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Fill in Your Common App Template

The Common Application, often referred to as the Common App, is a standardized college application form used by many colleges and universities across the United States. This single application allows students to apply to multiple institutions simultaneously, streamlining the admissions process. By consolidating various components such as personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities, the Common App simplifies the journey for prospective students.

Table of Contents

The Common App form is a vital tool for students applying to colleges and universities across the United States. It streamlines the application process by allowing students to submit one comprehensive application to multiple institutions. Key sections of the form include personal information, educational history, and demographic data, which help colleges understand the applicant's background. Future plans and academic interests are also captured, guiding institutions in their admissions decisions. The form requires details about extracurricular activities, work experience, and honors, enabling students to showcase their achievements beyond academics. Additionally, a personal essay offers applicants a chance to express their individuality and perspectives. Completing the Common App accurately and thoroughly is crucial, as it plays a significant role in the admissions process.

Sample - Common App Form

2012-13 FIRST-YEAR APPLICATION

For Spring 2013 or Fall 2013 Enrollment

A P P L IC A NT

Legal Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last/Family/Sur (Enter name exactly as it appears on official documents.)				First/Given	Middle (complete)	Jr., etc.
Preferred name, if not ﬁrst name (only one) ____________________________				Former last name(s) _____________________________________________
Birth Date ____________________________________________________				US Social Security Number, if any ___________________________________
		Female	Male
		mm/dd/yyyy		Required for US Citizens and Permanent Residents applying for financial aid via FAFSA

Preferred Telephone	Home	Cell Home (_______) __________________________________ Cell (_______) __________________________________
		Area/Country/City Code			Area/Country/City Code
E-mail Address ________________________________________________				IM Address ____________________________________________________

Permanent home address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Number & StreetApartment #

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City/TownCounty or ParishState/ProvinceCountryZIP/Postal Code

If different from above, please give your current mailing address for all admission correspondence.	(from ___________ to ___________)
	(mm/dd/yyyy)	(mm/dd/yyyy)

Current mailing address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Number & StreetApartment #

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City/TownCounty or ParishState/ProvinceCountryZIP/Postal Code

If your current mailing address is a boarding school, include name of school here: _________________________________________________________________

F UT URE PL ANS

Your answers to these questions will vary for different colleges. If the online system did not ask you to answer some of the questions you see in this section, this college chose not to ask that question of its applicants.

College ________________________________________________________	Deadline ______________________________________________________
	mm/dd/yyyy

Entry Term: Fall (Jul-Dec)Spring (Jan-Jun)

Decision Plan___________________________________________________

Academic Interests _____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Career Interest_________________________________________________

Do you intend to apply for need-based ﬁnancial aid?	Yes	No
Do you intend to apply for merit-based scholarships?	Yes	No
Do you intend to be a full-time student?	Yes	No
Do you intend to enroll in a degree program your ﬁrst year?	Yes	No

Do you intend to live in college housing? ______________________________

What is the highest degree you intend to earn? _________________________

DEMOGRAPHICS

Citizenship Status ______________________________________________

Non-US Citizenship(s) ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Birthplace ________________________________________________________

City/TownState/ProvinceCountry

Years lived in the US? ____________ Years lived outside the US? ____________

Language Proﬁciency (Check all that apply.)

S(Speak) R(Read) W(Write) F(First Language) H(Spoken at Home)

S R W F H

_______________________________________________

Optional The items with a gray background are optional. No information you provide will be used in a discriminatory manner.

Religious Preference _______________________________________________

US Armed Services veteran status _____________________________________

1. Are you Hispanic/Latino?
Yes, Hispanic or Latino (including Spain)	No If yes, please describe your background.

____________________________________________________________

2.Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please indicate how you identify yourself. (Check one or more and describe your background.)

American Indian or Alaska Native (including all Original Peoples of the Americas)

Are you Enrolled? Yes No If yes, please enter Tribal Enrollment Number________________

____________________________________________________________

Asian (including Indian subcontinent and Philippines)

____________________________________________________________

Black or African American (including Africa and Caribbean)

____________________________________________________________

Native Hawaiian or Other Paciﬁc Islander (Original Peoples)

____________________________________________________________

White (including Middle Eastern)

___________________________________________________________

AP-1 / 2 0 1 2 - 1 3

FA M I LY

Please list both parents below, even if one or more is deceased or no longer has legal responsibilities toward you. Many colleges collect this information for demographic purposes even if you are an adult or an emancipated minor. If you are a minor with a legal guardian (an individual or government entity), then please list that information below as well. If you wish, you may list step-parents and/or other adults with whom you reside, or who otherwise care for you, in the Additional Information section.

