<p>I was wondering if its a good idea to create a new version of the Common Application for a school that does not have a "Why Transfer to our school" question on their supplement. Unlike some schools that adjust their supplements for transfers, this school has the same supplemental form/essays for both First-Year applicants and Transfers. In that case, would it be a good idea to create a new version of the Common App and simply write a edited essay entailing specific reasons why I want to transfer to that particular institution?</p>
<p>While this is technically allowed by the Common App, it is also discouraged. I'm worried if some of the admissions committees might think that I am not abiding to "recommended guidelines".</p>
<p>Colleges don’t care (actually I don’t even know how they’d know) if you write different essays for different schools. That guideline was written by the CA, not the schools, and it totally is out of touch with the fact that some schools have limited or no supplement at all. Applicants have been making alternative versions of the CA with different essays, for both fr and transfer admissions, for years.</p>
<p>My recommendation is to:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Write a generic CA main essay for schools that have a ‘Why College X?’ essay in their supplement.</p></li>
<li><p>Write individual CA main essays for schools that don’t have a ‘Why College X?’ essay in their supplement.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you so much for the advice entomom. I will take your advice to heart as I continue writing transfer essays.</p>