<p>I know there is a list out there with the best/worst admissions teams, but how about a list about the best/worst applications (or supplements).</p>
<p>In my limited experience:</p>
<p>Best-</p>
<p>The University of Chicago by far! The Uncommon App. is a masterpiece as far as I'm concerned. There is the perfect amount of writing and it is writing that keeps you engaged. I felt that with Chicago I could be who I was- no matter the word limit. It felt friendly open ended opposed to more rigid-with-the-word-limit apps. Its a same Chicago is going Common App.</p>
<p>Also pretty good-</p>
<p>Princeton Supplement with the Common App- The favorites part was fun, even if it was basically a time waster and there was enough writing between the CA personal essay, EC mini essay, Summers mini essay, and supplement essay to allow you to present yourself fully. </p>
<p>WORST-</p>
<p>Columbia! The Columbia App felt impersonal and rigid with the grid in letters and all caps nonsense. Also, I hate in when colleges ask you to send payment with the basic info sheet and not the final app.- what if I change my mind? Most importantly- you only get one essay to make your self be heard and its a short essay at that (500 words absolute max)! If I'm gonna take the time to fill out an app, complete testing, do good in school, and shell out $70 you had better read what I have to say. I just last minute nixed Columbia from my list because their lack of essay space and over all bureaucratic feel to the app.</p>
<p>So what think you? Do you like low word limits (less writing) or do you like having as much space as you want (with in reason) to convince schools that you are God's gift to them? What were your least favorite and favorite applications?</p>
<p>Stanford's Supplement was interesting from all of the personal questions they ask (what music do you like, etc.). I also like Harvard's supplement because it asks what test will you be taking (us IB students take tests at the end of senior year).</p>
<p>Arizona State University's app was horrible. I submitted the thing in less than 30mins. They do not care for an essay. They just want your stats.</p>
<p>I prefer essays with a rather large word limit. Restricting people in what they want to say would not enable them to provide a better picture of themself.</p>
<p>Best - Marquette/Loyola Chicago/anywhere else where you don't have to write an actual essay. I don't think I need to explain further.</p>
<p>Worst - In my experience, it was Northwestern. I dreaded having to write "Why Wherever University" questions, and Northwestern's was the application that made me do it. I gave a generic response at the time, and really could care less at this point.</p>
<p>Chicago wins. I like the Tufts essays too.
George Washington does that stupid pay after basic info thingy.
and odly, I kinda like the why (college name) questions.</p>
<p>yeah, i just decided not to apply to northwestern cuz of the "why nu?" essay. i might as well save myself and their admissions counselors some time, lol.</p>
<p>
[quote]
and odly, I kinda like the why (college name) questions.
[/quote]
To me those seem like a "Please, humor us. We love hearing about ourselves." They all know why they're good schools, asking is dumb. Rather than asking why I'm applying, take my $60 or whatever as a sign of my interest.</p>
<p>i just wonder what they think we're going to say. i mean, its not like im going to say, oh yes, you're my #8 school out of 12, blah blah. everyone makes every place seem like their top choice...</p>
<p>Actually, writing the Why X School essays is sort of fun, for me. It reaffirms that I was right when I thought it was a place I could be happy and makes me more sure that the program/major/whatever that I like there is something I want to do. </p>
<p>Princeton actually falls on my "worst" list, because of the sheer number of statements they want. For me it was five: the common app main essay, the short answer, summer experiences, the supplement essay, and the engineering essay. I think that's a little excessive.</p>
<p>I completely disagree about Columbia's application. I thought it was the best of all the schools I applied to including my RD schools(I applied ED to Fu; got deferred). The application asked very good questions, covering the important grounds of why you chose Columbia, what books/magazines you read, and what you've done with yourself for the past two summers. Some other schools, like UTexas Austin, don't even ask why you want to go there, or what your interests are. I felt Columbia's app was the best as it truely gave me a chance to express who I was.</p>
<p>I might be weird, but I hated the UChicago "Uncommon" app. Mostly because I wish colleges would just get over themselves and use the Common App, because they can ask their unique questions in the supplement and still make it easier for us. And I personally disliked their essay questions... I like apps like Columbia's, because even though their app was sort of a pain in the ass to fill out, they at least let you write about whatever you wanted to.</p>
<p>Purdue's was really easy...took only half an hour.
I liked Tufts' essays, they were really unique and made me think hard.
Vandy was also great...no supplemental essay!</p>
<p>The worst has to be the UC application. Its just horrible.</p>
<p>gkc4- I hate the UChicago "uncommon app" crap. It's the reason I chose not to apply. Far too pretentious if you ask me. I mean honestly- it even looks like the common app.</p>
<p>I didn't particularly have a favorite/least favorite of the schools I did apply to though.</p>