Household

Parents’ marital status (relative to each other):	Never Married		Married	Civil Union/Domestic Partners		Widowed	Separated	Divorced (date _________)
With whom do you make your permanent home?		Parent 1	Parent 2	Both	Legal Guardian	Ward of the Court/State		Other	mm/yyyy

If you have children, how many? _________

Parent 1					Parent 2
Mother	Father		Unknown		Mother	Father		Unknown
Is Parent 1 living?		Yes	No (Date Deceased ____________________)		Is Parent 2 living?		Yes	No (Date Deceased ____________________)
				mm/yyyy					mm/yyyy
____________________________________________________________					____________________________________________________________
Last/Family/Sur			First/Given	Middle	Last/Family/Sur			First/Given	Middle
Former last name(s) _____________________________________________					Former last name(s) _____________________________________________
Country of birth ________________________________________________					Country of birth ________________________________________________
Home address if different from yours					Home address if different from yours
____________________________________________________________					____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________					____________________________________________________________
Preferred Telephone:		Home Cell Work (_______) ________________			Preferred Telephone:		Home Cell Work (_______) ________________

Area/Country/City Code	Area/Country/City Code
E-mail _______________________________________________________	E-mail _______________________________________________________
Occupation _____________________________________________________	Occupation _____________________________________________________
Employer _____________________________________________________	Employer _____________________________________________________
College (if any) ___________________________________ CEEB ________	College (if any) ___________________________________ CEEB ________
Degree _________________________________________ Year _________	Degree _________________________________________ Year _________
Graduate School (if any) ____________________________ CEEB ________	Graduate School (if any) ____________________________ CEEB ________
Degree _________________________________________ Year _________	Degree _________________________________________ Year _________

Legal Guardian (if other than a parent)

Relationship to you _______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Last/Family/SurFirst/GivenMiddle

Country of birth ________________________________________________

Home address if different from yours

____________________________________________________________

Siblings

Please give names and ages of your brothers or sisters. If they are enrolled in grades K-12 (or international equivalent), list their grade levels. If they have attended or are currently attending college, give the names of the undergraduate institution, degree earned, and approximate dates of attendance. If more than three siblings, please list them in the Additional Information section.

____________________________________________________________

NameAge & GradeRelationship

College Attended ___________________________________ CEEB _______

Preferred Telephone:	Home Cell Work (_______) ________________	Degree earned _________________________ Dates __________________
Preferred Telephone:	Home Cell Work (_______) ________________	or expected		mm/yyyy – mm/yyyy
	Area/Country/City Code	or expected
	Area/Country/City Code
E-mail _______________________________________________________		____________________________________________________________
		Name	Age & Grade	Relationship
		Name	Age & Grade	Relationship
Occupation _____________________________________________________		College Attended ___________________________________ CEEB _______
Employer _____________________________________________________		Degree earned _________________________ Dates __________________
		or expected		mm/yyyy – mm/yyyy
College (if any) ___________________________________ CEEB ________		____________________________________________________________

Degree _________________________________________ Year _________		Name	Age & Grade	Relationship

		College Attended ___________________________________ CEEB _______
Graduate School (if any)	____________________________ CEEB ________
		Degree earned _________________________ Dates __________________
Degree _________________________________________ Year _________		or expected		mm/yyyy – mm/yyyy
© 2012 The Common Application, Inc.				AP-2 / 2 0 1 2 - 1 3

E D U C AT IO N

Secondary Schools

Most recent secondary school attended ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Entry Date _________________ Graduation Date	_________________ School Type:	Public	Charter	Independent	Religious	Home School
mm/yyyy	mm/dd/yyyy

Address ________________________________________________________________________________ CEEB/ACT Code ___________________________

Number & Street

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City/TownState/ProvinceCountryZIP/Postal Code

Counselor’s Name __________________________________________________________ Counselor’s Title _______________________________________

E-mail _____________________________________ Telephone (_______) ______________________ Fax (_______) ________________________________

Area/Country/City Code

Number

Ext.

