– Keep the audience in mind when writing your essay
– Realize the reader will probably spend 1 minute on your essay so get their attention early
– Make sure the reader learns something about you that he or she would not learn from your application
– Tell a story, don’t write a resume
– Try to “connect” to the reader

Excerpts from Collegeweeklive “Conquering the College Essay” session by Alan Gelb

For assistance in the college search and selection process, contact the College
Resource Center at www.crccolumbusga.com or 706-366-2993.

Believe it or not the rejection letter can be a positive. We have found that most students that are rejected reflect back as they are happily situated somewhere else in college and realize that there was a reason that they did not end up at the school that rejected them. As a parent try to be supportive and listen and remind them that there is a college for your child where they will thrive. A good website to help with coping with rejection is: www.collegerejection.com.

College Resource Center tries to help students craft a list so that they will have a backup plan in the case of rejection from their first choice. For assistance in the college search and selection process, contact the College Resource Center at www.crccolumbusga.com or call 706-366-2993.

If you feel rushed into making a college choice decision, be aware of the following:

“Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you the extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid.”

“Candidates admitted under Early Decision programs are a recognized exception to the May 1 deadline.”

It is important to note that May 1 is regarded as the “Candidate’s Reply Date”—the date by which admitted applicants must make their final college choices. That date was established years ago to allow students a reasonable amount of time to consider their college options and to give colleges a date by which they could begin the registration process (course selections and housing) for the coming year. If you are not an Early Decision candidate, then, you should be afforded time to process admission decisions and financial aid awards that you receive from various colleges and universities.

For assistance with the college search and selection process, contact the College Resource Center at www.crccolumbusga.com or 706-366-2993.