<p>As many of you know, the Common App changed its software this year and made it impossible to make changes in between submitting applications. As I noted in my blog yesterday, thanks to a well-spring of complaints from counselors, Rob Killian, executive director of the Common App. notified me yesterday that the Common App board has decided to backtrack on this decision. Starting October 19, after some techinical issues are ironed out, applicants will be able to make changes between submissions again. I will continue to post updates on my blog (click on my name, then "See Carolyn's website").</p>
<p>Thanks carolyn. I was somewhat worried about this, good to know this was rectified :)</p>
<p>YES!!!!! thank you for posting this!!!!! this means that we can essentially indvidualize our essays if it works right?</p>
<p>Thanks very much for the update, carolyn. This was a major inconvenience for any students who wanted to do anything to tailor their apps to make them institution-specific. Good news!</p>
<p>Wila, It is not clear yet if the Common App is going to allow extensive changes or only small ones, such as different majors, or taking out the test scores for score optional schools. I, and the other counselors who have been petitioning for them to go back to the old way, have been pushing for a completely open system again, but Rob Killian was careful to say that much will depend on their software capabilities (they switched software companies this year). The Common App. will notify counselors like me on October 19 of exactly what will be allowed. I will post an update on my blog as soon as I hear from them. May not be able to get back over here, as this is my busy season for counseling. :)</p>
<p>In the meantime, the Universal College Application <a href="http://www.universalcollegeapp.com%5B/url%5D">www.universalcollegeapp.com</a> allows complete modifications between schools. There are something like 40 schools using it, and more are joining it every day, so do check that out as well if you want to customize essays, just in case.</p>
<p>This is good news. I found myself SO glad that we were finished the process. Because this was really a serious disadvantage compared to the old way.</p>
<p>I would have to predict that Common App would become <em>uncommonly</em> used, if they weren't to fix this COMPLETELY, and more and more schools pick up on Universal College App.</p>
<p>Nice to see you, carolyn. And kind of you to come over here when you are so busy.</p>
<p>Will someone be kind enough to tell me how to access the blog or else post the common app decision on CC? S2 wanted to apply to a certain SCEA school but has instead started the EA process for another school (which is not a common app participant) since the SCEA school only accepts the common app and he was concerned that he might want to change it over the months between early deadlines and RD dates. Thanks!</p>
<p>Thanks for this information! Great news!</p>
<p>Does anyone know why you cannot download the forms on Universal College APp using internet explorer? I want to see the essays...</p>
<p>Just apply on paper! You can modify everything for each school!</p>
<p>sewbusy, here. Hope carolyn doesn't mind.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Earlier this summer I reported on a change to the online version of the Common Application that would have prohibited students from making changes to the Common Application in between submissions to different colleges. A small but vocal group of college counselors has been urging the Common Application to return to their old process. This morning, Rob Killian, executive director of the Common Application, informed counselors that the Common Application Board of Directors has decided to backtrack on its decision to not allow changes. According to an email sent by Killian to counselros, in response to the counselor questions, the Common Application has "been discussing some short-term and long-term technology solutions that could address the three or four questions most commonly raised by counselors (for example, allowing an applicant to indicate different majors for different Common App members), without compromising our mission to provide a “Common” Application." Killian added that, effective Friday, October 19, students applying this year will "again be able to create and submit alternate versions of their Common Application, in much the same way they did last year."</p>
<p>The Common Application is compiling a list of FAQs which will be sent to counselors in the next week.</p>
<p>This move is very good news for this year's applicants, and I think it is great that the Common Application responded to the concerns I, and other counselors, raised about the new system.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>davnasca, the problem with that is so many schools state that they prefer electronic applications. Some schools even charge you more to apply by paper app, just to deter you.</p>
<p>Was there any rationale for changing the ability of applicants to modify their apps in the first place?</p>
<p>ellemenope: Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>oops, s/b thanks to SGupta. Too many hours freezing at band competitions today - must have frozen my brain too.</p>
<p>They still have not updated this on Common App website. The following statement is from its website:</p>
<p>.... Once you have submitted your Common App to any institution, your application will be locked and you will not be able to make any changes to it.</p>
<p>The changes were not set to occur until on/after Oct 19th.</p>
<p>Let's hope so</p>
<p>Thanks for that link to collegehunt. It was great !</p>
<p>I have a feeling they received a lot of complaints from parents and students as well. I know my own kid e-mailed them on the subject.</p>