<p>This is probably a really dumb question but here it goes...
When I ask a teacher and my counselor for recs do I give them a list of schools that they write to individually or is it a general "To Whom It May Apply"? I have different reasons for why I want to go to each school so I would think that they're specific but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>It’s usually one recommendation for multiple schools. So if all your schools use the common app, for example, you’re going to give your teacher the following: </p>
<ul>
<li>One copy of the common app teacher recommendation form</li>
<li>The list of schools you’re applying to and their application due dates</li>
<li>Envelopes addressed to each of your schools</li>
</ul>
<p>Your teacher can then just photocopy the single recommendation form for each college. Since the actual evaluation is usually typed up separately from the actual form, your teacher can address each evaluation to each college and customize each if he feels the need.</p>
<p>And of course you have different reasons for choosing different schools, but it’s not up to your teachers to point that out–you do that yourself if your schools require “why do you want to come here” essays.</p>
<p>Check with your guidance department. My kids’ GC knew where to send the recs (kids told her where they were applying), GC did all the copying, envelope addressing, etc. It depends on the highschool and how guidance is set up.</p>
<p>Therefore, teacher just needed to write one rec for each child, and submit it to guidance on time.</p>
<p>Due dates are very important. Tell teacher who’s writing the rec “I’m applying early decision to Amherst, and that recommendation is due October 15”…or “I’m applying to schools X, Y, Z, and the earliest rec due date is November 1.” Be very clear about the due dates. If they don’t know, they won’t submit it on time.</p>
<p>is the common app like mean any school can use it, and then there’s school specific ones? I dont really understand the whole common vs uncommon app stuff</p>
<p>If you’ve created an account on the common application, you can go to the “My Colleges” section and search for the names of colleges you want to apply to. Once you do that, you can fill out applications for the colleges right from the common app website. </p>
<p>It’s actually very easy once you start doing it, but if you don’t have a common app account or haven’t spent much time on the site yet, you may still be a little confused about the process.</p>
<p>If a school uses the common app, then that’s probably all you need to use for that school. If a school doesn’t use the common app (as in, it’s not on [this</a> list](<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx]this”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx)), then you’ll need to use that school’s application forms/online system to submit your application instead of the common app.</p>
<p>You’ll probably also want to read the common app [url=<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/FAQ.aspx]FAQ[/url”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/FAQ.aspx]FAQ[/url</a>] if you don’t know where to start or are still confused. Take advantage of your counselor if possible as well, as he probably (or at least should) have a good deal of information about the process and all of its sticky logistics.</p>
<p>even if the school DOES accept the common app can I just use the school specific app for simplicity</p>
<p>Yes you can. Although in my opinion using the common app is much easier than using specific school forms.</p>
<p>How so?, not trying to be rude just trying to understand what the common app is all about.</p>
<p>If you don’t use the common app, you have to fill out the entire application form once for every single school you apply to. If you do, you only have to fill out the main application once, and you can then just do each school’s supplement.</p>
<p>ahhhh ok, sounds good-is it preffered over the schools normal app or vice versa</p>
<p>If you request the school’s application, they will just send you a copy of the common app with their supplement. There is no separate “normal” application, so you don’t need to worry about which is preferred.</p>