<p>Do those of you who have been through the MT college admissions process previously have any advice re: best way to submit applications? D is just starting to slooowly begin working on apps and she is in a quandry re: online sumitting vs. printing out PDF files and filling in by hand. Of course she'd prefer to do online (less time-consuming) but the problem is the online apps. don't let you attach resumes, and essays apparently have to be typed out in little text boxes, which may or may not destroy the formatting. The one she's working on now states: "you may send resumes, if providing, under separate cover". Yikes, one more piece of paper to match up to the file? I worry about stuff getting lost in the admissions office.</p>
<p>However, I also worry about her legibly filling out 10 apps. in longhand! Silly me, I thought there would be a way to fill out the PDF app on computer, print and send with resumes & essays attached, but they are "read" only. And if you are submitting app online how do you print a decent hard copy for your files?</p>
<p>Past experiences and advice welcome!</p>
<p>My apologies if there is already an existing thread on this topic, I did a forum search, with no luck (but maybe it's just me and my not advanced enough skills)</p>
<p>These are good questions and I don't believe they have been addressed before.</p>
<p>We did (and I do mean WE) did all my D's applications on-line. She, of course, wrote all the essays and compiled the lists of activities and such, but I served as her data input secretary. There were eight apps if memory serves me - which it doesn't always do these days.....- and they all allowed you to upload documents such as resumes, longer essays, etc directly on line. There was usually a delineated word limitation, e.g. 500 words or 750 words. Short answers or shorter "essays" were often typed directly into a small online box that wouldn't allow you to type more than the allowed number of words and this was very helpful vis-a-vis editing. When you get to the page that asks for the essay or resume, there is usually a box to click at the bottom of the page that says "Browse." When you click it, it allows you to search your own computer files and pull up the document you want to submit. In our case, we had these documents as "Word" files in the MY DOCUMENTS section of the computer. Once you select the appropriate document and click the "upload" box, the online application automatically uploads your document into the form. You can double check it there. If you find a mistake, however, you cannot edit it in the application. You must delete the document, return to the file on your computer, edit it there and upload it again after the corrections have been made. The document will usually remain resident on the application until you finally click to submit the application and or supplementary material to the college.</p>
<p>Also I remember that you are given the option to print out a copy of the application for your own files which you should absolutely do. You can also call the admissions office a few days after submission and most will be able to verify receipt.</p>
<p>Hope this helps! If you have specific questions as you are working, feel free to email me and I'll try to help. </p>
<p>These online applications keep improving every year. The year we used them for my son they were a nightmare! Can't tell you how many times we retyped things because the programs would crash and data would disappear.....Two years later when we did it for my D, things were vastly improved.</p>
<p>Also, I know that at my school, I complete an "app folder" for every college I apply to - I put in anything that I need my college counselor to send to the schools. If I do an online app (which I plan on doing for ALL of my apps), then the only thing I put in the folder is maybe my resume and the app fee. Then he puts whatever items are in my app folder with the stuff he needs to sends to them (transcript, teacher recs) and the schools get one big folder with all my hard paper items!</p>
<p>If you do decide to do a paper application, you can use an old-fashioned method: typewriters! When I applied to colleges (fall 2002) we used typewriters--I'd fill out one copy in my (very messy) handwriting and my mother would type directly onto another copy of the application. I would say I did about half and half paper and online applications. We also used the typewriter for several scholarship applications. I agree that online is definitely easier and less time consuming, but I think typewriters look much neater and professional than handwriting :-)</p>
<p>We did as much online as we could, supplementing if necessary. I do remember on the UMich application we sent her resume, repertoire list and all the other supplemental information on paper via UPS. The format we used in the documents just wasn't translating properly via the internet, so I called and they were happy to have me send the additional information separately. It was important enough to us that the materials look like they were formatted because of the specificity UMich requires on these documents, so we thought it was best to send them on paper separately. (Now my problems getting them to transfer via internet may have something to do with my computer ineptness, so you may not have the same difficulty we did!)</p>
<p>My frustration with some online applications was that they didn't all allow you to work on it and return later to finish it. Could it be FSU's application I'm remembering? You HAD to finish it all in one sitting. It was much easier if you could get part of it done, then come back to it to fill in additional information. </p>
<p>And, yes, I was the data entry clerk at our house too...though D (begrudgingly) did all her essays solo!</p>
<p>Thanks for your detailed description of the online app process. After reading it, I suspect that we had the bad luck to pick a school to do first that perhaps doesn't have as sophisticated an online filing process, as most other colleges do (since there was no way to upload resumes and essays, they said to send under separate cover; and apparently no way to print completed application either). Perhaps that particular college app needs to be done "the old-fashioned way". I'll have D look at her next school's online app and see if it works any better.
