Does using the school's own app show initiative/interest?

<p>I'm not sure if this is in the right forum or not, so please forgive me. I have read the other threads asking this, but I am still not sure what to do.
This is my top choice school, so I really want to go there, however it offers both the common app and their own application. Their essay questions are the following:</p>

<p>Who or what influenced you to apply to Syracuse University?
What are your academic and career aspirations?
What paid work experience have you had and what skills and/or knowledge did you gain? </p>

<p>while the supplement for the common app asks:
1. What are your career and academic aspirations?
2. What paid work experience have you had and what skills and/or knowledge did you gain?
3. (Optional) At Syracuse University, our mission of Scholarship in Action extends beyond the classroom to include engagement opportunities with our campus community, the City of Syracuse, and locations across the globe. Tell us how your academic interest might intersect with real-world engagement through this mission. We encourage you to begin by visiting our home page at Syracuse</a> University for current examples of Scholarship in Action at Syracuse University. </p>

<p>along with the normal common app essay.</p>

<p>My common app essay that I used for other colleges is really good...I mean really really good. I want them to see that, but I don't want them to think I am taking the easy way out. Would it be better to do the common app because they would see my essay along with those comparable supplement questions? Or stick with their personal application?</p>

<p>(ps. since it says optional, should I do it to show interest? haaaa I am going crazy!
Forget college. I shall be a bag lady.)</p>

<p>Schools that accept to use the CA evaluate all applications equally, so use whichever one best lets you show your strengths. </p>

<p>ALWAYS do what they say is “optional” if you want to send your best application. The more they know about you the better.</p>

<p>This happened to me but I had already sent in part of the CA so I had to continue with the CA. In the additional info section, I added what was additional info asked on the schools version but not asked on the CA. That way they all the info which would be on their own app.</p>