<p>Ok, so I am applying to three schools EA, ND being my top choice of course. Initially I had personalized my common app essay for each of the three schools, but then I realized that if I uploaded one with a specific college name, I wouldn't be able to change the names for the other schools. So I was in the process of submitting an app to one of my schools, and I accidently uploaded a personalized essay because the names are almost identical, and submitted my app. (Thank God the personalized essay was to the school I was sending the app to). So, I emailed the common app support people and they said I was not able to change the essay for the other schools, most importantly being ND. I tried to start all over creating a new account and it won't let me. So, I am forced to have to print a hard copy of the common app and an essay with ND in it. I know that admissions counselors say that they don't treat online or hard copy apps differently, but I know how much ND dreads paper copies. It must say at least 20 times on their website that they strongly encourage online apps. </p>
<p>So....am I screwed or will they understand and it won't make a difference?</p>
<p>Needless to say I'm pretty damn stressed. Please help my piece of mind in telling me that I am paranoid because to be honest, this is killing me.</p>
<p>They don't decide who to accept or reject based on if their application is on paper or on the computer, don't worry. I doubt they will even consider it. Granted, I applied 6 years ago (man I am old) but I applied on paper back in the day. Even though I was a computer guy I just wanted my apps on paper, plus then I could put holy water on them. Yeah, I am a strange kid.</p>
<p>oh, so they don't let you change your essay at all once you've submitted it off to only one school (even if you have other schools that are common app)?</p>
<p>My daughter wanted to change one of her essays and found out the same thing. What she did was remove the school from her list and then recreate it. She did not start a new account but just recreated that schools application. She had to fill everything in again but it allowed her to put the more specific essay in for that school.</p>
<p>Whoa that's good to know. I have no idea on your situation, but thanks for the tip. I haven't yet submitted my apps and was not aware that the essay cannot be changed.</p>
<p>I don't think it will really be that big of a deal in the end. I'm willing to bet the biggest problem they have with paper copies is having to interpret handwriting, so write neatly and I highly doubt it will affect your application in any way.</p>
<p>I can explain why they want you to apply online. The reason is basically extra work! When we get handwritten applications, we are the ones who have to put into the computer system. Of course there is always a possibility that a typo could occur but they usually do not. Just know that the people who read your application, and make the decision, do not know who did it online or who sent it in by hand. So overall you are not screwed and should not be worried about it.</p>
<p>"Just an update, I got the problem resolved thanks from the help of the people at the common app. If you want to create multiple versions of you app, go to <a href="https://app.commonapp.org/Applicatio...allowcopy=true%5B/url%5D">https://app.commonapp.org/Applicatio...allowcopy=true</a>, login, and you can select replicate application. This allows you to have up to 10 versions of your application in which you can personalize essays/information. However, you can only do this AFTER you have already submitted at least one application."</p>
<p>I wish somebody had told me this three years ago; I applied early to BC on the common app website (ND had its own app at the time) and realized I couldn't re-access my account to send off RD applications once BC was submitted. I ended up mailing/faxing them and they all rejected/waitlisted me, hahaha not like it even matters anymore. </p>