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I want my application typed instead of handwritten. Problem is, I really don't know how. I can't to it on my computer because it won't come out aligned correctly. I don't have a type writer, either. Any suggestions?

By Ivysearch (Ivysearch) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 08:08 pm: Edit

Either hand write or do online app. Many schools prefer the online app now because the data is already in the computer and it doesn't have to be entered by the school. It's not worth the hassle to type it unless you are already equipped.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:23 pm: Edit

Type out the answers using your computer. Then print out the info and neatly manually cut and paste the info into the application. Xerox the application, and send the Xerox copy in. Just make sure that you sign the Xerox copy in the space where you have to sign.

The colleges won't mind that you've copied their application. They will make copies anyway to give to the various members of their committee.

This is how my S did his college apps., and they looked very neat.

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:54 pm: Edit

An easier way would be to find a pdf editor. They all cost money, but you can find a 30 day trial version that will allow you to save. Another incentive to get the app done on time.

By Newt (Newt) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Try Adobe Acrobat Professional. Its really nice, albeit expensive.

By Up40love (Up40love) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 11:05 am: Edit

Yes. I use Adobe Acrobat Professional and it's convenient and much neater than cutting and pasting.

By Cangel (Cangel) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 11:33 am: Edit

Do a message search for "adobe" and read the threads - someone mentioned another pdf editor that cost half of Adobe Pro.
Also, if your school has a computing lab or computing center, they may have a copy of Adobe you can use. Once you get the hang of how to edit, it goes pretty fast.

By Efs424 (Efs424) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 01:12 pm: Edit

typewriter

By Khoadov (Khoadov) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 06:18 pm: Edit

If you use the Common Application, you can go to Princeton Reviews website, put your info in then the website will create a common application pdf file with your information on it.

By Paulhomework (Paulhomework) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 06:41 pm: Edit

Do the online app, then download PDF documents for teacher rec, counselor form, etc. and use Adobe Acrobat to type your information. It looks very neat.

By Chocoman (Chocoman) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 06:50 pm: Edit

i spent 3 hours typing up one application. and it sucked. so i got another copy and handwrote it.


does it really matter? if your qualifications are good enough they wont care....

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 08:48 pm: Edit

Do they care if the printed app is in black and white? Those color cartidges cost more than the printer itself.

By Needhelp06 (Needhelp06) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 09:10 pm: Edit

side question, but how do you write using adobe professional? I have it, but I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, and I cant figure out how to write in pdf documents. Let me in, whats the secret???

By Bianchi23 (Bianchi23) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

You can type your information into commonapp.org and then print it out. Would it be alright to mail this printed version rather than submitting it online?

By Paulhomework (Paulhomework) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:26 am: Edit

About the question on how to type using Adobe,

The application file (PDF doc) should be created w/ forms enabled. If it is, when you click on fields on you should be able to type

If the app is not created like that, then you can still type by using "comments", etc. but it takes a LOT of time and it's really hard to explain. Still, if you wanna do it go to Acrobat help and search for comments.

By Up40love (Up40love) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:19 am: Edit

Paulhomework: you're making it too complicated.

When you use acrobat professional, you select a button that says "advanced editing tools" which then pops up additional buttons. Click on one of them until you find a scroll menu with "text field box" or something equivalent. Create boxes in the spaces. When you're done making boxes, click on the hand tool and place the hand in the spaces where you created boxes and type in your text.

I found that it's generally easier to make boxes that aren't all the same, but then selecting all using Ctrl+A and assigning them all the same font properties. It's much less time consuming than trying to make all the boxes look even.

One more thing: it's not a good idea to copy and paste boxes for similar spaces (e.g. the boxes in EC spaces) since whatever you type in one will show up in another.

By Searchingavalon (Searchingavalon) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 09:04 am: Edit

We just bought something yesterday called ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional 2, which turns PDF files into fully-formatted Microsoft Word documents and forms. Because it's supposed to turn them back again, it cost $100. One that goes in just one direction (ie. PDF to Word) was $50.