<p>If a college offers the opportunity to apply via both the common app or the college's specific application, is there a preferable option? Are there advantages to choosing one over the other?</p>
<p>At one time, this was a question that warranted a “which school are we talking about?” response…</p>
<p>Now, common app is fine for almost all (if not all) schools…</p>
<p>Is there a particular one you have a question about? PM me with any questions you don’t want to post…</p>
<p>Thanks Rodney. We were actually just wondering generally. She has a list of about ten schools and none of them are HCYP types. I wondered if it is ever preferred by a school or shows more interest, to do one via their website vs a common app.</p>
<p>Not that I am aware of anymore; I will PM you though about an interesting conundrum…not sure if the school in question is on your list…</p>
<p>If she has several that take the Common App - then I would use it. But if it is only one or two - I might be inclined to use the college’s own application. We had quite a problem with Towson last year - they accepted the Common App - but it really didn’t work well as it did not tie in with their overall system. Students who used the Towson application immediately rcvd an ID number, were able to check their status online, and so forth - while those who used the Common App were in limbo. Just offering that experience as an example of why yu might want to use the college’s own application. But if she has many colleges that take the Common App - I would use it.</p>
<p>At every presentation I’ve been to, admissions reps say it does not matter. Just make sure to complete any supplement a school might have to the common app.</p>
<p>If admission reps say ok then do it. Both my kids used it for multiple schools and it saved time and was very effecient. Of course some schools did have supplements. It worked well to track stuff</p>
<p>How do the students know if the colleges/uni’s have their own app? Even if they also have the common app? Is it indicated somewhere? Or does one need to do the work and go to each colleges website to check?</p>
<p>^ your senior definitely has to spend time on every school website to learn requirements, deadlines, tips, whether they take the Common App or require you use theirs, etc. The Common App simply provides a handy online data gathering (from applicant) and delivery service (to participating colleges).</p>
<p>Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk</p>
<p>The common ap site has the list of all the common app schools. I tend to think you would need to check at the school’s website to see if they also have their own but you don’t need to think about that until you are down to your final list.</p>
<p>The one point I did want to make is that one school my son applied to via the common ap only allowed 2 teacher recs to be uploaded. He had a third rec he also wanted to send so I called the school and when students use their own app, they can send up to 4. They told us to snail mail the additional rec. So that maybe something to consider even if you use the common ap.</p>
<p>Look on school’s admission website for something similar to “Apply now” or “how to apply” If there is more than one way to apply, it should show your choices.</p>
<p>This is new to me. I didn’t realize some schools accept one or the other.</p>
<p>Thanks! I did notice that some schools have app info on their sites… but I thought it was what is also found on the common app site as well…thanks for clarifying…</p>
<p>and sorry to jack the thread.</p>