Oops: How to Fix Mistakes in Submitted Applications (2024)

Even with multiple reviews and careful proofreading, you may discover that your application contains mistakes after you have submitted. If this happens to you, here's what I recommend:

1. Submit a corrected version.

Unless the mistakes are truly inconsequential (one typo in the name of your swim club), you should submit a corrected version of your application with a brief cover letter asking that your corrected version be substituted for the previous application.

• Always check the specific college's instructions for correcting a submitted application. Here's an example where they want you to upload a corrected version to their own portal. (Yes, their language is confusing!)
• If the mistake was in a document that you uploaded as an attachment to the application, then submit a corrected version of the attachment (only) directly to the college. You don't need to resubmit the whole app.
• If the mistake was on the application form itself and the completed form can be saved as a PDF that you can annotate, then save a PDF that includes your annotations/corrections. Submit the annotated PDF directly to the college (email? portal? ask the college their preference).
• If the mistake was on the application form itself and annotating a PDF isn't an option for you, then print the completed form and make handwritten corrections on it. Scan the hard copy with the corrections and submit it electronically (email? portal? ask them).

Note: If the college is a Common App college, submit your corrected version and your cover letter directly to the college. You cannot submit any updates or corrections via the Common App for an application you previously submitted through the Common App.

2. Correct those mistakes now for any applications that you have not yet submitted.

• On the Common App, you can make unlimited edits to your answers and essays before you submit more applications. You can edit any essay by clicking on the Writing section and making edits in the text box that contains the essay. MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR CHANGES and click "Continue."

Questions? Tricky situations? Hit reply and let me know! 🙂

📰 News You Can Use

1 - How the pandemic may help more students see themselves as scientists (EdSurge)

2 - Income tax break proposed for graduates of Ohio colleges who stay in state post-graduation (AP)

3 - Apple partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to launch a new coding program (TechCrunch)

❤️ My Favorite Things This Week

1 - The Doomed Mouse Utopia That Inspired the 'Rats of NIMH': This book haunted me as a child (I mean, it's also really good) and I recently came across this completely bananas backstory behind the book. (Atlas Obscura)

2 - Words that mean different things in US and UK academia: Great thread on Twitter.

3 - Bummer Holiday Playlist on Apple Music: OK I laughed. It's extensive!

✍️ Quote of the Week

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