I had one error in the first sentence of my common app essay: I said “a arduous day” instead of “an arduous day.” Do you guys think that this error would turn off a lot of colleges I’m applying to (Ivies, Rice, Northwestern) and cause them to not admit me? The rest of my essay is grammatically correct.
Most likely not. Adcoms are expecting students to make some mistakes in their applications. If it really bothers you, email admissions and they can hopefully change that for you.
Considering that an ivy admissions officer didn’t reject an applicant who claimed that a course in “orgasmic biology” was the best experience she’d ever had (she meant organismal or something similar, I believe), I don’t think the above mistake would change your decision.
btw, the applicant in the story was rejected, but not for her typo, according to the adoff.
I don’t think it’ll break your application, but it definitely will not leave a good first impression. Hopefully the rest of your application is solid.
Bumping this thread because I’d also like feedback on this answer. My personal OP is yeah awkward impression, but what can you do? Besides email and clarify, but it’s kind of obvious they know what you meant.
Already submitted most of my apps, but then realized I put down random stuff like “AP Physics B” even though they changed the name, and “AP computer science” instead of “AP Compsci A”. Abbreviations not found in app, it’s just for brevity obviously. It’s clear what I meant, but not factually accurate. Ergh.
I got into Northwestern ED and after I got in, I realized there was a mistake in my supplement essay. The fact that yours is the first sentence might make a bad first impression though…
Indeed, it will not change your admissions decision.
Here’s an excerpt from my supplement for UChicago:
“I also want a collaborative atmosphere, where students supporting each other in coursework and projects.”
I was admitted, despite this awkward error. If it happens once or twice, clearly it’s fine, as everyone makes mistakes, even with editing and proofreading. However, many times is a problem.
What about errors like:meet and converse people instead of meet and converse with people. or writing a word twice in a row on accident?
Such errors would be comparable to the ones discussed, with similar impact.
Basically, not a deal breaker. Adcoms don’t admit/reject for those petty mistakes, as long as they are scarce.