1. commonapp.org
#commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application

2. THE FAMILY SECTION commonapp.org #commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application

3. Presenter notes 3
© 2015 The Common Application

4. What is Common App Ready?
A comprehensive training resource
Ready-to-present slide decks
Introduction to The Common Application
Getting Started
Searching and Adding Colleges
Explanations of the following sections: Profile, Family, Education, Testing, Activities, Writing
Payment and Submission 4
© 2015 The Common Application

5. How to use Common App Ready
Schedule a workshop for your students, parents, colleagues, or anyone else who would benefit from learning about the Common Application
Organize your workshop(s) around your needs by presenting the slides all at once or in multiple sessions
Use the accompanying guide (also recorded in the footer notes of each slide) as your script
Direct participants to our training videos for more information: appsupport.commonapp.org 5
© 2015 The Common Application

6. Please begin your presentation with the next slide.
Now YOU are Common App Ready
Please begin your presentation with the next slide. 6
© 2015 The Common Application

7. THE FAMILY SECTION commonapp.org #commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application

8. Sign in to your account Pro-tip: Bookmark apply.commonapp.org
Welcome to Common App Ready.
Students should navigate to commonapp.org, click on Apply Now to create a new account or to Sign In to an existing account.
Pro-tip: Bookmark
apply.commonapp.org
© 2015 The Common Application

9. Navigate to the Common App tab
Applicants can navigate to the Common App tab to begin working on the Common Application.
© 2015 The Common Application

10. Complete information about your household
Family Section - Household
Complete information about your household
The Family Section of the Common Application provides you with the opportunity to share information about your family – the people with whom you live, parents, guardians, siblings, etc.
Colleges care about whether your parents attended college or not – they are looking to offer extra support to students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Many colleges collect this information for demographic purposes.   Even if you are an adult or an emancipated minor, you will need to list this information. If you are a minor with a legal guardian, then please list that information as well. If you wish, you may list step-parents and/or other adults with whom you reside, or who otherwise care for you, in the Additional Information section.  
This information is important to college and universities because it provides context about the applicant and gives insight into their home life.
© 2015 The Common Application

11. Parent information
Pro-tip: Colleges request a significant amount of information about your parents because they find the context extremely valuable as they read your application.
Member Colleges want to know about the family circumstances – each unique situation adds context to an applicant’s situation.
Colleges and Universities are not trying to be invasive or pick apart the details of your life. They are not going to use this information to harm or hurt you or your admissions process.
You’ll first be asked to enter information about your parents’ marital status (relative to each other), with whom you live, and if you have any children yourself.
Next you’ll move on to information about your Parents. If information is unknown about one or both of your parents, you may select ‘unknown’ to describe any parent about which you do not wish to give information. Selecting this option will make questions for that parent not required. Otherwise you’ll start with either parent that you wish to report on first, then answer the corresponding questions that will follow, like their name, country of birth, occupation, and level of education.
© 2015 The Common Application

12. Pro-tip: More than 5 siblings? Add to “Additional Information”
Member Colleges want to know the size of your family. Applicants can add information for up to 5 siblings. More than 5 siblings? Their information can be added to the “Additional Information” Section.
Once you indicate the number of siblings you have, you will then be asked to provide some additional information such as their names, ages, relationship to you, as well as their education level.
© 2015 The Common Application

13. Help when you need it, where you need it
Applicant Solutions Center
Help when you need it, where you need it
24/7
Every day of the year
FAQs
Videos
Chat
Information about the Applicant Solutions Center
You now have the information you need in order to work on your Family section. Remember, we’re always ready to help you. If you experience a problem or have a question, let us know by going to the Applicant Help Center and searching the FAQs or
clicking the Ask a Question tab. It’s probably a good idea to add to your address book or contact list. We know you’ll have questions, and we are here to answer them. Help us make sure our responses don’t end up in your Spam or Junk folder by adding our support address to your contact list.
appsupport.commonapp.org
© 2015 The Common Application

14. commonapp.org
#commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application