<p>Many colleges that allow the common app state they have no preference between their own institution-specific app and the common app. However, does it show greater interest if you use the college's own app? Or is there no advantage so just easier to use the common app? Which app did you use?</p>
<p>Some people say that using a college's own app is another way to demonstrate to the college that you are especially interested, but in my opinion the effects of the decision to use a unique application are minute at best, but who can really know for sure, especially when admissions board are constantly in flux. Personally, I had used the common app for eleven colleges, and I had to use the unique application for MIT.</p>
<p>the common app contains stuff that are on every application</p>
<p>the college's supplement is supposed to be what is unique to the college</p>
<p>so i dont see how you can be hurt in using common app over college app</p>
<p>To be honest, in my search, I did not encounter many schools that gave you a choice. They tended to be exclusive commonapp users, or had only their own app.</p>
<p>It is possible that where there is a choice, using the school's app signifies greater interest...but I doubt it is a significant boost. Whether it's worth it to you likely depends on factors such as how many schools you're applying to, etc.</p>