Area/Country/City Code

Number

List all other secondary schools you have attended since 9th grade, including academic summer schools or enrichment programs hosted on a secondary school campus:

School Name & CEEB/ACT Code	Location (City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code, Country)	Dates Attended (mm/yyyy)
_____________________________________________	_______________________________________________________ ____________________
_____________________________________________	_______________________________________________________ ____________________
_____________________________________________	_______________________________________________________ ____________________

Please list any community program/organization that has provided free assistance with your application process:____________________________________________

If your education was or will be interrupted, please indicate so here and provide details in the Additional Information section: ___________________________________

Colleges & Universities List all college/university afﬁliated courses you have taken since 9th grade and mark all that apply: taught on college campus (CO); taught on high school campus, excluding AP/IB (HS); taught online (ON); college credit awarded (CR); transcript available (TR); degree candidate (DC).

College/University Name & CEEB/ACT Code	Location (City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code, Country)	CO HS ON CR TR DC	Dates Attended	Degree Earned
			mm/yyyy – mm/yyyy
_________________________________	___________________________________________		______________	_________
_________________________________	___________________________________________		______________	_________
_________________________________	___________________________________________		______________	_________

If you indicated that a transcript is available, please have an ofﬁcial copy sent to your colleges as soon as possible.

A C A DE M IC S

The self-reported information in this section is not intended to take the place of your ofﬁcial records. Please note the requirements of each institution to which you are applying and arrange for ofﬁcial transcripts and score reports to be sent from your secondary school and the appropriate testing agencies. Where “Best Scores” are requested, please report the highest individual scores you have earned so far, even if those scores are from different test dates.

Grades

Class Rank _________

Class Size _________ Weighted?

Yes

GPA _________

Scale _________

Weighted?

Yes

(if available)

ACT

Exam Dates: ________

________

Best Scores: _________

______

_________

______

_________

______

(past & future)

mm/yyyy

(so far)

COMP

mm/yyyy

English

mm/yyyy

Math

mm/yyyy

_________

______

_________

______

_________

______

Reading

mm/yyyy

Science

mm/yyyy

Writing

mm/yyyy

SAT

Exam Dates: __________ __________

__________

Best Scores: ______

__________

______

__________

______

__________

(past & future)

mm/dd/yyyy

(so far)

Critical Reading

mm/dd/yyyy

Math

mm/dd/yyyy

Writing

mm/dd/yyyy

TOEFL/

Exam Dates: ________

________

Best Score: _________

______

IELTS

(past & future)

mm/yyyy

(so far)

Test

Score

mm/yyyy

AP/IB/SAT

Best Scores: ________

__________________________________

_____

________

__________________________________

_____

Subjects

(per subject, so far)

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

________

__________________________________

_____

________

__________________________________

_____

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

________

__________________________________

_____

________

__________________________________

_____

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

________

__________________________________

_____

________

__________________________________

_____

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

mm/yyyy

Type & Subject

Score

Current Courses Please list all courses you are taking this year and indicate level (AP, IB, advanced, honors, etc.) and credit value. Indicate quarter classes taken in the same semester on the appropriate semester line.

Full Year/First Semester/First Trimester	Second Semester/Second Trimester	Third Trimester
		or additional ﬁrst/second term courses if more space is needed
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
________________________________________	________________________________________	_________________________________________
© 2012 The Common Application, Inc.		AP-3 / 2 0 1 2 - 1 3

Honors Brieﬂy list any academic distinctions or honors you have received since the 9th grade or international equivalent (e.g., National Merit, Cum Laude Society).

S(School) S/R(State or Regional)	N(National) I(International)
Grade level or	Honor	Highest Level of
post-graduate (PG)		Recognition
9 10 11 12 PG		S S/R N I

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & WORK EXPERIENCE

Extracurricular Please list your principal extracurricular, volunteer, and work activities in their order of importance to you. Feel free to group your activities and paid work experience separately if you prefer. Use the space available to provide details of your activities and accomplishments (speciﬁc events, varsity letter, musical

instrument, employer, etc.). To allow us to focus on the highlights of your activities, please complete this section even if you plan to attach a résumé.

Grade level or		Approximate		When did you participate			If applicable,
post-graduate (PG)		time spent		in the activity?			If applicable,
post-graduate (PG)		time spent		in the activity?			do you plan
					Summer/	Positions held, honors won, letters earned, or employer	do you plan
						Positions held, honors won, letters earned, or employer	to participate

9 10	11 12 PG	Hours	Weeks	School	School
9 10	11 12 PG	Hours	Weeks	School	School		in college?
		per week	per year	year	Break		in college?
		per week	per year	year	Break
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
						_______________________________________________________________________
Activity	_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AP-4 / 2 0 1 2 - 1 3

WR I T I NG

Please brieﬂy elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please write an essay of 250 – 500 words on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below, and attach it to your application before submission. Please indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box. This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. NOTE: Your Common Application essay should be the same for all colleges. Do not customize it in any way for individual colleges. Colleges that want customized essay responses will ask for them on a supplement form.

