<p>For the common application we're asked to write the "Personal Essay"; I was wondering if we could write a slightly different personal essay for each school we're applying to, or does it have to be generic...?</p>
<p>Why would you want to??</p>
<p>You can use a different essay for each school, but you're going to have to submit each app separately. That is, write Essay 1 and submit to College A. Then write Essay 2 and submit to College B. </p>
<p>Instead, if you use the same essay for all, you'll write Essay 1 and submit to Colleges A, B, C, . . .</p>
<p>Of course, writing different essays and focusing them to individual schools might give you a slight edge, only because the schools will like your focus on them. Then again, the work may not be worth it. You have to decide what you are willing to put into your applications.</p>
<p>akiiriah, how about tweaking each of the essays <em>slightly</em>? It may not be as much work and colleges like personalized essays.</p>
<p>here's a tip my son learned a few years ago from parents on CC about the Common App. If you submit your application with all the colleges you are applying checked, then every other college will know where you are applying, and you risk being rejected because of Tuft's syndrome- i.e. a college rejects you because they think you would never go there anyway. HOWEVER, if you submit your application to each Common App college one at a time, checking only the box for that college, then other colleges you are applying WILL NOT BE A FACTOR that might used in making an admission decision. Yes, it takes a little more time, but can be worth it.</p>
<p>Yea, I meant slightly...oh, so if I send them seperately colleges won't be able to see what other colleges I'm applying to?</p>
<p>That sounds good...thanks! =)</p>