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Happy Common App Day!
The Common Application is a platform where you can apply to over 1000 different colleges, and many of the most popular colleges utilize this platform. However, navigating it can be daunting for students. With numerous sections to complete, deadlines to meet, and the pressure to stand out, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. You can avoid that anxiety by following these 5 tips for the Common App to create a compelling profile that showcases your strengths and unique qualities.
1. Start Early and Stay Organized
The Common App has many components, including personal information, academic history, test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. Each college will have additional questions you will need to complete, and many have hidden essays that only come up if you answer certain questions in a specific way. I recommend adding all the colleges you are applying to to your "My Colleges" tab and answering all the drop-down/check boxes immediately. By doing this, you will clearly see the deadlines on your dashboard and get the full picture of the essays you must write for each college. You can also invite your teacher and counselor to the portal so they have plenty of time to complete your recommendation letters. Early Action and Early Decision deadlines can be as soon as October 15, which will be here before you know it, so make your system now. Whether you create a handwritten checklist or a notes app on your phone, find a way to keep track of all the tasks and deadlines so nothing falls through the cracks.
2. Craft a Compelling Common App Essay
The personal statement is the essay you will submit to most colleges on your college list. Since you will likely not have a chance to interact with the people reading your application, the personal statement is your main opportunity to showcase your personality, values, and experiences. You can choose from seven prompts, including "share an essay on any topic of your choice." I encourage students to think about what traits they want to share first and then see which topic makes the most sense. Any topic can be good, depending on how it's executed; the prompt is just a vehicle to reveal who you are as a person. Show the reader what you mean through specific examples rather than just telling them you are (whatever trait you choose). I recommend typing your essay in a Google or Word doc and go through a few rounds of revision before you paste it in the essay box. Read it aloud and have a trusted person give you specific feedback. For more tips and tricks, check out my post on how to make your essays GRAND.
3. Utilize the Additional Information Section Wisely
The Additional Information section is an optional part of the Common App where you can provide context for any discrepancies or unique circumstances not covered elsewhere. Use this space to explain any gaps in your academic record, significant challenges you've encountered, or any other pertinent information that can provide a fuller picture of your high school experience. I have had students write about mental health diagnoses, medical conditions that have caused them to miss a lot of school, the loss of a family member that impacted their grades, or scheduling conflicts that prevented them from taking specific courses. Other students have used this space to explain their extensive extracurricular activities, like working on political campaigns, publishing research, earning many awards, or competing at a very high level for their sport or instrument. Remember, you choose what to share, and if you don't feel comfortable writing that part of your story yet, leave it out.
4. Highlight Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles
Admissions officers are interested in how you spend your time outside of the classroom. This can include official clubs and organizations, but it can also include consistent hobbies. Are you the captain of a sports team or president of a club? Great! Do you crochet socks to donate to a shelter? Wonderful! Did you teach yourself to play guitar during COVID-19 and play by yourself daily? Include it! While there are 10 spaces in the activities section, you don't have to fill every box; focus on quality over quantity. I recommend prioritizing your activities based on importance to you rather than what you feel the admissions counselor wants to hear. Because you only have 150 characters for the description, I often have students focus on their impact and be concise. You don't need to use complete sentences, and ampersands (&) are encouraged. Avoid saying the obvious, like "attend meetings," but instead, be specific about your contributions and the impact you made by quantifying your achievements (e.g., "Raised $10k for charity through X). For more information about Extracurricular Activities, check out my blog post here.
5. Proofread and Seek Feedback
Before submitting your application, it's crucial to proofread all sections thoroughly. I recommend generating a PDF of your entire application and printing it out- it's usually easier to check for spelling and grammatical errors on paper than on a screen. Read all the written parts aloud to see how they sound and note any inconsistencies with tone or flow. Choose 1 or 2 people, like a teacher, mentor, or family member, to review your application. If you want feedback on your essay, ask them specific questions; otherwise, you could end up with too many cooks in the kitchen since everyone brings their own biases into the picture. However, a fresh set of eyes will often see things you didn't know and can catch mistakes you might have overlooked.
Final Thoughts on the Common App
Filling out the Common App is a significant step in your journey to college. By starting early, staying organized, and focusing on authenticity and detail, you can create a strong application highlighting your strengths and showing colleges how you will be an asset on their campus. Give them reasons be your advocate. Remember, presenting a well-rounded and genuine portrayal of yourself to the admissions committees is the goal. If you need help completing the Common App, I highly recommend checking out the free AXS Companion Guide. Good luck!
Class of 2025, do you have questions about admissions? Want to get a jump start on your college planning? Contact Allison or visit Grand Fit Educational Consulting for more information.
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