Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a comment in Naviance that tells you that they do not read the common app essay. Just their essays.

The common app literally they won't read it but a few lines above it, it says it's optional. It's confusing.

What I am saying is that if your school uses Naviance the counselors put a comment in there if you look up VT that tells you about the essay.

Anonymous wrote:For a mid-tier school, this seems annoyingly pretentious.

You’ll be the first twit complaining when your kid doesn’t get in, but do go on.

Anonymous wrote:There should be a comment in Naviance that tells you that they do not read the common app essay. Just their essays.

The common app literally they won't read it but a few lines above it, it says it's optional. It's confusing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a mid-tier school, this seems annoyingly pretentious.

How is that pretentious. The kids are most likely writing the common app anyway - but those who don't now know they don't have extra work.

They must feel that the common app essay prompts don't inform their process. They only have so much time. Many schools have supplements - so they aren't out of the norm there.

They are out of the norm for not reading the common app essay at all. They have to know that 99% of the applicants did write a common app essay and put a lot of time and effort into it. It works for almost every school in the country, but VT has decided that they won't read it. Every one of their supplements touches on a common app theme - they aren't unique. And my kid got into VT last cycle so I am not bitter, I just think its lame.

There should be a comment in Naviance that tells you that they do not read the common app essay. Just their essays.

Anonymous wrote:Our college counselor told us optional is not really "optional" if you want to get it.

Also, make sure at VT you do not apply undecided.

As a general rule no, optional is not optional - you should provide essays when schools say something is optional. There are specific exceptions, however. VT truly doesn’t read and doesn’t want your common app essay.

Anonymous wrote:For a mid-tier school, this seems annoyingly pretentious.

How is that pretentious. The kids are most likely writing the common app anyway - but those who don't now know they don't have extra work.

They must feel that the common app essay prompts don't inform their process. They only have so much time. Many schools have supplements - so they aren't out of the norm there.

The admissions people at Virginia Tech have repeatedly said that they will not read the common app essay if you submit it. They also say that those four small supplemental essays mean a big deal to them, so make sure your kid does a good job with those as opposed to just mailing it in.

I have a sophomore at VT right now

Our college counselor told us optional is not really "optional" if you want to get it.

Also, make sure at VT you do not apply undecided.

For a mid-tier school, this seems annoyingly pretentious.

We went for a tour and the admissions officer said, "Do not send us your Common App essay." Last year DS didn't send it and got in.

Our college counselor says differently. She thinks all are looked at regardless if it indicates required or not.

Likewise, for Penn State. I am told it could be read, or could not be read.

So no I am not sure how to reply to you.

Anonymous wrote:They do not read the common app essay. They *only* consider their own supplementals.

Thanks!

They do not read the common app essay. They *only* consider their own supplementals.

Hoping someone who’s been through the VT app can help me out. On the Common App under the College Information tab, it says the Common App Personal Essay is optional, but then a few lines later under "Use of Specific", it says VT does not read the Common App essay. Can anyone confirm which is correct? Is the essay optional but still read, or is it truly not considered at all? I know there are the 4 Ut Prosim questions, but my kid was thinking of reworking their Common App essay into one of those if the main essay doesn’t get looked at.