You have carefully charted your student’s high school plan, chosen a challenging curriculum, diligently documented their coursework onto a transcript, and have highlighted all of their out-of-the-classroom activities onto an extracurricular activities resume. You’re almost done!
If your teen’s post-high school plans include attending a 4-year college, chances are you will encounter the Common Application. This series will guide you through the Common App and will offer helpful tips and links to resources as you navigate this last step toward your child’s future goals.
A Bit of History
The Common Application started in 1975, when a team of 15 colleges came up with a way to make the application process easier. More students were beginning to apply to college, and many were applying to several institutions. And so the Common App was designed to make applying to multiple colleges easier by using one common application.
Today, over 1,000 colleges and universities accept the Common App in their admissions process.
Keep reading to learn more about how to utilize this free resource as a homeschooler!
Direct Admissions
Until recently, the Common Application collected information and facilitated the application process but was not involved in admissions decisions. Their Direct Admissions program, a pilot among a few colleges, began in 2020. This program proactively offers admission to students before they submit an application.
In order to qualify, you must be a first-generation student or a low- and middle-income student who meets minimum GPA requirements set by the college. Students are then able to apply to these colleges with more confidence. Know that the college is still the one to determine whether to admit your child, not the Common App!
Registering for the Common App
PRO TIP:
Begin as early as possible. It can take up to two months to thoroughly complete the Common App, including the time it will take for recommendations and supplemental information such as test scores to be sent by third parties.
Several questions in the application require essay-format answers, and you will need time to properly consider your responses, as well as time to find teachers and others who can write recommendations of your student’s character and scholastic abilities if needed.
You can register for a Common App account in advance of your student’s senior year of high school which will give you plenty of time to acquaint yourself with the application, research college options, prepare essays, find references, and gather information. However, do not submit the application until the appropriate admissions cycle—typically the fall of your student’s senior year.
Be aware that the Common App resets on August 1st each year with system updates and new additions. Most of the information under the Common App tab remains stable. Some questions may be added, removed, or rearranged. The inclusion of new member colleges, redesigned tabs, policy changes, updates related to student demographic information, and other questions are revealed in the new application.
While most of the information you enter will roll over to the new application, some items will be deleted, and you’ll need to reenter them. If you are not planning on submitting an application before August 1, find more info here.
Steps for Completing the Common App
We highly recommend you look over Common App’s Application guide for first-year students. Each section has one or more short videos for students and parents to watch to better understand the process.
If you would like, you can create a practice account for you and your teen to preview the application. You should select the “Education Professional” option.
The steps below follow the Common App's guide for first-year students:
1. Gather materials
Have your student’s transcript, extracurricular sheet, and other course information on hand. This will greatly facilitate the application process. Using Grammarly or another text editor for all written submissions is highly recommended as well. Make sure to use separate email accounts for the school (represented by you) and your student. Your student will apply using their email, and you will use your email for your reports and other “counselor” communications.
PRO TIP:
Your student will need to select a professional-sounding email address if they do not already have one. Each aspect of their application will speak to who they are, and even their email address can work to their advantage!
2. Create a student account
The main application asks questions from the student’s perspective, but your help is invaluable in making sure the application is complete and accurate. Sit with your teen as you consult and collaborate with each other on this major project. And remember to proofread and double-check all answers!
3. Add colleges of interest
If you create the account before your student has colleges in mind, you can add the college list once they are ready to apply.
4. Engage supporters
In the Common App, you can invite counselors, teachers, and other recommenders to respond. The “Counselor” for homeschools is you, the homeschool parent. Answer confidently on behalf of your student and school.
5. Understand the admission requirements for each college
The “My Colleges” section allows your teen to answer required college-specific questions, manage recommendations, send test scores, write essays, and monitor deadlines. Some colleges request a supplementary writing sample. Prior to submission, the student account will review and flag unanswered questions.
6. Plan essays
The student's response to the Common App Personal Statement will be read by all colleges selected by the applicant, so the content should be generic. College-specific essays can be tailored to the requesting college.
7. Submit your application
Unless a waiver is requested, families may need to pay online application fees to colleges that require them prior to submitting the Common App. Proofread your application carefully before submitting. After submission, an application can only be edited by contacting the Common App.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- Students who qualify for a Common App fee waiver may request the waiver on the application; there are also some college-specific fee waivers. As the counselor, you must confirm your teen’s eligibility.
- You can review answers to FAQs and contact the Common App through their solutions center. Specifically look at online support for first-year students. While these are the most reliable places to look for help, families can also search for YouTube videos.
For a tour through each section of the Common App, continue reading!
