CommonApp+Topic A essayAnswered
Hello,
I am a senior applying to UT Austin and Texas A&M, along with some other colleges not in Texas via the CommonApp. UT and A&M require the Topic A essay but the CommonApp essay is optional. Should I just copy and paste the same essay with some minor tweaking for both even though it is optional for the Texas schools because they will read my CommonApp essay as I am submitting one after all (for all the other schools)? I don't want them to think of me as lazy, nor do I want to do donkey work.
I would appreciate it if someone could clarify so that I can plan the future accordingly.
Thank you.
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2 answers
on the common app, if you go to the ut austin tab under "my colleges" (assuming you have added it to your list), the essay must be submitted under the "short answer questions and essay" section of the ut austin questions. under all the supplemental essays, it says "ut austin essay" and has the Essay A prompt.
they will not consider any of the common app essays. on the bottom of the college information tab in "college questions" section, it says "Common App Personal Essays will not be used in our holistic review process."
You can use your Topic A essay in Common App even without tweaking if you submit it as a response to the last Common App prompt.
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It's a bit confusing on the webpage, but I suspect the Common App only allows them to select "optional" or "required," even though they don't plan on using those essays at all.