• Create an account on the Common Application—You can do this at any time; however, you cannot add schools to the Common Application until August 1, 2025.

• More than 1,000 colleges use the Common Application.

• NOTE: The list of schools you have on Common App must all be added to Naviance in the “colleges I’m applying to “ list.

• *You must use your personal email address on the Common App, not your school email.

• Match the Common App with your Naviance account (How to video on the homepage of your Naviance account) Common App Matching

• Sign the FERPA Waiver (found on Common App under the “My Colleges” tab FERPA release  → In the application, you'll be asked if you want to waive your right to review confidential letters of recommendation.  What should you know about this waiver? 

  • Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful.

  • Some recommenders may decline to write a letter for you if you do not waive your rights. Check with your counselor or teachers to see if they follow such a policy.

• Fee Waiver: 

NOTE: If you are a student who receives Free and Reduced lunch, you qualify for a Common App fee waiver, which can waive your college application fee. You can request a Common App Fee Waiver in the “Profile” section of the Common App tab.  To apply for this fee waiver:

• • Answer “Yes” to the fee waiver statement.

  • Enter your signature to certify your request

• You may find more information about fee waivers here

For non-common app schools on your list, please contact Ms. Hernandez for help with fee waivers