<p>Is it better to apply online or printout paper apps and send through the mail?</p>
<p>I'm joint-enrolled in a university. I applied online to get accepted, and the process was VERY easy and convenient.</p>
<p>I think it's better.</p>
<p>My S only applied on-line. Some schools have a different fee--lower (sometimes even free) if on-line & higher if a paper app. To us, that showed a clear preference by the school for on-line. The college counselor at the HS agreed that many schools do seem to show increasing preference for on-line (easier for them to share files among committee members, I believe). </p>
<p>IMPORTANT--whether you do on-line or via paper, be sure to print out & double/triple check your apps (even have someone else you trust look it over) BEFORE submitting. You'd be surprised how easily errors can crop up if you just blithely hit send.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My S only applied on-line. Some schools have a different fee--lower (sometimes even free) if on-line & higher if a paper app. To us, that showed a clear preference by the school for on-line.
[/quote]
OR, paying a fee for the paper app is just a cover up for bribe, which would increase your chances :P</p>
<p>By the actual admission process I think all apps end up in the same format, no matter how they got there, so it really shouldn't matter.</p>
<p>Like himom said, most colleges indicate their preference somewhere in the process of applying. In general, I think smaller schools prefer the paper application, either printed or handwritten, and bigger schools prefer online applications because they're easier/quicker to process. If it doesn't make a difference to you and there is no pref of the college, I definitely recommend online. The process is a lot easier, you don't have to worry about poor handwriting, and usually you can save your app's progress and come back a later time to fill out other info. And like previous posters said, some schools lower the app fee or it's completely free.</p>
<p>Better to apply online. It is very very easy and convenient and some schools lower the fee or free.</p>