The Common Application (or CommonApp for short) is the most popular application type. There are currently more than 1000 colleges and universities across the country that utilize it. You can create an account through the CommonApp Website at any time, and begin inputting information, but you cannot officially apply until the application period for your class is open. This typically happens on August 1st of each year.

What do I need to complete the CommonApp?

Conveniently enough, the CommonApp has created an Application Guide for First Time Users. You are strongly recommended to review that as you create your account.

How is the CommonApp broken down?

• The main part - the CommonApp tab - goes to ALL of the schools to which you're applying. You can start this part at any time, and can complete things in any order. You'll get a checkmark in each section upon completing it, and eventually a checkmark on each page once you complete more. 

• The section "Courses & Grades" is not required by all schools, but if you're applying to even one that requires it you will have to fill it in. You can find more information about this in the Sending Transcripts & Grades section.

• Under "My Colleges," you will add each individual school that you're applying to. Each one has its own set of questions, and some have more than others. This is where you'll find each school's set of supplemental questions. Please do not do this part until August before senior year! If you begin it earlier, what you've filled in on this section will not roll over for the new application period.

• It's also important to know that there isn't one big submit button on the CommonApp. You will have to submit each application individually. This means that you can submit one while still working on another! You are strongly encouraged to submit each application as you complete them.

How do I request letters of recommendation in the CommonApp?

Mid Valley does not submit letters of recommendation through the CommonApp. This is done through Scoir, and the integration of Scoir an the CommonApp makes it a very easy process! Check out the Letters of Recommendation section to learn more about this! 

How do I request transcripts be sent to colleges through the CommonApp?

Mid Valley does not submit transcripts through the CommonApp. This is done through Scoir, and the integration of Scoir an the CommonApp makes it a very easy process! Check out the Sending Transcripts section to learn more about this! 

How many schools can I apply to with the CommonApp?

You can apply to a maximum of twenty schools through the Common App. Students should make a strong effort to consolidate their list of schools they want to apply to before they begin applying. 20 schools is a lot to apply to. If you're having trouble with this, see your counselor. 

How Do I Integrate my CommonApp account with Scoir?

Scoir and the CommonApp are completely integrated, so applying to schools through the CommonApp makes the process very easy. CommonApp is still used to apply to schools. Scoir's primary purpose is to communicate all other supporting documents with schools students have already applied to. Go to the Scoir section to learn more about how to make this happen!

Approximately 150 colleges nationwide are part of the Coalition for College. As such, not nearly as many students will use the Coalition Application, but it is still important to know about. You can create an account utilizing the Coalition Application Website. Again, you should look into each school's admissions department to determine if you will need an account with the Coalition App. 

What do I need to know about the Coalition Application?

• This application is time sensitive. Students need to be very aware of the deadlines and be sure to meet them all. 

• Some schools will accept both the CommonApp and the Coalition Application. You should only apply using one.

• You need to do all of the required sections before you will be able to move through the school-specific questions. Sometimes you will have to do more sections in the main application after you add a school. You are able to work a bit out of order in the main application.

• After you add a school, you will have to do the school-specific questions. These have to be done in order and you can't see what the questions are until you get to them. Sometimes there are supplemental essays here.

• Like the CommonApp, there is not one big submit button for the Coalition Application. You will have to submit your applications one school at a time.

• Once you have completed the application, you will need to go to Scoir to request all supporting documents be sent to your schools. Go to the Scoir section to learn more about this.

Some groups of schools will have their own application database. Like those listed above, it becomes a convenient place to store your information rather than having to enter it for every single school. The most common example of this that you will encounter is for PA State schools in the PASSHE network (includes schools like Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Shippensburg, West Chester, and more). Once you have completed the application, you will need to go to Scoir to request all supporting documents be sent to your schools. Go to the Scoir section to learn more about this.