Is there anyway around using the Common App??

<p>Do colleges that use the Common App require it, or is it preferred or just offered?
I have a situation that is making me seek out ways around the Common App. Specificially, the teacher that will give me the best reccomendation is leaving next year, so he just gave me the reccomendations now which I have at home. I can't submit them to schools with the Common App since they use a different form. Most of the colleges I want to go to are associated with the Common App. What do I do?</p>

<p>Your teachers do not need to submit their recommendations online for you to use The Common Application. If the teacher who wrote on your behalf is unwilling or unable to mail your letters directly to your colleges next fall, consider having the teacher provide something to your counselor, who can then send it on your behalf. There is no need to avoid using The Common Application just because your teacher has left the school.</p>