Opens: August 1, 2021
The Common Application can be used to apply to over 800 colleges and universities-both within the United States and around the world. Each university has a specific deadline that must be adhered to. Students manage their account by creating one application and then adding colleges within the app. Each college will use the same base information from the application but may also require different supplemental materials (ex. additional essays or short answers)
Some universities within the Common Application will have a variety of admission deadlines (ex. early action, regular, rolling). Some applications are due as early as November 1. More information on types of admission can be found at the infographic below. Parents and students should work together to determine which type of application is right for each situation.
Types of College Admission Decisions: Admission Decision Infographic
The Common Application allows students to write one base essay that is uploaded into the application. Students can choose from a variety of topics, which can be found at this link: Common App Essay Prompts. Keep in mind that universities you select will probably require additional essays and short answer questions!
Students who meet certain criteria are eligible for college application fee waivers. Unlike ApplyTexas, these fee waivers do not need to be mailed. Instead, students will request a fee waiver within the electronic application. The student's counselor will approve the fee waiver as long as the criteria are met. To see who qualifies for a Common Application fee waiver, visit: https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/article/What-do-I-need-to-know-about-the-Common-App-fee-waiver
SAT Scores must be sent through Collegeboard. ACT Scores must be sent through the ACT platform. NO COLLEGE WILL ACCEPT PAPER COPIES. SAT or ACT scores must be submitted before a college will process your application!
When creating your application, all students will select FIRST YEAR- even if they have earned college credits and/or an Associate Degree through the Early College Program. Students who have earned college credits may have their status changed after each university advisor evaluates their college transcript.
Students who are applying Early Decision must complete the Early Decision Agreement. A parent and counselor must also sign. This is for your protection- Early Decision is binding and if you are accepted using this option, you MUST attend the college that has offered you admission.
For applications to be processed, students must send the following documents to the office of admissions. Some colleges will have portals to upload these documents. Others will require them to be sent via US Mail:
Photocopy of Green Card, Front and Back (if applicable)
Official High School Transcript with signature and seal
Official College Transcript (if applicable)
One of the newer features inside of the Common Application is Scholar Snapp. AFTER students complete and submit their first application to any college, an alert will show up within the Financial Aid Resources tab prompting them to connect with Scholar Snapp. Scholar Snapp is NOT an application itself- it is a portal to other scholarship applications. One prestigious organization, the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, now uses the Common Application as its primary application. To apply, students select "Jack Kent Cooke Foundation" as one of their schools and go from there!
The Common Application has some amazing resources that are located on the Applicant Solutions Center page: https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/
This grid shows every school listed under the Common Application, all of the deadlines associated, and what materials are required!
Common App All Schools-Alphabetical Order
Download an App to help track your Common Application Requirements!
https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/article/Who-can-use-the-Common-App-onTrack-app