Hey folks, been preparing to start my college apps and I just found out not all colleges use the Common App. Can anyone let me know which notable schools don't use it, and what their application processes are like? Is it a hassle to apply to these schools separately? Kinda worried about managing different applications.
Hey there! I completely understand feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of managing separate applications, but it's totally doable with a bit of organization. Notable schools that don't use the Common App include the University of California system, which uses the UC Application, and MIT, which uses its own platform called MyMIT. Georgetown University also uses its own application.
Each of these systems will ask for similar information as the Common App, and while re-entering it may be a little annoying, it shouldn't take too long. The more importance difference is that each one may have different essay prompts, with different word counts, or supplemental information requirements. It's indeed an extra effort to manage these separate applications, but many students find setting up a spreadsheet and a timeline helps keep everything on track. Just break down the tasks into smaller chunks, and you'll get through it just fine!
If you need any help organizing, feel free to ask for advice—many students have successfully navigated this process, and you can too!
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