Is it better to apply to college online or via mail?

Question

I know it sounds like a stupid question, but here's the thing: I could use any little bit of help I can get in making it in. I will be applying to University of Arizona, Boston College, Harvard College, and Johns Hopkins University (def. need a job to pay the app. fees!!)..plus a few more.

A lot is riding on these applications, because if by some chance I get accepted to Harvard, they will pay my full tuition because of my low income. I just have to get in...:P

So let's take Harvard-- Would it appear I have more initiative if I apply via mail? Would that make me more tangible to the admissions officer? :) Or would they prefer online because its more systematic and high-tech, not to mention bigger print? And what's the deal with this Common Application?

Answer 1

Here is the info I found on the Common Application:

https://app.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Defa...

The Common Application membership association was established in 1975 by 15 private colleges that wished to provide a common, standardized first-year application form for use at any member institution. With the administrative support of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the organization grew steadily throughout its first 30 years.

Now in our fourth decade, the Common Application currently provides both online and print versions of its First-year and Transfer Applications. Our membership of more than 300 institutions now represents the full range of higher education institutions in the US: public and private, large and small, highly selective and modestly selective, and East Coast, West Coast, and every region in between.

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I am old-school, so I would apply by snail-mail.  But I know that a lot prefer you apply on-line, as it is less paperwork, and easier to organize applications for the admissions board.  I would check the FAQ's on each college site.  They should be able to give you all the info you need.  Also, they have areas where you can ask your own questions.

Answer 2

If you are able to provide the same info about yourself either way, I'd definitely do it on line.  Using snail mail in this millennium when the Internet is available won't bode well for you.  Double check everything you write for spelling and accuracy.  Your narrative above looked pretty good as far as punctuation, grammar, and spelling.  Of course, you won't be using those little pseudo-ellipses with two periods, but I know you only did that because this is a casual site.  You left an apostrophe out of your "its" in the last sentence.  You can slide here, but not on a Harvard application.  

I write for a living.  If you want me to look over your application before you send it, I'll do it.  Ask me to become one of your acquaintances, or whatever it is on this site (I'm relatively new here).

'Just reviewed this and thought, "Sheesh, my name is Puddinhead and I have a Gumby avatar.  Would this person dare trust any part of her future to me?"  I'm "Puddinhead" after "Pudd'n'head Wilson," one of Mark Twain's title characters and heroes.  And the Gumby, well, yeah, I guess I'm pretty much a flake.  But I really do write for a living.  (I write very boring technical documents.)  You probably write as well or better than I do, but having someone else take a look at it is always a good idea.  And a stranger might be better,  because I'll tell you the truth.

Answer 3

It's better that you apply online and I have no idea about the common application.