Back

What’s the Common App? Everything to Know for Senior Year

The Common Application, or Common App, is an online platform used by students to apply to multiple colleges and universities with one application. Over 900 institutions worldwide participate, saving students time applying to colleges during a hectic senior year. The application usually opens on August 1each year. But be sure to verify the exact date.

Why Use the Common App?

1. Simplifies Applications:

During your senior year, balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and college applications can be challenging. The Common App allows you to enter your personal details, academic history, and extracurricular activities just once, and then send this information to any participating colleges you wish to apply to.

2. Manages College Essays Efficiently:

One of the key components of the Common App is that it eliminates the need for multiple college essays. With the Common App, you write a single personal essay that’s sent to all the colleges on your list. This saves you time and effort. It allows you to focus on crafting a strong essay that highlights your unique experiences and strengths. Some colleges may require supplemental essays, which can also be managed through the Common App.

3. Streamlines Recommendation Process:

The Common App makes it simpler to submit letters of recommendation. You can invite your teachers and counselors to upload their letters directly to the platform. It’s easy to track the status and be assured that all required documents are submitted.

4. Includes a Fee Waiver Option:

Applications come with fees, but if that’s a concern, the Common App offers a fee waiver request option. If you’re eligible for SAT fee waivers, you can have your application fees waived at many colleges. This makes it less burdensome for students from various financial backgrounds to apply.

5. Provides Deadline Management:

The Common App lets you keep track of all your application deadlines in one place, which is especially useful during your busy senior year. This feature helps you stay organized so you won’t miss any deadlines.

FAQ

What are common college application forms?

Many colleges and universities accept standardized college application forms, which can simplify the application process. The two most common forms are the Common Application (Common App), which is accepted by over 900 institutions, and the Coalition Application, which more than 170 colleges accept. Both forms include sections for personal information, academic history, activities, essays, and recommendations. Remember to adhere to deadlines and complete all components accurately and on time.

If I am applying to colleges using the Coalition, Common, or Universal Applications, can I still use a college application fee waiver?

If you have received an SAT fee waiver, you may apply to any Coalition, Common, or Universal College Application college without a fee. Each of these application platforms has a process in place to allow eligible students to have their application fee waived, and generally do not require you to submit your College Board fee waivers.

On the Coalition App, students can determine their eligibility for a fee waiver by answering a brief series of questions while creating their Coalition profile. If you qualify for fee waivers from the College Board (or qualify based on any of the other questions), you will automatically bypass the payment screen when you submit your application to a member school.

Similarly, on the Common App, you will be asked on the application whether your financial circumstances qualify you for a fee waiver-- if you received an SAT fee waiver, you should indicate that in response to this question to have your fee waived. Your high school counselor will be asked to verify your eligibility.

To use your fee waiver on the Universal College Application, check the “fee waiver” box on your application and submit your form to the college or university.

For all other colleges that participate in the program, submit the application fee waiver forms included in your College Board account directly to the institution.

Explore Colleges Using Common App

Learn More

What’s the Common App? Everything to Know for Senior Year

Why Use the Common App?

1. Simplifies Applications:

2. Manages College Essays Efficiently:

3. Streamlines Recommendation Process:

4. Includes a Fee Waiver Option:

5. Provides Deadline Management:

FAQ

What are common college application forms?

If I am applying to colleges using the Coalition, Common, or Universal Applications, can I still use a college application fee waiver?

Explore Colleges Using Common App

Related Topics

Explore Colleges Using Common App

Related Topics

Thank you.