<p>If a college had its own application, but had the option of using the common app instead, which one would be more beneficial to use? And if it is more beneficial to use the college's application, would it be looked upon as bad that you submitted the common app.</p>
<p>I really don't think it matters. If a college has opted to be part of the common application, then using it should not be a problem-they have supplementals which they send you after the initial application is sent in so you often have more essays and things to fill out anyway. My S got into all his common application schools-7, so I dont think it affected it all.</p>
<p>Do you mind if I ask you what schools your son applied to? I'm really nervous abou this whole college application process. Thanks for replying.</p>
<p>First of all, don't be nervous. Try to do some research and come up with a list of schools that are right for you. I don't remember all the schools he applied to but I do remember U of Miami, Syracuse, U of Delaware, U of Massachusetts (Amherst), SUNY Albany, SUNY Buffalo,
SUNY StonyBRook, SUNY Binghamton, U Michigan, Penn State</p>
<p>They wouldn't offer you the choice if they cared.</p>
<p>Trust me, the Common App is a gift from above. I applied to 8 schools, only one of which took the Common App (defeating the purpose). Some of my applications, including Chicago's, were not typical applications. It was crazy trying to fill out the different applications and trying to make my essays fit different topics. </p>
<p>Use the Common App if it's an option. It makes life easier.</p>
<p>Ofcourse if its a college like yale/harvard or any other of the newly growing list of schools that takes common app ONLY...then use common app</p>
<p>Otherwise stick to the regular app, it sends a message to the school that you are interested in them...instead of just mass-sending out common apps (even if they say they are unbiased...its subconscious)</p>
<p>[sort of like what M. A. Hernandez said in her book about College Applications]</p>
<p>I think the preference is so small it doesn't make a difference. I mean, I LOVE JHU, but the commapp is seriously a gift from above. I don't have hours on top of hours to be doing a million different applications.</p>
<p>three words: common app rules.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for replying. I still feel a little unsure as to whether to use the common app instead of the school's own app. If I am considering to apply to schools like Duke and Rice, should I go with their application or the common app.</p>
<p>All I have to say is the commapp is my lover :p</p>
<p>iney- I don't know about Rice, but Duke makes it very clear that they do not prefer one over the other.</p>
<p>They claim that they don't hold bias over any applications so it should be fine. I'm going with common app.!</p>
<p>colleges who are members of the commonapp have PLEDGED not to make any difference between their own app and the commonapp. </p>
<p>if it will make any difference at all, it's about as small as the size of this dot (.)</p>