The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success Application is a new initiative designed to increase access to college. W hile a recent article provided an overview of the Coalition Application, now you may be wondering whether to use this, T he Common App or individual school applications.
The launch of this application portal gives students a new array of options for how they will apply to college beyond what they’re used to, which is why it’s crucial for students to be informed about how each of these options could benefit — or not benefit — them. That being said, let’s take a look at how to evaluate the Coalition Application for your situation.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing an application method, including the Coalition App.
— Finalize your list of colleges: Before you select an application method, choose your target schools based on your education goals, personal needs, financial situation and any other factors that are important to the experience you want. Your priority should be finding the right schools for your situation. Only then should you worry about which application process will give you the best chance.
Once you have your list of schools, determine which applications they accept. At launch, more than 90 schools will accept the Coalition Application compared to the 600-plus that accept The Common App.
That list of 90-plus schools includes the Ivy League, many highly selective private schools and some of the largest and best public universities. Keep in mind, though, that some schools, like Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, only accept their own, distinct application.
[Learn these 10 tips to make your final college choice.]
— Assess helpful features: Next consider the various features that each application method offers.
For example, one unique feature of the Coalition Application is a collaborative locker tool. Students can use the locker as a cloud storage location for documents relevant to college applications, including essays, class projects and letters of recommendation. Although not currently relevant for the class of 2017, students can access the locker and their secure documents throughout their high school careers and from any internet-connected device, including phones and tablets.
The locker also offers collaborative features, allowing students to share any document and choose who has access to it. For example, you can share an admissions essay with your parents or guardians, teachers, guidance counselor or mentor, who can then give feedback and suggestions.
The locker places few restrictions on the file types students can upload. If you plan to apply to art schools or you create a video essay, you can store and share your digital portfolio or video, respectively, in the locker.
In short, the flexibility of the Coalition Application’s locker may provide a useful tool that can simplify the application process. Students can also use the locker’s collaborative features to develop their application materials, even if they ultimately choose a different application method.
R emember that the Coalition Application is not the only platform with innovative tools. The Common App, for instance, recently partnered with Better Make Room and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher, launching a text messaging system for students with a Common App account — and who have opted in to receive such communications — to receive helpful tips and tools for each step of the application process, including keeping track of deadlines, filling out the F ree A pplication for F ederal S tudent A id, sending ACT and SAT scores to colleges and so on.
[Learn whether you should use The Common Application.]
— Watch the clock: A lot of your college application decisions may come down to time. If you’re considering using both The Common App and the Coalition App, be sure you have time to navigate two platforms.
Both platforms are designed to be user friendly and intuitive, but you need time to ensure you’re using each platform correctly. Make sure you also allot time to provide your recommenders with instructions for submitting letters to two different platforms.
Many of the schools that accept the Coalition App also accept The Common App. If time is short, you may find it beneficial to streamline your efforts with just one process.
Member schools for both The Common and the Coalition Applications promise to give every application, regardless of method, equal weight, so remember that your choice ultimately comes down to which application is the best fit for you.
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Considerations for Choosing a College Application Method originally appeared on usnews.com
