Common App Cheat Sheet 2026-27
Common App Cheat Sheet 2026-27
Embedded Files
On the Common App, you are only required to complete the questions marked with a red asterisk (*). Those are the mandatory fields.
The other questions are optional—you can answer them if you’d like to share more about yourself, but they are not required to submit your application.
Mooresville High School CEEB Code: 342715
Phone Number: (704)658-2580
The year you started high school: 2023
Graduation Date: May 22, 2027
Counselor Title: School Counselor *YOU MUST ADD YOUR ASSIGNED SCHOOL COUNSELOR*
Last Names A-C: Jennifer Forte, jenniferforte@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Last Names D-H: Brian Landis, blandis@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Last Names I-M: Tonisha White, tonishawhite@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Last Names N-R: Megan Fazio, meganfazio@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Last Names S-Z: Malinda Sadowski, malindasadowski@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Students with 504 Plans: Mary Royal, mmroyal@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Senior Class Size: 460
General Instructions
• Use proper capitalization and punctuation
• Do not use a nickname!
• Your name on the Common App (or any application) should match what you have for your school records and SAT/ACT registration info.
• We will push you to submit applications well before the deadlines. However, the deadline is 11:59pm on whatever date they give as the deadline
Common App Tabs
• Dashboard: lists colleges you’ve added, deadlines, and when you submitted them.
• My Colleges: Once you’ve added colleges to your list, you will complete school-specific questions, a Recommendation and FERPA section, and Writing supplements (if a school requires them). Then, you will review and submit your application only after someone has reviewed it.
How to Complete FERPA Release Authorization on the Common App
• Common Application: This is where all the CA sections go that go to all the schools, but you CAN modify responses in this section even after submitting to one or more schools if information changes between submissions.
• College Search: Enter the name of your college to make sure they take the CA. Just enter the name; skip the rest of the questions. Once the school(s) come up, click on the box and then “Add,” which will add them to the My Colleges and Dashboard tabs.
Common App FAQ's
Below are answers to frequently asked questions that may appear on your college applications:
1. What is our GPA scale?
We are on a 4.0 grading scale. Report your weighted GPA.
2. Do I report our weighted or unweighted class rank?
You report your weighted class rank. Rank is exact.
3. What is your title and phone number?
School Counselor and 704-658-2580
4. What is our Scheduling System (Under the Common App Education Section)?
Semester
5. What is our grading scale?
1-100
6 What is our schedule (When entering your transcript and grades if required)?
Yearly
7. What do I do if my recommender is not a MHS staff member?
If your recommender is NOT a MHS staff member then you add them in your Common App account and they will submit your form and letter via Common App.
8. How do I enter classes I took in Middle School (for HS credit) into Common App?
Enter the class, grade earned, and under school taken select Mooresville High School
9. How do I report grades from last year that were listed as half credits?
You must report both grades as they appear on your transcript. You report each grade as a .5 credit.
10. What if I have more than 10 activities to report?
Select your BEST 10 activities. Some schools will allow you to upload your resume in their individual application.
11. What is FERPA and how do I answer the questions in this section?
FERPA is the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act. By signing this you are agreeing to allow MHS to send your educational records (Transcript, etc.) to the schools you are applying to. We HIGHLY recommend that you waive your right to view recommendations. Most staff will not complete your recommendation unless you waive your right to view it.
This video shows you how to add your counselor and teachers as recommenders!
12. What is a Common App fee waiver?
Common App and our colleges want to make sure that application fees do not pose a barrier for any student. If you meet certain qualifications, you can request a Common App fee waiver.
You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal free or reduced price lunch program (FRPL).*
You have received or are eligible to receive an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
Your annual family income falls within the income eligibility guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Your family receives public assistance.
You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., GEAR UP, TRIO such as Upward Bound or others).
You live in a federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or are homeless.
You are a ward of the state or an orphan.
You have received or are eligible to receive a Pell Grant.
You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.
*You must enroll or be eligible for the FRPL. Students who attend schools where all students receive free lunch do not automatically qualify for a Common App fee waiver.
Some of these government programs have websites that are hard to navigate. Please reach out to a counselor or another trusted adult if you're unsure if you qualify.
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