<p>o.o</p>
<p>The reasons UChicago states to use the common app are legit. Common app will make it easier for some to apply to UC because they will not have to rewrite their basic info. UC could have an "uncommon supplement" where they ask their offbeat essay questions anyway. Penn's supplement is the exact same thing as their PartII (essays and things of the sort). NU asks some different questions in their supplement (something extra than "Why X" essay). The only reason UC has a 30-40% acceptance rate is because there is so much self selection among applicants. UC wants to expand the applicants and gain a little more diveristy. If UC switches to Common App, naturally, the number of applicants will go up, acceptance rate will go down, and all that other stuff that makes a college more prestigeous (I guess). However, the public's perception of UC will not change much and it will still be known as the college where "fun goes to die" with massive grade deflation and nothing to do but study (not saying this is true, but many people believe this). There is no reason for a college not to use the Common App because it makes it easier for applicants to report their basic information. I doubt that if every college uses the Common App the number of colleges people apply to will greatly increase because supplements are not a cake walk and applications still cost money to send. What UC has to ask itself is whether or not it wants to maintain the same level of self selection that it has now due to the Uncommon Application. If UC wants more applicants, it should switch to the Common App. If it only wants applicants who want to attend, UC should consider keeping the Uncommon App as a way to scare away applicants who are not serious.</p>
<p>OMG WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS ONE YEAR EARLIER</p>
<p>I still have to do their regular app....oh my God...</p>
<p>Let the student protests begin :)</p>
<p>I meant to say that the number of colleges people apply to will not increase. stupid edit function not working.</p>
<p>Brown and Columbia don't use the common app...at least as far as I know. I just double-checked at the common app site, and they're not listed.</p>
<p>I would hate it if U of C used the common app. I love the uncommon one. What are they going to do, make applicants write four essays? I like the way it's self-selective. The school ends up accepting the kids who really want to be there and who are willing to put forth some extra effort. I don't see why the basic information parts are such a big deal...it's not that difficult to type in your name and address an extra time for Chicago. It's the essays that make it unique, and if they'll be in a supplement anyway, what's the point of the switch?</p>
<p>Although I am a very big fan of the Uncommon Application, it may prevent some first generation students, minority and otherwise, from applying who might apply and attend if it had the common application. A supplement that allowed for the Uncommon Essays, would be essential, however. I do have mixed feelings about this, and am not sure I like the idea of U of C becoming more selective based on ease of applying rather than self-selection. I like it that the admissions personnel have more leeway in deciding who may be admitted.</p>
<p>It's much more convenient if it's part of the common app, even if it's got extra essays. It's also in the interest of the university</p>
<p>I see where they're coming from with the minority / first general students, etc, but damn, the uncommon application is so... Chicago.</p>
<p>^Precisely. I'm heartbroken. :(</p>
<p>I think that's ridiculous.</p>
<p>Uncommon App is amazing. So much more interesting than my other applications. And personally, I think the self-selection with students is good.</p>
<p>i love the uncommon app. :(</p>
<p>I keep having this image of Libby Pearson and the admissions staff sorting through 300,000 documents - and that's just in the EA cycle. Unless I'm wrong, many of these documents - transcripts, reccomendations, etc - might be organized for them and presented to them digitally from the Common Application. I know that they would still need to deal with a great volume of paper, but what if it eliminated 50% of it? I can see how it might streamline the process for Chicago.</p>
<p>oh but it is such an integral (ok maybe not necessary but...) and traditional part of Chicago...pity that.</p>
<p>I have been thinking about my S's experience with the Uncommon App and the Common App. For whatever the reason, and I don't know what it was, his U A was far better than his C A. I don't believe he would have been accepted if U of C was using the C A. Perhaps, with the U of C questions, it would have been different, but there was something about the U C that caught his imagination...</p>
<p>I think that Uncommon App is created to focus much more on the essays than anything else. I can't remember exactly becaus I did both Uncommon and Common at the same time, but I think UC never asks for awards/accomplishments/AP's etc....show-offy stuff which can nonetheless be somewhat important. I do, however, think that stress on the essays is/should remain critical to the selection process.</p>
<p>^Essays can remain an important part. UC can do all of the essays and other stuff on the supplement and even go so far as to say "we will not read your common app essay and will not hold it against you if you do not write one". Also, UC can say on their supplement "we will not read your awards or AP scores because we could care less about them". Either way UC will read the AP classes you have taken by taking a glance at your transcript. The use of the Common App is UC's decision. If it wants to attract many more applicants, it will, and some will be URMs who UC wants to attract.</p>
<p>My S told me there is a growing movement among currently enrolled students to save the Uncommon Application. A facebook group dedicated to this end now has 544 members and is growing. There are email and letter writing campaigns. It will be interesting to see how this all come out.</p>
<p>555 including me, idad.</p>
<p>Pray, what is the name of the facebook group?</p>