Stomach in knots and palms sweaty, you let the large manila envelope slip from your fingers. Your application has been mailed and the suspense mounts.

While you know what to do if you get an acceptance letter (start packing!), what happens if your application is denied? With the right attitude and attack plan, you can use feelings of rejection or uncertainty to your advantage.

Handling Rejection

So the first letter said your application was declined. Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world. Naturally, the most common reaction to this kind of news is disappointment, anger and frustration. But don’t give in to those emotions. Instead, use the opportunity to examine your application process more closely:

• Review: Look over your application for spelling, punctuation and any other grammatical errors.
• Get a second opinion: Ask a teacher, counselor or friend to read your application to be certain you are communicating the appropriate attitude and enthusiasm for the school.
• Shift perspectives: Try experimenting with another viewpoint from which you can direct your letter the next time you apply.
• Be positive: Develop the attitude that your acceptance simply wasn’t meant to be . at this time, anyway. Then, use the experience as a motivational tool for you to work that much harder, focusing even more on GPA, extracurricular activities and school involvement. If it’s an option, apply again.

The reasons why you might not be accepted are countless and, in many cases, are entirely out of your control. Some common explanations include limits on class-size and out-of-state students or “inaccurate forecasting,” where the school underestimates the number of admitted students who will actually attend classes.

No matter what the reasoning might be, remember that a letter of rejection is not a rejection of you. The letter is a tool for you to use in reviewing, reevaluating and improving your application.

The college-application process can be an excellent opportunity for you to really get to know more about yourself. Seize each and every opportunity to become better and know that whichever school that welcomes you - with hard work and motivation - you can make it the best four years of your life.

An admissions essay can be a challenging and intimidating piece to the college application puzzle. Usually no more than five paragraphs long, it’s what gives your application a personality. A well-written essay can boost an otherwise unremarkable submission, yet, even the most accomplished writers sometimes struggle with selecting as essay topic or developing a piece that stands out from the rest.

So what do you write about? How do you make your essay memorable?

Sister Mary Brian Bole, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Dallas, says that “the admissions essay can make or break the application. A poor essay, even in the face of good standardized scores, indicates anything from lack of skills to a lack of sufficient work ethic, thus making the applicant a poor risk”.

Some simple guidelines can help you avoid common mistakes students make in their essays and create an outstanding essay:

• Choose a challenging topic. While passion and interesting subject matter are important, a mere personal biography is dull and too frequent. Select a topic that is complex and academic but demonstrates your unique perspective.
• Follow formal essay format. Admissions reps are looking for a persuasive, academic essay. Have a clear, identifiable topic sentence in your opening paragraph and write two to three paragraphs using clear evidence that supports this topic, followed by a conclusion that summarizes your main point. This is the standard that will be used for most college papers; it will help to show you can write in this style.
• Spell check and proofread. An essay filled with spelling errors, incorrect capitalization and poor punctuation will likely be eliminated. More than one or two errors can cause an application to be rejected, so review it carefully.
• Answer the question posed to you. No matter what topic you select, make sure it relates to the question asked. To keep the essay focused and organized, avoid making your subject too broad. Even the most intriguing essay will likely be discarded if the directions are ignored or the theme is unclear. Not responding to or misunderstanding the question are two common errors students commit.
• Be cautious of tone and style. Though you don’t want to sound too stuffy, a more formal tone is preferable to a conversational one. Remember that this essay is for a college application and should show your ability to fit into a scholastic environment. Slang and overly casual writing will not give this impression.
• Avoid the negative. It is fine to write about overcoming personal obstacles, but avoid selling yourself short by highlighting negative aspects of your past. It may sound obvious, but subjects like drug and alcohol abuse or criminal behavior will not paint you in the best possible light. Remember, this essay is intended to give you an advantage over others, not to make yourself appear undesirable.
• Stay away from emotion. If you choose a controversial topic, treat it with evidence and logic, not emotional pleas. Steer clear from wording on religious and political subjects that might be hurtful or sentimental. Insults or negative slurs should always be avoided. Political topics are appropriate only when treated with reason.

Once you have considered these guidelines, take your time writing the essay. Brainstorm multiple ideas and then form your own personal review committee. Ask a respected English teacher to listen to your potential topics and help you decide which will work best for you.

Standing Out in the Crowd: References that Set Your College
Application Apart

With more than 20,000 applications flooding some major universities
annually, it may take a little something extra for your submission to
stand out in the stack.

One key in ensuring that an admissions team sees your positive attributes
is to choose good references. Typically, colleges require the
following information with each application:

• A listing of your academic capabilities (reflected in your grades)

•
A personal essay

•
Two or more letters of recommendation

While your academic achievements and personal essay are aspects you
can "control," you
may feel at the mercy of your references in terms of what they say about
you in the letters they write. These letters are, after all, extremely
significant in terms of providing a third-person perspective on who
you are as an individual. And their extra touch personalizes your application
for admissions officers, adding a human element to the words
on a piece of paper.

But you have more control over the words that go into your letters of
recommendation than you probably realize. That’s because you choose
who will write those letters. Choosing who writes them can make all the
difference in the world.

Who you choose: BE PICKY!

In selecting someone to write your recommendation, you should consider
a number of elements. To help you remember what each of these elements
are, use the acronym BE PICKY and you’ll choose only the best,
most suitable letter writers:

Break down a list of people whom you know well, and who know you well,
also. Consider:
•
Coaches
•
Teachers
•
Employers
•
Musical Directors

Eliminate those who would not be able to state anything specific about
your positive traits.

Prepare
and ask! Make sure you have all the required forms your recommender
may need, including a stamped, self-addressed envelope for each school
for which you are requesting a letter. Remember, these individuals are
doing you a favor! Be as organized and helpful as possible.

Initiate a time to meet with the referrer to explain what you need from
him or her. Simply leaving the request in a mailbox or on a desk or sending
an e-mail message allows opportunities for your request to get misplaced.

Check in occasionally. It is your responsibility to be sure all deadlines
are met. Plus, the person writing your letter may also be writing recommendations
for others with different deadlines for each letter. A friendly reminder
not only keeps you on track, but keeps your recommender on track too.

Kindness is owed! Be sure to show your appreciation for the referrer for taking the time to help you. Remember, this is a favor he or she
is doing for you.

You are on your way! With
solid recommendations from the people who know you best - those who can
offer specific examples in clear,
concise letters - you are on your way to becoming a student at
the college of your dreams!