Common App _Applying to college can be a tedious and stressful process for students and their parents.
In addition to doing the research and paperwork associated with applications, teens may also be juggling the SAT or ACT, college tours, and a tough senior year course load.
The Common Application, accepted by more than 1,000 schools, including some colleges located outside the U.S., helps streamline an essential part of the admissions process for students.
Through this platform, both first-time and transfer applicants can apply to multiple colleges at once, reducing the burden of filling out redundant information.
“The idea behind the Common App is to try and reduce the barriers that students face when applying to college,” says Jenny Rickard, president and CEO of Common App, the nonprofit that manages the application.
Getting Started with Common App
One common concern among students and parents is when to start working on their college application through Common App.
The new edition of the Common App opens every year on August 1st. However, application deadlines can vary significantly between colleges.
For instance, students applying for early action or early decision may need to submit their applications in November or December, while the regular decision deadline is often January 1st.
Prospective students should treat these ranges as general guidelines and check with individual colleges for specific deadlines.
Importantly, students don’t have to wait until August 1st to get started on their Common App. They can create an account at any time and transfer their information into the new app when it opens.
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Completing Your Common App
Completing the Common Application is a straightforward process. Here are the steps students can follow:
Visit commonapp.org and click on the “Start your application” button to create an account and log in.
Students can also download the Common App’s mobile app for convenient deadline tracking, recommender invitations, and reminders.
Choose between the first-year student or transfer student option.
Provide personal information like name, email, phone number, address, date of birth, and prospective enrollment year.
Fill out the user profile with requested details on education, extracurricular activities, demographic data, household information, and more.
Add collaborators such as teachers, counselors, and others who will provide letters of recommendation or other supporting documents.
Search for and add schools to your “My Colleges” list.
Familiarize yourself with each college’s application requirements and follow them accordingly when applying.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Application?
The time required to fill out an application varies based on a school’s requirements. However, experts recommend that students give themselves at least six to eight weeks to complete their college applications.
This time frame includes gathering required documents, writing personal statements, and addressing any supplemental essays that might be required.
According to Christine Chu, a premier college admissions counselor, students should consider even longer durations for working on essays due to revisions.
She emphasizes that writing is an iterative process, and with adequate time, students can produce quality essays.
In addition to essays, many schools require first-year applicants to submit recommendation letters and transcripts.
It’s essential to provide teachers and counselors with ample time to submit these materials through the Common App before the deadlines.
In conclusion, the Common App is a valuable tool that simplifies the college application process for students and parents alike.
It reduces the duplication of effort and streamlines the way students apply to multiple colleges, ultimately making the journey to higher education more accessible and less overwhelming.
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