Q: I have pretty much finished doing my Common Application and my essay. But I have left a lot of the supplements for the last minute, and the final deadline is January 1. Are these supplements really important? A lot of the questions are short. So, can I just rush through these – aren't they extra "busy work"? And what about sending Christmas cards to the admissions people – will that give me some extra points?

A: At some colleges, the supplements are even MORE important than the personal statement on the Common App. Unfortunately, many students see short questions as unimportant questions. Big mistake. When they ask, "What makes you think you are a good match for our college?" or "How did you learn about our school?" or "Why are you applying to _______ University?" they are looking to see if you actually know anything about their school! A vague answer will be a giveaway that the applicant doesn't know or does not really care.

Some colleges are trying to see if an applicant is using them as a safety school and is not sincerely interested. Or, they think that students may have had too much "help" in writing the college essay (this is often true and yes, they can tell). Because the supplement answers are short, the answers may more truly reflect the student's genuine feelings. Take the supplement questions seriously! Remember, college admissions officers are trying to figure out who really wants to go to their college and who is the best match for them!

And no, do not send holiday cards to admissions offices or to individual admissions reps you may have met. Admissions offices get a lot of cards at this time of year (often from high schools, other colleges, or from colleagues they know). You will just look like you are trying to butter them up (which you are). It may seem pushy to them.

Here's an idea: Instead of a holiday card, if you have met an admissions rep, either on the campus or at your high school, wait until about the third week of January, and then  send a hand-written note or an e-mail saying, in some fashion: "Happy new year! I wanted to let you know that I applied to ______ University. I enjoyed your presentation when you came to my school, and it made me want to attend." A message that might have gone unnoticed in the crush of holiday messages will more likely be noticed in January.

Now get to work on those supplements, and don't wait until the last moment of December 31 to hit the "submit" button!