Are letters of recommendation mandatory for Common App submissions?

I'm at the point where I'm gathering all my materials for my college applications and I'm a bit confused about the letters of recommendation. Does the Common App require that we have letters of recommendation submitted with our application? Or is that something that's college-specific and I have to check with each school's requirements?

Hey there! Great question about the letters of recommendation as you work on your Common App. The Common Application itself doesn't require letters of recommendation. However, most colleges that use the Common App do ask for them as part of their individual requirements.

You're absolutely right, though, in thinking that this requirement is college-specific, so it's important to check each school’s application guidelines. Usually, colleges will ask for 1-3 letters, often preferring at least one from a core subject teacher. Assuming you have at least one college on your list that asks for rec letters, which is likely, it's a good idea to ask your recommenders well in advance, to give them time to write a strong letter—remember, they have a lot of other things going on!

As you decide who to ask, think about teachers, counselors, or mentors who know you well and can speak to your strengths. You can even ask a teacher who has seen you struggle, as long as they can also speak to your resilience and ability to overcome hardship—that can give admissions officers an even clearer sense of your character than a letter that only discusses your successes.

Best of luck with your applications!