As with most important–and strenuous–endeavors, it’s wise to be prepared. When it comes to college admissions and applications, it’s good to preview the Common App ahead of time. This way you’ll be well prepared for the hard work you’ll be asked to do when the Common App goes live August 1 for the upcoming application cycle.
What is in the Common App?
The Common App is the standardized application platform that many colleges and universities are a part of so students can apply to multiple schools without having to fill out the same information for each college.
The Common App consists of a series of different sections for you to complete:
- Profile: Basic personal info (name, contact, demographics, language).
- Family: Details about parents, guardians, siblings, and family education history.
- Education: High school information including awards, honors, and future aspirations.
- Testing: Self-reported scores from standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, etc.).
- Activities: Your top 10 extracurriculars where you list the time commitment and highlight leadership roles.
- Writing: Your Common App personal statement (up to 650 words) and an optional “Additional Information” section for unique circumstances or challenges.
- Courses & Grades: A recreation of your high school transcript that is required by some colleges).
The next few months are a great opportunity for rising high school seniors to register for a Common App account before August 1 to familiarize themselves with the platform – to understand the application, the information that is required, the format, and how it is used.
What can you start doing today?
- Ask your parents to list where they went to college and graduate school;
- Get a hold of your high school transcript so you have your courses and grades handy;
- Know how to access your standardized test scores;
- Make a list of your awards, honors and activities and focus on those that show leadership, impact and growth;
- Brainstorm your Common App personal statement;
- Finalize that college list.
You can hop on to the Common App website where you can watch a video that hits the highlights of the Common App to help you prepare.
