The Beginner's Guide to the Common Application

Simplify your college application journey with one master form that reaches over 900 schools. The Common App saves time, reduces stress, and helps you put your best foot forward.

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What Is the Common Application?

The Common Application (or "Common App") is a single application form accepted by over 900 colleges, including prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and many state universities.

Since 1975, it has transformed the college application process by allowing students to complete one form instead of dozens of separate applications.

Why use the Common App?

It saves time: You only fill out your basic information once, not over and over again.

It's less confusing: All your applications are in one place online.

It's more accurate: You won't make mistakes copying the same information many times.

It's flexible: You can change some parts for different schools while keeping the main parts the same.

Getting Started

Visit commonapp.org and create your account using an email address you check daily. The system will send important notifications and reminders to this address.

You'll need basic information like your name and high school details to set up your profile. The platform guides you through each section step by step.

Create an Account

Complete Profile

Add Colleges ( 900+ to choose from)

Writing Your Personal Essay

Your essay is your chance to show who you are. The Common App gives you seven topics to choose from, but pick the one that lets you tell your best story.

Start early: Good essays take time to write.

Be yourself: Write like you talk. Don't try to sound like someone else.

Tell a story: Instead of saying "I am kind," tell a story about a time you were kind to someone.

Show how you grew: The best essays show how an experience changed you or taught you something new.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Procrastination

Waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed work, technical difficulties, and missed deadlines.

2. Neglecting Review

Always proofread carefully and have someone else review your application for errors or unclear content.

3. Forgetting Submissions

   
   

Completing the application isn't enough - you must click "submit" for each individual school.

Helpful Websites

• Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org/

• FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/

• CSS Profile: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

• College Board (SAT information): https://www.collegeboard.org/

• ACT: https://www.act.org/

• Big Future by College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

• College help for parents and students: https://www.nacacnet.org/

• Compare colleges: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/