<p>I have no particular attachment to most of the schools I am applying to on the Common App, rather I'm mainly applying just to see if I can get in.
So should I still go through the process of filling out all these supplements about why I want to go to school X?</p>
<p>Any other people in this situation?</p>
<p>what if I just use a generic “why do you want to come to our school” essay?</p>
<p>Please DO NOT submit applications to schools “just to see if I can get in”. Adcoms work ridiculously hard and do not deserve to have someone effectively mock their efforts this way. Other applicants would not get as much time for consideration due to your submission under false pretenses.</p>
<p>College admissions is a challenging time for the vast majority of people involved in the process. Please respect their investments (time, money, emotions, etc.) by not abusing the resources that you have available to you.</p>
<p>You’re wasting hundreds of dollars and effort and the effort of your guidance counselors for your vanity. </p>
<p>Nothing more. Nothing less.</p>
<p>Please take those application fees and donate it to your local womens’ shelter, food pantry or the Amer Red Cross for the storm victims. Or take your parents out to dinner in thanks for their love and guidance of you these years.</p>
<p>You’re about to be a college student. Act mature and responsible.</p>
<p>"Any other people in this situation? " I’m afraid, yes.</p>
<p>sorry, I probably didnt phrase the background correctly. Its not that i have “false pretenses” for applying, but that for the supplements I dont have any particular connection to a college, so would it be blatently obvious and/or have a significant effect on my overall application if my supplement was generic?</p>
<p>And I am paying for these applications from money earned by a summer job. I figure that this is the only time in my life that I’ll be able to apply to colleges, so why not apply to some to see if I get and not wonder 20 years from now if I should have applied. 75 dollars for the 30 minutes or so that an admissions person looks at my application doesnt seem to be an “abuse” to me.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have been called out and are trying to walk your comments back. However, “I’m mainly applying just to see if I can get in” in your OP simply cannot be overlooked.</p>
<p>I like T62E4’s suggestion to donate the application fee to a food pantry. You could even add this decision to contribute in your essays for the schools you actually would attend.</p>
<p>Saying " I figure that this is the only time in my life that I’ll be able to apply to colleges, so why not apply to some to see if I get and not wonder 20 years from now if I should have applied" is hardly walking back, instead a reiteration I feel.</p>
<p>Because there are probably people that are applying to those schools that desperately want to get in and you could potentially be taking away their spot for no reason whatsoever?</p>
<p>the reason being that I would like to attend university.</p>
<p>What about your GC who is likely already working late nights completing transcript requests and follow-ups yet would need to another few tasks to his to-do list in order to serve your curiosity? </p>
<p>What about the adcoms who do not have enough time to read their allotment of applications yet would be forced to stay up even later to read your meaningless applications?</p>
<p>What about the other applicants who already might be short-changed in the time allotted to the review of their applications?</p>
<p>This would be a vain and selfish act.</p>
<p>I’ve already sat down and finished required steps with my GC (this is through the common app). Boo-hoo about the adcoms, they rake in the money with app fees and take so much as a glance at applications. Second, my apps are not meaningless. I want to keep my options open, even if the school attachment isnt there. The application process is cold, even if i take someone’s spot who says Im going?
“You are denied to 100% of the schools you don’t apply to.” -me</p>
<p>rmldad: it all evens out. Just this thread playing out as it has will likely have some student perhaps seeing himself or herself in murr’s actions and maybe be swayed.</p>
<p>Murr: to your original question about filling out the supplements … it seems that the option of not even filling them out is being considered by you. Your actions/questions are circular. If you think otherwise, great. Go for it.</p>
<p>And also, it is your money. You can give it away or spend it wisely or waste it. I’d love for you to email this thread to yourself in 20 years and see your response.</p>
<p>I can’t resist the phrase “white peoples’ problems” from entering my head…</p>
<p>This is NOT your only chance to apply to college, so just scratch a line through that particular reason. As long as you continue to draw breath you will be able to continue your education. You can apply this year, next year, 20 years from now.</p>
<p>Take a look at that list of yours. Which of the places that require supplements do matter to you? Spend some time at their websites, think about how best to express your interest, and write the essays. If you can’t come up with a reason to care beyond “but I just want to know if I get in”, then drop it from your list. Every place on your list should be somewhere that you actually are interested in attending should May 1 arrive with no other admission offers.</p>
<p>thank you for your input everyone</p>
<p>murr95</p>
<p>Go ahead and apply, it’s your money. </p>
<p>DO fill-out the supplimentals (it’s the only way to be considered, including all the essays (including “Why I wnat to attend X”). For the latter, include a little bit of ego recognition for the school (first interested in X while searching accedamically challenging …), reference a “campus visit” (you can see campus pictures and get building names from college website), and finish with description as to how well matched you are to the school.</p>
<p>^ collegeplan: I hope you don’t end up being a financial adviser one day. LOL</p>
<p>You should go into marketing.</p>