<p>Is there a difference between the two?</p>
<p>Not in their substance. alot of colleges prefer the online app, bc it is easier for them to handle</p>
<p>Yeah, I should have clarified. I didn't mean if there were actually differences within the applications, but how colleges regard them.</p>
<p>just do the online one. its there for a reason</p>
<p>Online for the following reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li> Many colleges prefer it. </li>
<li> Instant or at very least quick notification of receipt of materials, or missing materials.</li>
<li> No delay from the Post Office.<br></li>
<li> No writers cramp.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you're not a tree killer, you should know what to do. ;)</p>
<p>Online app is much easier + more preffered nowadays..
However, it is more difficult to attach extra resume material with it..</p>
<p>I would recommend completing the online application and then mailing follow-up information by mail.</p>
<p>in response to the tree killer point... I'm finding that many colleges are automatically sending me their paper applications because I am on their mailing lists. I'll probably choose to use these paper applications so that they're not wasted. </p>
<p>I prefer paper anyway... with the Common App online, there are limits to how many characters can be entered in a given slot. For example, my brother graduated from Franklin and Marsha college -it's kind of annoying.</p>
<p>Yeah, I was also for paper, so if I killed some trees in the process, I think looking back it was definitely worth it ;)</p>