Are you applying to college? The Common App is a great tool for streamlining the applications process. It’s easy to use and makes it simple to apply to multiple schools at once. In this article, we’ll go over the basics of how to use the Common App so that you can get your applications in quickly. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- The Common App is an online college application system used by over 900 colleges and universities.
- It allows students to fill out one application for multiple schools.
- The Common App provides access to financial aid forms and scholarship opportunities.
- It eliminates much of the paperwork associated with applying for college admission or financial aid.
Overview of the Common App
You may be familiar with the Common App, but let’s take a closer look to gain an understanding of its many functions. The Common App is an online college application system used by over 900 colleges and universities. It allows students to fill out one application for all the schools they are applying to, making it easier for them when making their decision. It also gives access to financial aid forms and scholarship opportunities, which can help make attending college more affordable. The Common App eliminates much of the paperwork associated with applying for college admission or financial aid, saving time and money in the process. With that knowledge, we’ll now move on to exploring how to create an account on the Common App.
How to Create an Account
Creating an account is easy; simply enter your pertinent information and you’re good to go—it’s a cinch! To get started, all you need to do is provide basic user credentials:
- A username
- An email address
- A password.
Once this step is complete, verify that all of the details are correct before continuing onto the next step—applying to schools. Easy as pie!
Applying to Schools
Applying to schools requires you to provide additional information, so get ready for the next step in your educational journey! Before you start submitting applications, it’s important to strategize. Researching schools online is a great way to narrow down your options and get a better idea of what each university offers. It’s also beneficial to attend virtual or in-person campus visits so that you can get a firsthand experience of the environment and culture. Don’t forget to take notes during these visits so that you can compare and contrast different universities when making your final decision. Ultimately, by developing an effective search strategy and taking advantage of the resources available, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about which school is right for you. Now it’s time to manage your application process!
Managing Your Applications
As you progress through the college application process, it’s important to stay on top of all your applications. This means regularly updating your information and tracking the status of each application. Keep in mind that changes to any portion of an application can affect admissions decisions, so make sure to double-check everything before submitting. Taking a few extra steps now will help ensure that you’re making the most of this opportunity!
Updating Your Information
Keep your information up-to-date by regularly updating it on the Common App! This is important to ensure data security, as well as to make sure you receive any financial aid that may be available. By keeping your information up-to-date, you can rest easy knowing that all of your relevant data is secure and accurate. Additionally, having a complete and up-to-date profile could help you qualify for more financial aid opportunities.
To ensure accuracy and data security, take the time to review your information periodically and update it if anything has changed. That way, you’ll be able to stay informed on the latest developments in the application process and track any changes that may occur along the way. With this practice in place, you’ll be one step closer to tracking the status of your applications with confidence.
Tracking the Status of Your Applications
Now that you’ve updated your information, tracking the status of your applications is another important aspect of the college application process. Fortunately, the Common App makes it easy for you to stay on top of each application and see where you are in the admissions process. You can check whether schools have received your application, if they have requested additional documents or an interview with alumni, and when admissions decisions will be released. This can help ensure that you do not miss any deadlines associated with researching universities, evaluating admissions criteria, or submitting essays and other documents. It also allows you to celebrate once all of your hard work has paid off! Now let’s move on to submitting those all-important essays and other documents so that you can take one step closer towards getting accepted into college.
Submitting Essays and Other Documents
Submitting essays and other documents for your college application is an absolute must – it’s not just a suggestion, it’s practically a requirement of epic proportions! To ensure that everything goes smoothly when you submit your documents, make sure to pay attention to the formatting and structure requirements laid out by the Common App. This includes making sure that all of your essays are formatted correctly in either Word or PDF format before submitting them. Additionally, double-check the document structure; if any parts are missing from your essays or other documents, it could lead to potential delays in processing. Following these guidelines will put you on the right track towards successful submission of your documents and help ensure that everything gets processed without issue. Now, onto requesting recommendations!
Requesting Recommendations
Requesting recommendations from your teachers, mentors, and other people who know you well is an important step in the college application process – it’s a chance to show off the impact you’ve made in your community! When asking for recommendations, there are a few things to consider:
- Who to ask: Choose references who can speak to different aspects of your character and accomplishments. Think about teachers or coaches who have seen you grow over time, mentors who have worked with you on projects, or employers that have seen how hardworking you are. It’s also important to make sure they will be able to provide a positive letter of recommendation.
- What information to provide: Give references all the information that they need such as deadlines, required forms or letters, list of schools where recommendation will be sent and any other instructions needed by the school.
- How/when to follow up: Make sure that each reference has enough time before the deadline; send reminders if necessary and thank them after they submit their letters.
Asking for appropriate recommendations is just one part of the college application process – submitting test scores is another critical component that should not go overlooked!
Submitting Test Scores
Test scores can be a make-or-break factor in college admissions, so it’s essential to submit your best work! The Common App allows you to upload or enter your test scores directly into the application. Depending on the institution you are applying to, they may require official score reports sent from the testing agency. It is important to check with individual colleges and universities for their specific requirements.
Re-taking tests can help boost your scores and make them more competitive. However, it is important to keep in mind that some institutions have restrictions on how many times they will accept a test score for consideration – so do your research ahead of time! Many schools also consider the validity of test scores when considering multiple attempts at taking an exam. Ultimately, it is important to take as much care as possible when submitting test scores through the Common App for maximum success during college admissions season.
