Cappex College Blog

Application deadlines are looming, crunch time is here, and yet, the most pressing item on your mind may be “What am I going to wear on Halloween?”

But during this time there are lots of simple things you can do to help your chances of getting in. These are the small, detail tasks that many students forget. And after working so hard on the big stuff, like writing your essays, doing the small stuff, like proof-reading your essays, can seem like the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Before you send your application you should

• Proof read essays and applications for grammar, not just spelling. “Your” and “you’re” are very different.
• Check neatness. Is your application legible?
• Sort carefully. Don’t send the letter explaining why you want to go to Stanford University to the University of Maryland.
• Double check addresses. If your application doesn’t arrive it doesn’t matter.
• Check contents. Make sure the each application has what is required, be it essays, letters of recommendation or anything else.

Jay Matthews of the Washington Post has some more good insight and humor on college crunch time and what not to do. Take the advice, take your time and take a break when it’s all finished.