Common App
Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,000 Common App member colleges worldwide through the common app online college application platform. Learn more about applying through our first-year application by following the step-by-step guide, linked here.
STEP 1: Gather materials
The information you’ll need to complete your applications
Filling out your application takes time.
And if you have to keep interrupting your progress to find information, like a certificate for a continuing education course or the address of your last internship, it can take even longer.
STEP 2.Create an account
Get started at any time
Creating a Common App account is easy and should only take a few minutes.
You can create a Common App account even if you don’t plan on applying for another few months or another few years. You can answer questions in the Common App tab and build a college list at any time.
STEP 3. Add colleges
Start building your My Colleges list
Once you’ve created your account and explored the colleges that accept the Common App, you're ready to start adding colleges.
STEP 4.Engage supporters
Collaborate with counselors, teachers, and more
All colleges need things like official school forms. Many colleges will also ask for letters of recommendation.
Counselors, teachers, and recommenders will submit these kinds of forms on your behalf.
STEP 5.Understanding requirements
Keep track of each college’s unique application requirements
It's important to stay organized as you work on your applications.
Each college needs you to complete common questions and add counselor. Beyond that their applications vary.
STEP 6.Plan essays
Organize and plan for your writing prompts
Sometimes writings essays can feel like the biggest part of your application. With a little bit of planning, organizing, and drafting, we can help you make this task more manageable.
As you work on your applications you can find essays or short answer questions in three sections: Common App Personal Essay, College-specific questions, Writing supplements
STEP 7.Submit your application
Review and submit your application
Submission is a three-step process:
1) Reviewing your application.
2) Paying the application fee (if applicable).
3) Submitting your application.