1. Alliance College-Ready Public Schools
Common Application Planning to Apply for college Admissions Nicole Murphy, Director of College Success February 2013

2. PRE-ASSESSMENT
Please take 5 minutes to complete the pre-assessment questions

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learn what the Common App is and the benefits of using this application
Learn which schools use the common app
Learn how to access the application and what are the required components
Complete the first FIVE pages of this year’s Common App.
Examine a Common App timeline to understand the importance in planning ahead and the ongoing required attention

4. WHAT IS THE COMMON APPLICATION “COMMON APP?”

5. THE COMMON APPLICATION “COMMON APP”
COMMON APP IS AN COLLEGE APPLICATION SERVICE
Provides 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

6. BENEFITS OF USING THE COMMON APP
SAVES TIME - Apply to multiple colleges and universities through one uniform application
APPLY TO SCHOOLS THAT USE A HOLISTIC SELECTION PROCESS Evaluate students using more than grades & test scores for admissions:
Objective criteria – Can be measured quantitatively (in numbers)
Subjective criteria – Cannot be measured in numbers
At least 1 recommendation , Essays, and Broader campus diversity considerations: interests, demographics, etc.
EASILY SUBMIT & TRACK YOUR APPLICATION THROUGH
THE COMMON APP WEBSITE

7. WHAT SCHOOLS USE THE COMMON APP?

8. 3 WAYS TO FIND SCHOOLS USING THE COMMON APP?
School’s undergraduate admissions Webpage
Click the “Member Colleges & Universities” link on the Common App Website
Naviance displays the following icon designating a college/university uses the Common App. Icons are located on:
School’s “General Info” tab
Student’s college lists:
“colleges I’m thinking about”
“colleges I’m apply to”

9. WHERE CAN I FIND THE COMMON APP?

10. HOW TO ACCESS THE COMMON APP
Go to the Common App Website:
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 address you check often
(Make sure your is professional)

11. WHAT ARE THE COMMON APP FIRST-YEAR APPLICATION PACKET COMPONENTS
REQUIRED
OPTIONAL
General 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

12. LET’S BEGIN COMPLETING THE COMMON APP

13. GENERAL APPLICATION COMPONENTS (REVIEW & COMPLETE – PGS. 1-5)
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

14. GENERAL APPLICATION COMPLETION
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

15. PLANNING 7 COMMON APP TO-DOs

16. COMMON APP/COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINE
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.)
ONGOING COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR COUNSELOR ABOUT HS SUCCESS, CAREER GOALS & COLLEGE OPTIONS -Counselors, teachers & administration will support students with completing tasks
COLLEGE RESEARCH – Find your college matches & enter these school’s names into Naviance
IDENTIFY EACH SCHOOL’S APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS

17. BE PREPARED WITH A PLAN (CONTINUED)
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
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!
MONITOR APPLICATIONS THROUGH TO GRADUATION – Students must monitor their , Common App, & specific school’s Websites until they start college

18. 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

19. POST-ASSESSMENT
Please take 5 minutes to complete the post-assessment questions