Common App

As seniors in high school are preparing to complete applications for admission, no doubt they are exploring the possibility of submitting the Common Application. The Common App provides students the opportunity to dedicate time to one application accepted by the admission offices at 347 colleges/universities nationwide, including 34 campuses added for the 2008-2009 application cycle. Colleges/universities have no preference for the Common App versus an institutional document. However, some schools rely solely upon the Common App and no longer utilize their own version of an application. Only campuses whose admission staff have a holistic approach to the application review process are allowed to be Common App members. When used correctly, the Common App is a true time saver for the student, the high school college counselor, and the teachers providing letters of recommendation. However, when instructions are not followed precisely, the result can be stress inducing confusion and frustration. Once a student has created a Common App profile, freedom is offered to complete the paperwork on a personal time line, allowing revisions to be made from one day to the next. Students should be cautioned not to electronically submit the Common App until it has been fully proofed. Common App allows a student to preview the document in its entirety, which is an essential element in a successful Common App submission. Once the Common App is sent electronically to any one school, no changes may be made for other schools to which the student is applying for admission. Although this single form is welcomed by almost 350 schools, many of those do require additional documentation, referred to as supplements. This can take the shape of another required essay, further questions about your interest in that specific college/university, alumni legacy status, etc. Some institutions even require that the supplement be submitted prior to the rest of the Common App, so again, attention to the instructions is imperative. Supplements may be found on the Common App website or on the admission office web pages of individual colleges/universities. Like other applications for admission, the Common App is simply a form; one that should be filled out only after the student's resume and essay have been created in their entirety (please refer to previous post titled, "First Things First"). And although the Common App is meant to bring simplicity to the process, students should treat it as they would any separate application, whether online or on paper...with the utmost care and with a careful eye to detail. PIECES OF THE COMMON APP

• student application for admission (includes essay and resume)
• supplemental information (if required)
• teacher evaluations (may submit more than one)
• secondary school report (for high school college counselor to send with official transcripts)
• mid year report (form to accompany seventh semester grade transcript)

As with other applications for admission, the student's file is not considered complete until every aspect of the application have been received and processed by the admission office. This includes the application fee for each campus to which the Common Application is being submitted by the student. Missing items do nothing but unnecessarily delay the process for students. If two or more colleges/universities on a student's prospect list are Common App institutions, investigate this helpful tool...it can save a lot of time, energy, and stress for high school seniors!