<p>D sent an app to one school EA that she really likes. Turns out there was a typo in the essay. After proofing and pasting it, it appears that she leaned on the keyboard because there is a single, random letter within the essay. How big of a deal?</p>
<p>It happens every year. . .not a big deal. I think they’ll forgive her. Or not even notice.
Not sure if she’d want to call attention to it by resubmitting. Let it go.</p>
<p>The human brain “corrects” many typos when a person is reading for content (as opposed to an English teacher reading for grammar, etc.). That’s why we can read and reread college essays and not catch a typo. There’s an excellent chance that the reader won’t even notice it.</p>
<p>Don’t know if this will give you any ideas on how to handle it, but one of my students asked me to write her a letter of rec for P. I read and re-read and proofed until i was blue int he face, but in the process of making corrections, I cut out a word and didn’t catch it. Of course, after it went out, I caught it. I solved the situation by correcting the letter, and resending it, with a post-it attached with a hand written note that said I would never ever send a letter with such a typo to an institution as august as P, and would they please substitute the corrected letter for the one with the typo? Student is now a senior there and was accepted ED. Whew!!!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about this for a second. IMO, the kind of minor error you’re describing is not going to give a reader pause.</p>
<p>By the way, a single random letter, if noticed would obviously be seen as a typo. That’s much better than a typo that could be viewed as bad grammar or poor spelling.</p>
<p>No big deal unless the typo is something like, "My heart will be broken unless I am admitted to [insert name of college’s arch rival].</p>
<p>Admissions officers aren’t copy editors or proof readers. They also have to quickly read thousands of essays. Unless an essay is rife with typos or has the kind of typo I just described, the admissions officers won’t even notice and won’t count off for those things. Might even reassure them that the student-- not a paid professional – wrote the essay.</p>
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<p>That was my first thought. Don’t sweat it.</p>
<p>I have just two words: clam farts.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/470497-clam-fart-oh-my-god-what-did-i-do.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/470497-clam-fart-oh-my-god-what-did-i-do.html</a></p>
<p>OMG"!!! Thank you for the link, mantori. Hilarious.</p>
<p>zooser: Wouldn’t give it another thought. Clam farts … funniest thread ever, except maybe our very own meta thread, garland’s creation.</p>
<p>I’m still laughing with the clam farts story…tears coming down my cheeks…</p>
<p>For anyone who actually proofreads, read the app outloud. Be sure to read it as it’s written. Move your finger along the words as you read it, so you won’t subconsciously say what’s not there. I know sounds like you’re back in elementary school, but it makes a difference.</p>
<p>Yes, I thought the Meta-Thread was even better, and delightfully longer:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/501191-meta-thread-save-us-all-time.html?highlight=violadad[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/501191-meta-thread-save-us-all-time.html?highlight=violadad</a></p>
<p>p.s.: I think the Meta-thread should be permanently stickied in the parents cafe. I would also lock it. Wouldn’t want anyone to mess with perfection.</p>