Application Process

Common Mistakes to Avoid

6 minCourse moduleModule 3.5

§ 01

Overview

Module 3.5: Common Mistakes to Avoid

§ 01

Strategic Pitfalls That Cost Acceptances

Smart students get rejected every year because of avoidable tactical errors. Here are the most common mistakes we see, and how to prevent them.

1. The "Adult Voice" Essay

  • The Mistake: The parent rewrites the essay so much that it sounds like a 45-year-old corporate lawyer wrote it.

  • The Reality: Admissions officers know what a 13-year-old sounds like. If the vocabulary is too sophisticated and the sentence structure is too perfect, they will assume the parent wrote it.

  • The Fix: The parent can edit for grammar and flow, but the voice and the ideas must be the student's. Imperfection feels authentic.

2. Treating the "Why Us" Essay as Generic

  • The Mistake: Copying and pasting the "Why I want to go to boarding school" essay into the "Why I want to go to Exeter" box.

  • The Reality: Schools want to be loved for their unique qualities.

  • The Fix: Mention specific programs, clubs, or traditions unique to that school. (See Module 2).

3. Nagging Teachers at the Last Minute

  • The Mistake: Asking for a recommendation on December 15th.

  • The Reality: Teachers are exhausted in December. A rushed letter will be generic. A generic letter is a "kiss of death" in elite admissions.

  • The Fix: Ask in October. Send a polite reminder in late November.

4. Ignoring the "Optional" Space

  • The Mistake: Leaving the "Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?" box blank.

  • The Reality: This is free real estate!

  • The Fix: Use this space to explain a dip in grades (e.g., "I was out sick with mono for two weeks"), or to share a link to an art portfolio or coding project.

5. Being Rude to the Admin Staff

  • The Mistake: Being charming to the Director of Admissions but rude or demanding to the receptionist answering the phone.

  • The Reality: The front desk staff are the gatekeepers. If a parent is high-maintenance or rude on the phone, a note goes into the file: "Family will be difficult to manage."

  • The Fix: Be overwhelmingly kind to everyone you interact with.

6. Submitting at 11:59 PM on the Deadline

  • The Mistake: Waiting until the last minute.

  • The Reality: Application portals crash due to traffic. Snowstorms knock out power.

  • The Fix: Set a "Family Deadline" for January 10th. Submit early and sleep well.