<p>@daddio3, I assume you applied (or your son/daughter) NOT just because the app was free but because of the FA and generous merit aid that CASE is known for. </p>
<p>As others have mentioned to you before but you fail to consider; CASE’s app has ALWAYS been free. The difference is the common app has made college applications to multiple universities much easier to do and all colleges receive a spike increase by using the CA. GA Tech will be a good example of this for this year and the fee is only one factor in the equation. No one want to attend a college that has a poor reputation with it’s students, CASE has a 92% student retention for returning students. I fail to see how fee vs. free matters. Don’t apply to a college JUST because the app is free and DON’T fail to apply to a good match college just because you have to pay! </p>
<p>This is from the GA Tech website as to why they are switching to the common app:</p>
<p>"One of our big goals is to continue to diversify campus from a geographic, academic and socioeconomic standpoint,” said Rick Clark, director of undergraduate admission. “In order to do that, we have to continue to diversify the applicant pool.”</p>
<p>The standardized Common App gives students access to more colleges by simplifying the process for them to apply. Rather than filling out a different application for each university, applicants can fill out one application and submit it to multiple member schools at once.</p>
<p>“These are kids who are already applying to schools similar to Tech and should be applying here too,” Clark said. Admission staff will talk with counselors, prospective students and parents this summer to provide more information about the new application process and deadlines.</p>
<p>“We’re already hearing excitement from high school counselors who have been telling kids to apply here and know this will make it easier for them to do so, ” Clark said. The Common App also includes a counselor recommendation, giving admission staff valuable information about prospective students and their high schools and curriculum.</p>
<p>Other universities that have switched to the Common App have seen as high as a 20 percent increase in applications the first year. Clark’s team is preparing for what will be a year of challenges and change, knowing that the growing pains are signs of positive change for Tech. They are interested to see how the new applicant pool yields in comparison to past years.</p>
<p>“This step will bolster our efforts to enroll the best students nationally and internationally as we seek to meet the Institute’s vision of defining the technological research university of the 21st century,” Clark said."</p>
Anyway, he has three admits better for him than Case with 5 still outstanding, so I am MOVING ON. Good luck all, especially you strong wait-listed kids who really wanted to attend Case. Let them know and they may just be happy to have you!</p>