Types of College Applications
Opens August 1st
Deadline - November 30th
$70* per UC
Personal Insight Questions (PIQ) - Complete 4 of 8
No test scores
One application for all UCs
No Letters of Recommendation (LOR ) Required
Self-submit grades
No transcripts (if accepted/attending you will be required to submit final transcript)
Students are randomly selected for an audit for proof of extracurricular activities, grades etc.
*Applying for Fee Waivers
You can see if you automatically qualify for a fee waiver within the application. If you enter your family size and income in the “About you” section, you will see if you’ve qualified for an application fee waiver when you select your campuses in the "Campuses & majors" section (a message will appear on that page with real-time feedback about how many campuses you can apply to for free).
California State University (CSU)
Opens October 1st
Deadline - November 30th
$70* per CSU
No essays
No test scores accepted
No Letters of Recommendation (LOR) required
Self-submit grades
No transcripts (if accepted/attending you will be required to submit final transcript)
*Applying for Fee Waivers
When you apply for admission to the CSU through Cal State Apply you are automatically considered for an application fee waiver based on the information requested in the application. You must fully complete the application before the fee waiver eligibility is determined. You will see a "Check My Fee Waiver Status" link on the Submit Application tab to determine whether you are eligible for an application fee waiver
Used by over 1000 Colleges
Most widely used by Colleges and Universities
Each college sets test requirements (required, test-optional, test-blind)
Can apply to multiple colleges at once
Personal Statement
Each college has supplemental requirements that vary (additional essays, questions etc.)
Do NOT request Letters of Recommendation through the Common App - At OPHS this is done through Naviance
*Applying for Fee Waivers - Common App colleges want to make sure that application fees do not pose a barrier for any student who wishes to apply for admission. If you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver, you can request a fee waiver in the Common App fee waiver section in the profile section.
Watch the VIDEO on how to Match your Common Application with Naviance
Common Application Resources
Common Application AXS Companion, by Oregon State University & the Independent Educational Consultants Association
How to Make Your Common App a Lot Less Common, by Collegewise
Used by over 135 colleges
Interestingly, there are only 12 schools who accept the Coalition Application but don't accept the Common App
Coalition applications for first-year students open in July and August, but the date may vary from school to school
Essay Prompt
Application limit: 20
Applying for Fee Waivers - The Coalition Fee Waiver allows domestic (US) applicants to submit an application without a fee. If you are eligible for the Coalition waiver, when you get to the payment page of an application, your fee will be reduced to $0.
College Specific Applications
Some colleges offer applications specific to their school in addition or in place of the Common Application and/or the Coalition app. Visit the college website and look for the Undergraduate Admissions webpage for specific application information.
Application Deadlines
