<p>They should let students choose between the common app and their version.</p>
<p>HeliMom is right. There's no need to make kids fill in the same information over and over just to apply to one's school. That's bad marketing, and I can see no benefit in it.</p>
<p>As long as the supplement contains what was wonderful about the uncommon app., there should be no issue.</p>
<p>Yeah, it's the essay questions that are key. No reason to fill in name, DOB, GPA, etc., over and over and over again.</p>
<p>Something I have not heard yet in this discussion is the impact of the common app on the applicant.</p>
<p>A few years ago, I read extensive discussions regarding whether it was better to use the common app or the U's own app at places like Harvard. The general perception seemed to be the U's own app was better. </p>
<p>FWIW, I would be very surprised if this change takes place. Keep in mind that a president was forced to leave a few years ago because of alumni furor over changes to the core. The prez wants this change? So what. The students and alums are already voting strongly against. My prognosis: DOA.</p>
<p>And frankly, I think that outcome is fine. Yes, UofC sacrifices an opportunity to increase selectivity (more apps=more rejected) and maybe an attendant boost in USNWR rankings. But the underlying education does not change. And given the work one must put into the essays, compared to the largely mechanical component to filling out the application, I don't think the change would even have that big an impact on applicant numbers. So the place would lose a key part of its admissions marketing strategy, to what benefit?</p>
<p>I graduated from U Chicago, and like the common app possibility. Why not reduce clerical drudgery? Top private admissions counselors always have their clients use the individual application forms to emphasize that they are truly interested. People will still be able to do that with Chicago. It will be a choice. And, everyone will still have to do special essays, I am sure.</p>
<p>I agree with the person who said that the Uncommon App was easier. It was by far the easiest of my applications to complete, straightforward and uncomplicated. I also liked being able to submit my midsemester report online.</p>
<p>Students should have everything on file at their high school: personal information, transcripts, grades, test scores, recommendations, writing samples. I don't see the need for applications at all. Students should just check off the college name and the college coulld get everything they need from the high school. The entire application process reminds me of a fraternity rush, complete with hazing.</p>
<p>
[quote]
FWIW, I would be very surprised if this change takes place. Keep in mind that a president was forced to leave a few years ago because of alumni furor over changes to the core. The prez wants this change? So what. The students and alums are already voting strongly against. My prognosis: DOA.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NMD. what is DOA is the rather ludicrous idea that the voices of 1000 students who cling to the superior value of the Uncommon Appication matters. The business of admissions in 2007 is ALL about business. Have we forgotten that Chicago did meet with the representatives of USNews to --finally-- learn about the finer points of those pesky rankings. Was this "new" understanding of the inner working of the model not clearly reflected in the 2006 rankings? Or should we assume that the school that almost invented the field would not be able to crack the model and maximize it. Heck, if some Vermonters could do it, it should have been child play in the windy city! While the example of Cornell's adoption --and huge increase in applications-- of the CA should have opened a few eyes, one could safely assume that the benefits of having an expanded pool of VERY competitive applicants DID easily overcome the latest attempts at resistance. </p>
<p>Yes, NMD, in my opinion, that horse left the barn and the decision HAS BEEN made. Chicago would not waste its time negotiating the finer details nor incorporate the announcement in mailings if they were still exploring the matter. Schools are not known to move much faster than molasses when it comes to sharing news with the public at large. The president of the school knew darn well what is happening on this issue, and WHY he made the comments.</p>
<p>While Chicago will still attract the students who enjoy what the school has to offer, the school has now joined the others in attracting students who compose target lists at a minimal investment. </p>
<p>This is all about the students who stayed away from Chicago BECAUSE of the iconoclastic application ... and about USNews. All the rest is blah-blah, just blah-blah, especially all this non-sense about being happy about poorer statistics than their competition's!</p>
<p>Xiggi,</p>
<p>If you think a decision has been made already, then I think you don't understand university governance, and don't understand U. Chicago either. </p>
<p>While you may not like the fact that universities listen to students, they do. And to alums far, who have the checkbooks. (BTW, no where in my post did I say the students had anything to do with the decision. I do say it now, though, so you're partially off the misquote hook!)</p>
<p>What the impact will be on admissions either way, I will not predict.</p>
<p>NMD, I'll send my one dollar wager to any escrow agent of your choice. Actually, I'll give you 5 to 1 odds! </p>
<p>FWIW, the final decision does not really matter to me; the "reasons" behind the proposed changes advanced by the Prez did confirm my prior theories. </p>
<p>By the way, the "Save the Uncommon Application!" petition counter is at 696. :)</p>
