How to Navigate the Common App 

What is the Common App? 

The Common App is a shared common application system that colleges use to simplify the application process for students. It is very common, but only ¼ of colleges (600 of 2,400) use it, so students should double-check to see if their college does before applying. 

How does it work? 

Students first create a College Board account. They are then taken to their “Dashboard,” where they can search for and add colleges which they want to apply to. Students can then navigate to the “My Colleges” section, which will keep this list and also provide further breakdowns of college information, including specific application requirements and deadlines all in one place. The next section, “Common App,” is where students will actually complete their application. It is composed of 6 parts: “Profile,” “Family,” “Education,” “Testing,” “Activities,” and “Writing” - parts that all colleges you apply to will see. “Writing” is where students will include their Common App personal essay, which is between 250 - 650 words, and is one of the most important parts of a student’s college application. You can find more of our tips on writing a great personal essay here (*add link). After completing the “Common App” section, students will need to submit any additional requirements for the college, such as supplemental essays. That’s it! After completing these general and specific parts, the student’s Common App is done, and they are ready to submit. 

Anything else I should know? 

Both Spanish and English resources are available. The Common App also allows for early action, early decision, and regular decision applications. 

Sources 

The Common Application, “FAQs;” College Vine, “A User’s Guide to the Common Application.” 

Written by Cora Neudeck, Harvard College ‘19