Common Application Universities: What to Know?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior starting my college search, and I was wondering what I should know about universities that use the Common Application. Are there major advantages to applying through the Common App over other application methods? Also, are there any cons or challenges I should be aware of?

Hi! It's good to see that you're getting an early start on your college search and trying to familiarize yourself with the application process. The Common Application is a widely-used application platform accepted by around 900 colleges and universities, which makes the application process more streamlined and organized for students.

Advantages of the Common Application:

1. Time-saving: Since you'll be filling out one primary application, you'll save a lot of time by not having to duplicate your information for each school (e.g., personal details, extracurriculars, family background). This will allow you to concentrate more on tailoring your supplements and essays for specific schools.

2. Recommendations & transcripts made easy: The Common App also makes gathering and sending recommendation letters and transcripts simpler. Your recommenders will only have to upload their letters once, making the process organized and less burdensome.

3. Financial Aid integration: The Common Application is integrated with the CSS Profile, a widely-used platform for applying for financial aid. This can be helpful when submitting financial aid applications to multiple schools.

4. Accessibility: The Common App website is user-friendly and has various resources and tools that can help you through your application process, including a built-in application progress tracker.

Some potential challenges you might face:

1. Supplemental materials: Though the Common Application saves time in many areas, schools often require additional, school-specific essays and materials. You'll need to be prepared to put effort into these supplements in order to make a strong impression on each school.

2. Limited to participating schools: Not all colleges and universities accept the Common Application, so if you're applying to a mix of public and private institutions, you may still need to use other application platforms like the Coalition Application or specific systems like the University of California's application.

3. Technical difficulties: As with any online platform, the Common Application can occasionally experience technical issues, usually around major deadlines when the website traffic is high. To avoid any last-minute stress, make sure to complete your application well ahead of the deadlines.

Overall, the Common Application is an effective and time-saving tool for applying to multiple schools, but it's important to take note of the specific application requirements for each institution and allocate ample time for supplements and other unique components. Good luck with your college search!