A significant number of higher education institutions maintain application processes separate from the Common Application. These colleges and universities often utilize their own proprietary application systems or subscribe to alternative platforms. Examples include institutions with a specific mission or focus, such as those emphasizing arts, technology, or military training, as well as some public universities with statewide application systems.
Maintaining an independent application system allows institutions greater control over the evaluation process and the specific information requested from applicants. This can enable a more tailored assessment of a candidate’s suitability for their programs and institutional culture. Historically, some colleges preferred to manage their own admissions processes to better align with their unique strategic goals and applicant pools.
