be confident you’ve put your best foot forward.
✅ 1. Spelling and Grammar
Typos happen—but they make a big difference. Proofread every section of your application, especially essays, activity descriptions, and short answers.
✅ 2. Correct Personal Information
Double-check your name, address, phone number, and email. A simple mistake here could mean missed communication from a college.
✅ 3. Accurate High School Information
Make sure your high school name, counselor details, and transcript information match official records.
✅ 4. Test Scores
If you’re submitting SAT or ACT scores, confirm they’re sent correctly and match what’s in your application. If test-optional, make sure you’ve left those fields blank.
✅ 5. Activities List
Check for:
Impact-focused descriptions (not just duties).
Quantifiable results when possible.
Order of importance (most meaningful activities first).
✅ 6. Essay Quality
Ask yourself:
Does this sound like me?
Does it tell a story, not just list accomplishments?
Did I cut unnecessary filler words to stay within the limit?
✅ 7. Supplemental Essays
Each school’s prompts are different. Ensure you:
Answered the right prompt.
Personalized each response to the specific school.
Avoided copy-paste mistakes (no mentioning the wrong college name!).
✅ 8. Recommendation Letters
Confirm your recommenders have submitted letters—or are on track to do so. Check your portal regularly.
✅ 9. Deadlines
Review each school’s deadlines. Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision all vary. Submitting early is always safer.
✅ 10. Payment and Submission Confirmation
Don’t stop until you:
Paid the application fee (or confirmed a fee waiver).
Received a confirmation email or portal update.
🧭 Final Thoughts from College Refocus
A strong application isn’t just about great grades and essays—it’s about the details. Running an audit before you submit helps you avoid small errors that could create big headaches later.
🎯 Call to Action
Want a professional set of eyes on your application before you submit?
📅 Book an Application Review Session with College Refocus and make sure your application is polished, complete, and ready to impress.