Is the Common App really worth it?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I've always been told that the Common App is the way to go in easing the burden of the colleges admissions process, but after starting my college apps, I'm really starting to wonder if it's worth my time or not for these reasons:
1. A few schools I am applying to gave me a special application I can complete. Using their app instead of the Common App, I don't have to pay the application fee, write an essay, or get a recommendation.
2. I've found the online applications for the schools I'm applying to are much easier to complete than the Common Application. I can copy and paste many things between applications if I need to, reducing the need for one central application. For things like resumes, you can make one in Word and use it everywhere you apply.
3. Because different schools want different bits of information, the Common App has you fill out anything and everything under the sun about yourself. Unless you're applying to a lot of schools, you may be wasting your time filling out bits of information colleges don't ask for on their regular applications.
4. The Common App's user interface is clunky and a pain to use, so much so that I dread visiting their website. It isn't nearly as streamlined as it could be. They need to hire a new web designer.
5. I'll admit, only writing one essay for admissions is a plus. However, when you take into account most schools require a supplement and some colleges have waived my essay requirement, the CA might save me from writing one or two essays tops. If you're a good writer, the essay really isn't a big deal. Instead of writing some cookie cutter essay for the college app, I would much rather write on a topic unique to the institution I'm applying to, even if means writing six different essays.</p>

<p>I could see where the Common App might come in handy if you were applying to ten or twenty colleges, but for a guy like me only applying to six or seven schools, I just don't see it as being that useful. If there ever was a list made of gimmicks in the college admissions process, the Common App would be right up there.</p>

2

<p>I like the Common App.</p>

3

<p>For a girl applying to four schools, the common app is kind of amazing. Three of the four require it, the other school takes the common app or its own application. There's supplements for each school, sure, but it's a lot more convenient than filling out the same information four times.</p>

4

<p>The teachers and counselers will be much happier using it than any other application. It could mean the difference, if apply to like 10 schools, between them saying full yes and them rethinking and mabye not writing your rec</p>

<p>If there was no common app, I wouldnt know what I would do for college. It's a life-saving institution, and hopefully eventually every single credible school in this country uses it as well. Right now the majority of elite universities use it, so hopefully the others will follow suite soon.</p>

5

<p>
[QUOTE]
They need to hire a new web designer.

[/QUOTE]
They did. The current site is wonderful when compared to the old version.</p>