Common Application 

Common App FAQ’s

• Is it difficult to register with Common App?  Not at all, but it is important to do so if you are planning to apply to schools in the US.  We can’t send off your applications to CommonApp schools unless you are registered.  Click here to create an account.  Please remember your username and password. 

• Is the Common App difficult to fill out?  The Common Application is very user-friendly and poses few challenges for you to complete providing that you are careful, thorough and give yourself enough time to fill in the requested information.  Download the app as soon as it becomes available (usually mid-summer) to familiarize yourself with its requirements.

• What is a “supplemental form”?  Many Common App colleges and universities require an additional form in order to ask questions not included on the Common Application. These typically include ‘institution specific” questions such as: "What program are you applying to within our university? Why do you think this university is an appropriate place to continue your education?'

• What about Common App essays?  Many Common App universities require applicants to complete an essay of a specified length usually on a general topic. Be aware of the fact that supplemental essays beyond the general essay may be required by some institutions. Generally, the more selective schools require supplemental essays up to as many as three.  Essay topics are typically released over the summer prior to the fall application season. 

• When should I write my Common App essays?  Since the completion of these essays is time-consuming and because of their importance to the application’s success, we strongly recommend that students at the very least, become aware of the Common App essay topics as early as possible and complete essay drafts prior to the return to school in the fall.  This is especially critical for those students considering applying Early Decision or Early Action.

• Is there an advantage or disadvantage to using the Common App form over a particular school’s institutional application?  There’s neither an advantage nor disadvantage.  Colleges support the use of the Common Application and do not discriminate against applicants who use the Common App instead of their institutional application.  In fact, a growing number of institutions now only use the Common Application as their sole admission application.

• What am I responsible for sending off along with my Common App applications? When submitting your application, you will also attach any required supplemental form(s) as well as essays.  You are also responsible for furnishing your universities with official standardized test scores and any other documentation they require. 

• What does the UC office send?  For each US application, the UC office will send:

1. Letters of recommendation – for most US institutions, this typically entails sending two teacher letters and one counsellor letter along with Common App recommendation forms.

2. Our CIS school profile

3. IB Expected Grades

4. Official CIS transcript

5. ED/EA form (if applicable) 

6. First semester grades will be sent to all of the schools where you applied, and final transcript grades will also be sent to the university you plan to attend. 

7. Previous school transcript(s) if appropriate.