Successful College Applications

The Common Application is a widely used online platform that streamlines the application process for students applying to multiple colleges and universities in the US. It allows students to fill out a single application and submit it to multiple institutions simultaneously.

Over 1,000 universities across the United States and many other countries accept the Common App.

No. Several universities in the UK, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia accept the Common App.

While the platform itself is free to use, each college can choose how much to charge (usually $30 to $75 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants), and whether or not they charge a fee at all. Fee payment options for applicants consist of credit card, eCheck, Common App fee waiver, and member-specific fee waiver.

You can use the Common App Fee Waiver section of your Profile to request a fee waiver. If you select that you are eligible for the Common App fee waiver, you will not be charged any application fees when you submit through Common App.

Yes. Students from over 200 countries use the Common App to apply to college each year.

No. Currently, the Common App is only available in the English language.

Both the Common App and Coalition App help streamline the college application process. The Common App partners with more schools, allowing greater access for students. The Coalition App primarily targets students from historically underrepresented groups.

You can create a Common App account even if you don’t plan on applying for another few months or another few years. You can answer questions in the Common App tab and build a college list at any time. You can follow these steps:

1. Create your account and choose ‘student type’
2. Create new login credentials
3. Complete your registration information
4. Select ‘create account’

Yes. Common App for transfer supports:

1. Students transferring from community colleges
2. Students transferring from 4-year colleges
3. Military students, veterans, and their families
4. Adults beginning, or returning to, higher educatio

The Common App opens on August 1 each year, meaning this is the earliest date students can submit their application. You can still create an account before this date and fill in your details.

Your application deadlines will be based on the universities you choose to apply to. These will be displayed on your Dashboard. If you're applying early action or early decision, most schools will require you to submit your application around November 1. Regular decision applications are generally due by January 1.

Students who apply to a school Early Action will submit their applications before the regular deadline and will be informed of their admissions decisions soon after.

Early Decision plans work very similarly to Early Action, in that students will submit their applications before the Regular Decision deadline and receive their admissions decisions soon after. The most significant difference between these two plans is that Early Decision is binding, which means that any student who applies and is admitted to a school through Early Decision is expected to enroll. 

Regular Decision is the most common way to apply where you submit your application in January and hear back by April about your decision.

In Rolling Admission, each college has an application window where applications are accepted and reviewed “as they roll in.”  Just like in regular decision admissions, this window will vary from one rolling admission school to another. In general, rolling admissions colleges will accept applications from fall until late spring or until the class is filled.

You may add a college using the add button in the search results list. You can also select a college and add them using the "Add to My Colleges" button from their info screen. Once you've added colleges, you can see them on your Dashboard and in your My Colleges tab. 

Yes. You can add a maximum of 20 colleges and apply to them.

In the writing section of your Common App tab, you will see a table that lists each college's requirements.

For the past three years the Common App essay prompts have been the same. However, this might change in the future. The prompts for the last application cycle were:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

   Colleges can either make the personal essay optional or required. In the writing section of your Common App tab, you will see a table that lists each college's requirements.

The exact word limit for the Common App essay has varied somewhat over the years, but the current range is 250-650 words. 

Technically, yes. You can change the essay for those universities where you have not submitted the application. But for universities already applied to, you cannot make any changes.

How to invite and assign recommenders: 

1. From the My Colleges tab select a college and open their "Recommenders and FERPA" section. If you have not done so already, you will need to complete the FERPA Release Authorization.
2. Invite recommenders using the invite button from each section. You may also use the "Invite Recommenders" button at the top.
3. Select the type of invitation you would like to send. For each invitation you will need information like their name and email address.
4. After you add a recommender, you can view their info using the Manage Recommenders button.

Note that teachers, parents, and other recommenders will not receive an email invitation until you assign them to a college. To assign these recommenders, go to their section within this screen. Select their name from the dropdown and use the assign button.

You are allowed to submit your application before your counselor or teachers submit their school forms whether they choose to do so online or on paper.

The icons on your Dashboard are there to guide your way. A green check means your work has been submitted to that particular college, a yellow circle means your application is still in progress, and a red dash means that a particular section is not required for admission to that college.

No. Once an application or writing supplement has been submitted to any institution, you cannot make any changes to that application.

If you need to change information on a submitted application, you must contact the college's admissions office directly to ask how they would like you to proceed.

The following browsers are supported by the Common App:

1. Latest stable version of Chrome (recommend at least version 75)
2. Latest stable version of Firefox (recommend at least version 65)
3. Microsoft Edge (recommend at least version 40)
4. Safari 12 or higher
5. Latest native browser for best results (Chrome on Android, Safari on iOS)

After you sign in, you can update your email address and password using account settings. Access account settings by selecting your avatar in the header. If you know your email address, but not your password, you can also use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign in page to reset your password.

If your account has been locked after a number of unsuccessful attempts, a message will be sent to the email address linked with your account with instructions on how to unlock it.

