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I've just read a book that basically says "do not use online applications, it shows lack of interest in the school". This is hard to believe. Why would a school offer an online application if they wouldn't seriously consider applicants who use it???

By Over30 (Over30) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 10:43 am: Edit

Based on what I've read and heard here, I do not think it matters. In fact, some of the schools my son applied to said they preferred online app's, and some schools will waive the application fee if you apply online. (There's a thread on this.)

Early last fall there was a lot of discussion on the parent's forum about problems some had with the online application, whether it was secure, problems with filling in the form, etc., but my son had no problems at all. You do need to follow up and make sure they received your app.

Also, don't procrastinate. Many kids have said they couldn't get through online because so many applicants waited until the last minute.

By Collegedadz (Collegedadz) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 11:26 am: Edit

What book was that? This is the same logic as "type your application" or "don't use the common app! it shows lack of interest in the school. use their own app!"

If a school makes it available, you presume they will not look down upon you for using a tool THEY made available.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 11:40 am: Edit

My son filed applications online to 5 of the 6 schools and was accepted to all the schools he applied to. His application fee was also waved at all but one school. The last school did not have online apps available. He used the common application for everything. I would second the comment about not waiting until the last minute. I remember the common app website being down for a few days at the end of Novemeber and people panicking because some schools had a Dec. 1 deadline and they couldn't get on. So if your child plans on applying online, at a mininum do it several weeks before the final deadline.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 02:06 pm: Edit

Amen about not waiting to the last minute for on-line apps. Particularly for the UC system, which as a December 1 deadline and typically has clogged server traffic over Thanksgiving weekend.

I've read that many adcoms *like* the on-line apps because they're much more readable than hand-written hardcopy.

Jrmom, I'd check the copyright date on that book...things change, even in 3-5 years.

Some on-line apps require some tweaking to the formatting...ALWAYS print out your app before hitting the final SUBMIT. Either Stanford's or Yale's was particularly annoying with some things over-writing due to some weird line breaks. We got it to work eventually but it took a little tweaking.

By Any1can (Any1can) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 03:36 pm: Edit

Good pointTheDad re. UC on-line apps. It is a great way to cover all the UC's however kids who are reading this, start your app early, re-read it several times and try to have it finished before Thanksgiving and definitely before the deadline. Like TheDad said, also print it out and go over it and then keep a copy for yourself. Keep a copy of all your paperwork. The site was very sluggish and also crashed near the deadline to the point they extended the deadline a day. We had a fast computer and it was still slow. Son finished his app over Thanksgiving. Also, son did have to do a little reformating on the essay section. The program format is strange. All in all though, on-line is really the way to go. Very convientent if you apply in a timely manner.

By Useatoothbrush (Useatoothbrush) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 03:58 pm: Edit

Do all your apps online. Schools don't overanalyze how you completed their app. They wouldn't offer a variety of ways to apply if they didn't want you to take advantage of them. Use whichever forms are the most convenient to you (I found some online applications, such as Carleton's own, showed my accomplishments and personality a lot better than the Common App and used that one instead, for example). I was accepted everywhere I applied, and I applied online everywhere. Being able to edit-copy-paste without literally pasting your app together is extremely convenient, as is not dealing with the USPS and being able to pay with a credit/debit online.

By Usunkmyb_Ship (Usunkmyb_Ship) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 04:31 pm: Edit

They prefer it online. You don't have to worry about lost forms in the mail and they get it right away. Just make sure you don't hit submit two times so you won't get charged double, yeah

By Dostoyevsky (Dostoyevsky) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 04:42 pm: Edit

i dont wanna apply online, and my handwriting is fairly brutal...would it be alright if i typed my app up and then sent it to upenn?
(or will i stand the chance of looking crazy)

By Nmoreno1 (Nmoreno1) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 04:43 pm: Edit

Straight from a Harvard University adcom:

"As long as we get the application, it really doesn't matter."

Best of luck.