What Is the Common Application? A Complete Guide

In the past, applying to college was often seen as a daunting, tedious task. Since many schools maintained their own proprietary applications, students had to complete each one individually — and they often required different components, too.

Nowadays, most major colleges and universities accept the Common Application, a streamlined college application system that allows you to apply to multiple schools at once. This process not only saves you time but also alleviates the stress of having to gather various application materials for each of your prospective schools.

Even if your college doesn’t accept the Common App, most schools require similar components, allowing you to quickly transfer materials, such as official high school transcripts and standardized test scores.

For those unfamiliar with the Common App, you can access a step-by-step guide on how to use it at the official Common App website.

To get started, first-time students should create an account and proceed to fill out each section once. Required application materials include official transcripts, a list of extracurricular activities, SAT or ACT scores, contact information, academic honors, and a personal essay.

While the Common App is a free service, some schools require separate application fees. This isn’t always the case, though: 48.9% of colleges do not charge any application fees. Be sure to check whether there are any fees for each institution you’re applying to.

Once completed, view each of your prospective college’s school-specific supplemental requirements, such as additional essays or letters of recommendation. Although your personal statement can generally be used for multiple schools, some colleges alter their prompts slightly or tailor them to school-specific resources and opportunities, so be prepared to spend time writing these individually.

Today, the Common App is the most widely used college application system in the U.S., but many universities offer multiple avenues for application submission. For example, several private and Ivy league schools allow students to submit their application materials through the Coalition Application or Universal College Application instead of the Common App.

While these two systems maintain some popularity, the wide variety of essay prompts provided by the Common App and the vast number of schools that accept it make the Common App the preferable option for most first-year applicants.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

In 2019, the Common App underwent a full redesign, which improved mobile device functionality and gave the system a smoother interface. In addition to a better user experience, these mobile updates increased access for millions of students who lack a computer and/or internet access.

The Common App homepage features five tabs. Students typically start by adding schools through the “College Search” feature. Once added, students can view them on the “Dashboard” tab, which provides an overview of your application progress and required tasks for each school.

The next step is to switch to the “Common App” tab, where you’ll provide all of your application materials, including your family history, transcripts, and test scores.

Below are the five Common App sections and an overview of how they work:

The Common App opens on August 1 each year, meaning this is the earliest date students can submit their application. Those looking to get a head start on the application process can create an account and complete all general components at any time before this date.

College application deadlines vary depending on multiple factors. If you’re applying early action or early decision, most schools will require you to submit your application around November 1. Regular decision applications are generally due by January 1. These are the most common dates for each application window, but deadlines also vary by school, so be sure to check each of your prospective colleges.

Regardless of your desired application window, you should have all of your application materials prepared ahead of time. While the Common App stays open until 11:59 P.M. (in your local time zone), it’s best to submit your application earlier to avoid any technical issues or system delays, as many students will be trying to submit their applications at the last minute.

As the leader in college application systems, the Common App is accepted by approximately 950 colleges and universities. Though the majority of these schools are larger, public universities, several international institutions and all Ivy League universities accept the Common App as well.

It’s worth noting that many Common App schools also accept the Coalition App and/or offer their own proprietary system. In other words, you’re not required to use the Common App should you prefer another application system.

Below are some prominent U.S. colleges and universities that accept the Common App:

Even though more universities join this list each year, many top schools continue to rely on separate application systems; these include Georgetown University and the entire University of California system.

Before you begin applying to college with the Common App, read these critical tips to help keep you on track.

Although the Common App opens on August 1, students can start collecting materials and filling out information at any time prior to this date. Application components such as letters of recommendation and official transcripts can take considerable time to obtain, so make sure to collect these early on.

Some application components can be confusing and may require additional help to fully understand. The financial aid section, for example, typically requires parental information, such as income levels and tax statements.

The Common App lets you view possible essay prompts well before the application opens, giving you plenty of time to brainstorm, organize, and even draft your personal statement.

Set aside ample time to submit your application, as waiting until the last possible day to gather your materials can make an already stressful process even more challenging. A calendar or planner can help you keep track of upcoming due dates for all your schools.