<p>Why is commonapp asking for your IM screenname???</p>
<p>What school?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t want to put my real screenname. I would create a clean one in case they wanted contact.</p>
<p>^ +1</p>
<p>i’m pretty sure it’s optional</p>
<p>They may want it just to keep in contact with you and they might also want it to check how you present yourself on your IM profiles if you have something like AIM. Beware, they may use it to see who you truly are and how you conduct yourself. I wish they’d keep in mind that profiles on IM’s and facebook etc. aren’t an accurate indication of one’s real characteristics. This is why you should always keep your myspace & facebook profiles clean and appropriate because adcoms will judge believe it or not.</p>