Common Mistakes in Online Business – Degree Applications (and How to Fix Them)

Published on - May 4, 2025
By - Chiranjeev Jaiswal
Reading Time - 5 Minutes

Common mistakes in online business-degree applications include treating all programs alike, overlooking prerequisites, ignoring accreditation, submitting weak or late recommendations, underestimating the personal statement, neglecting online presence, poor time management, failing to highlight soft skills, using clichés, and skipping the final proofread.

The process of applying to get an online business degree could be like wading through an endless maze of forms as well as essays and deadlines. If you make a mistake, you may lose the perfect program. However, don’t be concerned you’ll find the top mistakes applicants make, with simple solutions to overcome them. We’ll get started!

1. Treating All Programs as "One and the Same"

Fault: Submitting a generic application that does not reflect the unique strengths of the school.

The reason it’s harmful: Admissions committees will be able to recognize an essay that is a copycat at a distance, and it can make you appear uninterested.

Tip: Do your homework about each program’s purpose or mission, the faculty’s expertise and the most notable projects (e.g. consultation clinics and laboratories for entrepreneurship).

Solution: Tailor your personal message to include a particular faculty member’s work you appreciate or highlight a distinctive program feature you’re looking to make use of. An example of this is:

“I’m particularly drawn to XYZ University’s Business Analytics Lab because I aim to deepen my data-driven marketing skills under Professor Jones’ guidance,”
quickly proves that you’ve researched.

2. Overlooking Prerequisites & Application Requirements

Error: Rushing to hit “submit” without triple-checking required documents (test scores and documents, transcripts and letters of recommendations).

What’s the Reason? The absence of any piece automatically invalidates the application of your choice, regardless of the high quality of your marks.

Tip: Create a custom checklist for each app.

Solution: Set interim deadlines for yourself. A week prior to the deadline date, make sure that all files are uploaded. two days prior to the deadline, check your receipts with the admissions department. Create a spreadsheet that has three columns for Document, Status (Not in Progress/Started/Submitted) and notes.

3. Ignoring Accreditation & Program Fit

Error: Choosing a program simply because it’s inexpensive or “sounds cool.”

The Reason it’s Harmful: Schools with no accreditation might not be able to transfer credits or a poorly-designed curriculum could cause you to be unprepared for the career you want to pursue.

Tip: Verify regional or nationally accredited through the database maintained by the Department of Education.

Solution: Map the curriculum in relation to your desired outcomes. If you’re looking to become a specialist in supply chain management, make sure that the school offers advanced classes in operations. Contact students on LinkedIn to inquire, “Did this program equip you for your first role in ____?”

4. Weak or Ill-Timed Letters of Recommendation

Fault: Asking for generic recommendations from those who don’t are familiar with your work, or staying up until the end of the day.

The Reason it’s Harmful: A lukewarm or quick reference won’t help your reputation; it could cause doubt regarding your professional credentials.

Tip: Choose recommenders who are aware of your strengths within an organizational context (internship managers, project managers or instructors).

Solution: Ask at least six to eight weeks in advance. Give them:

An outline of bullet points for your important accomplishments.
An outline of your personal declaration, in order that you can ensure that your comments are in line with the others.
An easy reminder 2 weeks in advance of the deadline.

5. Underestimating the Personal-Statement Power

Fault: Turning your essay into a recap of your resume or spilling out generic words of wisdom.

The Reason it’s Dangerous: Admissions-readers want authenticity and authenticity; they’ve witnessed “born leader” dozens of instances already.

Tip: Follow the “Show, Don’t Tell” rule.

Solution: Frame one signature tale. Instead of telling a story,

“I’m a natural leader,”
test:
“When sales in my company slowed by 30 percent in the first quarter of 2018, I led a pivot by conducting interviews with customers, reworking our pitch deck and helping the team go through three iterations of prototypes. In less than six weeks, I recovered 95% of our revenues that were lost.”

6. Neglecting Your Online Presence

Fault: Forgetting that admissions officers can Google you, and also judge your profiles on social networks.

The reason it’s harmful: Inappropriate posts, images that are not professional, or a bare LinkedIn profile can damage your reputation.

Tip: Audit your digital footprint.

Solution:

Google yourself–remove or de-privatize the content that isn’t flattering.
Polish your LinkedIn Update your LinkedIn profile’s title (“Aspiring MBA Candidate | Digital Marketing Enthusiast”) Add your professional photo, and ask for at least three LinkedIn recommendation.

7. Poor Time Management & Last-Minute Scramble

The mistake: Waiting until the week before the deadline to begin essays, collect transcripts, or film interviews.

What’s the reason? Stress can lead to unorganized essay writing, a lack of attachments and missing deadlines.

Tip: Build backward from the earliest date.

Solution: Use a calendar application (Google Calendar, Todoist) to set up:

Six weeks from now: Brainstorm essay topics.
5 weeks before Personal statement: Write a draft and any additional essays.
4 weeks from Review by peer and edit.
3 weeks before For transcripts, request transcripts and recommendations letters.
Two weeks away final polish and upload.
1 week before Verify that you have submitted and pay.

8. Forgetting to Highlight Relevant Soft Skills

Mistake: Focusing solely on GPAs as well as technical proficiency without focusing on the ability to communicate, be flexible, and collaboration.

What’s the problem? Business schools seek people who have a broad range of skills and are able to excel in collaborative settings.

Tip: Weave in examples of demonstrations using soft skills.

Solution: In each essay make sure to include at minimum one instance that exhibits an ability that is soft. In this case, for example:

“During our remote internship cohort, I facilitated weekly Zoom check-ins, resolved miscommunications between design and development teams, and maintained morale–ultimately helping us launch a pilot in just eight weeks.”

9. Relying on Cliches & Jargon

Fault: Filling your essays with buzzwords such as “synergy,” “thought leader,” or “out-of-the-box thinker.”

The reason it’s harmful:These terms are frequently used and don’t reveal any information about the person you

Tip: Keep language simple that is specific and intimate.

Solution: Replace jargon with precise information. For instance, instead the phrase “I’m a synergy-driven innovator,” consider describing the real end-product of the project:

“By co-designing a joint workshop between our marketing and finance teams, we identified cost-saving synergies that reduced our campaign budget by 12% while increasing lead quality.”

10. Skipping the Final Proofread

Fault: You are sending your application to us with mistakes in the formatting or links that are broken.

The reason it is harmful: Poor presentation indicates an absence of focus on the smallest details, which is a crucial aspect of the business world.

Tip: Employ a multi-pass proofreading strategy.

Solution:

Self-edit to ensure clarity and structure.
Make use of software such as Grammarly and Hemingway to detect grammar mistakes.
Listen out loud for a better understanding of awkward phrases.
You can ask a partner or teacher to conduct a last exam.

Final Thoughts

The business degree application you submit online will be more than just paperwork. It’s also your very first “pitch” to the admissions committee. Make sure you avoid these mistakes by making sure you plan ahead, personalizing each section and showing your accomplishments and soft-skills stories. If you do this, you’ll be an individual that no one will overlook. Have fun!