Which College app?

I would not do common app. I think it would send the wrong message to your prospective college, like “He/she doesn’t care enough to fill out single applications? Hello reject pile.”

Oh for goodness sake, DO use commonapp.com That’s what I used for my college application process.

I don’t think that using commonapp makes you look bad as an applicant. Much of the app process is just busy work (reporting test scores, all your personal info, etc.) all that is going to be the same no matter what college you apply to. It makes it easy to do and FAST. Some schools even waive application fees if you apply online because it saves paper.

However, don’t forget about the essays. For each of my college applications, I had to write about 3 essays. Of course, they were different from college to college and I would NOT (repeat) would NOT use the same essays for each college. Write them separately and don’t resuse.

I can tell you personally that I applied to many top schools (liberal arts that had good reputations) and I was accepted to most with aid. I used Commonapp too. All it does is minimize the tedious work of writing out all the same information so you can concentrate more on what matters – essays.

I would also use the Common Application. If a school confirms that it accepts the Common App then there is nothing to fear. (And anyway it seems unfair to say, ‘Yes, we accept the Common App, but if you use it then we’ll reject you.’)

Common app, then do the supplements from each college. You can reuse a lot of material. Whatever you do don’t start at Christmas for January 1st deadlines like I did.

Well, there’s nothing wrong with the Common App as long as the colleges you’re interested in are on the Common App. https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx It mostly consists of private colleges.

@absalom , well there is always that. Gosh, I should have added something along those lines.

If the college accepts the common app, it is perfectly fine to use it. Just make sure that you fill out any supplemental material they require as well. My sons used it and got in to great colleges. Just be very accurate about submission dates and supplemental materials such as essays as I said.