The Common App Made Easy

How to apply to American Universities using the common application

Beginning the Common App

Background information for you and your parents

Your test scoresDetailed descriptions of your

student activitiesIdeas for your personal essay and

supplemental essays

What you will need:

Using the Common App website

Even before signing on, you can explore the site by using the “search for colleges” option.

This option allows you to look up the general information for different universities. This includes their admission rates, financial aid information, and academic opportunities.

Log on to www.commonapp.org to begin your application process.

Searching for Colleges

Within the college search results under “Admission”, there is a section specifically catered to international admissions. Look here to see the international requirements for each university.

Making an Account

Begin by creating an account

Beginning the Common App

You will begin your application by filling out your personal information. The check marks indicate which sections have been completed.

Choosing Colleges

Click “College Search” in order to find colleges to add to your list.

Check this box to see the information for your desired enrollment period (Fall 2014).

Choosing Colleges

You can also search by region to see the different colleges in a particular city or state.

Choosing CollegesClick on the name of the college to find the general information for the school.

Check the box and press “Add” to include the college to your college list. Make sure that

you CHECK THE LOCATION of the university you are interested in because some colleges may have similar names.

Applying to specific colleges

DO NOT assign your recommenders through this option. You will submit your recommendations to EducationUSA and we will forward it to your universities.

After you have compiled your list of colleges, you’ll need to check each college for the supplemental questions they will ask you for your application.Here you will find the additional writing supplement for each college. Not all colleges require a writing supplement so you will need to check.

Applying to specific colleges

After you have compiled your list of colleges, you’ll need to check each college for the supplemental questions they will ask you for your application.Here you will find the additional writing supplement for each college. Not all colleges require a writing supplement so you will need to check.

Here is the option that allows you to invite your teachers and counselor to send in your recommendations .

Inviting RecommendersWhen you try to invite your recommenders, you will be directed to this message which requires you to authorize your school to release your school documents and recommnedations.

The next page will give you the option of waiving your right to see your recommendations. We HIGHLY suggest that you do.

Inviting RecommendersAlthough you may want to see your recommendations before they are sent, universities prefer that you waive your right because it ensures that they are getting an honest account of who you are. Some schools will not read your recommendations at all if they see that you do not waive this right. It is not mandatory, but we highly suggest that you choose this option.

Assigning your teachers

When you click here, an e-mail will be sent to your teacher and they will be officially assigned as your recommender.

You may edit your teacher assignment settings here. When your teacher submits his or her recommendation, you will be notified.

Applying to specific colleges

You must be sure to release the authorization so that your transcript and recommendations may be sent to colleges directly from your school.

If your school does not have a college adviser, your principal may serve as your counselor. You will submit 3

recommendations to EducationUSA - 2 from teachers and 1 from your counselor. DO NOT INVITE ANY TEACHERS OR COUNSELORS THROUGH THE COMMON APP.

Applying to specific colleges

You must be sure to release the authorization so that your transcript and recommendations may be sent to colleges directly from your school.

If your school does not have a college adviser, your principal may serve as your counselor.

You will submit 3 recommendations to EducationUSA - 2 from teachers and 1 from your counselor. Here is the option to invite a teacher

Applying to specific colleges

There are different deadlines for early action, early decision, and regular decision. You will want to discuss with your adviser to figure out the option that would be best for you.

Applying Early If you have fallen in love with a school, you may choose to apply early. This tells the admission officers that you are interested in this school more than any other school. The deadlines are usually in November, rather than January.

Applying early DOES NOT always increase your chances of getting into a school and it does have some drawbacks because you cannot compare financial aid packages. If you choose to apply early, there are two options.

Early Action

When you apply early action, your acceptance to the school is non-binding, meaning that you will not have to commit until May. You may still apply to other colleges.

Early Decision

When you apply early decision, your acceptance is binding and you must commit to the college. You must withdraw your applications for all other colleges and confirm your acceptance in December.

Testing PoliciesMost colleges require the SAT, however, there are some exceptions. Some schools also require SAT subject tests. This information is provided on the school profile. Click on the link under testing policy to see the specific policies for a given college.

Here is an example of an SAT optional college. You would need to click on the link to see their other requirements.

Applying to specific colleges

The Dashboard option will tell you about your progress on each of your applications as well as the deadlines.

Reporting your Test ScoresWhen you are reporting your test scores, you can choose to self report. This means that you will report your best scores for each section, rather than submitting the full scores for every SAT test.

Be aware that some schools require you to submit every score for every test.

Self-reporting your scores

Notice that the student received her best math score on a different day than her best critical reading and writing scores.

Student Activities

You will have the option to submit 10 activities. Rank your activities in order of importance to you. Be as detailed as possible in your descriptions.

This is your opportunity to show colleges your non-academic interests and leadership roles.

ExamplesActivity: JournalismPosition: Editor

Hours per week: 8 hoursWeeks per year: 30 weeks

I was the editor for the school newspaper. I also wrote editorials for the opinion section.

Activity: Community ServicePosition: English Tutor

Hours per week: 4 hoursWeeks per year: 30 weeks

I tutored 9th and 10th grade students for 2 years.

Activity: SportsPosition: Team Captain

Hours per week: 12 hoursWeeks per year: 52 weeks

I was the captain of a club soccer team for two years. I helped lead the team to win 2 championships.

Activity: Computers/TechnologyPosition: President of Robotics Club

Hours per week: 5 hoursWeeks per year: 20 weeks

We won a city-wide competition.

Personal Essay

Choose one of the five prompts for your personal essay.

DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY UNTIL YOU HAVE SHOWN IT TO YOUR ADVISER.