The main college essay in the Common Application is often referred to as a personal statement. Why personal? Because the essay should help the reader gain insight into who the student is as a person. It’s an essay that should be introspective and reflect what is meaningful to you.
Before you turn to the empty document on your computer screen to start writing, it is essential that you spend some time thinking—about your life, your values and the memories you hold dear. Keep in mind…
Before 1975, every college had a separate paper application that needed to be individually hand written or typed and sent via snail mail. The Common Application was introduced that year to provide a single application that could be completed once and sent to all schools.
The Common Application has come a long way since then, and now includes nearly 900 college members’ individual questions and supplemental essay requirements. Among the schools newly accepting the Common…
The Common Application, accepted by nearly 800 colleges, launched on August 1st. While the application is pretty straightforward, here are some things to look for as you register and complete it.
1. Keep Track of Your Registration Information. Record your password along with the email address you used at registration time so you can easily access it. You may think you will remember it, but we have learned from our students’ experiences that this is often not the case.
One of the seemingly ubiquitous questions found on college applications is the “Why us?” question. This question can take many different forms, such as “What most influenced you to apply to Vassar College?” or “Please compose an essay that will tell us how you will help the university carry out its mission.” At first glance, the answer to this seems as straightforward as Googling the college name and finding out a few key facts about the…
When students envision themselves filling out college applications, they typically picture the components they have heard others discussing: “the big essay,” an activities list, or what to list as a major. However, students should know that there are often multiple application options available—The Common Application, The Coalition Application, and college-specific applications, and it is beneficial to preview the options and consider which will help you most effectively…
With the November 1 early college deadline this week, the college application frenzy is going fast and furious. From filling out the Common Application to writing and rewriting essays to scheduling interviews, it is very easy for students (and parents) to get caught up in the flurry of activity that comes with the college admissions process. However, while a little stress during this process is unavoidable, this doesn’t mean that the next few months have to be complete chaos.
It is hard to believe you will be hitting submit after all your hard work researching colleges, writing essays and slogging miles doing college visits. This video will help you understand how to preview your common application by generating a pdf, why you must proof it, and, finally, how to submit it. Congratulations on getting this far!
Nearly four decades ago, 15 private colleges founded the Common Application in order to offer a standardized means for students to apply to college; however, the “Common App” as it is known, will lose some of its consistency when the board launches an eight million dollar revamp next year. While most of the application will remain the same – such as the familiar layout – the differences are already prompting debate among admissions representatives, school counselors and independent…
