You’re finally sitting down at your computer and are ready to complete the Common Application but where do you start? Read on for a helpful list of Common Application tips we at Signature College Counseling have compiled to help you with this endeavor. Remember, the anticipation of the actual event is worse than the event itself. Don’t be fearful of completing your Common App, don’t postpone the inevitable, just sit down and do it. You will be glad you did so.
COMMON APPLICATION TIPS THAT COULD SAVE YOU TIME AND STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION
1. START BY CREATING A STUDENT RESUME
Before you even sit down to complete your Common Application, develop your student resume. For additional guidance click here. Why should you do this? First, it will set you up to easily complete your Honors and Activities section. Second, about 80% of schools allow you to upload your resume as a part of their application process.
If your activity descriptions are greater than 150 characters (with spaces), create another copy in which you can revise the descriptions to meet the 150 maximum. Knowing that you only have 150 characters to describe each activity, make every word count. I cannot stress this enough.
2. START COMPLETING YOUR COMMON APPLICATION EARLY
Even though the current year’s Common Application is available each August 1, you can complete the general portion (COMMON APP tab) prior to then. This is all of the general information, as in personal and family, honors, activities, high school information. Like I say, don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today!
3. COMPLETING THE DEMOGRAPHICS SECTION OF THE COMMON APPLICATION IS OPTIONAL
The demographics section is optional. In addition, a recent Supreme Court decision bars institutions from using this information when reviewing applications.
4. HAVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HANDY
Have your social security number on hand while completing the Common App. You will need this and are expected to enter this information.
5. TIP IF YOU ATTENDED MORE THAN ONE HIGH SCHOOL
If you attended more than one high school, write a paragraph explaining why you did so before you start the application. You will be provided an opportunity to add this to your your Common Application.
6. HAVE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR INFORMATION READY
You will be expected to enter your guidance counselor’s full name, email and phone number on the Common Application, so gather this information beforehand.
7. DON’T SELF-REPORT TEST SCORES ON THE COMMON APPLICATION
Typically we advise our students not to self-report their test scores (SAT/ACT/AP…etc.). In the event you choose to submit your test scores to any college on your list, you will send them officially. The possibility of entering this incorrectly is high, and in reality, there are few scores that are high enough where you want to self report. Just leave it to the official reporting agencies to do so when, and if, you want to report them. Note: AP scores are not required to be submitted to any school (other than one that I can think of: Princeton, at least at this time of this blog post). They are submitted after you have selected which school you will be attending for credit equivalent approval.
8. COMPLETE YOUR COMMON APPLICATION PERSONAL ESSAY EARLY AND DOUBLE CHECK IT
Write your Common App personal essay early and get it out of the way. Check to be sure EVERYTHING is spelled correctly and is grammatically correct. Of course, you will have plenty of time prior to submitting your application under the current year’s Common Application to do so, but it’s never too early to check, and double check.
These tips should help you more efficiently complete your Common Application.
Looking for more help with the college application process? We help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search, applications and essays to interview prep, financial aid consultation and final school selection.
Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946. We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.
