If you’re starting to think about college applications, you’ve probably heard the term “Common App” tossed around. This online college application platform, which is accepted by over 1,000 colleges and universities in the US and around the world, makes life so much easier during application time. You can complete one single application instead of filling out separate forms for each school. You can also use it to keep track of your applications. Let’s break down how you can use the Common App.
How You Can Use the Common App to Simplify the Application Process
Submitting College Applications
With the Common App, you complete one application.
It includes sections for:
• General background info (name, address, high school, etc.)
• Your high school coursework and grades
• Activities and honors
• A personal statement (aka the primary essay)
• Letters of recommendation
• College-specific questions and supplemental essays
• You can send this application to a maximum of 20 College App member colleges.
Managing Your Application Materials
You can request your letters of recommendation through your Common App and, if you so choose, self-report standardized test scores like the ACT, SAT, IB or AP tests.
Tracking Deadlines and School Requirements
The Common App dashboard can help you stay on top of application deadlines, your submission status for each school, and required documents that you need to submit.
Benefits of Using the Common App
Here’s why students love the Common App:
It Saves Time
There is no need to repeat your address or type out your activities 12 times. You just enter most of your information once and reuse it across applications.
It Helps You Stay Organized
Having a single dashboard allows you to have all the important information you need at your fingertips – from early application deadlines to what documents you still need to submit to each college.
It Supports Fee Waivers and Searching for Scholarships
There are instances where you can apply a fee waiver, and search for scholarships all within the platform.
It’s Accepted By a Wide Variety of Colleges
With so many member schools, chances are most of your chosen colleges will accept the Common App.
But the Common App May Not Cover Everything
While the Common App simplifies the process, colleges still have their own college-specific questions, which will appear in the college specific questions portion of the CommonApp. In addition to asking about your intended major, they might ask questions like “Why do you want to attend our college?” or “What activities on our campus interest you?” Answering these questions are just as important as the main application, so it is important that you plan to spend time crafting thoughtful, school-specific responses.
When You Can Start Using the College App Platform
At Signature College Counseling, we strive to break down the college application process into smaller bite-sized pieces and this is also how we approach the Common App. While the Common App “resets” each year on August 1, you can create an account and begin filling out the general portion before then. This is the data that will carry over through a feature called Account Rollover. Then, after August 1, you can get to work on the college specific questions that do not carry over.
Final Tips
• Don’t wait until the last minute – deadlines can sneak up fast.
• Ask your recommenders early.
• Keep a copy of everything you submit.
• And most of all, stay organized and give yourself plenty of time to reflect, revise, and polish your work.
The Common App is your one-stop shop for applying to many colleges, but it’s not just a form, it’s a way to tell your story. Use it wisely, and it can open doors to amazing opportunities.
Looking for help with the college search and 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.
