If you haven’t already, we encourage you to get going (or continue working) on your college application essays! 

Your essays provide an opportunity to distinguish yourself as an applicant beyond the numbers (SAT/ACT scores, GPA etc.) and put a personal stamp on your applications. They allow you to share something about yourself that colleges otherwise wouldn’t know; but, writing an impeccable college essay is a process that requires a lot of time, preparation, and effort, and a task far too important to put off.

If you’re just starting the process be sure to check out College Essay Organizer (CEO) - a one-stop source for college essays. CEO’s online essay database instantly provides all the essay questions for any selected colleges and delivers a personalized essay writing plan so you can work smarter and more efficiently.  If you choose to upgrade to the premium service, enter the promo code “alist777″. You’ll save 15% and pay just $41 (less than the cost of submitting one application). Either way, the free service will make the essay process much easier and more successful.

Whatever stage of the game you are at, also consider that  A-List has expert essay editors available to help you through the college essay writing process from start to finish. Please call the A-List office at 646-216-9187 with questions about college admissions or to get started with an essay editor. Good luck with your essays and applications!

You’ll be shocked by how many college essays you have to write but College Essay Organizer will save you hours of stress and ensure you don’t overlook any of your questions (including many not found on the Common App, believe it or not). It instantly lists all your essay questions in one place and shows how they overlap so you can write the fewest essays possible. Click here to create your FREE College Essay Organizer account now.

Alan Gelb, author of “Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps,” delivers tips on how to keep a college essay within bounds in The Choice’s recent article, “Advice on Whittling Your Admissions Essay.”

As most college admissions essays require that students don’t exceed 500 words, college essay expert, Gelb reveals that it is essential to stick to the crux of your story and the message you’re trying to convey. Excess verbiage typically doesn’t lead to a better essay. We encourage you to check out his article for good suggestions on keeping the word count down.

The college essay is an essential component of any college application. While this doesn’t necessarily mean it holds the same level of importance as your GPA or SAT/ACT scores, it can help distinguish you as a candidate for admission to a college. In an applicant pool filled with students falling in the same score range, it may be your essay that sets your application apart.

Check out some videos below of A-List Education’s President, Scott Farber, discussing the essay’s significance and offering his advice on writing a standout college essay. And don’t forget to give College Essay Organizer (CEO) a try for a simple way of finding all your college essay requirements, and writing the least number of essays for all your colleges; watch the intro to CEO video below to learn more!

The Founding of College Essay Organizer:

The Founding of College Essay Organizer from College Essay Organizer on Vimeo.

How Important is the College Essay?

How Important Are Your College Essays? from College Essay Organizer on Vimeo.

How to Get Started on Your College Essays:

How Do You Get Started On Your College Essay? from College Essay Organizer on Vimeo.

Common College Essay Mistakes (& How to Avoid Them):

Common Essay Mistakes from College Essay Organizer on Vimeo.

What to Write When College Ask Why You’re Applying:

What To Write When Colleges Ask Why You’re Applying from College Essay Organizer on Vimeo.

How do You Know When Each Essay is Done?

How Do You Know When Each Essay Is Done? from College Essay Organizer on Vimeo.

Hi A-Listers, you can save a lot of time during the college admissions process by using the Common App. Check out this article to see what colleges recently started using the Common Application!

Steinberg, Jacques. “Columbia, Michigan and Connecticut Among 25 Colleges to Add Common Application.”  The New York Times: The Choice. March 23, 2010.

*Be sure to check out the interactive application to see how admissions counselors evaluate each section!

McDermott, Ann. “How One College Evaluates a Transcript” The New York Times. November 30, 2009.

“How One College Evaluates a Transcript”