OFFICIAL Common Application Questions Thread

<p>^^^^^I'm wondering this also.</p>

<p>hope someone whos gone thru the process answers lol</p>

<p>bump </p>

<p>does no one know the answer to this question....</p>

<p>Hey yall, I had a quick question:</p>

<p>Do you have to submit your Common App. to all the schools you are applying at once? Or can you do your EA/ED school first, then send in the common app. to the other schools you are applying to one by one?</p>

<p>Also, if I will take my SATs in October, should I write in my SAT scores from previous testing where it asks me to? OR should I just write will take in October? Because my SAT scores are not good from the previous testing and I want to write down my scores from the october testing.. thanks</p>

<p>Do you list siblings, even if they are younger than you and are still in elementary school?</p>

<p>whats the pt of listing siblings btw?</p>

<p>I just listed all my siblings. </p>

<p>I think the point of listing siblings is just in case you have some sort of connection to a school.</p>

<p>what about siblings who have died?...</p>

<p>for the part about work experience, does it have to be a formal company i.e. Scripps or Vons or whatnot employing you or can it be a family member or friends paying you to help tutor and etc?</p>

<p>In other words, is any activity that includes you giving up your time for money considered a job?</p>

<p>
[quote]
credit value

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What does this mean?</p>

<p>Also, should you list all SAT IIs you've taken, or can you include only those you want colleges to see?</p>

<p>1.) Where do I find the section about special talents?</p>

<p>2.) </p>

<ol>
<li>Class Secretary (11-12) 6 hrs/week, 41 wks/yr</li>
<li>Attended German School (10) 40 hrs/week, 4 wks/yr</li>
<li><p>Fox Chase Cancer Center (11-12) 35 hrs/week, 5 wks/yr
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Since I plan on majoring in medicine, I want to say something like: "Worked in a lab at Fox Chase Cancer Center." otherwise they might just think i was a secretary or something. unfortunately, the "worked in" doesnt fit. where should i add it?</p></li>
<li><p>NHS Delegate (11-12) 3 hrs/week, 41 wks/yr</p></li>
<li><p>German Club (9-12) (will continue) 2 hrs/wk, 20 wks/yr --> Newsletter Editor (11-12)</p></li>
<li><p>Trumpet Player (9-10) 5 hrs/week, 41 wks/yr</p></li>
<li><p>Chess Club (10-12) 2 hrs/week, 20 wks/yr --> Attendance Officer (12)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>^^^^^^^^^
First of all, since I discontinued trumpet after 10th grade, but still put a great amount of time into it during my first 2 years of high school, should I leave it on my activities, or will colleges not care for it? Secondly, I was on the JV Tennis team for one year, and also on the Robotics Team (state-ranked) for one year. I'm wondering if, to u guys, that holds more weight than any of the above listed activities (since both were only for one year). On a similar note, in terms of what colleges are looking for, do you think the list is in the correct order (most to least impressive).</p>

<p>Here's my tennis/robotics stuff to put it in perspective:</p>

<p>JV Tennis (10) 15 hrs/week, 8 wks/yr
Robotics Team (11) 10 hrs/week, 14 wks/yr --> (2nd place in PA)</p>

<p>So what do u guys think?</p>

<p>Re: test scores - Since many students achieve their best scores in multiple sittings, you may need to write down all the scores. If not, then you can definitely just write down your best one. For ACT, the rule applies.</p>

<p>OneANDonly - If you've only taken the SATs once before, then you need to put those scores down, and indicate that you're taking the SATs again in October. Bottom line: you can't leave the testing section blank (and say you're going to take it in October) –– besides, colleges will see all your scores when you send in the College Board report. </p>

<p>** i<3YaoMing** - Either put it at work experience or volunteering. </p>

<p>** aristotle1990 ** - When you send the college board score reports, college board includes all tests you've taken, so there's no use in attempting to 'hide' scores you don't want colleges to see. They'll see the results of all tests you've taken.</p>

<p>SandyRun - there is no place to list 'special talents.' There is, however, a place to list your various activities, and also an 'other' box that you can use to include such information.</p>

<p>I'd also switch the order of your two activities. Receiving an award for your work is more impressive than competing in JV Tennis.</p>

<p>do u have to report ur act if u've already put in ur sat scores (did bad on act so i wont be sending it in)</p>

<p>jv tennis and robotics team from 2 posts above are not in my top 7. I'm asking whether or not either of them belongs in my top 7 activities, and if so, where should they go? also, how else should my top 7 be reordered to match what an admissions officer would be looking for?</p>

<p>For clubs and ECs, were it asks for hours per week,what if you only have a 2 hour meetings once per month?</p>

<p>Also, for the essay,i know it says 250 words minimum,but what's a good number to shoot for,Is 300 good?</p>

<p>Also, if you don't mind, can you check my grammar usage in the above sentences and tell me if they're correct?I'm trying to prepare for the English portion of the ACT. :P</p>

<p>I HATE how you can only type in, like, 15 characters under "activities"!!</p>

<p>I hate that too! I just need ONE more letter.... arrrgggg! </p>

<p>Ok, now onto my question. I have a little more than 700 hours of community service so should I list it all under one activity or separate it into the different places I have volunteered at?</p>

<p>^ Put it in as in activity (and if you are most passionate about community service, put it on top of your list). The common app leaves little room for you to give descriptions of your activities, so if you believe your app would merit from additional information, put it into the 'other' box.</p>

<p>Okay, thank you =)</p>

<p>Can someone who submited their common app for the
last academic year post a "here is what happens
or is supposed to happen" when you click the submit button......</p>

<p>....I am trying to avoid an "oops should have known" moment....</p>

<p>;)</p>