I have seen many people do their apps online. Is the online application different from the paper one? Is it better use the paper one instead of online? I want to show as much as I can about myself to the colleges so should I use an online application or paper? Does that even matter?
<p>I dont know the facts but I think using paper is better.</p>
<p>i think it's easier for them if you do an online application... it reduces paperwork, them trying to read your writing. there's also less possibility of a mistake when they input the info or misread something. you can always apply on line and send extra stuff if need be in the mail.</p>
<p>apply online but e-mail and ask them for a paper copy so that you will know what the pieces of the application are. My daughter applied to U of Rochester online but if you didn't look at the paper copy, you wouldn't know that 12/1 was the deadline for the big merit scholarships. Most likely only the ED applicants were considered for these awards. I didn't see 12/1 on the electronic application.</p>
<p>I'd use a paper version for preliminary purposes and reference. Then submit everything online. That way you are sure that it is received and that nothing is missing or incorrect due to simple mistakes. Drop down boxes are a lot better than searching codes and such. They should be the same for both. Also if they wanted additional info, it would be requested.</p>
<p>does it lower your chances? psychologically, seems paper is more official and taken more seriously. who knows. i mean, surely the online apps are not in the same pile as paper apps, i would imagine they would be seperate =</p>
<p>I actually can't see any reason for someone to not apply online.</p>
<p>Many schools take paper apps and scan them into their online system before review. This is why some offer a reduced fee or no fee for online apps. If the school offers an online app, apply online. You can always submit additional paper materials but do the app online.</p>
<p>Or, your information is input into a computer where it all comes out to be the same summary sheet anyway.</p>
<p>Definitely apply online... First sign up at commonapp.org, and check off all of the schools there you're applying to. Then check out the other schools' websites to see if they have their own applications.
This can save you money, since schools like Case, Rochester, and Grinnell waive your fee. It also saves you mailing time and the risk that things get lost. With a single click, you know you've sent everything you need besides GCreport/transcript/recommendations. (These are your GC's responsibility). The commonapp site also includes all the supplements you need so it's great.</p>
<p>However some schools have much better custom applications than the commonapp. I had enough time to fill out Carleton's personal application instead of the commonapp. It let me express myself MUCH better.</p>
<p>So I did Common App online, and sent them to all eight of my schools at the same time-- no tons of paper or envelopes or stamps or addressing etc. It was awesome. You can do supplements online too. </p>
<p>Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, Randolph-Macon Woman's and Agnes Scott (all excellent women's colleges, by the way) waived the application fee JUST because I applied online. So I saved at least $130 by applying online. It was also just much less of a hassle.</p>
<p>All the eight common apps I did online were liberal arts colleges, if that makes any difference.</p>
<p>online made the process soooo much easier. even the schools not with the commonapp had very simple and functional setups online. also I don't they're considered at a disadvantage, as I was accepted at stanford, columbia, upenn, duke, and uchicago all onn online app's</p>
<p><<however some="" schools="" have="" much="" better="" custom="" applications="" than="" the="" commonapp.="" i="" had="" enough="" time="" to="" fill="" out="" carleton's="" personal="" application="" instead="" of="" it="" let="" me="" express="" myself="" better.="">></however></p>
<p>I would be very interested to see stats on the percentage of students accepted who filled out the common app as opposed to the school's own online application or paper application. They are all supposed to be given the same consideration and many schools have supplements to allow you to personalize your common app to their school. I'd just be curious.</p>
<p>aside from the common app online, you still have to MAIL the teacher/GC recomendations and other pertinent info...right?</p>
<p>sure, but don't the teachers or the school do it? </p>
<p>For me, I did both. Since I was able to get fee waivers (on paper) I mailed everything in( including common app.) do what suits your need. colleges probably won't care unless they say so.</p>