Quick Tips for the Common App

Tips on how to write a successful Common App activities list - Rank your list of activities in order of importance to YOU, not to what you believe the university thinks is important.

As long as you're consistent on your own application, that's what matters!

Make sure you have a copy of your transcript handy when entering your self-reported grades

Do not shy away from bragging about yourself and your amazing abilities, skills, and talents in your essay. Your universities want to get to know you and all of the wonderful things you have to say. This is your time to brag! 

If letters of rec. are required for your school(s), ask for at least one letter from teachers who teach courses relevant to your desired major (e.g. STEM major, ask for letters from science or math teachers; liberal arts major, ask for letters from English or social studies teachers).

WFBHS does not offer many academic awards (e.g. Honor Roll/High Honor Roll, student of the month, President's Award, etc.), so do not get discouraged if you do not have (m)any to report! Some examples of Academic Honors would be: AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholar, and awards from local competitions (e.g. Science Olympiad award, Math contests, etc.).

Use the "Additional Information" section to your advantage! Anything that you feel needs an explanation regarding your application materials, or relevant information that has not been captured somewhere else on your app, should be included here. For example, you can use this section to explain a dip in your grades, to emphasize something that you feel really proud of, or share something that (positively or negatively) impacted you during high school that cannot otherwise be seen in your application.

When you are self-reporting your grades, you should select "semesters" under "Schedule". You should also select "A-F" under "Grading scale" when reporting your courses and grades. 

When you are self-reporting your grades, you do not need to record a "final grade" for each class. You will record your final grade for each semester under the appropriate column.  Leave final grade blank.

Lots of students will write their personal essays about difficult times in their life that shaped them as individuals, or influenced their interests and passions. In these essays, admissions committees are looking for how you demonstrated or developed resiliency, or grit, or found a deeper meaning as a result of that time in your life -- institutions want students who will bring diversity of experiences to their campus and who know how to handle and persevere through difficult situations. College is tough! Universities are looking for students who have demonstrated, through real-life experience, that they have what it takes to succeed and thrive, even in times of stress and uncertainty.