Top Common App Mistakes Singapore Students Should Avoid

The Common Application, used by many universities across the US, can be quite different from the merit-based application systems used by universities in Singapore. So, it’s not unusual to feel a little out of your depth trying to navigate all of its requirements, while also putting your best foot forward! To help you navigate the terrain of higher education, we’ve put together this blog with the top mistakes made by students in the Common Application, and some tips on how to avoid them!

Before we dive into that, though, it’s important to first make sure that you have a clear understanding of the elements of the common application.

Understanding the Common App Structure 

The Common Application – often referred to as the Common App – is an important admissions tool in the US university landscape. Used by over 900 institutions across the country, it’s used to streamline the admissions process. This is to help students, like yourself, who won’t end up saddled with the redundant task of filling out multiple, nearly identical, application forms! Through its various components, the system is designed to draw out a holistic view of each applicant. Briefly, here’s an overview of the elements found in the Common App: 

• Personal Information: A basic overview of all the markers of who you are - including your name, address, date of birth, and parental information. 
• Education History: This section is for you to input your standardised test scores, whether that be for the SAT, ACT, AP, IB, or TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers. While these may not be strictly necessary, some schools have moved to enforcing a test-required policy, so make sure to check whether this applies to your institution of choice!
• Activities: Input information on up to 10 extracurriculars here, which can include a brief description of your activities, as well as the impact and extent of your involvement. 
• Essays: Arguably one of the more important elements of the application, as it grants you the opportunity to speak, in your own words, directly to your applications officer. They’re an opportunity for you to discuss, meaningfully and authentically, a topic that matters to you. To help students, the Common App also issues an annual series of prompts.

Now that we have a good grasp of what the Common App requires, let’s run through some of the top Common App mistakes made by students, and hopefully help you avoid them! 

Mistake #1: An Unbalanced University List

While it’s great to aim high, it’s equally important to be realistic. Many students tend to populate their Common App lists with only prestigious universities, or “reach” schools. These universities – such as the Ivy League – tend to be renowned for their incredibly low acceptance rates. As a result, they can’t always be depended on to supply you with admission, which is why it’s important that your application includes **a mix of **safety, target, and reach schools. 

In brief, this strategy will help you to maximise your chances of admission to a school you actually want to attend! As the name suggests, a ‘safety’ school is a university which consistently admits students with lower grades than yours, and which you feel you have a good chance of entering. A ‘target’ school is one where your grades would fall into a kind of average, somewhere between the 25th and 75th percentile. You might then see how mixing these, along with your more ambitious choices, could help you along! 

Mistake #2: Relying Too Heavily on Analytical Writing

When it comes to the US university application process, it’s crucial to note that the metric is holistic, and not simply based on academic merit and rigour, like many schools in Singapore and the UK are. Your essay is an integral part of this, as it’s an opportunity for you to craft a reflective and cohesive narrative that will stand out to your admissions officer!

Coming from Singapore’s education system which tends to hone your analytical writing skills, this part of the application tends to trip students up. It may feel unfamiliar, or even uncomfortable, to craft a personal story with a developed narrative to engage your reader. However, this discomfort is part of the process, and by working your way through it, you’re likely to emerge as a better writer! After all, you also have the opportunity to draft and revise, to make sure you’re really putting your best foot forward. It might also be helpful for you to **read some **example essays to get the hang of what the universities are looking for, or consult an expert reviewer if you’re still feeling unsure.

Mistake #3: Activity Overload 

While you can input information on up to 10 of your extracurricular activities, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, too many entries can put you at risk of only engaging superficially with each one in your application! 

When it comes down to it, admissions officers want to see a well-developed profile that says something about you – specifically, who you are outside the classroom. It’s an opportunity for you to elaborate on what you make time for, and what excites you, especially when it comes to community engagement or your independent initiatives! Of course, it’s extra beneficial if these endeavours show your awareness of issues, and a desire to help. Through it all, you’ll want to make sure that your choices accurately reflect your intellectual curiosity, leadership capabilities, and commitment to communities.

The list that you curate can range from the arts, to athletic clubs, to employment stints, or your own personal or independent commitments. For instance, if you have a successful blog, or worked with a mentor on a research project, your admissions officers would love to know!

Mistake #4: Confined to Academia

As mentioned earlier, the US admissions system takes a holistic approach, which differs from the emphasis on academic rigour in the Singaporean education system. In Singapore, there is often a greater focus on grades and academic performance. As a result, you may find yourself concentrating more on your academic achievements rather than considering your application in a more well-rounded way.

While doing well in this system is no easy feat, it's also important to develop your interests and contributions outside the classroom, particularly if you're aiming for universities in the US. You want to be able to showcase yourself as a well-rounded, thoughtful, and developed individual, not just a student. And if you’re not yet involved in anything outside the classroom, it’s never too late to start!

Mistake #5: Weak Recommendations

Typically a product of procrastination, some students tend to end up with weak recommendations on their Common App. This mistake may end up costing more than you think, as recommendations** are a crucial part** of building your holistic application. By allowing your mentors – whether they are teachers or coaches – to provide their professional opinions of your performance, it helps your admissions officer further understand who you are, and what you’ve accomplished! The outside perspective is particularly useful in driving this point home. 

To make sure you’re getting the most out of this part of the application, here are some quick-fire helpful tips for you to secure strong recommendations:

• Ask a teacher or mentor who knows you well: They should have worked closely with you for at least a year, and be able to testify to your strengths. If you’re worried you might not yet have this, it’s never too late to start going to consultations during their office hours, or after class! 
• Ask early: As the application process ramps up, your teachers will likely have to complete multiple recommendations for many students. Make sure to ask at least a month in advance, and follow up in intervals so you know everything is on track. 
• Ask in person: It’s always good to approach your teacher or mentor face-to-face, and appeal for their support genuinely, instead of merely adding them to your online application portal.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Deadlines

Though this might seem intuitive, some students end up ignoring deadlines when it comes to multi-pronged application processes like the Common App. It’s easy to get sucked into the rigour of studying, and inadvertently let the time slip past you.

This makes it all the more important for you to have a handle on your deadlines for the Common App, and practise good time management to make sure you hit your goals! Here are some ways you can go about that: 

• Break it down: Large tasks can feel intimidating, and leave you paralysed in procrastination. With your deadlines in hand, you’ll have enough time to break these intimidating tasks down into bite-sized pieces, which are much more achievable!
• Prioritise your tasks: Having a long to-do list is only going to make you feel more overwhelmed. Instead, you might come up with an organised system of tasks, with different levels of urgency, to help you focus on what’s most important at the time!

Set a time limit: Productivity hacks like the Pomodoro technique can be particularly useful at keeping you on track, and giving you enough momentum to knock things off your to-do list! It also helps make your work more concrete, and set a boundary on how much time you’re spending on each task. 

We hope you found this blog helpful in navigating the Common App. At Crimson Education, we’re here to support students like you throughout the application process. We have plenty of useful resources to guide you through this exciting new chapter, including webinars and eBooks on the US admissions process. You’re also welcome to book a free consultation with one of our Academic Advisors, who can offer tailored advice on navigating the Common App and the application journey.

We hope this blog post has provided valuable insight into the benefits of studying in Canada. If you think Canada could be the right fit for your academic journey and would like personalised advice or assistance with the application process, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with us!