Do we have to send in the common app via hard copy?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>My son has attended our local public high school while being partially home schooled. As such, he has a high school record, transcript, etc. and a home school record, transcript of sorts, etc. The common app has a section which asks why home schooling was chosen for this student and to explain our home schooling philosophy. There is no way to fit an intelligent response into the box provided online. As such, does that mean that I will have to send in a hard copy of this form, with my attachment, via snail mail? </p>

<p>Similarly, he expects to send in a visual arts supplement. This will require an instructor's letter of recommendation and a CD. So, some or all of this will have to be sent in as hard copy. </p>

<p>The common app site further says, "However, if you prefer to print a hardcopy, complete it by hand, then mail it in, you can find copies of all our forms in PDF format below. Note: Please do not mix-and-match your application, supplement, and payment between online and paper submission. Either submit the application, supplement and payment (or fee waiver) online, or submit them all by mail. "</p>

<p>Does that mean my son has to send in all of his parts via snail mail as well?</p>

2

<p>Yes, the visual arts supplement will have to be sent via snail mail; however, this won't be a huge part of your son's app (unless he's applying to art school) so it's not quite as important as his other materials.</p>

<p>I would advise against sending a hard copy of why your son was homeschooled to the admissions office. Each admissions officer has dozens of apps to read daily and are already frustrated and irritable. There's a reason the space for explanation is so small--they don't want to read another essay.</p>

<p>A huge part of applying to college is the psychology of it: you want to make as favorable of an impression as you can. If the admissions officer is already grudgingly flipping through your son's art supplement through bloodshot eyes, you don't want to anger him/her with yet another document.</p>

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<p>I’d like to send my common application form, supplements, teacher evaluations and letters of recommendation online but my school forms by mail. Is this possible?</p>

4

<p>^Yes, that’s just fine.</p>