Evaluate a signiﬁcant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

Indicate a person who has had a signiﬁcant inﬂuence on you, and describe that inﬂuence.

Describe a character in ﬁction, a historical ﬁgure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an inﬂuence on you, and explain that inﬂuence.

A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

Topic of your choice.

Additional Information Please attach a separate sheet if you wish to provide details of circumstances or qualiﬁcations not reﬂected in the application.

Disciplinary History

Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or the international equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in a disciplinary action? These actions could include, but are not limited

to: probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution.	Yes	No
Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?			Yes	No

[Note that you are not required to answer “yes” to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept conﬁdential.]

If you answered “yes” to either or both questions, please attach a separate sheet of paper that gives the approximate date of each incident, explains the circumstances, and reﬂects on what you learned from the experience.

Note: Applicants are expected to immediately notify the institutions to which they are applying should there be any changes to the information requested in this application, including disciplinary history.

S IGNAT UR E

Application Fee Payment If this college requires an application fee, how will you be paying it?

Online Payment

Will Mail Payment

Online Fee Waiver Request

Will Mail Fee Waiver Request

Required Signature

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented, and that these documents will become the property of the institutions to which I am applying and will not be returned to me. I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certiﬁed be false.

I acknowledge that I have reviewed the application instructions for each college receiving this application. I understand that all offers of admission are conditional, pending receipt of ﬁnal transcripts showing work comparable in quality to that upon which the offer was based, as well as honorable dismissal from the school.

I afﬁrm that I will send an enrollment deposit (or equivalent) to only one institution; sending multiple deposits (or equivalent) may result in the withdrawal of my admission offers from all institutions. [Note: Students may send an enrollment deposit (or equivalent) to a second institution where they have been admitted from the waitlist, provided that they inform the ﬁrst institution that they will no longer be enrolling.]

Signature _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Date ___________________

mm/dd/yyyy

Common Application member institution admission offices do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, parental status, physical disability, learning disability, political affiliation, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

AP-5 / 2 0 1 2 - 1 3

↓ Common App PDF

File Specs

Fact Name	Details
Application Types	The Common App allows students to apply to multiple colleges using one standardized application form.
Demographic Information	Applicants are required to provide demographic information, including citizenship status and language proficiency.
Essay Requirement	Students must submit a personal essay as part of their application, which is the same for all colleges applied to through the Common App.
Disciplinary History	Applicants must disclose any disciplinary violations or criminal convictions during their high school years, as this information can impact admissions decisions.
Application Fee	Some colleges may require an application fee, which can be paid online or through a fee waiver request.

Common App - Usage Guidelines

Completing the Common App form is an important step in the college application process. This form collects essential information about you, your academic history, and your future plans. Follow these steps to ensure you fill it out accurately and completely.

Visit the Common App website and create an account or log in if you already have one.
Fill in your legal name exactly as it appears on official documents, including last name, first name, and middle name.
Provide your preferred name, if different from your first name, and any former last names.
Enter your birth date and US Social Security Number, if applicable.
Select your gender and provide your preferred telephone numbers and email address.
Complete your permanent home address, including street, city, state, and ZIP code.
If applicable, provide a current mailing address for admission correspondence.
Answer questions regarding your future college plans, including the college name, application deadline, entry term, and decision plan.
Indicate your academic and career interests, as well as whether you intend to apply for financial aid or scholarships.
Fill out demographic information, including citizenship status and language proficiency.
List your parents or guardians, including their names, contact information, and educational background.
Provide information about your siblings, including their names, ages, and educational status.
Detail your secondary school history, including the most recent school attended and any other schools since 9th grade.
List any college courses taken, along with relevant details about the courses.
Report your academic performance, including GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores.
Describe your current courses and any honors or distinctions you have received.
Outline your extracurricular activities, work experience, and any significant achievements.
Write a personal essay of 250-500 words on a topic of your choice.
Complete the disciplinary history section, if applicable, and provide any necessary explanations.
Sign and date the application, certifying that all information is accurate.
Submit your application and pay any required fees or request a fee waiver.

