You should begin by filling out your basic personal information such as your name, birthdate, address, contact information, etc. In addition to this, you will be asked questions regarding your family's size, parent's / legal guardian's education, and other related questions. This part of the application can be tedious but should not be too time-consuming. This is a section that can easily be completed during the summer or in the beginning of your senior year.

The education section of the Common App contains several key components to pay attention to. You will include your high school's information (name, address, size of graduating class, etc) as well as your own academic information such as your GPA, class ranking, and academic honors. Click here to access Terra's College Advising tab where Ms. Vivian includes important information for filling out the "Education" section.

• When asked for cumulative GPA enter your weighted GPA (out of a 6.0 scale)

• Class ranks (if offered at your school) will be distributed during the beginning of the school year in the Fall

• When entering your current senior classes, consider ordering them from highest difficulty (AP or D.E) to lowest difficulty (honors or regular). Order tends to matter a lot when colleges read through your applications, so make sure to leave an impressive first impression!

• For the Honors section you are able to add up to 5 distinctive honors / awards / achievements you have obtained throughout high school. You will be asked to include the name or title of the honor, what year / grade level you received it, and what was the level of recognition (school, district, state, national, or international). Order matters! List more impressive accomplishments towards the top and lesser honors towards the bottom. Do not feel disappointed or compelled to fill all 5 honor sections, having less than the maximum will not place you at a disadvantage. If you have more than 5 honors, then pick the top 5 achievements you have been awarded.

The testing tab allows you to include self-reported test scores like AP, SAT, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests. This section is OPTIONAL! Only include scores you believe will make you a more competitive applicant! For instance, you may wish to self-report passing AP scores especially when they are a 4 or 5. You should stay away from reporting failing AP scores and occasionally even a 3 if applying to particularly selective schools.

Similarly, be careful when self-reporting your SAT / ACT scores. If you are applying to test-optional schools and are opting out of sending scores, I suggest to NOT self-report scores since they might get automatically sent and viewed. Keep in mind that schools that require standardized testing or where you opt into sending your score need your OFFICIAL scores that must be sent through the CollegeBoard or ACT. Choosing not to self-report can give you more time to superscore and improve your score since test scores are generally submitted after the common app application.

Common App waivers allow you to apply to an unlimited number of schools without having to pay an application fee. Application fees vary by school and tend to range from $30 - $75 per school. The college application process can become expensive, especially when paying for application fees, taking standardized tests, sending official scores, and much more.

If at least one of the following financial circumstances apply to you, you may request a waiver to your counselor and indicate you meet the criteria on the Common App.

• You have received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.

• You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).

• Your annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

• You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).

• Your family receives public assistance.

• 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 can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

Each school's deadline for submitting the application will show up on your dashboard. To learn more about the school's deadlines for financial aid, test submissions, and other programs you should access the school's official website for dates.

Most schools have different types of admissions such as rolling, early action, regular admission, etc. To learn more about each type click here. You will select under which type of admission you will apply under. This will affect your deadline for submitting your application, test scores, and financial aid.

You will choose what semester term is your preferred choice, such as Summer or Fall. While you may apply with a preferred choice (generally the Fall semester), some schools might accept you under another term due to space availability.

You will be asked to choose a major that interests you based on a long drop-down menu of available majors offered at the specific university. To learn more about the majors that interest you, visit the school's official website to find a major description and course curriculum. Do not feel overwhelmed or stressed if you are still unsure about your career aspirations and/or major. You will officially declare a major during orientation and are able to change your major as many times as you please.

Universities will also ask school-specific questions which vary from school to school. Most universities also tend to have school-specific essay prompts that may ask about your extracurriculars, why you chose to apply to their school, your future career aspirations, your culture and background, and a number of other unique essay prompts. Keep in mind that supplemental essays are just as important as the Common App essay in demonstrating to college admissions who you are. Competitive and highly selective universities tend to ask several supplemental questions, including some optional ones. If given the option, I highly suggest to write optional essays especially for reach schools like Ivy Leagues.

For more tips and advice on writing supplemental essays:

• https://www.collegeessayguy.com/supplemental-essays

• https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/supplemental-college-application-essays

Most universities offer unique programs that you may apply to as a first-year applicant. These generally include honors college, leadership programs, STEM programs, Summer Bridge programs, and much more. In your Common App application you may be asked if you are interested in applying for these programs. You should research each college you plan to apply to and learn more about the unique programs they offer. Some of these "hidden gems" require separate application, are by-invitation only, or have automatic consideration for all that apply. Make sure to be on top of deadlines so you don't miss out on programs and opportunities that interest you.

Public state universities will likely have questions regarding state residency. If you are a Florida resident and plan to pay in-state tuition, you will have to upload documentation and/or input personal information. This includes your parent's / legal guardian's license, voting registration, vehicle registration, and other forms of identifying state residency for tuition purposes.