<p>I was wondering if I could find a way to customize my application, becuase with the common app, won't colleges be suspicous if my essay sounds like a "cookie-cutter" essay even if it's not??? How can I add detials to really show them that THAT essay was soley written for THAT school??</p>
<p>bonus question:</p>
<p>Does Wesleyan really have a peer recomendation this year? Or is that just rumor and myth? It's just that most of my friends are kinda competitive and well, they are also applying to wesleyan...</p>
<p>Many colleges have a question: why xyz? This is where you can show why xyz college is a good fit for you. It's okay to write the main essay without mentioning the college to which you are applying. Make it personal inasmuch as it is about you (not about your teachers, friends, some author you like, etc...).</p>
<p>I don't have an answer about Wesleyan. If a peer recommendation is required, however, try to get one from a friend who is not applying to Wes; or, if you tutored someone, for example, ask that person to write a rec for you.</p>
<p>If you really wish to customize your application for each school, then do their own applications, not the common application. Then, you are answering their own essay questions. While there is no statistical difference in admissions when it comes to common app vs. school's own app, I prefer schools' own app and that is what my kids did. I feel they put a lot of energy into individualizing their apps by answering just what each college wanted. The essays, themselves, however, need not mention the specific school (I agree with Marite on this completely). </p>
<p>However, many schools' OWN apps, have a question as to "why X college" and HERE is where you wax poetic (just kidding) about an individual school and be very specific as to why you want to go there which should differ GREATLY from what you say about another school. If a school doesn't have a "Why X College" essay question, I would discuss this in a cover letter with the application. That is what my own kids and clients do. They showed very specific interest in each college. </p>
<p>Sorry, I don't know the Wesleyan question but if getting a peer rec, do not ask a peer who is ALSO applying to Wes. Find a peer who knows you well in some capacity...a pal, someone in a class or one of your EC activities, from work, etc.</p>