Common App Problem

<p>Three of the schools I'm applying to (Wesleyan, WUSTL, and Cornell) use the Common Application. From my understanding, the 4 page common application that I fill out online will be saved and sent to all of the colleges. The colleges should all receive that basic application...but I am running into a problem with the essay.</p>

<p>Wesleyan doesn't have anything about the essay on their supplemental materials page, so I'm assuming that the question on page 4 of the common app (the essay) is what should be used:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Please reflect on your reasons for considering a transfer. Why are you transferring? Why was your most recent college not a good fit? What do you know now that you didn't know during your first college search process?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>So I will answer that question with regards to Wesleyan and why I want to transfer to that school in particular. </p>

<p>But then WUSTL also doesn't provide a specific question on their supplemental page. So the same question should be used, but the essay should be tailored to WUSTL...but if the same general common app is sent to each school, how do I tailor the essays to each different school? Won't they all receive the same "common app" and also therefore receive a common essay answering that question?</p>

<p>Cornell also provides completely different questions on their supplemental page...so should I answer those questions on page 4 of the common app instead of the question listed on the common app itself?</p>

<p>Or does the common app allow you to complete the app and then send it one college and then change the essay on the app and send it to another school?</p>

<p>Any answers to these questions should be appreciated.</p>

<p>You can tailor the CommonApp to one college, submit it to that college, and then edit your application and send it to another school. I've done it, so I know it's possible. Maybe someone who has worked on an app. more recently than I have will come and answer too.</p>

<p>that's good that's basically what i was wanting to make sure. thanks.</p>

<p>CUlater has it exactly correct. This is what my S did for freshman apps and then again for transfer apps.</p>

<p>Once you have submitted the common app for a particular school, you can NOT go back and change it. But you can change to your heart's content in order to submit it to another school. And so on and so forth.</p>

<p>But as CULater said, Cornell provides completely different questions on their supplemental page... so should he answer those questions on page 4 of the common app instead of the question listed on the common app itself? OR should he answer both...?</p>

<p>I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure that the OP should answer both the Cornell questions and the Common App Question. Often schools prefer the Common App but then provide supplemental questions that they want answered as well.</p>

<p>I haven't seen the Cornell app. (since I went to Cornell as a freshman, not a transfer), but I think you should answer the supplement questions on the supplement. Also, there's always the "additional information" section that you can use to meet your needs.</p>

<p>That's an awesome tip, i'm definitely going to do that tailoring thing.</p>

<p>Ok...so answer both questions for Cornell? I'm going to call to make sure and I'll post the answer I get on here for those that are also applyin to there.</p>

<p>You could always submit the paper app if that's an option. That's what I did for WUSTL, since I distrust myself to complete the application online.</p>

<p>Are you finished with your essays, brand? If so, that's impressive!</p>

<p>haha no! I wish...I'm almost done with UT's and about to start on WUSTL...but at least I've got almost all the other junk done...just essays left.</p>