Common App

It is mandatory to link your Common App account with your SchooLinks account so counselors and teachers can send supporting documents (transcripts and letters of recommendation) to your Common App schools.  

• In SchooLinks, go to Colleges → College Applications and click Link Common App Account  

• Follow the prompts on the screen to link your account  

• Additionally, you need to complete the following three steps in your Common Application to finish the linking process: 

  • Add at least one college to your Common App under College Search

  • Enter Wheaton Warrenville South as your high school under Education 

  • Complete the FERPA waiver under My Colleges → Recommenders and FERPA 

After your Common App & SchooLinks accounts are synced, the colleges/universities added on your Common App account will automatically be imported into SchooLinks. If you add additional colleges/universities at a later date, they will be updated & added to your SchooLinks account nightly. 

Profile Section  

• Use your legal name as it appears on official documents  

• Common App Fee Waiver - Check “no” unless you are on free/reduced lunch or have another qualifying circumstance. See your counselor if you are unsure if you qualify. 

Education Section 

Current or Most Recent Secondary School  

• CEEB Code: 144380

• Date of Entry: August 2020 (if you started at WWSHS in 9th grade)  

• Graduation Date: May 2024 

Colleges and Universities  

• • Use this section if you have taken a dual enrollment course 

Grades  

• Class size:   

• Class rank: None  

• GPA scale reporting: 4.0  

• Cumulative GPA: use your weighted GPA  

• GPA weighting: Weighted 

Current or Most Recent Year Courses  

• We use a semester scheduling system  

• These are your senior year courses. Only include courses where you receive credit. Do not include lunch, study hall, early dismissal, late arrival, etc. 

Honors  

• This section is for academic honors ONLY. Extracurricular and other awards can be included in the Activities section.  

• You are limited to five honors. Sample honors: AP Scholar, Honor Roll, National Merit, etc. 

Community-Based Organizations  

• Does not include assistance from your counselor or college/career staff at WWSHS

Testing Section  

• • You can self-report ACT, SAT, AP Scores, etc. on the Common App. Please remember, even if you self-report, some schools will want you to send official test scores directly from ACT/CollegeBoard. Verify on a college’s website. You took the SAT at school on April 12, 2023.  

  • Many colleges are test-optional. It is imperative that you carefully read each college’s testing policy and follow the requirements for each college. 

Expand each college to see information and questions specific to that college. 

Questions  

• Be sure to indicate admission plan/deadline preference! This will automatically populate in SchooLinks and will drive submission of supporting documents (transcripts and rec letters) so deadlines are not missed. 

Recommenders and FERPA  

• Complete the FERPA Release Authorization. This must be completed in order to request recommenders on SchooLinks and to send transcripts. It only needs to be completed once and your answer cannot change once submitted. We highly recommend waiving your right. Waiving your right ensures colleges are reading candid and honest letters from your recommenders. 

Review and Submit - Common App  

• You must submit each college application separately.  

• Do a print preview before sending to ensure all of your answers are there. 

• Tip: this is how many admissions professionals will view your Common App. 

Once you submit your application, you will be unable to change your responses. You can change responses for any future applications you submit. 

Need help with your Common App or have a question? Email your counselor!