Do All Colleges Accept The Common App? Your Faq Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all colleges and universities accept the Common Application?

No, this is a common and critical misconception. While the Common Application’s network is vast and continues to grow, encompassing more than 1,000 diverse institutions from large public universities to small liberal arts colleges, many prominent and highly sought-after institutions do not use it. The reasons for this vary. Some university systems, like the University of California, have developed their own sophisticated platforms tailored to their unique review process and applicant pool. Others, like Georgetown University, maintain a separate application to preserve a long-standing tradition and cultivate a distinct applicant experience (although Georgetown will finally be joining the Common App in August 2026 for the Class of 2027). Specialized institutions, such as military academies, art conservatories, or certain international universities, often have application processes that are so unique they require a completely bespoke system. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to approach your college list with the assumption that you will need to verify the application requirements for every single school. The most reliable and definitive source for this information is always the official undergraduate admissions website for each college. Never rely on third-party websites, forums, or outdated advice, as application requirements can and do change from year to year.

If a college offers both the Common App and its own application, is there an advantage to using one over the other?

Officially, colleges that offer multiple application platforms state no preference for one over another. Admissions committees are trained to evaluate the content of your application—your grades, essays, activities, and recommendations—not the portal through which it was submitted. However, there can be subtle logistical and strategic advantages to consider. For instance, applying directly through a college’s proprietary website may, in some cases, lead to faster processing of your application materials. For schools with rolling admissions, their own application might open a month or more before the Common App’s official August 1st launch date. Applying early through a proprietary app could theoretically place you earlier in the review queue. Furthermore, some institutions tie benefits like priority housing selection or scholarship consideration to the date of application submission, making an early submission via a proprietary app potentially beneficial.

Conversely, the primary and overwhelming advantage of the Common App is efficiency. For every school on your list that accepts it, you avoid the tedious and error-prone task of re-entering your biographical data, family information, academic history, and activities list. This saved time can be reinvested into what truly matters: crafting compelling supplemental essays and tailoring your application to each specific school. One common myth is that using a college’s own application signals a higher level of demonstrated interest. This is largely untrue. Colleges measure demonstrated interest through more meaningful engagement, such as campus visits (virtual or in-person), attending information sessions, and interacting with admissions representatives. Your choice of application platform is seen as a logistical one, not an emotional one. The best choice depends on your specific situation. If you are applying to only one or two schools that offer their own app, using it might be simple. If you are applying to ten schools, and nine of them are on the Common App, using the Common App for all nine is the most logical path.

What are some major universities that do not use the Common App?

Several of the most selective and well-known universities and university systems in the United States deliberately maintain their own application platforms, requiring a separate and distinct effort from applicants. Understanding these major exceptions is key to planning your application season. Notable examples include:

• The University of California (UC) System: All nine undergraduate UC campuses (including UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego) use a single, dedicated application. This platform features a unique set of four “Personal Insight Questions” (PIQs), where students must answer four short-essay prompts out of eight choices, each with a 350-word limit. This is fundamentally different from the single 650-word personal statement on the Common App.
• Georgetown University: A long-standing holdout, Georgetown uses its own application which asks for responses to several unique essay prompts, reflecting its Jesuit values and academic priorities. Applying to Georgetown has always been a separate process that requires dedicated time and attention. Although, as noted above, Georgetown will finally be accepting the Common App in August 2026 for the Class of 2027.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT has its own application portal, MyMIT, which is tailored to its unique, STEM-focused evaluation process. The application includes several short-answer questions designed to reveal a student’s personality, creativity, and passion for science and technology, a departure from the more general prompts found elsewhere.
• The U.S. Military Service Academies: Institutions like the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy have exceptionally complex and lengthy application processes. These go far beyond standard academic applications and include securing a congressional nomination, passing a rigorous physical fitness assessment, and undergoing medical examinations, all managed through their proprietary portals.
• Other State Systems: While many state schools use the Common App, some systems have their own centralized platform. The California State University (CSU) system, for example, uses its own Cal State Apply application as well as Texas.

This list is not exhaustive, and it’s a powerful reminder that building a college list involves more than just identifying schools you like; it also involves researching the specific work required to apply to them.

What is the maximum number of colleges I can apply to using the Common App?

You can add and apply to a maximum of 20 colleges and universities through the Common Application platform. This is a firm, technical limit built into the system. The Common Application organization implemented this cap to encourage students to be more thoughtful and deliberate in their college choices, discouraging the “shotgun” approach of applying to dozens of schools without genuine interest. For the vast majority of students, 20 schools is more than sufficient. However, for some students—particularly those applying to highly competitive programs or seeking significant merit-based aid—a list may exceed this number. If your college list includes more than 20 schools, you will need a clear strategy. You should prioritize your top 20 choices for the Common App and then, for any additional schools, you must use an alternative platform. This typically means checking if those schools accept the Coalition Application or have their own institutional application available on their website. Managing a list of this size requires meticulous organization to track different platforms, deadlines, and requirements.

