by Saniya Keshwani
The average student now applies to over seven colleges, and it is hard for students to apply to every school individually. Over 40 years ago, a group of colleges and universities got together to make the college application process less difficult. They found a solution where students only had to fill out one application, which could be sent to multiple colleges. This “Common App” (as it’s known today) is now used by over 800 colleges and universities and over a million students each year. The new edition of the Common App opened on August 1.
Through the Common App, first-time and transfer students can apply to multiple colleges at once. This means that students only have to fill out the important details like personal information, parental employment, education, and extracurricular activities once. The streamlined application simplifies the process, but there are still some common questions that come up.
What is Included in The Common App?
The Common App is almost like an extended college application. There is a Dashboard where you can add your list of colleges.
In the main section of the Common App, you list and describe your activities and your honors. This is an important part of the overall application, and should be answered carefully.
For each individual college, you can access the school-specific information, like the deadlines and supplemental essays. The Dashboard allows you to add up to 20 colleges. You can also keep track of the application fees, standardized test policies, etc. through the Common App.
The Common App essay, also known as the personal statement, is made up of 250 to 650 words in response to one of the seven prompts listed. In addition to the personal statement, many colleges also require you to write responses to supplemental essay prompts.
There is also an Additional Information section offered on the bottom of the application’s writing page that is a place for students to add anything they feel is relevant, but not otherwise included, to their application.
How Long Does It Take to Fill Out an Application?
The time varies based on what material each school requires, but the average time it takes to fill out an application and get all the materials in is at least six weeks. The best time to start is when the College App opens, since school starts a few weeks later. There should be time to fill out the background information and make note of each school’s required documents, like letters of recommendation, supplemental essays, and test scores.
Students also need to give their teachers and counselors enough time to submit materials to the Common App before deadlines. It is important to note that the early action or early decision deadlines are often November 1 or earlier, while the regular decision deadlines are in January or early February.
Do I Have to Use the Common App to Apply to College?
While many schools use the Common App, some also have other options available for applications. Many schools, especially state schools in our area, allow students to apply online through their websites.
Some states have their own application systems. Texas has a statewide system for submitting applications, but some Texas schools also accept the Common App. California uses a UC application, where you can apply to nine California schools with one application (but nine separate fees!).
We’ll be diving into more detail about the Common App in upcoming posts. The first step is to create your account on commonapp.org and start entering your information. If you want to learn more about how CAP can help you with the college application process, visit our website at https://collegeadmissionpros.com or contact us to request a free consultation!
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