Complete and proofread apps

Overview

Complete and proofread all application sections. Mid-October is your last chance for major edits before EA/ED November 1 submissions.

Proofreading Strategy

Read Aloud

• Catches errors
• Flow issues
• Awkward phrasing
• Missing words

Print Copies

• Physical paper catches errors differently
• Better focus
• Easier to mark

Ask Others

• Parents, teachers, friends
• Focus on specific tasks (content vs. grammar)
• Different perspectives

Take Breaks

• Fresh eyes
• Don't over-edit
• Save work
• Return later

What to Proofread

Common App Main Sections

• Profile (names, addresses, demographics)
• Family information
• Education (schools, courses)
• Testing (scores, dates)
• Activities (descriptions, categories)
• Honors (titles, levels)
• Writing (personal statement, supplements)
• Additional information (if used)

Each College's Supplements

• School-specific essays
• School-specific information
• Unique questions

UC Application

• All required sections
• PIQs
• Activities section
• Academic history

CSU Application

• All sections
• Activities

Checking Activities Section

For Each Activity

• Position title (50 char limit)
• Description (150 char limit Common App, 350 UC/CSU)
• Years involved
• Hours per week
• Weeks per year
• Category (correct)

Common Errors

• Exceeding character limits
• Spelling
• Missing details
• Generic descriptions
• Unused slots

Impact Check

• Shows YOUR role
• Quantified impact where possible
• Specific achievements
• Action verbs

Checking Honors

For Each Honor

• Specific title
• Level (school, state, national)
• Year received
• Authentic

Common Errors

• Generic "honor roll" listings
• Missing specifics
• Wrong year
• Non-selective items

Checking Essays

Personal Statement

• Word count (650 max)
• Voice consistent
• Specific details
• Growth narrative

Supplements

• Word count for each
• School-specific
• No generic patterns
• No recycled without adaptation

UC PIQs

• 4 prompts chosen
• 350 words each
• Distinct topics
• Compelling voice

Writing Quality Check

Tone

• Authentic to you
• Professional but personal
• Not too formal
• Not too casual

Voice

• Consistent throughout
• Shows personality
• Age-appropriate
• Genuine

Flow

• Paragraphs connect
• Clear transitions
• Smooth reading
• Logical progression

Grammar

• Subject-verb agreement
• Correct tense
• Proper punctuation
• Active voice

Spelling

• Use spell-check (but verify)
• Homophone check (their/there)
• Proper nouns verified
• Specific names correct

Fact-Checking

Dates

• Consistent across application
• Birth date
• Graduation date
• Activity timelines

Names

• Your legal name
• Parents' names
• Teachers' names
• School names

Addresses

• Current home
• Past addresses if relevant
• School addresses

Numbers

• GPAs accurate
• Test scores correct
• Hours spent accurate
• Years involved

Technical Details

Platform Functionality

• All fields filled correctly
• Radio buttons selected
• Checkboxes marked
• Dropdowns chosen

Upload Quality

• PDFs readable
• Documents correct version
• No formatting issues

Save Frequently

• Auto-save
• Manual save
• Multiple backups

Before Submitting

Final Read-Through

• Complete application
• Every section
• All supplements
• Line by line

Sanity Check

• Do I recognize myself?
• Is this my voice?
• Does this reflect me?
• Am I happy with this?

Peer Review

• Trusted adult review
• Final grammar check
• Voice consistency
• Clarity check

Submit Confidently

• Hit submit
• Save confirmation
• Move on

Common Submission Errors

Typos

• In name
• In contact info
• In essays
• In activities

Missing Information

• Empty required fields
• Optional but relevant missed
• Supplements incomplete

Wrong Submission

• To wrong school
• Wrong major
• Wrong deadline

Technical Glitches

• Not actually submitted
• File upload failed
• Payment didn't process

Proofreading Timeline

3 Weeks Before

• Strong drafts
• Major revisions
• Feedback sought

2 Weeks Before

• Near-final versions
• Proofreading in progress
• Final feedback

1 Week Before

• Final proofreading
• Last-minute fixes
• Confirm all ready

3-5 Days Before

• Submission
• Buffer for technical issues
• Verify confirmation

Deadline Day

• If needed, final chance
• Don't wait until last hour
• Server issues possible

Resources for Help

Writing Center

• Your school's (if available)
• Local community college
• Online resources

English Teachers

• Will often review
• Give them time
• Professional feedback

Counselors

• Final check
• Overall application
• Complete sense

Online Tools

• Grammarly (grammar check)
• Hemingway Editor (clarity)
• But don't over-edit

Mental Preparation

Confidence

• Trust your work
• You've prepared well
• Submit with confidence

Perfection Not Required

• Good is the enemy of done
• Applications don't need to be perfect
• Genuine beats polished

Let Go

• After submission, release
• Focus on other applications
• Maintain senior year focus

After Proofreading

Submission

• Submit applications
• Save all confirmations
• Screenshot evidence

Next Steps

• Other applications
• Senior year focus
• Mental health care

Celebration

• Acknowledge effort
• Recognize hard work
• Look forward