<p>The easiest app in the world has to be the online UCAS for UK universities. However, most top UK programs directors want an interview.</p>
<p>xiggi,</p>
<p>It's a deal, except that the loser donates to charity. I'm philosophically opposed to taking money from non-wealthy students. Since you gave me such generous odds, I'll even give you choice of the charity. But, there should be a time deadline. What about fall, 2008? TheDad as escrow agent? Or maybe ariesathena, attorney in the making she is?</p>
<p>For those wondering, there are currently just under 300 schools that accept the common application, out of 2400+ four year schools. </p>
<p>So Chicago's claim to being "uncommon" has never really held all that much water to begin with. </p>
<p>I seriously doubt that we've seen the end of the famous Chicago essays either -- As NewMassDad points out, Chicago is a unique school, and always will hold fiercely to that uniqueness, no matter what options they may give for applying (and I suspect that they'll hold on to their "uncommon" application even if they do make the CA an option)</p>
<p>Personally, as a parent of two kids who collectively have filled out applications to about 24 different colleges, I would vote for doing away with the common app altogether. If the colleges wanted to all subscribe to a common database where a student could store basic, objective demographic info (name, address, phone number, high school transcript info, test score data) -- that would be great. But beyond that, I think the more individualized the applications, the better. I think a common essay is a mistake -- let the colleges ask questions more tailored to their individual programs and campus culture. If a student wants to use the same essay over and over via cut & paste or attaching a word file to an application, fine..... but it seemed to me that there was a huge benefit to both my kids and to the colleges when the college application got my kids thinking about that particular college, why it is they wanted to attend, what they had to offer that college, etc. </p>
<p>Was it harder to apply to those colleges with their own application forms or which required several essays & short answers with the CA supplement? Yes -- and that is the way I think it should be. I don't think it does the kid nor the process any service for everyone to feel the need to apply to 12 or 20 colleges. If every kid started to think much more seriously about the college choices, and apply only to colleges that they truly wanted to attend and where they felt they had a reasonable chance of gaining admission... maybe some of the madness would end. If a more cumbersome application process led to a reduction in overall number of applications and a return to a time when the most selective colleges (like Ivies) were accepting about 25% of applicants-- I think that would only be an improvement. </p>
<p>My son was deterred from applying to Chicago by the uncommon app... and my daughter had fun with it. I'm glad it happened that way -- the fact that my son was deterred is a good sign that that Chicago wasn't for him anyway. I'm also glad that my daughter could get a fair shake with her review of her application at Chicago -- its nice to know after putting in effort writing an essay that someone is really taking the time to read and consider it. </p>
<p>So if Chicago takes the common app ... I feel sorry for the next generation of applicants to Chicago. More people who don't particularly want to attend Chicago, but find it easy enough to submit just one more application, will apply; more people who do very much want to attend will end up getting rejected because of competition from those who are just tacking on another college to their list.</p>
<p>NMD, we are on. Let's send the $$$ to Mini ... he has an endless supply of good causes to support. Fall 2008 is great.</p>
<p>Thanks! we can use it. Currently raising funds to train women carpenters, electricians, and masons among Dalits (untouchables) in south India. $100 total cost for each, including all training materials, and a monthly stipend, for six months. And we'll employ 'em, too (although jobs are very plentiful since the tsunami.) Now, let me see: for the price of one University of Chicago four years, I can train....</p>
<p>Also, $25 a goat (in India - <a href="http://www.lafti.net;%5B/url%5D">www.lafti.net;</a> $43 in Burundi - <a href="http://www.aglionline.org%5B/url%5D">www.aglionline.org</a>. See We'll even send you a picture! (contact me privately).</p>
<p>xiggi, mini, we're on!</p>
<p>BTW, mini, through work I recently became involved in an project in India. We should chat sometime. I'll send you a PM.</p>
<p>cute, probably unintended, pun in that post 37. ;)</p>
<p>Chicago Uncommon Essays to remain, Common App only to be used only for common information:
[quote]
Michael Behnke, vice president of College Enrollment, said the Class of 2012 will almost certainly use the Common Application when applying to the U of C next fall.</p>
<p>Barring any last-minute problems, sections of the U of C’s Uncommon Application asking for standard personal information will be replaced with those from the Common Application, Behnke said. The U of C’s famous essay questions will remain as an application supplement.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NMD, it looks like we may not have to wait until the Fall of 2008 for the answer. However, since I don't want to sound like the Dems in the summer of 2004, we should delay the fatidic yet decisive outcome until an official notice is available. </p>
<p>After all, I can't take advantage of this situation since I'm philosophically opposed to taking money from wealthy parents. :D</p>