Hello folks, I'm a rising junior and it's my first time dealing with the Common App. Can someone please guide me about the type of information I need to provide in the contact information section? I mean, is it just my email and phone number, or do they need other stuff too? Thanks for the help!
Sure, I can definitely help with that!
The contact information section of the Common Application obligates you to provide a bit more than just your email and phone number. Here's a run-down of what you'll be encountering:
1. 'Personal Information': This includes your full legal name, preferred name (if any), date of birth, and sex.
2. 'Contact Details': Here, you'll need to give your permanent home address. This is crucial for colleges to match your Common Application with any materials sent separately like letters of recommendation or transcripts. Additionally, your email address and phone number will be required. Ensure that the email address is professional, typically your full name or variations of it, and one that you regularly check. For the Phone Number, you should include your local area code.
3. 'Demographics': This will ask about your religious preference (optional), race/ethnicity (optional), and whether or not you are a first-generation college student (neither of your parents completed a four-year degree).
So, as you can see, the Common App isn't just asking for your basic contact information, but also for some personal data points that colleges may use in constructing their class each year. Wishing you all the best in this application process!
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