<p>I'm feeling extremely self-conceited about my handwriting, so I said I wanna hand-write my application on paper and then ended up getting yelled at by everyone around me.<br>
But I can make it really look computer typed, like arial fonts, so it's rather easy to read.... Tell me if I should take this risk.
I was thinking maybe, by handwriting,</p>
<ul>
<li>it would look like I put much more effort and toil into the application instead of the easy typing</li>
<li>distinguish my application from the rest of the 2345675 others </li>
<li>give it more PERSONALITY</li>
<li>the adcoms would be WOWed by my jaw-dropping epistolary skill hahaha</li>
</ul>
<p>Or
- it could **** them off and make them throw away my application!<br>
- distract them, because, you know, it's handwritten.</p>
<p>Well, before all the computers were invented, and people still applied to colleges, they must have filled it out by hands..or someone who is from an impoverished background who doesn't have an access to a computer?? Someone's gotta write it out on paper, right?</p>
<p>If you want to handwrite it, go ahead. I doubt that alone would get you rejected. One thing to think about: what happens if you make a spelling error? Are you going to cross it out, white it out, or rewrite the whole thing?</p>
<p>You would be wasting your time. What you want to stand out in your application is the content, not your handwriting. Also, no matter how clear your handwriting is, it would be easier to read something that is word processed. Considering the many applications that admissions officers have to read, the easier you make yours for them, the better. Most now also prefer applications submitted on-line, which is why some colleges waive fees for applications submitted that way.</p>
<p>If you want to make your application stand out, spend more time on your essays, get the highest grades possible, and make sure that you give your GC and teachers information so they can write the best recommendations possible for you.</p>
<p>If you want to impress them with your artistry, send them an art portfolio if the colleges allow such submissions. I've seen admissions officers quoted that they really don't like it when applicants do things to stand out like send them gifts or draw on applications. I think that handwriting your app would fall into that kind of category as being something that would turn off the admissions officers.</p>
<p>Haha, I feel the same way, but I'm just going to do some stylistic but easy-to-read things with the fonts in my uploaded documents, converting them to PDF to make sure it's all preserved. Maybe you could do something like scan in your handwriting as an essay title in an uploaded document? Or the whole essay, if you really want...</p>
<p>"ut I'm just going to do some stylistic but easy-to-read things with the fonts in my uploaded documents, "</p>
<p>This isn't a good idea either. The admissions officers really do care about the content of the applications. If you want to put extra effort into something, spend extra time with writing your essays and short answers. If you want to show off your artistic side, emphasize that in the writing of and content of your essays or by sending a portfolio of your artwork if the college will allow this.</p>
<p>Admissions officers aren't like elementary school teachers: You don't get extra credit for having a creatively designed and neat report cover. :)</p>
<p>Haha, true that. It's nothing too extreme, though; I just did some nice (IMO) formatting in my resume that makes it both easier to read and prettier. :]</p>
<p>I'm thinking about submitting a portfolio, but I'm a perfectionist about my work and don't really have enough pieces that I'm truly proud of.</p>
<p>Many admissions offices scan paper documents so readers can access them via their laptops offsite. Obviously online apps' information is readily readable since they're all fomatted the same.</p>
<p>Your font-like handwriting will be seen as just gimmicky IMHO. That's how I would read a resume or coverletter that would come across my desk. My thought would be "what are they trying to make up for?"</p>
<p>Most colleges prefer online applications than paper applications. It processes faster and gives them less burden.</p>
<p>They don't care if you took more time to fill in paper applications - that's just your loss of time. Besides, by submitting it electronically, it'll show that you're giving consideration to the admissions officers, spending your OWN time wisely, and saving trees! :)</p>
<p>I think handwriting it would not show that you put more effort into it. It would seem like you didn't take the time to type. Usually I handwrite my school essays and then type them. If I'm feeling lazy though I just turn them in handwritten so that might be why I think it's lazy.</p>
<p>Wow, you need something to do. Handwriting an application, especially neat, takes effort that could be used for more "fun" senior year things. Go to a party, anything that will be more productive or memorable than writing out something that adcoms would prefer you type.</p>