Common ApplicationPlanning to Apply for college Admissions
Nicole Murphy, Director of College SuccessFebruary 2013
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Please take 5 minutes to complete the pre-assessment questions
LEARNING OBJECTIVES1) Learn what the Common App is and the benefits of using this
application
2) Learn which schools use the common app
3) Learn how to access the application and what are the required components
4) Complete the first FIVE pages of this year’s Common App.
5) Examine a Common App timeline to understand the importance in planning ahead and the ongoing required attention
WHAT IS THE COMMON APPLICATION “COMMON APP?”
THE COMMON APPLICATION “COMMON APP”
COMMON APP IS AN COLLEGE APPLICATION SERVICEProvides both online & print versions of it’s First-year and Transfer college applications
Students may apply to 488 institutions (US & international schools)
Types of schools affiliated with the Common App: – Public and private– Large and small– Highly selective and modestly selective – Participating U.S. & international schools
1) SAVES TIME - Apply to multiple colleges and universities through one uniform application
2) APPLY TO SCHOOLS THAT USE A HOLISTIC SELECTION PROCESS Evaluate students using more than grades & test scores for admissions:a) Objective criteria – Can be measured quantitatively (in numbers)b) Subjective criteria – Cannot be measured in numbers
• At least 1 recommendation , Essays, and Broader campus diversity considerations: interests, demographics, etc.
3) EASILY SUBMIT & TRACK YOUR APPLICATION THROUGH THE COMMON APP WEBSITE
BENEFITS OF USING THE COMMON APP
WHAT SCHOOLS USE THE COMMON APP?
1) School’s undergraduate admissions Webpage
2) Click the “Member Colleges & Universities” link on the Common App Website
3) Naviance displays the following icon designating a college/university uses the Common App. Icons are located on:
a) School’s “General Info” tabb) Student’s college lists:
• “colleges I’m thinking about” • “colleges I’m apply to”
3 WAYS TO FIND SCHOOLS USING THE COMMON APP?
WHERE CAN I FIND THE COMMON APP?
1. Go to the Common App Website:www.CommonApp.com
2. Create a First-Year account:*Alliance students must apply via online for tracking purposes (Links with Naviance)
•Select a professional username & password you will remember•Use an email address you check often (Make sure your email is professional)
HOW TO ACCESS THE COMMON APP
REQUIRED OPTIONALGeneral Application Art Supplements *Include student
work regarding music, theater, dance, film or visual arts
Teacher Evaluation Athletic Supplements *If you anticipate playing college sports
School Report *Completed by Counselor ED Agreement *Early Decision commitment to a 1st choice school if admitted
Midyear Report*Completed by Counselor Optional Grade Report *Used to update grades if changes occur
Final Report *Completed by Counselor
College-specific Supplements*Additional essays opportunities/requirements
WHAT ARE THE COMMON APP FIRST-YEAR
APPLICATION PACKET COMPONENTS
LET’S BEGIN COMPLETING THE COMMON APP
Page 1 – Applicant Information
Page 2 – Family Information
Page 3 – Education Information & Academics
Page 4 – Honors Section, Extracurricular activities and work experience
Page 5 – Writing Section & Signature Piece
GENERAL APPLICATION COMPONENTS
(REVIEW & COMPLETE – PGS. 1-5)
Using the 5 page paper Common Application provided, begin completing the application (pages 1-5)
Raise your hand if you have any questions
NOTE: Much of the general information required on the Common App is the same information required by all colleges and universities
GENERAL APPLICATION COMPLETION
PLANNING 7 COMMON APP TO-DOs
1) SELF EXPLORATION - Identify what you need and like in a college/university? (EXAMPLES: Admissions criteria, location, small class size, in a major city, nursing program, etc.)
2) ONGOING COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR COUNSELOR ABOUT HS SUCCESS, CAREER GOALS & COLLEGE OPTIONS -Counselors, teachers & administration will support students with completing tasks
3) COLLEGE RESEARCH – Find your college matches & enter these school’s names into Naviance
4) IDENTIFY EACH SCHOOL’S APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS
COMMON APP/COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINE
4) START WRITING APPLICATION ESSAYS – You should have a massaged draft(s) or final essay(s) by August of senior year.
You will create multiple drafts of each essay, and want feedback from others before submitting with your applications
5) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - Think about which teacher(s) & employers you will ask
Ask in a professional manner (written letter with resume) & ask way in advance!
6) MONITOR APPLICATIONS THROUGH TO GRADUATION – Students must monitor their email, Common App, & specific school’s Websites until they start college
BE PREPARED WITH A PLAN (CONTINUED)
COMMON APP PROCESS IS FIRST
AUGUST 1st - The updated Common App online and paper applications are available AUGUST 1st
GET OUT OF THE WAY FIRST – Being prepared to submit in August or September keeps Common App tasks from bleeding into CSU and UC application windows
CONSIDER APPLY EARLY DECISION (ED) OR EARLY ADMISSIONS (EA) - Students with strong grades & admission test scores should consider applying to schools via ED or EA
– May increase admission chances– Receive admissions decision earlier than regular deadline
POST-ASSESSMENT
Please take 5 minutes to complete the post-assessment questions