Creating Alternate Versions of Your Common Application

It's usually around this time of year that seniors - who have submitted their first college application via the Common App do one of two things:

1) Notice a type-o on their application and wonder how to correct it before sending the application to additional schools or

2) Decide they don't really like their essay and would like to edit or re-do it for future applications

The Common Application is not set up to be edited after submission so you should take your time before submitting in for the first time. However, if you find yourself in scenario one or two above, here is what you need to know about editing your Common Application (copied directly from the Common Application):

You can only submit three different alterations of your essay. Before and between submissions you can make as many changes as you like. We allow these changes to your essay to correct grammar or spelling mistakes, not to submit different essays.

Please see an example below:

Before you submit your application to the first school, you can make as many changes to the essay as you like. Once you submit your first application, it is considered version 1 of your essay.

If you submit to a second school without making changes to the essay, you are still on version 1.

Making changes to the essay and submitting to your third school is considered version 2 of your essay.

Changing the essay back to the original or making changes and submitting to another school is considered version 3 of your essay. Thisversion is now locked in and will be sent to any additional school to which you submit your application.

For complete instructions about how to create alternate versions of your Common Application, please log in to the Common Application and visit their Help Center. 

Published by: TSM