Poor time management

• Focusing on only one thing at a time
• Trying to finish studying for one test before beginning to study for another test
• Assuming that tests must be completed before essays and/or personal statements can be developed
• Applying in an inappropriate application round for one’s circumstances
• Rushing to finish all essays and/or personal statements before preparing for interviews

Applying Eastern admission criteria to a Western academic environment

• Possessing a "test score mentality"
• Neglecting other crucial activities while trying to earn high test scores
• Overestimating the importance of test scores
• Underestimating the importance of essays and/or personal statements, applications, and interviews

Failing to develop a balanced graduate school application portfolio

• Selecting target schools by rank, rather than by "best fit" characteristics
• Making unrealistic assumptions concerning the level of competition
• Applying to the wrong schools in the wrong application rounds
• Not developing a balanced graduate school application portfolio
• Assuming that applying to a few top schools guarantees success

Attempting to take risky, and often lethal, "short-cuts"

• Trying to copy-and-paste old essays and/or personal statements to fit new schools
• Copying past essays and/or personal statements of colleagues or former applicants
• Failing to carefully research the unique aspects of each school
• Copying information from brochures and web sites into essays and/or personal statements

Making a poor impression at graduate school information sessions

• Dressing inappropriately
• Trying to distribute résumés to university representatives
• Asking questions that can be answered by reading brochures and web sites
• Inquiring about financial aid for international students
• Apologizing for limited English ability

Interviewing without adequate preparation

• Leaving interview preparation activities until the last minute
• Falsely assuming that English ability = interviewing proficiency
• Failing to undertake specialized training for different types of interviews
• Memorizing answers word-for-word
• Asking unimpressive and/or stereotypical questions

Disastrous on-campus visits

• Visiting several schools when one should be studying for tests
• Making a poor impression on students, faculty, and admissions staff
• Failing to research the unique aspects of each school
• Neglecting to interact with current domestic students
• Asking inappropriate questions