<ol>
<li><p>I am a transfer student, am I using the same Common App as first year applicants?</p></li>
<li><p>I am an international student, so I dont understand one thing. Do we, once we put in all the info, send somehow all that to the college, or colleges can see our info themselves by visiting our "profile" or whatever it's called. Probably stupid question, I'd google it but I thought students could give me more accurate info.</p></li>
<li><p>Do we send essays to college or we put them on common app.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I have yet to open the common app but I wanted to ask these Qs before I do.
Thanks</p>
<p>Open the CA and most of your questions will be answered.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The CA for transfers is different from what is used for fr applicants.</p></li>
<li><p>You need to submit your application and other materials to schools.</p></li>
<li><p>Essays are part of the CA.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Ok I will figure it out then in the next few days.
Two more things, I assume there is an option in CA to put different essay for each school/college/university, right? Does “Open the CA and most of your questions will be answered.” applies to this one as well?
And, I heard that we are in theory not supposed to see our professors’ recommendations. Do they have to register in some way to send it to schools, or? Our professors don’t usually do these things, they hardly know anything about applying to US colleges I believe.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The CA changed this year, they used to let you make 10 different versions and change essays or anything else in them, this year that number was reduced but I’m not sure what the number is.</p></li>
<li><p>When you sign FERPA you are waiving your rights to see the LORs from the college they were submitted to. If your prof wants to share the LOR with you, either before or after sending, there is no problem with that. Profs uploading LORs to the CA is new this year too, again get on the CA and follow the directions.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Oh alright. I ask because I thought it would be good to emphasize why I want to get accepted to a specific college. I guess I’ll just have to think of something I can apply to most colleges.</p>
<p>I see you’re very active/experienced, so last question. I was told that in the essay, I should write about what changed me, something relevant in my life.
Would talking about a person who changed me, who also passed away, be good? I am referring to a public person, actor.</p>
<p>Yes, IMO you want to customize essays as much as possible. And you will find that some colleges ask a Why College X? in their supplement, while others don’t. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not exactly, like I said, the CA limited the ability to make different versions, but they still let you make more than one, take advantage of this as much as is necessary. Here’s my advice:</p>
<p>There is no recipe for what makes a good essay, it depends on your particular situation and the school you’re applying to. Unless you can write a really good essay about someone who changed you, and make the essay more about yourself than the other person, it’s not a good idea. Read the prompts and answer them as best suits your circumstances; there’s more bad information passed around about essays than there is good ;).</p>
<p>Alright Thanks!
very helpful, I will start with the common app in the next few days. In case I stumble upon something I dont understand, may I just send you a message here on CC?</p>