Top 10 College Application Mistakes

Harvard received 35,000 applications for its 2011 entering class and accepted a mere 6.4 percent of hopefuls. Columbia University received 32 percent more applications this year and showed 15 of every 16 applicants the door.

Not all universities are as selective as these Ivy League schools, but the message is clear: College admissions are more competitive than ever. Your application is an opportunity to showcase your talent and hard work. Take care to avoid these 10 mistakes, and you may improve your college admissions outcomes.