Aristotle Circle has been counseling students on their journey to college for over a decade. Here are the top five mistakes we see students making when applying to the Ivy League universities.
1. Not doing their research.
If you think you will be equally happy at each of the eight Ivy League universities, that means you haven’t done enough research. Each of these schools offers a different combination of majors, minors, clubs, sports, and extracurriculars. Looking to major in Italian? You can’t do that at Harvard. Entomology? It’s only at Cornell.
In addition, you’ll need to personalize your application to whatever school you are applying to. Talking about the prestige, history, or quality of academics at each institution is a moot point, because these qualities are common among them all. What makes this one program stand out? Why do you think you are the perfect fit?
2. Being too humble.
When building your activities resume, it’s important to consider all of the volunteer work, clubs, courses, and certificates you’ve completed. Even if you only volunteered for a day-long event, like a food-drive or bake sale, it counts! Remember, even if you haven’t earned recognition for an activity, if you’ve devoted your time to it, it should be included. One entry that students often overlook are certificates or licenses that require a student to attend a course, such as scuba/diving certificates, pilot’s license, or boating license. Check out our blog post on what to include in your activities section for more detailed advice.
3. Going back too far.
With all due respect, whatever you did in middle school bears little to no impact on your college application. When you are in high school, you gain a level of independence and agency, and admissions officers want to see what you’ve done with your newfound freedom. You should include information about ongoing projects, volunteer efforts you’ve participated in over time, and passions that you intend to pursue as a college student.
4. Trying to game the system.
The admissions officers at top-level institutions are very smart people. Don’t use your application as an opportunity to insult their intelligence. If you’ve heard that you should apply to an “easier” major so that you can switch to a “more selective” major later on, that’s just plain bad advice. If you are passionate about pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, have participated in engineering internships and robotics clubs, and took STEM-focused courses in high school, but apply to Harvard as a Classics major thinking you can just transfer after your first year, your application will be tossed. AOs can see through these harebrained efforts instantly.
5. Choosing the wrong recommenders.
It might seem logical to choose the most impressive or well-connected person you know to write you a letter of recommendation. Maybe your parents have a relationship with a state senator who used to come around for dinner when you were little, or they work at a higher level at one of the FAANG companies. Wouldn’t it be great if they could get them to write a letter for you? In reality, this can end up being a Kiss of Death for your application. Make sure your recommenders are people who know you well, have supervised you directly (as a teacher, coach, or workplace supervisor), and can attest to your positive personal qualities. When asking an adult to write you a letter of recommendation, ask if they can write you a strong letter of recommendation. The last thing you want is a cookie-cutter, obviously templated letter of recommendation with no personal details, anecdotes, or meaningful commentary.
Overwhelmed?
Aristotle Circle can help. Our expansive team of experts, tutors, and writing coaches are here to help you craft the perfect college application. We can help you avoid not only the most common mistakes, but the uncommon ones, too. The Comprehensive College Admissions Counseling Package includes unlimited one-on-one meetings with NACAC-certified college admissions counselors. Our students gain entrance to top universities each and every admissions cycle. Looking for guidance? Call today at 212-360-2301, email us at info@aristotlecircle.com, or visit us online at www.aristotlecircle.com.
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