<p>Okay, so I had accidentally made a typo on my columbia ED application typing a sentence in my 300-character (yes 300 CHARACTER) "most important extra-curricular" section. My sentence was written something like "These obligations have taught me to prioritize the needs of others my own."</p>
<p>Of course, I had omitted the word "over" between "others" and "my own."</p>
<p>The bad part is that I contacted the local admissions director about the problem, simply asking how detrimental it would be/how much Columbia frowns upon typos. Alas, he replied saying that he attached a note to my application pointing out the typo! I know he meant great intentions, but will this hurt or help my app.?</p>
<p>No I don’t think this will hurt your application much. Let me give you an analogy:</p>
<p>Imagine your application is like the sea. Calm and blue and pure. Imagine your typo is an ink blot, which can change the color of water. Drop this ink blot into the sea. What happens? Nothing. Too many people have similar situations to yours, with regards to typos and things and still end up in their dream schools. Stop worrying.</p>
<p>A few typos means nothing. A lot would be a different issue and putting “Yale” as your top choice in your essay to Harvard when you meant to say Harvard is probably deadly.</p>
<p>Yes, I also hear of Ivy League adcom reader who just stop reading the app if there are glaring spell checkers. There are tons of other applicants who want in and made the time to check everything, why would the adcoms waste their time on an app that has errors?</p>
<p>I doubt it. If the guy you called was nice enough to put a note on it, then its fine. I mean after all, you did review your application and even notify them so i think your fine.</p>