Common App will no longer require a holistic review as of 2015

[jym626]

<p>I am surprised this hasn’t been posted yet (or missed it if it has) but as of 2015, the Common App will no longer require member colleges to review applicants holistically, and can do a more stats-driven application review, withourt consideration of recommendations or an essay.

But as the Common App evolves under its new leadership away from the vision of the original 15 member institutions 40 years ago, what we’re really talking about is not so much a common application as a common application software, which stands it in direct competition with other for-profit products with missions not too different from the revised Common App statement.

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<p>This is interesting- and addresses the $$ issue perhaps driving this digression from their basic original mission: </p>

<p>

But as the Common App evolves under its new leadership away from the vision of the original 15 member institutions 40 years ago, what we’re really talking about is not so much a common application as a common application software, which stands it in direct competition with other for-profit products with missions not too different from the revised Common App statement.

I for one am disappointed. Not surprised, but disappointed.
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[billcsho]

<p>CommonApp has no control what the adcom wants. There are always school specific supplements. It is the schools want holitic review, not CommonApp. Unless it is a centralized college application process like in some other countries, I don’t see CommonApp can take control of that. Particularly, there are only 500-600 schools using it.</p>

[LAMuniv]

<p>So they’re getting rid of the CA essay? It makes me worried because there are a lot of schools that I know of that don’t require essays because they trust in the Common App essay to show off a students writing abilities and personality - if they get rid of the Common App essay, I predict schools that don’t currently have writing supplements creating them to replace the missing CA essay. AKA, more essays for applicants to write… that is, if I’m understanding this correctly.</p>

[jym626]

<p>I dont think either of the above 2 statements are correct. First, part of the agreement with all colleges utilizing the common app was that they agreed to use a holistic approach. It was, until next year, not school specific. It was a commitment they made to be a member school… Now they will allow schools to join who do not require an essay or recommendations. They are NOT doing away with the essay.</p>