<p>Ok. So my friend is freaking out because he sent his Common App essay to two colleges (Cornell & Hobart and William Smith), with one essay error - he misspelled lightning "lightening". Now not that "lightening" is not a real word, it's just not the synonym for thunder. </p>
<p>Thoughts about how much this could effect his application?</p>
<p>If that’s the worst slip in the essay . . . no effect at all. </p>
<p>A good copy editor could find spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation mistakes in virtually any college essay. The admissions offices are not reading them like an editor or writing teacher; they’re reading mainly to get a sense of the person, particularly because they’re well aware that lots of writers have recieved editing help from parents, counselors, and teachers. A small slip like wouldn’t even make a blip on the radar. Your friend can relax!</p>
<p>And who says the admissions officers can spell?</p>