After completing the Common App form, review all entries for accuracy. Once submitted, you may need to follow up with colleges regarding additional materials or requirements. Ensure that you stay organized and meet all deadlines for a smooth application process.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the Common App?

The Common App, or Common Application, is a standardized college application used by many colleges and universities across the United States and some international institutions. It allows students to apply to multiple schools with a single application, streamlining the process of college admissions. The form collects essential information about the applicant, including personal details, educational history, extracurricular activities, and essays.

Who can use the Common App?

The Common App is available to all prospective college students, including first-year applicants, transfer students, and international students. However, each participating institution may have specific requirements, so it’s important to check the individual college's application guidelines.

What information do I need to provide on the Common App?

Applicants will need to provide various details, including legal name, contact information, educational history, and demographic information. Additionally, you will need to list extracurricular activities, awards, and any work experience. An essay is also required, allowing you to express your personal experiences and perspectives.

How does the essay portion work?

The Common App includes a personal essay component where you can choose from several prompts or write about a topic of your choice. This essay helps colleges get to know you better beyond grades and test scores. It should be between 250 to 500 words and must be the same for all colleges you apply to using the Common App.

Is there a fee to submit the Common App?

Many colleges require an application fee when you submit the Common App. However, some institutions offer fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. You can indicate your payment method on the application, whether it’s online or by mail.

How do I send my transcripts and recommendations?

While the Common App collects information about your academic history, you will need to arrange for your official transcripts and letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the colleges you are applying to. Each school may have its own process for submitting these documents, so check their requirements carefully.

Can I save my application and come back to it later?

Yes, the Common App allows you to save your progress as you complete the application. You can log in and out as needed, making it convenient to work on your application over time. Just remember to submit your application before the deadline.

What if I have a disciplinary history?

If you have been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution since the 9th grade, you will need to disclose this information on the Common App. It’s important to be honest and provide context if applicable. Colleges will consider your explanation when reviewing your application.

When is the deadline to submit the Common App?

Deadlines for submitting the Common App vary by institution. Most colleges have early action, early decision, and regular decision deadlines. It’s essential to check the specific deadlines for each school you are applying to, as they can differ significantly.

Common mistakes

Inaccurate Personal Information: Many applicants fail to enter their legal names correctly. It’s crucial to match your name exactly as it appears on official documents. A discrepancy can lead to complications in the admissions process.
Missing Deadlines: Applicants often overlook deadlines for submission. Each college may have different timelines, and missing one can jeopardize your chances of admission.
Incomplete Educational History: Some applicants neglect to list all secondary schools attended. This can create gaps in your educational background, which may raise questions during the review process.
Neglecting Optional Sections: While some sections of the Common App are optional, skipping them can be a missed opportunity. Providing additional information about your background or experiences can enhance your application.

Documents used along the form

The college application process can be overwhelming, but understanding the various forms and documents needed alongside the Common App can help simplify things. Here’s a brief overview of some essential documents that students often submit in conjunction with their Common Application. Each serves a unique purpose in showcasing a student's qualifications and readiness for college.

High School Transcript: This official document provides a record of a student's academic performance throughout high school, including grades, courses taken, and GPA. Colleges use this to assess academic readiness.
Standardized Test Scores: Many colleges require SAT or ACT scores as part of the application. These scores help institutions evaluate a student's academic abilities in comparison to other applicants.
Letters of Recommendation: Typically written by teachers, counselors, or mentors, these letters provide insight into a student's character, work ethic, and achievements. They can significantly enhance an application by offering a personal perspective.
Personal Essay: This is a crucial component of the Common App, where students express their individuality, experiences, and aspirations. A well-written essay can leave a lasting impression on admissions committees.
Resume or Activities List: While not always required, this document highlights a student's extracurricular activities, work experience, and accomplishments. It provides a fuller picture of the student beyond academics.
Financial Aid Forms: For those seeking financial assistance, forms like the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CSS Profile are necessary. These documents help determine a student's eligibility for financial aid.
Portfolio (if applicable): For students applying to arts programs, a portfolio showcasing their work is often required. This could include samples of writing, artwork, or other creative projects relevant to their field of study.

By preparing these documents alongside the Common Application, students can present a comprehensive view of their qualifications and aspirations. Each piece contributes to a narrative that colleges use to understand who the applicant is, beyond just numbers and grades. As you navigate this process, remember that organization and attention to detail can greatly enhance your application experience.

