Application Error

<p>In his rush to get out for Halloween fun, my son pushed "submit" before I could review his UNC application. When he printed it out he had an error under his Activities section. He had 4 hours per week listed for his top EC activity, Travel ice hockey (at which he spends at least 4 hrs per week at practice each week, and every other weekend in another state playing at least 5-6 hours--- plus travel time for 7 months per year for the past 7 years) . I mean a huge difference. This is his #1 choice school, so should he call them and inform them of the mistake? If it were a small difference I wouldn't even concern myself with it, but it is obviously a very large difference. HELP! I should say his GPA is excellent (4.36w) his SAT scores are in the middle 50%, but not at the high end.<br>
Thanks</p>

<p>My son changed an elective senior year after he sent a few apps. out. He sent a letter to those schools with enough info on the letter so that they would pair up the letter with his original application. He explained why he dropped one elective class and added another (there was a good reason for the change). Perhaps he could also just send a letter out explaining what should have been in his application. I don't think it is a big deal. Good luck to your son!</p>

<p>I also think that admissions counselors are familiar enough with travel ice hockey to know that it takes a lot more than 4 hours/week. They'll assume it's a mistake.</p>

<p>He should email his admissions rep at UNC to let them know of the mistake.</p>

<p>I agree with menloparkmom. An email or a short note would do it. My S made a couple of errors in his apps last year due to pressing "send" too quickly. In one case, he sent an essay with another school's name in it! [the ultimate horror ;)] In another, fields he had earlier filled in were inadvertently blanked out going back and forth between sections. He sent the corrections immediately, and both schools seemed perfectly happy to make the changes/ substitute correct pages for incorrect ones, presumably before reviewing the file. He got into both schools--even the one with the wrong essay!--and is now attending one of them. :) So send the correction and don't worry about it.</p>

<p>I'd agree a correcting follow-up is in order. But I do not believe I'd add travel time to/from a hockey game in with the numerical figure for the actual EC. Yes, I know it takes time to go to a traveling game. I'd suggest he added up practice and game-time as his EC, but mention only verbally how it takes a great deal more of his time than shown due to the extensive travel. If his EC was at a local soup kitchen 20 minutes from home would you add 40 min travel time to every hour he actually worked in the kitchen? Prob not. Do you add in the shopping time for any equip he buys? Do you add in the travel time for that shopping? Prob not. I understand the temptation though, adding in travel time as an EC would certainly help to pump up the EC number.</p>

<p>Send in any corrections- a short email should suffice. I'm sure mistakes are made by many, this one is unlikely to make or break his admissions so don't obsess about it.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone. I'll have him send an email. I have no idea how to have him calculate the time spent.....
3 hrs per week practice,(practice is 45 minutes away from home) , about 6 hrs every other week game time. trips up to 14 hors away on occasion, 5 hours is normal distance... Any suggestions ? Hockey!! Gotta love it!</p>

<p>I would not include the travel time, only practice and play time. By nature of being a "travel" league, admissions will know he travels to play.</p>

<p>Don't include the travel time. That is NOT part of the time spent actually DOING the EC. Yes, I know it takes time to get there...but that time can be used for homework, reading, relaxing, sleeping. It's not part of the time doing travel hockey. </p>

<p>Also, why are you fretting so much about this? It's an EC...and unless he's considering playing hockey in college, that is how it will be viewed. I often have wondered whether anyone actually counts up the hours spent on these EC's. My guess is that it is a minor part of the application information. Perhaps someone more in the know can verify this.</p>

<p>x2, please re-read my post, #6, as well as posts 9 and 10. Time spent on the EC should not include travel time to get to the EC. Time spent is gametime + practice time. Not driving to practice, not shopping for equip, not time at McDonalds(because an athlete has to eat), etc.</p>

<p>If his teachers/gc are aware that he plays on a traveling team, they can also recommend it in their recommendations</p>

<p>ok, makes sense, just travel and practice ..so the difference would be he spends about 7-8 hrs per week, and not the 4 he listed. Worth the trouble of a follow up? I don't know......</p>

<p>^ Helps just to make your conscience live a little better. Tell your son to go for it</p>

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<p>That's not my opinion. I think it should only be game time and practice time. NO TRAVEL TIME.</p>

<p>yes, i meant game time and practice time, not time spent travelling....</p>

<p>ncmomX2 does you son also play on the high school team? My son was a hockey player in high school and we only counted practice and game time when he did his app last year. He spent much more than 7 to 8 hours a week for just the school team. Ice time for one and half hours every morning before school (this does not include the time to dress and shower afterwards). Two days a week he had conditioning training for two hours after school. Plus one or two games a week. A game would be at least an hour and half or two hours.which includes a team meeting following a game. An evening a week they would meet at the coaches house for an hour to go over game tapes. You might want to double check with your son about the time he actually is spending on hockey. My son dropped the travel legaue because the high school team took up so much time. He did a league after the season was over.</p>

<p>Hi Onestack,
He only plays high school hockey during the short spring league. He used to play both, but too many games were missed because of travel. I hope he plays in college, or I am sure gonna miss it...but he might not have time.</p>