Common App Tips
Scroll down to make use of the Common App 2026 Google Slides presentation and Common App Tips!
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1. Creating My Common App Account
1. Creating My Common App Account
When creating an account, remember to use your legal name as it appears on your school documents.
A short help video can be found here - click and scroll to Item 2 - Create an Account.
2. Completing the FERPA Waiver
2. Completing the FERPA Waiver
Important: Before you can complete the FERPA waiver you must complete two tasks. First, in the Education Section located in the Common App tab, you must designate Byram Hills as your high school AND second, you must have at least one college listed in your "My Colleges" tab.
Note: You only need to complete the waiver once no matter how many colleges you are applying to.
3. Rolling Over My Account
3. Rolling Over My Account
Your Common App account can "roll over" from year to year. Work done before August 1 can roll over for use in the fall of 2025! (Except for College-Specific Questions, College-Specific Essays, and Outside Recommender Requests).
More information can be found here.
4. Education Section
4. Education Section
Use the following information to complete the Education Section:
CEEB Code: 330225
Class Rank: None (BHHS does not rank)
Class Size: 173
Weighted: We do not weight
School Number: 914-273-9200
Fax Number: 914-730-0015
GPA Scale: 4.0 (Choose 4.0 regardless of the BHHS 4.6 scale. Colleges are aware of our scale from our School Profile which we send with each application)
Note: The Education section requires applicants to enter senior courses. The Google Slide show below is a helpful "how to" with course level and credit information for all BHHS courses.
5. Courses and Grades Section
5. Courses and Grades Section
In the Courses and Grades section, a college is asking me to manually self-report all of my high school courses and grades. This is a time consuming task made easier by clicking on the slide show below.
Is there a workaround if I would rather skip this section?
Click “No” to the question regarding having access to your transcript.
This workaround means that colleges will use the transcript sent by BHHS to review your courses and grades.
6. Recommenders Section
6. Recommenders Section
Do I need to list my BHHS teacher recommenders on the Common App?
No. Use the Common App Recommender Section only for “other” or non-BHHS recommenders. Other Recommenders include an outside coach, employer, private music teacher, etc. BHHS Counselor and Teacher recommendation letters will be sent to your colleges via Naviance. A video for using the Other Recommenders Section can be found here.
7. SAT/ACT Score Reporting
7. SAT/ACT Score Reporting
Many colleges are now allowing applicants to self-report their scores on the Common App. We endorse this method. If a college does not allow for self-reporting, official scores can be sent by logging into your SAT/ACT account and sending scores.
How to Apply Test Optional - In the My College Tab (Questions Tab) you must respond "NO" to the question "Please indicate if you are submitting scores".
8. Activities Section
8. Activities Section
Common App allows you to list up to ten activities. You will be asked to rank your activities, beginning with the activity most meaningful to you.
Common App allows you to list up to ten activities. You will be asked to rank your activities, beginning with the activity most meaningful to you.
Tips:
Tips:
Do not feel obligated to list 10 activities - depth and tenure are more important than the number of activities.
Use your most important activities at the top of the list.
Consider the 150-character minimum text box as space for a "mini impact statement." This is space to write that you "partnered with peers", "grew the club", "initiated a new event", etc. These impact verbs will help communicate your engagement.
See your School Counselor with any questions.
9. Writing Section
9. Writing Section
The Writing Section is where you will attach your personal statement. This statement is a maximum of 650 words.
Tips:
Tips:
Pick a focus, share a story, and offer reflection. No more than 50% of the essay should be storytelling.
Do not worry about the topic. The topic is you.
The college reps read countless personal statements. Capture the reader's attention in the first sentence!
Do not communicate privilege; communicate what you value, what you are curious about, and what you have a deep interest in.
Some best practices for copying and pasting your essay can be found here
10. Optional Additional Information/Challenges and Circumstances Section
10. Optional Additional Information/Challenges and Circumstances Section
In the Writing Section, there is an optional section where you can discuss any important information not included in the other parts of your Common Application. BHHS suggests that students answer this question only if a response will add helpful context to their application. Common App provides guidance on the kinds of impacts students may wish to report, including illness and loss, community, housing, and employment disruptions, and shifting family obligations.
In the Writing Section, there is an optional section where you can discuss any important information not included in the other parts of your Common Application. BHHS suggests that students answer this question only if a response will add helpful context to their application. Common App provides guidance on the kinds of impacts students may wish to report, including illness and loss, community, housing, and employment disruptions, and shifting family obligations.
11. Science Research Tips
11. Science Research Tips
Note: Our School Profile already includes a description of our Science Research Program.
Although not required, you may consider listing University in the High School Intermediate Science Research (junior year) and University in the High School Advanced Science Research (senior year) under ACTIVITIES. OR if your college allows you to attach a resume, list those classes in your resume. Do not list those classes as dual enrollment college courses since your colleges may then expect a separate transcript from SUNY Albany.
Science Research can be labeled an "Advanced" course when listing your senior courses.
12. Honor Society Membership
12. Honor Society Membership
If you indicate membership in an honor society, Common App may ask you to indicate if the honor society is school, state, or national. Here is some additional information to assist you:
World Language Honor Society - School
Mu Alpha Theta - National
Cum Laude - National
Art Honor Society - National
Tri-M Honor Society - National
New York State Seal of Civic Readiness - State
13. Supplemental Essays
13. Supplemental Essays
Most colleges will require their own supplemental essay(s).
Each supplement must be highly specific to each college.
To stimulate your thinking about supplemental essay writing:
If you visited the college, reference your campus experience.
Reference how you plan to engage academically, and in campus life.
We recommend examining the upper-level classes online at that college (in your potential major). Consider referencing a class you are excited to take and why that class harmonizes with your academic interests.
See your school counselor with any questions.
14. Choosing an Area of Study
14. Choosing an Area of Study
Most colleges will require you to choose a specific college within a university, an intended major, or an area of academic interest. College reps share that applicants often struggle to choose an appropriate academic interest or major. Many apply to a major that is over-subscribed or too competitive for their academic profile. Others apply to a major that dovetails poorly with their academic history.
Questions to Consider:
Is my preferred major over-subscribed or under-subscribed?
Will my application be viewed through a more competitive lens if I apply to my intended major?
Are there more males or females in that major?
Am I willing to look for similar majors?
Does my academic history harmonize with my choice of major?
See your school counselor with any questions.
15. Submit Your Application
15. Submit Your Application
After completing all sections and paying the fee, your application is not submitted until you see the confetti screen!
A short help video can be found here - click and scroll to item 7 on the link.
16. Am I Really Done?
16. Am I Really Done?
In addition to submitting your application, some colleges require a self-reported academic record SRAR/SSAR (e.g., Penn State, Delaware, Florida, and several other colleges).
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