Common Application Advice

Think Twice Before Using The Common Application for Your Top 3 College Choices!

The Common Application is an online service where you can apply to over 300 colleges through one web based service. Yes, that sounds like it could be a very good thing when it comes to saving you lots of time. However, I strongly urge you to consider all the pros and cons before using it for your applications. Especially, for your top 3 college choices!

I have nothing against the folks at The Common Application. I do think their intentions are to help students. And, I do think that their service does make it easier to apply to a lot of colleges in a short time. But is that really your goal?

Isn't your first priority to get accepted to the colleges you apply to? I say that because I want you to understand the message you are sending to an admissions officer when utilizing this service. And, I think it's a message that can make a difference as to whether or not you are accepted.

Now, let me take a moment to say that there are some colleges that use this service as the only way to apply to their college.

For those schools, you HAVE to use it. A lot of them have special supplemental materials that are listed on the site and you must submit those, too. They are easy to find when you select the school you are interested in.

What Message Are You Sending By Using This Service?

For schools that have their own online application or their own paper application and that also accept the Common Application, I strongly recommend that use the individual school's application instead of the Common Application.

If you choose NOT to use a school's own application you are basically telling a college that you are not willing to put in the extra effort to use their own system. Rather than investing a little more time to use their own carefully constructed application for admission that they have probably spent years perfecting, your actions imply that you'd rather use someone else's application that you plan to send to umpteen other schools in addition to them. Hmmmm...let's think about this further.

Admissions Officers Are Human, Too

Just like you, they like to be liked. And, just like everyone else, they want to feel wanted. They like to feel that you really want to attend their school. They love to hear that they are one of your top choices (if they really are!).

Yes, they understand that you are going to apply to other colleges. In fact, most would encourage you to do so. But the fact remains, when they are reviewing your application for admission to their school, they are looking for what you are going to bring to their institution.

And, they love to admit students who WANT to bring their talents there. Do you think using the Common Application tells them that you really WANT to bring your talents there?

Finally, your application is going to be reviewed with many, many others. Often, admissions counselors may only have a limited amount of time to review your qualifications. So, first impressions do matter!

First Impressions Matter

Now, no college admissions officer will ever admit that the Common Application has any implication on an admissions decision. And, of course no one is going to give you actual negative points for doing so.

However, what I can tell you is that when I read applications, I didn't get an immediate warm and fuzzy feeling when I came across a student that submitted a common application. I would think to myself "why didn't this student use our own application?" Maybe they are only applying to us as a safety school.

Now, I'm an understanding person and of course I understand the need for applying to safety schools (and I think it's a good idea to do that), but wouldn't you agree that you want any impressions you make to be positive ones? My point being that even the slightest negative thought inside an admissions officer head isn't a good thing for you if the rest of your application doesn't scream "Accept me!"

It's your call. It certainly not a life or death question. The Common Application can allow you to apply to a lot of colleges easily. It CAN save you oodles of time.

Use the Common Application for Colleges NOT in Your Top 3 Choices

A good strategy I strongly recommend is to use the Common Application for the colleges that are not in your top three choices. Certainly, if it's the only application method for a particular school, then you have to use it so it becomes a moot point.

And, if a school is farther down on your list then whether or not you make the absolute best impression you can is less important to you. So, go ahead and save time by using the Common Application for schools that you'd like to have as an option but that really aren't that important to you.

That's the strategy I think I would use were I in your shoes. I know I would at least think twice before using it. You might want to as well. Do check it out for yourself. Click here to vist the CA web site to learn about what they do offer.

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