Did you use common application or individual school apps?</p>
<p>hayhayden:</p>
<p>You are very lucky to be able to give all of you info to your counselor to send in "one official package" from the school. My D goes to a very large HS, and it works the opposite way: she is responsible for requesting sealed transcripts, sealed recommendations etc. from the counselor and submitting the packages to the colleges herself! On the plus side, we will know when everything is sent!</p>
<p>We did both, depending on what the school wanted. But even when the school accepted the common app for university admissions, there was always a supplemental arts application when applying for a BFA or BM. But those were also available online.</p>
<p>We have found that several schools my daughter is considering use the same processing service - applyweb. The nice thing is that since you set up an account (free of course) it copies the general information to the new application. Also, you can save it and come back to it later</p>
<p>FSU does have to be finished in one session and it is not yet online. Otterbein has to be finished in one session and is VERY easy and no essay required. My D has already been offered scholarship money to Otterbein - but we all know that it's the audition that makes or breaks ya :) It was, however, quite an encouraging way to begin the process for her.</p>
<p>Oops forgot one more thing. Sometimes the fee is less if you apply online - and Point Park will waive the fee entirely if you apply online. Penn State says that they PREFER the online application.</p>
<p>Both of the following suggestions are for applications that are "hard copy" (print, fill and snail-mail) capable:</p>
<p>If you are really computer savvy and have a scanner, you can scan in the read-only application, save it as a picture (jpg) file; then open a blank document in MS Word (or other WP program), pull down the "insert" tab and select "picture - from file," importing the jpg file you saved. You can then resize the application jpg (by pulling the corner of the picture) to optimize fit in your document window. You now have a Word format application template...upon which you can "insert" (same menu as before) a "text box" for each field. In that text box, you can type what you need, format nicely, and make it fit within the given space (again, adjust the size by pulling a corner of the text box so that it fits within the space provided).</p>
<p>That, however, is a whole lot of work!</p>
<p>I suggest you also consider writing "(see attached)" in the boxes requiring extended information (such as essays), then attach documents (clearly labeled/identified) in the order they occur on the application. This option is good only if they will accept attachments with a hard copy application.</p>
<p>The Common Application used by many colleges has a form called "Arts Supplement" for which you are to include a 10 minute DVD or CD. Do the MT colleges want you to complete this portion of the Common Application and submit a DVD or CD (their separate applications do not request a DVD or CD)? It would seem that the Arts Supplement would provide the colleges with useful information regarding MT applicants, but I haven't seen them mentioned (one way or the other) on the few colleges we have researched so far that accept the Common Application. I know we could call each college separately, but I wondered if any of you had any experience with this. Thanks for any information.</p>
<p>VocalDad, I do not think BFA programs wil want you to do an Arts Supplement but particularly won't want you to send in a DVD or CD because their artistic review will be via audition. By the way, some BFA programs have some supplemental requirements of their own such as a theater resume, extra arts related essays, supplemental recommendations from artistic references, etc. </p>
<p>BUT, if your child is applying to a BA liberal arts type school and has significant experience and talent in the performing arts, often candidates will submit a CD or DVD as an optional piece to supplement their application. Sometimes such submissions are sent to departments of music, dance, theater, etc. These usually are not required but can boost the overall "picture" of the candidate if they have some special talent and/or wish to possibly major in a certain department.</p>
<p>We did all of our aps oline and found it worked quite well. I sat down with my son while he did the first one then he did the others on his own and had me check them before submitting (I had to be there to pay fee with credit card anyway!) We found sometimes the supplimental information that the MT programs required could be done online other needed to be mailed. As far as the read "only formats" we printed them then scanned them back in and then sent to our word program, quick note on that, I found that If I put a large "word box" on the page then inserted it in the "word box" I could get it centered on the page better and you can format the "word box" to show no lines or background. At first the whole thing seemed overwhelming, but taking it a step at a time it all got done with out alot of trouble. And of course we made copies of EVERYTHING! Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips on scanning and transferring pdf back into Word. I'm up for the challenge!!</p>
<p>With regards to typewriters, many local libraries still have them.</p>
<p>In terms of printing online applications without a specific print option, have you tried doing a screen print for each page? That should capture what you typed in (won't be pretty, but the info will be recorded in paper form).</p>
<p>Several of my daughter's applications last year were online "read only" PDF files available for printing out only. We didn't have access to a typewriter or scanner, so she very neatly filled those out by hand in black ink. Of course resumes, essays and any supplemental info were printed from computer files and attached to apps. Doesn't seem to have affected her admissions process at all, she will be attending a university which received a handwritten application from her! :)</p>
<p>I was obsessing about this a little bit, this time last year, but in retrospect: I imagine if a school doesn't have an online app process available, they are pretty understanding about receiving handwritten apps (as long as they're legible). We assumed if it was critical for the application to NOT be handwritten they would have provided a read/write PDF file (as some do) and not a read only PDF file.</p>
<p>BIGismama, each of my kids applied to 8 schools. All of their applications were paper ones. They filled out the blanks by hand. They typed all the essays and other list sorts of things on a computer and attached them (resume too). They typed things like little charts or list types of answers and cut and glue sticked them onto the apps. Many of my clients also do this. None of their apps were done online, except I believe that BOCO would only accept an online app and she mailed in supplemental things like her activity resume, if I recall.</p>
<p>You are right that it matters not when it comes to being admitted! Each of my kids only had one full rejection (and that one for my older D was first a deferral). There are pros and cons of filing using paper apps vs. online apps but whichever choice you make, doesn't affect the admissions decision! I prefer paper apps.</p>
<p>After looking through several college applications, almost all ask that the student state his/her voice part - Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass. Most permit only one selection (and do not have a line to write in anything else). What should a Baritone singer do regarding such a question? For example, what if you are a "Bass" in one ensemble or choir and a "Tenor" in another, based upon the needs of the ensemble (and the fact that you have the range to sing either)? Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I'm presuming this is an electronic application?</p>
<p>Either way, I'd say that you should list the area of the voice that is the strongest. They won't be using that information to decide on whether you audition or not, so it's more of a "get to know you" line (not really needed as a screening element).</p>