Open for Business: The Common Application

The 2020/2021 Common Application goes live on Saturday, August 1. What the heck does that mean? The Common Application allows students to fill out one application to be used by the majority of universities (excluding the University of California). Click HERE to create a Common App account, and follow the new user instructions. Here, we are happy to offer you some insider tips to help make the process easier. This information can be completed right away, even before you begin your essays. Filling these sections out now creates time and space when you will need it the most later this fall.

Link Naviance. If your school uses Naviance, Scoir, or another school-based admissions platform, you must go through the steps to link the platform to the Common Application.
Personal Information. Collect your transcripts and test scores (if applicable) BEFORE you start filling in the personal information section. Grades and Test Scores are self reported for many schools which means that the student inputs the information and it will be verified once admitted.
Activities. This section provides the applicants with an opportunity, albeit brief (150 characters per activity), to describe the ways they have spent their time outside the classroom, including work and family responsibilities. This year, more than ever, the Activities section takes on added significance because most students will not have taken standardized tests and many activities will have been cancelled. The Activities section gives students a chance to highlight how they have been spending their time. Create this activity list in a google document vs. entering it directly into the Common App to make it easier to edit. Rank activities in order of prestige, time commitment, duration, and leadership. Emphasize tangible, measurable impact.
Writing. Tomes have been written about the Writing section of the Common App. The most important thing is for students to write their essays themselves and in their own voice. As with the Activity List, write these essays in Google Docs, but double check when you paste your responses into the Common App as formatting and word count can change. Here are the essay prompts which will remain the same from last year. In addition, students are given the opportunity to provide Additional Information or extenuating circumstances if needed. We have included a link to The College Essay Guy as to the best way to complete this section. New this year, The Common App has included a question about how COVID-19 has impacted your student. We will provide tips as to how this question can be used in our upcoming essay post.
Courses and Grades. Some of the schools require students to input their grades and courses manually. Please carefully check this section to confirm if you are applying to one of these schools, e.g. University of Wisconsin and USC require manual input.
Writing Supplement. Be sure to click on the tab labeled My Colleges to determine if the schools to which you are applying ask additional questions or require additional writing supplements. Many of the questions have similarities. Your essays will be specific to each school. We cannot tell you how many schools open their tours with a joke about students who “cut and paste,” but fail to change the name of the college.
Deadlines. Each school has its own unique application deadline. Be sure to double check your application due dates. These are HARD DEADLINES.
Recommendations. Each school has its own recommendation requirements. Check the details for your specific universities.