I've put a ton of effort into perfecting my Common App essay and I think it’s ready. Can someone explain the steps to submit the Common App essay? Is there anything specific I should check before I hit submit?
It's great to hear that you've put so much effort into your Common App essay! Before you submit, here's a checklist to follow which can help ensure everything is in order:
- Proofread your essay one last time for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
- Verify that your essay responds directly to the prompt and that you've addressed the topic fully.
- Check that you're within the word limit (250-650 words) — concise and clear writing is key.
- Consider the formatting. The Common App text box may strip certain formatting, so avoid using fonts, bold, or italics.
- Read the essay out loud to yourself ensure it flows well and your voice is consistent throughout.
To submit your essay, you'll go through the following steps on the Common App platform:
1. Log into your Common App account.
2. Navigate to the 'Common App' tab.
3. Scroll down to the 'Writing' section.
4. Copy and paste your final essay into the text box.
5. Review how it appears in the text box to ensure there are no unexpected changes or errors.
6. Once you're satisfied, navigate to the 'Dashboard'.
7. Select the colleges you are applying to and ensure all other parts of the application are completed.
8. Follow through to the 'Review and Submit' section for each college.
9. Submit the application to each college.
Remember, once you submit your application to a college, you can't make any changes to your essay for that particular school. Take a deep breath, double-check everything, and when you feel ready, go ahead and submit. Good luck!
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