<p>Thanks you two. I know it’s a neurotic concern. That’s what this thread is for. On a lot of “advice” websites for college applications and writing personal statements, they always say stuff like “Follow the directions!..Answer their question.” At first I always shoved that idea to the back of my mind because I thought my statement was good. But now I’m starting to second guess my decision. </p>
<p>So I guess the better question is what do these websites mean when they say “follow the instructions?” </p>
<p>An example: One school says “First, discuss your experience. Then in a separate section explain your goals. Clearly label each section.” Ok, fair enough. That’s a format direction that’s easy to follow. </p>
<p>But for instructions that just list a bunch of questions (which is most schools), what is the right thing to do?..</p>
<p>Just make sure you cover those areas in some way or another. Don’t make labeled sections unless the (strange) directions tell you to do that.</p>
<p>Semi off topic: One school has a format for the CV posted. For the most part, it’s the material any CV would have. But the style and organization of it are kind of awful. So I emailed and asked if this is a guideline CV and if we’re fine just making sure we cover all the same material, or if we should strictly follow the format, basically downloading their template and filling it in.</p>
<p>The response was, “This is format that the Admissions Committee wants all applicants to strictly adhere, to.”</p>
<p>^Not off topic. I think formatting cues or school templates are different than content cues, based on what you’ve all said. Additionally, I have the feeling they *have *to give that response (sounds pretty impersonal), otherwise their system breaks down. </p>
<p>Well I didn’t think it would be possible but I’m actually delivering good news in this thread: </p>
<p>I called the university that I botched the essay badly on, and she immediately un-submitted my application to let me make any changes and upload my Statement of Purpose again. She didn’t even give me a hard time about it and I didn’t have to explain a thing. </p>
<p>Well I literally just re-submitted my application and I feel like a new man. Could this finally be the golden application? I really hope so…I’m not going to check. LOL. </p>
<p>Yay for second chances! Good luck everybody.</p>
I think formatting cues or school templates are different than content cues, based on what you’ve all said. Additionally, I have the feeling they *have *to give that response (sounds pretty impersonal), otherwise their system breaks down. </p>
Good luck everybody.</p>