Six common mistakes to avoid in the college application process and on the Common App

This branded content article is sponsored by IvyWiseWhen applying to college, many students and their families wish there was a magic solution to make things easier.The application process is far from straightforward — there are many pitfalls that students might face, and potentially fall into, along the way.Students put in so much hard work and effort to perform well academically and in their extracurricular activities from ninth grade on.

Yet, many students make these common mistakes when it comes time to write their applications — possibly at the risk of wasting years of hard work.We tapped experts from the world’s premier educational consulting company, IvyWise, to share how students can avoid making these common mistakes when preparing to apply to college and completing the Common App.1.Don’t believe misconceptions about the college application processMany families believe that stellar standardized test scores and a high GPA will guarantee admission to the colleges of their dreams.

But that’s only part of the story.The college admissions process has always been holistic, and in recent years, it has grown even more complex.

Admissions officers don’t look at just test scores and grades, but also at how the student will fit into the fabric and culture of the campus.“There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to getting accepted.” Dr.Kat Cohen, Founder and CEO of IvyWise, tells The Post.

“At IvyWise, former deans and directors of admission work with each student to create their own ‘magic formula,’ focusing on their individual strengths and goals.No two students are the same, so our strategies are never the same.

We craft fully personalized roadmaps that help each student stand out and shine during the application process.”Another common misconception is that students should load up on internships or play multiple sports to stay competitive.Sure, an internship might be a way of getting your foot in the door in your dream industry, ...