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

2. GETTING STARTED WITH THE COMMON APP
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. GETTING STARTED WITH THE COMMON APP
commonapp.org
#commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application

8. What is the Common Application?8
© 2015 The Common Application

9. Diverse colleges, one application
What is the Common Application?
The Common Application is a comprehensive tool that students are able to use to apply to more than 600 colleges around the world. 9
© 2015 The Common Application

10. The Common App Advantage
There are four reasons to use the Common App to apply to college:
Connect to More – The Common Application has more than 600 colleges and universities within its membership. No other online system matches the diversity of colleges and universities accessible through the Common App.
Work Smarter – Using the Common App will save you time in the application admission process. Enter your information once and it will be shared across all of your schools.
Stay on Track - Using the Common App, you will be able to manage your deadlines and view your application progress in one convenient dashboard.
Streamline Recommendations – Teachers and Counselors will have a seamless way to manage documents and outstanding tasks for their students. 10
© 2015 The Common Application

11. Forty years of innovation
The Common Application Experiment
15 colleges and universities develop a shared application to increase college access
30 years
Common Application available online and in paper.
Floppy Disk
Common Application available as as electronic document
1975
1985
1995
1998
2005
2015
Common App
Online
Launch of online application
commonapp.org
Refreshed homepage provides expert information about college application process
First 100
Growing number of colleges and universities bring diversity.
Forty years of innovation
The Common Application was started in 1975 by 15 forward thinking colleges and universities.
1985 celebrated 100 members and universities.
In 1995, the Common App was available to students on floppy disk.
In 1998, the Common App moved to an online application platform.
2015 marks 40 years of increasing access to college, a refreshed website and the largest new group of members. 11
© 2015 The Common Application

12. Students like you
The Common Application was used by more than 860,000 students to apply to college in 2014 – 2015. 12
© 2015 The Common Application

13. Visit commonapp.org Pro tip: Bookmark apply.commonapp.org
The process begins at commonapp.org where applicants can create an account and sign in to the application.
Pro tip: Bookmark apply.commonapp.org
for easy sign in once you’ve registered.
© 2015 The Common Application

14. Create an account Use an email address that you will check frequently.
Creating an account is easy. Applicants will just need some basic profile information – like name, date of birth, address and phone number. And of course, a valid address. That address will become the applicants’ username and the Common App’s primary method of sending updates and reminders, so it should be an address that is used on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to make note of your password and keep that reminder handy, since you’ll need to log in each time you access the Common App. If you lose your login information, the Common Application Applicant Solutions Center is always here to help, but it’s still a good idea to keep your password someplace safe so you can locate it later on if necessary.
Use an address that you will check frequently.
Follow the guidelines to create your password. Write it down if you need help remembering.
© 2015 The Common Application

15. Application and financial aid deadline reminders can be helpful.
Create an account
Pro-tip: Use your legal name for this section. You’ll be able to provide a preferred name/nickname later.
Application and financial aid deadline reminders can be helpful.
Students should use their legal name – as it appears on official school documents and standardized test scores. This will allow colleges to match documents with the correct applicant.
Students who are graduating from high school in June of 2016, should apply as a first year student unless their counselor has instructed them otherwise.
By checking the box indicating that you give permission to colleges and universities that you have added to your MyColleges list, you are allowing colleges to communication with you prior to submission of your application. This communication might include deadline reminders, scholarship opportunities or other information that will help you in the college admissions process.
© 2015 The Common Application

16. Pro-tip: You’ll also need to provide your mailing address.
Create an account
Pro-tip: You’ll also need to provide your mailing address.
Applicants should use the mailing address where they would like all college related materials to be sent.
© 2015 The Common Application

17. Pro-tip: Welcome message appears during your first account sign-in.
Welcome to your account
This is the welcome screen that applicants see when they first sign in to their Common App and will appear until you add a college.
Pro-tip: Welcome message appears during your first account sign-in. 17
© 2015 The Common Application

18. Get to know the Common App
The next couple of slides will help applicants become familiar with the Common Application and the important tabs that they will encounter.
The Common App ID (CAID) is the unique identifier that allows colleges to match your application with supporting documents. Write down this number with your important college application information – it will be useful if you need to contact appsupport.commonapp.org.
Pro-tip: Your Common App ID is a unique identifier that will help colleges match your application with supporting documents. 18
© 2015 The Common Application

19. Pro-tip: The Dashboard provides a snapshot of all your colleges.
Get to know the Common App
The Dahsboard provides a snapshot of all of your colleges.
Pro-tip: The Dashboard provides a snapshot of all your colleges. 19
© 2015 The Common Application

20. Get to know the Common App
The My Colleges tab will list detailed information about the colleges you have added to the list and requirements for all of your colleges.
Pro-tip: My Colleges lists detailed information and requirements for all of your colleges. 20
© 2015 The Common Application

21. Get to know the Common App
The Common App tab is where you will go to complete the main sections of your application.
Pro-tip: The Common App tab is where you will go to complete the main sections of your application. 21
© 2015 The Common Application

22. Get to know the Common App
The College Search tab is used to search for colleges that you would like to add to your My Colleges list.
Pro-tip: The College Search tab is used to search for colleges that you would like to add to your My Colleges list. 22
© 2015 The Common Application

23. Get to know the Common App
On the right side of the screen, you will see the Instructions and Help Center link. This link appears in the same place on every page of your application. Help is available when you need it, where you need it, 24/7/365.
Pro-tip: The Instructions and Help Center link appears in the same place on every page of your application. Help is available when you need it, where you need it, 24/7/365. 23
© 2015 The Common Application

24. Information you’ll need to begin
Copy of your high school transcript
List of senior year courses
School counselor name and contact information
List of your activities, work, and family obligations
Standardized test scores and dates
Parent/guardian educational history and occupation/employer information
Sibling grade level and educational information
It is helpful for applicants to gather some basic information before they begin completing the Common Application.
The following information will be helpful:
Copy of your high school transcript
List of senior year courses
School counselor name and contact information
List of your activities, work, and family obligations
Standardized test scores and dates
Parent/guardian educational history and occupation/employer information
Sibling grade level and educational information 24
© 2015 The Common Application

25. 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
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

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