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The
Common Application is, as the name implies, a uniform
application that is accepted at over 275 colleges across the country. Some of its benefits and drawbacks are
outlined below:
To Students
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To Admission Committees
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| + Only one essay |
+ Encourage more applicants to
apply |
| + Time savings |
+ Simplified process also leads
to more applicants |
| + Send more applications with
less effort |
- Less individuality among
applicants |
The
Common Application Versus the College's Own Application
Some
colleges and universities offer the option of using the common application or
the school's specific application. Officially, the schools do not have a
preference for their own form and essays over the common application. In fact,
the colleges must sign a form promising not to give preference to the applicants
who complete the school-specific application.
Unofficially,
there is indeed a slight bias towards the candidates who complete the
school-specific applications and answer the more customized essay questions. In
short, this applicant often appears to be more sincere about the college.
Our
Advice to You
Consider
these questions when you consider a college that accepts both the Common
Application and a school-specific application:
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Are
you a "stretch" at this school?
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Do
you really want to attend this school?
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Do
you have the time to spend on this school's application without jeopardizing
your other application deadlines?
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Are you
confident that you can do a better job presenting yourself in the
school-specific application than the Common Application?
If you
answered "yes" to all these questions, then use the college-specific
application over the Common Application.
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