Similar forms

The Common App form shares similarities with the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Both documents require detailed personal information, such as legal names, social security numbers, and demographic details. They aim to gather essential data to assess eligibility for financial aid. Just as the Common App helps colleges evaluate applicants, the FAFSA helps the government and institutions determine how much financial assistance a student may qualify for. Completing both forms is crucial for students seeking financial support for their education.

Another document similar to the Common App is the Coalition Application. Like the Common App, the Coalition Application allows students to apply to multiple colleges using a single platform. Both forms collect similar types of information, including academic history, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. The Coalition Application also emphasizes the importance of a student's story, much like the Common App's personal essay section. This shared focus on holistic evaluation helps colleges understand applicants beyond their grades and test scores.

The UC Application, used by the University of California system, is another comparable document. It requires similar information regarding personal details, academic history, and extracurricular activities. Both the UC Application and the Common App include sections where students can express their interests and aspirations. However, the UC Application has its own unique prompts and a specific focus on California residents, while the Common App allows for a broader range of colleges across the country.

Lastly, the Common App is akin to the Common Black College Application, which serves a specific demographic of students. Both applications streamline the college application process, allowing students to apply to multiple institutions with one form. Each document collects similar information about the applicant’s background, academic achievements, and personal interests. The Common Black College Application specifically targets historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), providing an accessible option for students interested in these institutions.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Common App form, it's essential to be thorough and accurate. Here are nine important things to keep in mind:

Do: Use your legal name as it appears on official documents.
Do: Double-check all contact information for accuracy.
Do: Clearly indicate your intended major and career interests.
Do: Provide complete and honest information about your family background.
Do: Review your essay for clarity and coherence before submitting.
Don't: Leave any required fields blank; ensure all necessary information is filled in.
Don't: Use abbreviations or nicknames in official sections.
Don't: Submit your application without proofreading for typos or errors.
Don't: Forget to check the deadlines for each college you are applying to.

Misconceptions

Here are some common misconceptions about the Common App form that applicants may have:

1. The Common App is only for elite colleges. Many colleges, including public universities and community colleges, accept the Common App. It’s a convenient way to apply to a variety of schools.
2. You can only apply to one college at a time. You can use the Common App to apply to multiple colleges simultaneously. This makes it easier to manage your applications.
3. All colleges require the same information. Not all colleges ask for the same details. Some may not require certain sections, so always check each college’s specific requirements.
4. You must complete every section of the application. Some sections are optional. If a section is marked as optional, you can choose whether or not to provide that information.
5. The essay is the most important part of the application. While the essay is significant, admissions committees consider many factors, including grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities.
6. You can’t edit your application after submission. You can update your application after submission, but you should notify the colleges of any changes.
7. You need to pay for every application. Some colleges offer fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. Check with each college to see if they provide this option.
8. Once you submit, there’s no going back. You can still send additional materials or updates to colleges after you submit your application, but be sure to follow their guidelines for doing so.

Understanding these misconceptions can help streamline your application process and reduce unnecessary stress.

Key takeaways

Filling out the Common App form can be a straightforward process if you keep a few key points in mind. Here are some essential takeaways to help guide you:

Accurate Information: Ensure that all personal details, such as your legal name and birth date, match your official documents. This helps avoid any discrepancies later in the application process.
Contact Information: Provide current and accurate contact details, including your email address and phone number. This is crucial for receiving updates about your application status.
Future Plans: Clearly indicate your intended college major and whether you plan to apply for financial aid or scholarships. This information can influence the admissions process.
Demographics: While some demographic questions are optional, answering them can help colleges understand the diversity of their applicants.
Family Information: List both parents and any guardians, even if they are not involved in your education. This information is often used for demographic purposes.
Education History: Include all secondary schools and colleges attended, along with relevant dates. This ensures that colleges can verify your academic background accurately.
Extracurricular Activities: Highlight your extracurricular involvement. This is your chance to showcase your interests and commitments outside of academics.
Personal Essay: Write a thoughtful essay that reflects your personality and experiences. This is an opportunity to stand out and share your story with admissions committees.
Review Before Submission: Double-check all entries for accuracy and completeness. A thorough review can prevent errors that might impact your application.

By keeping these takeaways in mind, you can navigate the Common App form more effectively and present yourself in the best light to potential colleges.