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 Application in advance. This way you’ll know where you are heading. And like those scouts, you’ll be well prepared for the hard work you’ll be asked to do when the Common Application goes live for the coming application cycle.
Why preview the Common Application?
In some sense, the Common Application is pretty easy. It’s just a web-based form. How many have you filled out at this point in your life? Scads.
The Common App consists of a series of different screens for you to complete. One will ask you about your general profile, another asks about your educational record, another asks about your results on standardized tests, and so on. Here a screen that indicates the various sections of the Common App.
Are you familiar with the Common Application? If not, this is a great time to start familiarizing yourself. As a reminder, over 450 colleges and universities who utilize a holistic admissions process. Use this application so it is likely some of the colleges you are considering use this.
The next few months are a great opportunity for current high school juniors, and their families. To understand the application, the questions it asks, the format, and how it is used before it launches on August 1. You will also be able to see the essay questions that you will be asked. As well as how the forms look that your teachers and counselor will be filling out for the letters of recommendation.
You can log on to the CommonApp website and see the pdf version of the 2012-13 application that they recently posted to start preparing.
Image credit: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Default.aspx
Mark Montgomery
Expert Educational Consultant
