<p>Does it look bad to apply early decision with the Common App (plus the college's supplement) to a top university rather than filling out their own specific application? If so, please explain why and how much it can hurt.</p>
<p>Virtually every college treats the Common App and their own app the same, and many schools exclusively use the Common App (like Yale). If you plan to apply to more than one school that accepts the Common App, use it. You will probably have to fill out an ED supplement, though.</p>
<p>Thanks, I just thought selective colleges might prefer applicants who use their own app.</p>
<p>Well there's always thought that the older members of the board might subconsciously hold some sense of favoritism towards their own application, but I'm of the opinion that this would have very minimal effect on your chances otherwise, so definitely use the common app if you're using it for more than one college because timewise it's definitely a lifesaver :D</p>