The Common App is a non-profit membership organization with over 900 different colleges and universities as members. They are committed to helping all students achieve their goals by:
- Taking steps to remove the practical and institutional obstacles to college access
- Assisting those who assist students
- Serving a wide range of students and organizations
- Data and insight are being used to inform our member institutions.
First-time and transfer students can use the site to apply to many universities at the same time. As a result, students only have to fill out the information that most schools require once, such as their name, residence, and extracurricular activities.
Who should use this App ?
The Common Application, a streamlined college application procedure that allows you to apply to many schools at once, is now accepted by most major colleges and universities. This method not only saves you time but also relieves the stress of having to assemble different application documents for each of your potential institutions.
Even if your college does not accept the Common App, most colleges demand similar components, allowing you to transfer data like official high school transcripts and standardized test scores swiftly.
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Key Features
There are five tabs on the Common App site. Students usually begin by using the “College Search” option to add schools. Students may view them on the “Dashboard” tab, which gives a summary of your application progress and required tasks for each institution, once they’ve been uploaded.
Switch to the “Common App” page to fill out the rest of your application documents, including your family background, transcripts, and test results.
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Primary Features :
- Dashboard : Dashboard is the first tab you’ll see after making an account, and it shows you the status of each of your prospective colleges’ applications as well as the activities that must be completed.
- My Colleges : My Institutions, like Dashboard, keeps track of the colleges you’ve added, as well as their deadlines, application fees, and contact information.
- Common App : The majority of your application information, such as your family background, official transcripts, and test scores, will be filled out in the Common App area.
- College Search : This tab allows you to search for and add any colleges that use the Common App, as the name implies. To add a school to your list, simply click on the blue plus sign.
- Financial Aid Resources : This section explains how financial aid works, how to apply for it, and how to look into scholarship options. You can also look over financial help opportunities here.
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Pros and Cons of the Common App
As every object has its positive and negative attributes, here we focus on how using this app can either help you or impact you negatively.
PROS
- Time Saving : There’s no denying it: the Common App is an excellent time saver. With high school, employment, community service, sports, and, of course, college applications, you can always use something to help make your crazy life a little easier. The application simply asks you to fill out the form once, after which it can be sent to any of the system’s member institutions. If you apply to numerous schools that accept the Common App, you’ll have fewer forms to fill out. Some colleges and universities only accept the Common Application, so make sure to check the application procedure for each institution or university you’re interested in before applying.
- Keeps a track of your important information : It keeps track of the deadlines and requirements of the colleges you’re considering. This may aid in the timely submission of your overall application, essay, and supporting paperwork such as letters of recommendation. The dashboard provides you with all the information you could need.
CONS
- Going overboard with it : While the Common App is accepted by over 900 colleges and universities, this does not mean you should apply to all of them. It’s easy to lose sight of this and become engrossed in the convenience of applying to multiple institutions at once. It’s still critical to conduct research and apply to universities that match your requirements and objectives.
On the other hand, don’t rule out applying to institutions that don’t accept the Common App simply because it’s more difficult or time-consuming. Take the time to apply if you’re serious about attending the school.
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How does the Common App work?
Here are some of the ways students have been utilizing the Common App for their educational purposes.
- To begin, first-time students should create an account and complete each part only once. Official transcripts, a list of extracurricular activities, SAT or ACT scores, contact information, academic accolades, and a personal essay are all required application documents.
- Despite the fact that the Common App is a free service, some colleges have their own application costs. However, this isn’t always the case: 48.9% of universities don’t charge an application fee. Check to see if there are any fees associated with each institution to which you’re applying.
- View each of your potential colleges’ school-specific supplemental requirements, such as additional essays or letters of recommendation, once you’ve completed the application.
- Although your personal statement can be used for numerous schools, some universities change their prompts somewhat or tailor them to school-specific resources and opportunities, so be prepared to devote time to write each one separately.
- The Common App is the most extensively used college application system in the United States today, but many universities have numerous application submission options.
- Several private and Ivy league schools, for example, enable students to use the Coalition Application or Universal College Application instead of the Common App to submit their application materials.
- While both systems are popular, the Common App offers a greater variety of essay prompts and is accepted by a larger number of schools, making it the preferred alternative for most first-year candidates.
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Due Date
Each year, the Common App opens on August 1st, which is when students can submit their applications. Those who want to get a head start on the application process can register an account and fill out all of the general requirements before the deadline.
The dates for college applications vary depending on a number of criteria. Most colleges will need you to submit your application by November 1 if you are applying early decision. Applications for regular decisions are usually due on January 1st. These are the most typical deadlines for each application window, but deadlines vary by school, so double-check with each of your potential universities.
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Cost of the Common App
According to data provided by the organization, the Common App is free to use, and 48.9% of member schools do not charge application fees for first-year applicants. Students who apply to colleges that charge an application fee must pay the price when they submit their applications.
Common app fee waiver
Application fees should not be a barrier for any student, according to the Common App and our universities. You can obtain a Common App price waiver if you meet specific criteria.
To request a fee waiver, go to the Common App Fee Waiver section of your Profile. After you’ve completed that section, we’ll have your counsellor fill out a fee waiver form to confirm your fee waiver request. All of your college applications will be eligible for the Common App price waiver.
International students may be eligible for a fee waiver on the Common App. On your application, answer the fee waiver question and mark off any qualifications you meet. Because each college has its own policies, it is not certain that your fee waiver as an international student will be accepted. If a college rejects your fee waiver, you may be required to pay the application cost after you submit your application.
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Colleges and Universities Accepting this App
The Common App, as the industry leader in college application processes, is approved by over 950 schools and institutions. The Common App is accepted by the majority of these schools, including public universities, some international institutions, and all Ivy League universities.
Some prestigious colleges accepting the Common App :
- Arizona State University
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Duke University
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Northwestern University
- The Ohio State University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- University of Chicago
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Pennsylvania
- Vanderbilt University
- Yale University
How will you benefit from Leverage Edu while applying through Coalition app?
Leverage Edu assists students in determining what they should do and where they should be in order to reach their maximum potential, regardless of where they are in the world. It guides students through their path thus far, connects them with individualized mentors, advises them on how to pursue their higher education aspirations via an employability lens, and ensures that everyone pulls their weight to make dreams come true and genuinely be able to level up. With the help and guidance from various tutors and counsellors, your application journey will be as smooth as butter.
If you want to get into a high university, you’ll need more than just good grades; you’ll also need a flawless application because the competition is fierce. You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realize your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute consultation.