If you don't have access to the email address linked with your Common App account, please get in touch with the Solutions Center by clicking the "Contact Support" button.

Deleting your Common App account is permanent and cannot be undone. Account deletion removes all your data stored with Common App. It does not remove data and submitted applications stored by colleges or other organizations.

Updating your web browser should usually resolve this issue. However, if the problem persists,  please get in touch with the Solutions Center by clicking the "Contact Support" button.

Writing a compelling Common App essay can greatly enhance your college application. Here are some tips to help you create a strong and engaging essay:

1. Be authentic: The admissions officers want to get to know you, so be genuine and true to yourself. Write about a topic that truly matters to you and allows your personality and voice to shine through.
2. Start with a captivating introduction: Grab the reader's attention from the beginning with an engaging opening line or anecdote. Make them curious to read further and eager to learn more about you.
3. Tell a personal story: Share a personal experience or a specific moment that has had a significant impact on your life. Reflect on its meaning and how it has shaped your values, aspirations, or perspective.
4. Show, don't just tell: Instead of simply stating your qualities or accomplishments, demonstrate them through vivid descriptions, concrete examples, and storytelling. Allow the reader to experience your journey alongside you.
5. Be focused and concise: The essay should have a clear focus or central theme. Avoid trying to cover too many topics or cramming your entire life story into a single essay. Stay on point and ensure every sentence contributes to the overall message.
6. Be reflective: Use the essay as an opportunity to reflect on your personal growth, challenges overcome, or lessons learned. Admissions officers are interested in seeing how you think and analyze situations.
7. Be mindful of your audience: Remember that the essay is meant to give the admissions officers insight into who you are as a person. Tailor your essay to the values and culture of the particular college or university you're applying to.
8. Edit and revise: Give yourself enough time to revise and edit your essay thoroughly. Check for grammar and spelling errors, but also ensure that your ideas flow logically and coherently. Seek feedback from trusted mentors or teachers.
9. Be yourself: Don't try to write what you think the admissions officers want to hear. Stay true to your own experiences, passions, and beliefs. Authenticity is key to creating a compelling essay.

Check out our in-depth articles on answering the Common App essay prompts.

At Crimson, we support our students with every part of the personal statement building process - from brainstorming and narrowing down possible topics to crafting, building, editing and refining the essay. For more individualized, exclusive information from admissions experts, book a consultation now to start your journey to your dream university.

Making your Common App stand out requires showcasing your unique qualities and making a lasting impression on the admissions officers. Here are some strategies to help you achieve that:

1. Highlight your passions and interests: Emphasize your genuine interests and hobbies, particularly those that demonstrate your dedication, initiative, and leadership skills. Whether it's an extracurricular activity, a personal project, or a creative pursuit, delve into the details and describe how these experiences have shaped you.
2. Connect your experiences to your future goals: Show the admissions officers how your past experiences have influenced your aspirations and how you plan to make an impact in your chosen field. Discuss specific ways in which the college or university you're applying to can help you achieve those goals.
3. Offer a unique perspective: Consider how you can bring a fresh and distinctive viewpoint to the campus community. Share your thoughts and experiences that challenge conventional wisdom or shed light on underrepresented perspectives. Show that you can contribute to the diversity of ideas and experiences on campus.
4. Use vivid storytelling and descriptive language: Engage the reader with vivid storytelling techniques and descriptive language. Paint a picture with your words and make your experiences come alive on the page. This will help the admissions officers connect with your story on an emotional level.
5. Incorporate specific details and examples: Instead of making broad or generic statements, provide specific examples and details that demonstrate your achievements, skills, or personal growth. These concrete instances will add depth and credibility to your narrative.
6. Demonstrate resilience and growth: Discuss challenges or setbacks you've faced and highlight your ability to overcome them. Admissions officers appreciate candidates who can demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from their experiences.
7. Showcase your intellectual curiosity: Highlight your thirst for knowledge, intellectual pursuits, and a genuine love for learning. Discuss books, research, projects, or topics that have deeply engaged and inspired you. Share your eagerness to explore new ideas and contribute to the academic community.
8. Make connections with the college or university: Research the institution you're applying to and find aspects that genuinely resonate with you. Show how your values, interests, and goals align with the college's mission, programs, or campus culture. Demonstrate that you have done your homework and that you're genuinely excited about the possibility of attending that particular institution.

Crimson Education is the world’s most successful US/UK university admissions consultancy, with our students up to 4x more likely to gain acceptance to the best — and most competitive — universities in the world. For more individualized, exclusive information from admissions experts, book a consultation now to start your journey to your dream university.

If you need guidance or have questions while going through the process, the Common App Help Center is the place to start. 

Counselors bring an added dimension to a student’s application. They provide a view of an applicant within the context of an entire graduating class and school community, addressing a student’s academic achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and personal interests and goals, without repeating what is in the application.