Early action and early decision applications are near completion for many students. To finish early applications, students typically focus on finalizing application essays then grinding through the process of submitting online applications. With all the activity and potential confusion, don’t let the complexity of submitting online applications distract you from some important fundamentals of the application process that MUST be done correctly.

These fundamentals are simple but critical elements of the application process and include:

1. Mailing paper application materials to the correct address. Colleges and universities have many different addresses and some have a mailing address (to their admission office) that differs from the campus street address. Mailing your application materials to the wrong address could cause you to miss important deadlines. Be sure to mail all application materials to the correct address.

2. Proof reading letters of recommendation (if they are returned to you for mailing). Sometimes teachers and counselors will have your name wrong or refer you as “her” when you are a male student (or visa versa). This error indicates the letter is not genuine because it obviously was used by the recommender for another student’s recommendation. Proof read all recommendation letters before mailing.

3. Proof reading application essays. Make sure references in your essay to the college you’re applying to are correct. If you are applying to University X, make sure you don’t express your strong desire for attending University Y. Some students use the same essay (short and long-answer essays) on several applications. Make sure that essays used on multiple applications reference the correct school.

4. Sending test scores. Make sure SAT and/or ACT test scores are sent to your colleges from the testing agencies. Frequently, students think test scores shown on their transcripts fulfill the requirement of sending scores, but many colleges require reporting of scores directly from CollegeBoard.com and ACT.org. Be sure your colleges receive your test scores according to their application instructions or else your application will not be considered complete.

Avoid these trivial mistakes; making them can dramatically affect college acceptance/rejection offers.