<p>I know that all colleges that are a member of the Common Application sign a contract annually that they will not be biased towards a student using the CommonApp but I still have a bad feeling about it. I still have a hunch that it is not used fairly. Like for example, with the essays, some of the schools of which I'm applying to want essays that are 4 pages long but with the CommonApp, it'd only have to be around 500 words long. Colleges could think I'm using an "easy way out" or something.</p>
<p>As you stated, they are not supposed to treat common app applicants any differently than if you had used their school application. So I wouldn't worry about it that much. If you want, you can always just try calling the school (or visiting) and speaking with someone in admissions and ask them. If the school accepts the common app, they cannot discriminate against those who choose to use it.</p>
<p>I understand just how you are feeling, poisonivy. When any of the schools I applied to accepted the common application but also had their own application I always did the school's application. Things worked out well for me, but I don't know if things would have been different had I used the common application. Even though the schools say they don't distinguish between the two, my thinking was that filling out the school's own application would show that I was sincerely interested in that particular school (which in each case I really was!).</p>
<p>coldcomfort, would you mind stating clearly how well things worked out for you with the respective schools rejection/waitlist/acceptance list?
And your stats please?
thanks!</p>
<p>happyjanezhang, just click on my name and then click on "find more posts by coldcomfort" and you should find this information in previous posts. I hope this helps -- coldcomfort</p>
<p>My D used the common app for all 7 schools she applied to. She did supplemental essays when needed and in the end she was admitted to all 7 schools she applied to.</p>
<p>Hey, sybbie, that's not fair! Of course your daughter got into all seven of her chosen schools with the common application -- she had the advantage of having one absolutely incredible mom.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. And you have demonstrated that it does not matter which application you use because the kind of application is not as important as what is actually in the application.</p>
<p>While the student should feel comfortable which what ever application they feel like filing, one should not be afriad of using the common app for fear that their application will be "looked down" upon.</p>
<p>I found that even though colleges use the common app, the ones I was looking at all had supplemental questions. I used the common app (accepted ED.) & still had 3 other essays, specific to the program I applied to. My advise: if they have the common app, use it. You'll have enough essays to write.</p>
<p>If you're applying ED, & that school has its own app & the common, it may make you feel better to not use the common for that school.</p>
<p>That's because the other three essay pages are probably found in their supplement. You know, don't make life harder for yourself, use the commonapp. It's a lifesaver even if the online version does get a bit annoying.</p>