Students

University of Virginia

Common Application Tip

Going online is central to applying to colleges, from reading school websites to completing the Common Application to filling out the FAFSA.  Technology is great, but that doesn’t mean it always works perfectly.  Here’s a tip that might save you some stress.


When you think you have your application essay all ready to go in the Common App, try doing a Print Preview.  Believe it or not, different browsers render the preview differently; so can different printer selections; and so can random printer settings that might be affected by a virus or a kid brother.


When you get the Print Preview on the screen, read it!  Look especially at the right margin, are any letters cut off on the longer lines?  Then look at the bottom:  does it finish the way you expect or is your last paragraph truncated?


In this Edit-Paste-Submit world, a little old fashioned proof-reading can go a long way.  But the trick is to proof it in Print Preview mode, not just on the screen in your browser.


Going online is central to applying to colleges, from reading school websites to completing the Common Application to filling out the FAFSA. Technology is great, but that doesn’t mean it always works perfectly. Here’s a tip that might save you some stress.

 

When you think you have your application essay all ready to go in the Common App, try doing a Print Preview. Believe it or not, different browsers render the preview differently; so can different printer selections; and so can random printer settings that might be affected by a virus or a kid brother.

 

When you get the Print Preview on the screen, read it! Look especially at the right margin, are any letters cut off on the longer lines? Then look at the bottom: does it finish the way you expect or is your last paragraph truncated?

 

In this Edit-Paste-Submit world, a little old fashioned proof-reading can go a long way. But the trick is to proof it in Print Preview mode, not just on the screen in your browser.

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