Common
App Prep: Get Started on Your Common Application This Summer
Now is the perfect time for current high
school juniors to start on their Common Applications. While the Common App doesn’t officially open until
August 1st, students can still create accounts, input basic information, and
get started on their personal statements.
At IvyWise, we encourage students to become
familiar with the Common App before senior year so that they can feel
confident and prepared as they embark on the college application process.
Students who get started well in advance of their application deadlines can
avoid the stress that often comes with working down to the wire and benefit
from additional time to review their work. This can be particularly beneficial
for students who are interested in applying via Early Decision or Early Action, as those
application deadlines are much earlier than those for Regular Decision
applications.
Ready to get started? Here’s a look at the
different sections of the Common App that students can fill out well before
their senior year, as well as tips for completing each of these components.
The Basics: Creating Your Common App Account
Every student should begin their experience
with the Common App by creating an account on their website. Students
will need to choose what type of account they wish to create. Rising seniors
applying to college for the first time will need to select “First Year
Student.” Following this, applicants will be asked to provide basic information
including their address, legal name, and date of birth. Additionally, an email
account must be provided – choose one that you check frequently, as the Common
App and colleges will contact you via this address for important information
and updates. Finally, students will be asked to check off several boxes,
including those that indicate that you’ve read the Terms of Use and Privacy
Policy. Following this, click “Create Account” to finalize your account.
Adding Schools to Your Common App My Colleges
List
Creating your account is exciting, but it’s
only the first step in your process with the Common App. Once students have
their account, it’s time to begin adding colleges to your list. Remember that your account will
roll-over, so there’s no harm in getting a head start on this process. If there
are schools you know you wish to apply to, you can use the College Search tab to find the schools
you wish to select. Students can also continue exploring options by using
filters to sort by a variety of features including distance from a zip code,
enrollment term, application fees, writing requirements, and standardized testing policy. Applicants
can go back to this section and continue to add colleges, so don’t worry if
your list of schools isn’t finalized yet.
The Common App Essay
The Common App essay may seem like the most daunting
component of the application process to many students. Instead of putting it
off, aim to get familiar with the different prompt choices and start
brainstorming potential topics. The essay prompts for the 2021-2022 application cycle are
already available, which means students can start reviewing the different
questions now and pinpointing which query they would like to respond to. Students
have seven different prompts to choose from, including sharing an essay of
their own choice, so there is bound to be a category that works for everyone.
Even if you’re not ready to write a finalized version just yet, begin exploring different ideas and
compiling an initial draft that you can revisit throughout the summer.
Gathering Other Application Materials
Filling out the Common Application takes time
and requires information from a multitude of different documents. Don’t wait
until the last minute to track down these materials. Instead, start to compile
them now so you have something to refer back to throughout your application
process. Students will need a copy of their high school transcript, a list of their activities and
responsibilities, test scores and dates from college entrance exams such as the
SAT or ACT if applicable, information about their parents or guardians, and a
compilation of academic honors and achievements.
For many current juniors, pulling together all
of the documents right away may not be realistic – some students may still be
deciding if they want to sit for standardized tests this year and getting
things like transcripts and other official records may take some time as
counselors are focused on wrapping up with current seniors. Don’t worry about
having to get everything done right this moment. Instead, aim to work through
this list of requirements gradually and systematically. For many students,
creating an activity list can be a good starting point. Reflect on your extracurricular engagements, school
clubs, volunteer commitments, part-time jobs,
and family obligations. Highlight activities that demonstrate the interests
and passions that make you a unique
applicant. Students can also begin listing out any academic achievements or
awards they have received throughout their high school careers.
