Applying to colleges and universities can be a struggle; there’s paperwork to submit, hundreds of questions to answer and the stress of completing your Common App application. Every year, thousands of high school seniors apply to colleges and universities via the Common App. The Common App is a free, online resource that allows students to apply to multiple colleges, write essays, and consolidate all their information into one spot, helping them get ready for the final application process.
The Common App officially opens in the beginning of August, but you don’t have to start it then. The app remains open for the first few weeks before college applications open, providing students with a plethora of resources. While colleges have their deadlines, the Common App allows for a more organized application process, as it keeps track of all your current and past applications.
There are plenty of features available to students via the Common App. Students can write and submit personal essays using prompts or their own ideas. These essays can be submitted to multiple colleges of their choice at the same time, which makes it easier to keep track of their applications. Essays are due in November for the early decision application and in February for the regular decision application. During this time, letters of recommendation can be filled out by your teachers.
Letters of recommendation are a hot topic for high school seniors. Most aren’t even aware of how important these letters are when it comes to applying to colleges. Counselors and teachers urge students to get their letters of recommendation early; before everyone requests one at the same time. The Common App allows students to invite their counselors and teachers to submit their letters of recommendation through the app directly. This way, students don’t have to worry about submitting their information physically or through multiple college websites.
If college applications are something students have trouble affording, the Common App allows for fee waivers through the app. If you’re eligible for any type of waiver, through your school or state, you are most likely eligible for application fee waivers. When you go to submit your application, you can see the colleges for which you are eligible to receive fee waivers. This way, students who have a harder time financially can submit their applications and documents for a lesser cost or for free.
When it comes to applying to colleges through the Common App, it’s important to stay organized. Make sure you’re aware of the deadlines for the Common App and your colleges of choice. Starting your application process early will give you a head start on the full process, and less stress will unfold. Starting early will also allow your teachers and counselors to review and edit your recommendations before you submit them.
If you have any questions regarding the Common App, you can find information on their website at commonapp.org or contact Dr. Muhammad in [email protected] at the college and career center for further information or help getting started.
