<p>I am going to apply to universities this year and I was wondering whether I should request their application to be mailed to me (I want to request only MIT's app).</p>
<p>Just a random question</p>
<p>I think it's a good idea. It's always a great idea to keep paper copies on hand at all times in case something happens (computer malfunction, etc.). Another advantage would be to have a record of all the information that you supply to each college. </p>
<p>Also, it might even show the admissions officers that you are interested in applying to their college, if a campus visit or interview is out of the question. </p>
<p>I'm just curious, how would you request a paper copy? Shoot an email to the admissions officer? I've wanted to for some colleges but I never got around to it.</p>
<p>I opened a My MIT account and I was asked after registration whether I wanted a copy of the application mailed to me.</p>
<p>I didn't find this options in other universities though</p>
<p>Colleges highly prefer on-line applications and in fact many of them now require them. Asking for paper app will not be taken as some factor in your favor showing interest. It will be taken as nothing as the person who will send you one is a clerk who has nothing to do with admissions decisions. Submitting a paper application will also not be taken as something special but simply as something from which a clerk then has to input all the information into the computer and it is the info in the computer that those who make decisions will actually see (they won't even know you submitted a paper app). Generally, if colleges allow paper applications you don't request them by mail because they usually have them for downloading from their sites.</p>
<p>Requesting a copy of the app after you applied is different and some will send you one but again that will not be taken as any kind of factor of your showing interest in the college.</p>