The #1 Mistake Students Make on the Common App (And How to Avoid It)
Let’s get right to it:
The biggest mistake students make on the Common App isn’t a typo.
It’s not uploading the wrong file.
It’s not even forgetting to hit submit (though... please don’t forget that).
The #1 mistake is this:
Treating the Common App like a form, not a story.
Let’s dig into what that means—and how to avoid falling into the “checkbox trap” that makes admissions officers skim past your app instead of leaning in.
📋 What Most Students Do Wrong
The Common App asks for a lot:
Your courses
Your test scores
Your activities
Your personal essay
And a dozen tiny details that feel like they matter more than they do
It’s easy to get stuck in “Just fill it out” mode—listing things like:
“National Honor Society – 11th–12th grade – Weekly meetings”
“Volunteer – Church food drive – 10 hours”
“Tennis – Varsity – Played 3 seasons”
This tells colleges what you did.
It doesn’t tell them who you are.
🎯 What You Should Be Doing Instead
You need to turn that form into a narrative—a consistent story of:
What you care about
What you’ve worked hard for
How you’ve grown
What kind of student and human you are
Each section should echo the same themes:
The activities section highlights your drive or creativity
The personal statement digs into your growth or reflection
The additional info section (if used) supports your resilience or leadership
When all the parts connect? That’s where admissions magic happens.
🧠 Example of a Missed Opportunity
Let’s say you’re applying as a future environmental science major.
What most students write:
“Environmental Club – 10th–12th – Campus recycling program”
What stands out instead:
“Led a school-wide recycling audit, reduced plastic use by 30%, and presented findings to the school board. Sparked my passion for sustainable systems and led to my summer research at Clemson’s sustainability lab.”
Same activity. Way different impact.
✍️ What You Can Do Today
Review your activities list: Are you listing tasks or telling mini stories?
Make your Common App tell a cohesive story: Use consistent themes across your essay, activities, and supplements.
Think like an admissions officer: Can they tell what makes you you—in just 2 minutes?
If the answer is no, it’s time to revise.
🧭 Final Thoughts from College Refocus
The Common App isn’t just a form—it’s a canvas.
You’ve got 650 words in your essay and 150 characters per activity, but that’s more than enough to leave a lasting impression.
Don't just fill out the application. Tell a story that only you can tell.
Need help making your Common App stand out from the thousands of others?
📅 Book a Common App Review Session with College Refocus and we’ll help you turn your form into a story—and your story into an acceptance.