What are the main alternatives to the Common Application?

While the Common App is the most widely used platform, several robust alternatives exist, and knowing them is essential for a flexible application strategy. The primary alternatives are:

• The Coalition Application (powered by Scoir): The Coalition App is a major alternative accepted by over 150 colleges, many of which are also Common App members. It was founded on the principles of increasing access to college for under-resourced students. A key feature is the “Locker,” a private digital space where students can collect materials and work on their applications throughout their high school career. With its recent integration into the Scoir platform, it offers a more holistic college planning and application experience. If a school accepts both the Common App and the Coalition App, you can choose whichever you prefer. It can also be a vital tool if you max out your 20-school limit on the Common App.
• Proprietary/Institutional Applications: As discussed, many institutions host their own applications directly on their websites. This is the only way to apply to schools like Georgetown or the UC system. It is also a common method for many large public universities, international universities, and specialized programs.
• State-Specific Application Systems: Some states have created centralized application portals for their public university systems to simplify the process for in-state students. The most well-known is ApplyTexas, which is used by all public universities and many community colleges in Texas. Other examples include the application for the State University of New York (SUNY) system and the aforementioned Cal State Apply for the California State University system.

Your application strategy must account for all of these possibilities. The first step for any school on your list is to visit its admissions website and identify every accepted application method.

How can I find out which application platforms a specific college accepts?

The single, undisputed, and definitive source of truth for this information is the college’s official admissions website. Do not rely on hearsay, old college guidebooks, or unverified third-party websites, as this information can be outdated or incorrect. To find what you need, follow these simple steps: Navigate to a college’s homepage, and look for a link labeled “Admissions,” “Undergraduate Admissions,” or “Apply.” Once on the admissions page, search for a section with a title like “How to Apply,” “First-Year Applicants,” or “Application Checklist.” This page will explicitly list all the application platforms the institution accepts (e.g., “We accept the Common Application and the Coalition Application”). It will also provide crucial details on deadlines, required materials (like test scores, essays, and recommendations), and any school-specific forms. Make it a habit to bookmark this page for every school on your list. Always verifying this information directly with the source will prevent catastrophic errors, like missing a deadline because you assumed a school accepted an application it does not.

If my high school uses a system like Xello or Naviance, does that mean I have to use the Common App?

While it is not technically mandatory in all cases, it is highly recommended and, in a practical sense, almost essential. High school counseling platforms like Naviance, Scoir, and Xello are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Common Application. This integration is the digital pipeline through which your official school documents are sent. Here’s how it works: You link, or “match,” your Common App account with your Naviance/Scoir/Xello account. When you request a transcript or a teacher recommendation, the system handles the entire process electronically. Your counselor uploads your official transcript, school profile, and their letter of recommendation, and your teachers upload their letters directly through the platform, which then transmits them securely to the colleges you’ve designated in your Common App. Using this integrated process is the most efficient and reliable way to ensure all your materials are sent and received correctly. Attempting to bypass this system—for example, by using a proprietary application when your school is set up for the Common App—can create significant administrative hurdles for your school counselor, who may have to resort to manually mailing or uploading documents, increasing the risk of errors, delays, and lost materials.

Conclusion

In summary, the Common Application is an undeniably central and remarkably efficient platform for navigating the modern college admissions process, but its reach is not universal. The most important takeaway for any prospective applicant is to adopt a mindset of proactive research and verification. You must always confirm the specific application requirements on each college’s official admissions website. A successful and low-stress application strategy is built on this foundation of knowledge. It involves understanding which platforms to use for which schools, being mindful of the 20-school limit on the Common App, and knowing from the outset which major institutions, like the UC system, MIT, or Georgetown, will require a completely separate and dedicated application effort.

This knowledge is a foundational part of the college application journey, allowing you to map out your timeline and allocate your energy effectively long before you begin the intensive work of writing your main essay and crafting thoughtful supplemental responses. Navigating these different requirements, platforms, and deadlines can be a complex and often overwhelming task. Our team specializes in helping students and families cut through this complexity. We help develop a clear and strategic plan to manage the entire process—from building a balanced college list and managing a calendar of deadlines to brainstorming compelling essays and ensuring every piece of every application is submitted correctly and on time. With the right plan, this challenging process can become a manageable and rewarding journey of self-discovery.