<p>is there an advantage of using the common vs college app? Do colleges prefer either one? I would rather send in each college app online and then send supps (portfolio stuff) by regular mail.</p>
<p>I like the common app better because it’s so much faster, and because it makes your applications easier to keep track of. You still have to send art supplements by regular mail anyway, so the common app allows you to use a single form vs a different one for each college (although some colleges require their own art supplement form on top of the common app, so check each college’s website to be sure).</p>
<p>Other than that, there’s obviously no advantage in using one form over another.</p>
<p>^“there’s obviously no advantage in using one form over another” Obviously? Sorry, but it is not as obvious to me. Unless the school to which you are applying uses Common App exclusively (read doesnt have its own app), you should try to go trough the school’s own application system. The benefit is mostly psychological since it shows that you are more committed to that particular school and willing to spend time to customize your application as they want it. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>P.S. I think I read this point in one of those “how to get admitted to top college” brochures.</p>
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<p>How in the world does it do that? Because you filled in your name in a slightly different looking box? Because you clicked the submit button on a different online form? I want some actual proof other than assumptions and rumors from “one of those brochures.”</p>
<p>If you want to show you’re committed to a school, write great application essays (especially if the college asks a “why us” question), visit, talk to professors or students at the school, or whatever else you can or want to do. Those are the only ways you’re going to “customize” your application for a particular school.</p>
<p>I agree it would have minimal effect. It would have to be the biggest tie-breaker between two incredibly identical applicants, or something insane like that</p>
<p>It has no effect. As I’ve said before, admissions officers are professionals.</p>
<p>All the essays the college wants from you will be on their common app supplement anyway. The only thing that using their own application would show is that you’re willing to repeatedly do the menial task of filling in your personal information, grades, test scores, and ECs. And that’s not something any admissions officer will actually care about.</p>
<p>Besides, where are all these schools that even HAVE their own application? From what I’ve seen, if you request the school’s own application you usually just get a copy of the common app.</p>
<p>Save the time filling out a separate application to work on your essay. Or to get some sleep.</p>
<p>From the Common App website (<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/FAQ.aspx[/url]):”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/FAQ.aspx):</a></p>
<p>IS IT TREATED FAIRLY?
YES! Our college and university members have worked together over the past 30 years to develop the application. All members fully support its use, and all give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college’s own form. Many of our members use the Common Application as their only undergraduate admission application.</p>