In this blog post, I will demystify the Common Application, commonly called the Common App. The Common App is a one-stop application system used by over 900 colleges and universities in the United States and worldwide. It streamlines the college application process by allowing students to apply to multiple institutions with a single application form. In this blog post, we'll explore the essential resources available on the Common App, including the AXS companion resource and the rollover process at the end of July.
What is the Common App?
The Common App is an online application portal that simplifies the college application process by consolidating application forms for multiple schools into one platform. Instead of filling out separate applications for each college, students can complete the Common App once and send it to any participating college. The platform includes sections for personal information, academic history, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. Each college also has its specific application questions titled “College Questions” on the My Colleges tab—more on that later. There is also a transfer student common application if you want to transfer schools.
Creating an Account
The first step is creating an account on Common App’s website - the link is at the end of the blog. When you go to the website, there is a button in the top right corner that says create an account. It will ask you for some simple demographic information, then your email will be your username, and you will pick a password - make sure that you write this down somewhere because you will be logging into the Common App frequently over the next few months! Also, ensure you use an email address you check regularly and have easy access to.
Key Features on the Common App
After you create your account and log into the Common App, you will see the tabs below at the top:
Dashboard Tab: The dashboard is your home base on the Common App. It provides an overview of your applications, including deadlines, submission status, and any additional requirements for specific schools. It's essential to regularly check your dashboard to stay on top of your application progress.
College Search Tab: This page is where you will search for colleges participating in the Common App. You can search by name, location, application deadlines, and other criteria. Each college's profile includes important information, such as application fees, deadlines, and specific requirements.
My Colleges Tab: Once you find a college you are interested in applying to on the college search tab, you will click on the Add button, and then the college will be moved to the My Colleges tab. Under this tab, you will see the following:
Each college has school-specific questions, like what major you are interested in at that school or whether you want to live on campus. On August 1st, these will be updated and ready to complete for the following school year.
The Recommenders and FERPA questions. You will only have to answer the FERPA question once - this question gives your high school permission to send transcripts and other information on your behalf to any of the schools you are applying to. However, the recommenders tab you might use more than once. This tab is where you can request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and other recommenders. You can send requests directly through the platform and track the status of your recommendations. However, ensure that you follow the process your high school requires to ask teachers and counselors for recommendations.
Common App Tab: This is where you will find the actual application that you only have to complete once, and then you can send it to any school that accepts the Common App. There are multiple sections to this application, which you will see on the left side, including:
Testing Section: This is where you can enter test scores if you plan to submit them. I cover what test-optional admission is and how to decide if you want to submit test scores or not in my blog post here: https://www.edpathcoach.com/post/understanding-the-sat-act-and-test-optional-policies-for-college-admissions.
Activities Section: This is where you enter your activities from high school. Your activities include anything that you have done outside of the classroom, such as babysitting, watching your younger siblings, working, volunteering, and participating in sports and clubs at your school.
Writing: Several essay prompts allow you to select the one that best showcases your strengths and experiences. Not all schools require the essay, but you can check this on the My Colleges tab.
Courses and Grade Section: Some schools require you to enter all the classes you have taken throughout high school and the grades you received. Like the essay, you can see if any colleges you are applying to require this.
AXS Companion Resource
One valuable resource that complements the Common App is the AXS Companion Resource. The AXS Companion is a free, open online resource designed by professional consultants to be used alongside Common App as you work through your application. Each section includes explanatory videos, helpful tips, a glossary of application terms, and links to resources mentioned in the videos. The platform also includes articles, videos, and other resources that offer tips and strategies for completing your application and writing compelling essays. The direct link is below.
The Rollover Process
The Common App system rolls over at the end of each July. The new platform rolls out on August 1st of each year. However, the rollover process allows you to carry over certain information from one application cycle to the next. Account rollover is a way to keep your Common App account from year to year. Every year, on August 1, Common App gets a refresh. During this refresh, they roll over your account for the new application year. The good news is that anyone can create a Common App and get started, even if you won’t apply for a few months or years. Here's how it works:
What Rolls Over: Basic profile information, such as your name, address, and contact details, will roll over from one application cycle to the next. Additionally, you can save and roll over your college list and answers to any of the Common App's questions on the Common App Tab. Each year, they may remove some questions, ask new questions, or make other adjustments. Outside of those changes, the following things will stay after account rollover:
Common App tab responses
Colleges in your My Colleges list (optional)
PDF copies of past applications (if applicable)
What Doesn't Roll Over: Responses to college questions or writing supplements. This is because many colleges change their applications year over year. Invitations to counselors, teachers, advisors, and other recommenders have also been removed.
Preparing for the Rollover: Before the rollover process begins, if you have any writing supplements you have started in the Common App, ensure you have these saved in another location. Additionally, if you have written down recommenders' information in the Common App, ensure that you have also written it down in another location.
Starting the New Cycle: To roll over your account, sign in any time after August 1 with your same username and password. They will ask you a few questions before moving everything over. If you added any colleges last year, you can choose which ones to keep on your list.
My Overall Tips or the Top Mistakes I See Students Make on the Common App
Not taking your time and proofreading your application before you submit it
Make sure the name on your Common App is the same as those on your school documents. You want to ensure that you are always using your full legal name. This seems obvious, but I have seen students whose admission decisions were held up because they used a nickname or didn't put their full legal name.
Not researching all of the major options at each school for the college-specific questions. For example, a student I worked with was filling out an application to Purdue University. In the college-specific questions, she marked that she was interested in the veterinary technician program, which is one of the most competitive programs at Purdue University. However, it wasn’t what she was really interested in. She was interested in animal science, which had different admission criteria; we changed her major, and she was admitted. I’m not sure she would have been if she hadn’t changed her major.
Not realizing that after August 1st, each college has their own supplemental essay questions that need to be answered.
Not using a system to track deadlines whether that be using the dashboard tab on the Common App or a separate spreadsheet (more on this next week!)
Procrastinating on essays - don’t let this be the only reason you don’t submit your application.
Not explaining your activities - When filling out the activities section of the application, explain what each activity means. For example, if you just say you are an ambassador at your school - colleges won’t know what that means. You need to explain that as an ambassador, you organized orientation, led a small group of freshmen, and mentored 5 students throughout the year. That answer is much more impactful, and colleges will better understand your skills.
Not asking questions to your school or college counselor when you aren’t sure about the GPA scale, ranking, etc. at your school
Not checking your email after you submit your application, checking your email is a life skill that you have to develop as a senior. Colleges will only email you information, and you must ensure you don’t miss anything.
Not following up with adults kindly to ensure your documents are submitted on time - check out my blog here on recommendation letters - https://www.edpathcoach.com/post/figure-out-what-each-path-requires-recommendation-letters-for-college-admissions. You want to make sure they have all of the information they need to write your recommendation letter. Adults are busy people and can forget, so it is okay to remind them in a kind way. However, you are responsible for ensuring that your documents are submitted on time.
Conclusion
The Common App is a powerful tool that can simplify the college application process. You can confidently navigate the application process by utilizing the resources available on the platform as well as the AXS companion resource. Armed with this information and resources, you are well on your way to submitting a successful college application.
As always, I look forward to your conversations with your students, teens, and young adults. Let's make this journey joyful and transformative for them!
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Direct Links: AXS Companion: https://open.oregonstate.education/AXScompanion/
CommonApp: https://www.commonapp.org/
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