<p>Okay, so this isn't necessarily the most profound question on the Board, but sometimes it's nice to get away from philosophy and policy (and I happen to know just how many angels you can fit on the head of a pin), roll your sleeves up, and talk mechanics.</p>
<p>Q: The hard-copy APP itself (assuming a student is not using the online version) ... not the essay(s), but the hard-copy APP itself ... type or hand-printed?</p>
<p>Some (including most books) say that the apps should ALWAYS be typed -- it's expected; it's easier to read; it looks more professional (in a good way).</p>
<p>Others (including some books) say that IF a student has neat, legible printing, the app should be hand-printed -- shows personality; stands-out from the crowd; connotes a serious, personal undertaking without any stigma of "mass-mailing."</p>
<p>I'd be curious to hear what your children have done or what your local college counselors have advised. My D has very legible, but ultimately just really "cool" left-handed printing -- I thought this might make her app more fun and enjoyable to read, unless hand-printing is inherently a faux pax.</p>
<p>Print out an application, have her fill it out, take to a teacher or another adult who would have a knowledgeable opinion - maybe you know the manager or HR at a local store? - ask THEM if it is legible.</p>
<p>My fairly intelligent daughter, who was eventually admitted to a good school, didn't see any problem with filling out the pre-apps in her not-so-legible handwriting, and when she made a mistake, she just scratched through it! Her idea of an acceptable result and mine were not at all the same!</p>
<p>Will it matter? Who knows? I would guess that at some schools they have a clerical person input the data and produce their own standard printout for the file - the original may be in the folder, but maybe the adcom doesn't read it. Big state schools could care less. But some small LAC might have an ex-English tracher looking at it.</p>
<p>Later on this summer, there will be discussion of different computer programs that can convert a downloaded form into "an object" so that oyou can fill in the blanks on your PC and then print-out the completed form. That's what we did for all but her ED school - that was the crooked printed form, ahh, she was admitted, guess it doesn't matter!</p>
<p>Since nearly all apps are downloadable in .pdf format, we purchased a $10 .pdf editor so S could fill out his apps. If the .pdf app is formatted as a form, it activates the entry fields. If not, alignment tabs and reference lines are activated. Much neater and you have the finished app saved as a .pdf file for reference. The typewriter is stuffed in the corner with the slide rule.</p>
<p>After a protracted argument with los parentes, I hand-wrote my (successful) application. My handwriting is legible, and I didn't want to fool around with a typewriter. </p>
<p>Another point, brought up by an infinitely wise friend: The handwriting on your application, as long as it can be read, is simply not going to be the determining factor when they make the decision.</p>
<p>I submitted most of my apps online. Elon required the commonapp to be submitted by mail, though, and I didn't trust the Internet for my first choice (DePauw). For both of those, I used a typewriter. My school's CC office had typewriters available just for that purpose.</p>
<p>Regardless of how good your handwriting is (mine isn't, so typing was an obvious choice) typewritten apps just look more professional.</p>
<p>Learning to use a typewriter wasn't that bad. It's worth it. </p>
<p>If my dad and I can't agree on one of the two laptops school is requiring students to purchase, I may wind up with a typewriter.</p>
<p>In "A is for Admissions" Michelle Hernandez recommends that the applications be handwritten NEATLY except for the essays which should be typed. She feels that this signals the adcom that you care enough about the individual app as it applies to that particular college.</p>
<p>Echosensei is correct. In "A is for Admission," Michele Hernandez does recommend that applications be handwritten because it shows that you care. In addition, even if you scratch out or white out something, she states that that is fine because it shows that you are a "person."</p>
<p>If I could do it all over again, I would still have typed my application (using a PDF editor). </p>
<p>Why? Plenty of reasons.. I think that computer-generated applications make for more refined applications. For example, I'd imagine that you'd be hesitant to make a minor wording-change if it meant re-writting your whole paper; edits on the computer are much, much easier. Also, because small font is much more legible than small writing, you can fit more in the spaces (esp. the cramped EC-chart).</p>
<p>You can still "stand out" by using a slightly unique font, if that's what you're worried about (I used Garamond Bolded, personally).</p>
<p>Now, if you're not technically apt, let me point out that you can be just as sucessful by handwriting your apps (Michelle even recommends it in her book). It's a personal decision...</p>
<p>Wow, how did y'all get these wonderful suggestions past your GCs? D's GC required that an electronically created application be printed out and handed over to the school, which then appended transcripts and recommendations. The school then forwarded the assemblage to individual colleges.</p>
<p>I can't say for sure, but D was waitlisted at two colleges she should have been accepted at. I wonder if the "sterile" format contributed to this. Left to my own devices, I'd have recommended a NEATLY handwritten app. But that's just me. Good luck to you all.</p>
<p>My answer is slightly different than the above ones. Here is what my kids both did: </p>
<p>They did the individual apps for each college by the way...we're talking many apps, many essays, etc. </p>
<p>They hand wrote the little blanks of basic information...name, address, parents, test scores, the data stuff basically. When there were lists required such as awards, summer jobs, senior classes taken, they typed those answers on a word processer and cut them out and glue sticked them in place on the application....and actually could fit more in this way and it was neater. For the "charts" like activity charts and such, they typed these on a word processor following the format that was asked for (though they could resize various parts to make it work for them and be neater) and again printed it out and glue sticked it into the space provided (first had to measure how big to make the chart so it would fit on). They typed up all the short answer one paragraph type questions and again, glued those on. They typed all the essays and stapled those to the applications (many apps say you can attach the essays). They also included typed activity resumes and cover letters along with the applications. They did not file apps online. </p>
<p>So, my short answer is....they handwrote some stuff, typed the rest and glued it on, and attached longer typed pieces. </p>
<p>From what I observed this past year, with my son (who applied exclusively online) and from friends' kids (some who hand wrote and some who filed online), it didn't matter at all. We know two qualified legacy boys who applied to Harvard EA. One submitted an online application, one handwrote his. Both got in. </p>
<p>At some information sessions, the adcoms encourage online applications. I know that some books say otherwise, but with the rising number of applications each year, I think schools welcome online applications. </p>
<p>My son found that appying online was easy. Data can be saved, easily edited and printed out before being submitted.</p>
<p>we found it helpful to buy an inexpensive typewriter (about $80 or so) at Staples (and an extra couple of ribbons!). We found out afterward that WalMart carries them too.
It was good for the apps that were not easily completed online (pdf), and worked out very will for the top parts of the teacher and counselor recommendations.</p>
<p>Our colelge and career center at school has an IBM typewriter available for students to use in their application process, so I guess they think it's better to type it.</p>
<p>I downloaded a PDF file for my ED and simply added text for the blanks. I printed out essays and longer answers (like my book list) seperately and attached them. Shorter answers I typed up in Word and copied/pasted them into the application form. </p>
<p>I have decently neat handwriting, but I thought it would be more legible typed. I thought it would do the person reading my app or entering the data a favor (read: brownie points) and would actually show more consideration and effort, since it actually took longer than simply writing the answers. Also, I absolutely refuse to hand-write essays. I did PDF because I had no desire to fool with a typewriter. </p>
<p>I was accepted, but why is a different matter...</p>