Hi everyone, I recently did something really bad. I have already sent in 5 applications, which I used the Common App with, to Duke, Yale, Harvard, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Boston University. But the other day, I remembered that in the Common App essay, in the conclusion, I have a sentence that refers to Rice University!!!
I used the Rice App Essay on diversity for the Common App diversity essay question and I totally forgot to take out the word “Rice”! I only mentioned Rice once and it is in the middle of the conclusion… it states, “I bring this altered perspective to Rice–blah blah blah, etc.’”
Is this really bad? Will college admissions officers shrug it off and chuckle because it was on the Common App and they expect photocopies? Or is it a huge mistake and am I virtually rejected from these schools? I can’t believe I did this–I should have changed the wording! I totally didn’t notice. I would love for your comments on what I should do now. The applications were mailed about 1.5 weeks ago. =[
<p>I don't think there's anything you can do............. because once it's in, it's in.
Most uni's won't let you change your application but you should call and ask what their policie is on that....... good luck with everything.........</p>
<p>well, I thought the same thing. I used common app for four of my schools and I did use a school name in my essay. I was also wondering whether you could send the application separately, not all at once. Obviously you can't. I;m sure that colleges know that. I've looked everywhere on teh site and it doesn't say anything about how the scores are sent.</p>
<p>you can send them separately. after submitting an app, you can choose to 'copy' the application, edit it, and send it to other schools. the submit button will send your app to all the schools on your college list, so don't list them all at once-- you can alter the list for each specific edited application.</p>
<p>to the op: call the admissions offices on monday, say that you sent a personalized essay to one school and didn't understand how the common app website works with other colleges. ask them to destroy that copy of your app, then edit and re-send.</p>
<p>sestina, thanks for the tip, but one problem..
i mailed it by paper..
could i call them and say that i misplaced one school's essay into the other packet?</p>
<p>email/write them letters saying you sent the wrong application and ask them to void the application u sent. Also if you didnt pay yet they haven't looked at your app so you still have to time to write them letters.</p>
<p>Hey you can just call them/email them or send in a letter by mail along with the edited version of your essay. Ask them to replace the old one. Some ppl over at the princeton board did this. I don't think colleges will have a problem replacing your original essay with a corrected one.</p>
<p>At least it's better than sitting at home, worrying.</p>
<p>Yeah man, listen to some of the previous posters.</p>
<p>Your job now is to write a killer essay to replace the one about Rice. Don't just edit your old one and change the school's name.</p>
<p>After finishing the essay (~10 days), write an explanation to the admissions office explaining. If you submitted your app online, you can easily say that you were confused by the Common App submission website. If you submitted by paper, apologize and explain that you mixed up your applications. Don't make up elaborate stories; keep it short.</p>
<p>In the same envelope, enclose the letter and your complete Common App with the new essay.</p>
<p>I'm partially sympathetic because it was a careless error. If you claimed that Rice was your first choice and would never go anywhere else, this could hurt your application. If you didn't indicate any preference or offer any praise for Rice, then the damage will be minor.</p>
<p>Sabnetwork has laid out a very good plan. I think it's right on target. Believe it or not, you are not the first person to do this. Every year here on CC we have several people report a similar mistake - I bet that's just the tip of the iceberg. At least you realized the mistake before it was too late to do anything about it. Follow Sabnetwork's advice and then let it all go. BEST OF LUCK!!!</p>
<p>Here's another possible solution...my son made a similar mistake in an essay. He'd applied to two schools that started with the same letter - and he mixed up the names in an essay. When he realized his misake, he mailed the corrected essay to the school with a funny poem confessing his error. In return, he got a hand-written note from the admissions office telling him that they got a good laugh out of the poem and not to worry. He was accepted.</p>