Can I Change my Common App Essay for Different Colleges?
I remember the overwhelming task of writing my Common App essay. I spent weeks agonizing over every word, trying to craft the perfect essay that would showcase my strengths and make me stand out from other applicants. After countless drafts and revisions, I finally finished the essay and submitted it to my top choice schools.
But then, I started to wonder: What if I wrote a better essay for another school? Could I change my essay for different colleges? I did some research and found out that yes, you can change your Common App essay for different colleges. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
The Benefits of Changing Your Essay
There are several benefits to changing your essay for different colleges. First, it can give you the opportunity to tailor your essay to each school’s specific requirements. For example, if a school has a specific essay prompt, you can use that prompt to write an essay that directly addresses the school’s values and mission. Second, changing your essay can help you highlight different aspects of your application. For example, if you have a strong academic record, you can write an essay that focuses on your academic achievements. If you have a lot of extracurricular activities, you can write an essay that highlights your leadership skills. Third, changing your essay can help you avoid repetition. If you are applying to multiple schools, it is important to make sure that your essays are not all the same. By changing your essay for different colleges, you can ensure that each essay is unique and tailored to the specific school.
The Drawbacks of Changing Your Essay
There are also some drawbacks to changing your essay for different colleges. First, it can be time-consuming. If you are already short on time, it may not be worth it to rewrite your essay for each school. Second, changing your essay can be stressful. If you are already feeling overwhelmed by the college application process, adding another task to your to-do list may not be a good idea. Third, changing your essay can be confusing. If you are not careful, you may end up submitting the wrong essay to a school. It is important to keep track of which essay you are submitting to each school.
Making the Decision
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to change your essay for different colleges is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. If you think that changing your essay will give you a significant advantage, then it may be worth it to do so. However, if you are short on time or you are feeling overwhelmed, it may be better to stick with one essay. No matter what you decide, make sure that you put your best effort into your essay and that you are happy with the final product.
FAQs
Question: Can I change my Common App essay after I have submitted it?
Answer: Yes, you can change your Common App essay after you have submitted it. However, you will need to contact the schools that you have already submitted your essay to and let them know that you want to make a change. The schools may have different policies regarding essay changes, so it is important to contact them as soon as possible.
Question: How many different essays can I submit to colleges?
Answer: The Common App allows you to submit up to six different essays. However, some schools may have their own essay requirements, so it is important to check with each school to see how many essays they require.
Question: What is the best way to change my Common App essay for different colleges?
Answer: The best way to change your Common App essay for different colleges is to tailor it to each school’s specific requirements and values. For example, if a school has a specific essay prompt, you can use that prompt to write an essay that directly addresses the school’s values and mission. You can also change your essay to highlight different aspects of your application, such as your academic achievements or extracurricular activities.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you answer the question, “Can I change my Common App essay for different colleges?” If you are still unsure about whether or not to change your essay, I recommend talking to your guidance counselor or a college admissions counselor. They can help you make the decision that is best for you.
Are you interested in learning more about the Common App essay? Check out our other articles on the Common App essay, including “How to Write a Standout Common App Essay” and “The 10 Most Common Common App Essay Mistakes.”
