Applying to college is a nerve-racking process, students all across the world are finishing their last year of high school and are figuring out what their next step in life would be. Many of you
have heard of the Common Application but are not entirely sure how to use it or what it is for.
Here, we try to answer questions that students and parents might have regarding the Common
Application.
Q : What is the Common Application?
The Common Application is an online platform that allows students from all over the world to apply to colleges both within and also outside of the US. More than 900 schools over the US accept the Common Application as the platform to receive college applications from students. The Common Application allows students to fill in information and answer questions that the majority of the school requires just once to reduce the time of applying to colleges.
Q : Who can use the Common Application for applying to colleges?
The Common Application is an online platform that allows students from all over the world to apply to colleges both within and also outside of the US. More than 900 schools over the US accept the Common Application as the platform to receive college applications from students. The Common Application allows students to fill in information and answer questions that the
majority of the school requires just once to reduce the time of applying to colleges.
Q : How long does it take to finish my application in the Common Application?
The time for completing your college application depends mainly on the requirement that each college is asking from you. Many of these requirements include transcript, letter of recommendation and other additional background on the student that can take up to days or sometimes weeks to obtain. Furthermore, there are prompts and questions that applicants are required to answer within the online application platform. Prompts and questions vary between colleges, as some colleges ask applicants to answer more than others.
Q : Am I required to use only the common application to apply to colleges?
The common application is the most common way for students to apply to colleges in the US. However, it is not the only way that students can apply to US colleges. As there are other online application platforms that are out there that colleges do accept as well. These other platforms are The Coalition Application, The Universal College Application, QuestBridge, ApplyTexas and University System Application. In addition to these online application platforms, colleges themselves have their own system of application within their own systems as well.
Q : Will my chances of getting accepted be different from using the Common Application?
Your chances do not depend on what online platform application you use for your college application. However, Different counsellors might have a preference towards certain platforms that they might be more familiar with.
Q : When can I start on my application with the Common Application?
The Common Application allows students to start working on their college application through the Common Application on the 1st of August. This is when college starts accepting college applications. What to be aware of is the various deadlines for each college and each type of admission. As different colleges have different deadlines for the various types of admission that they offer.
