Description
COMMON APP
The Common Application, often referred to as the Common App, is a comprehensive, user-friendly platform that streamlines the college application process. Established to ease the burden of applying to multiple colleges, the Common App allows students to submit a single application to multiple institutions. This unified system is especially valuable for students interested in applying to various colleges without filling out unique applications for each one, reducing redundancy in the process.
With over 1,000 participating member institutions worldwide, the Common App serves as a one-stop application solution, offering access to a wide range of colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, liberal arts colleges, public universities, and even international institutions. This platform not only simplifies applications but also standardizes the process, allowing colleges to view a student’s application materials in a similar format.
The Common App includes sections for personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities, as well as opportunities to showcase unique aspects of a student’s character, achievements, and goals through personal essays and supplementary questions. Additionally, the platform offers useful tools and resources, such as financial aid information, application guides, and deadline trackers, ensuring students have everything they need to manage the application process smoothly.
By enabling applicants to apply to multiple schools with one submission, the Common App has become a central tool in the college admissions landscape. For many students, it’s a gateway to their higher education dreams, making the application process not only more accessible but also more organized and strategic.
Key Features of the Common App
The Common App has revolutionized the college application process by simplifying and centralizing the application experience. Here are some key features that make the Common App an invaluable tool for students and counselors alike:
1. Single Application Process
One of the most significant advantages of the Common App is its single application system. Rather than completing separate applications for each college, students can submit a unified application to multiple schools at once. This feature saves applicants an immense amount of time and effort, reducing the redundancy of re-entering personal information, academic details, and extracurricular activities for each institution. By allowing students to apply to multiple colleges with just one application, the Common App provides a streamlined process that helps students focus more on crafting their responses and less on repetitive data entry.
2. Wide Acceptance Among Institutions
The Common App is accepted by over 1,000 institutions of higher education worldwide, including state schools, private colleges, liberal arts schools, and international universities. Each year, more than 1 million students use the Common App to apply to these member colleges, indicating the platform’s popularity and widespread acceptance. From highly selective universities to community colleges, the Common App provides students with a diverse range of options, opening doors to institutions they might not have considered otherwise.
3. User-Friendly Interface
The Common App is designed with a clean, user-friendly interface, making it easy for applicants to navigate each section. The platform is organized in a step-by-step layout, guiding students through sections like personal information, academic history, extracurricular activities, and essays. Each section is clearly labeled, with prompts and guidelines to help students provide accurate and relevant information. Additionally, the Common App offers features like auto-saving, progress tracking, and deadline reminders, ensuring that students can manage their applications efficiently without worrying about losing data.
4. Comprehensive Application Components
The Common App includes various sections that allow students to showcase their qualifications and experiences. Key sections include:
- Personal Information: Collects details about the student’s background, family, and contact information.
- Academic History: Gathers information about high schools attended, grades, and coursework.
- Extracurricular Activities: Allows students to list clubs, sports, community service, jobs, and other activities outside of the classroom.
- Personal Essay: Provides an opportunity for students to express their unique personality, values, and aspirations through a narrative essay.
This holistic approach allows admissions officers to gain a well-rounded view of each applicant, beyond test scores and GPAs, which are often optional in many institutions.
5. Support and Resources
The Common App offers a variety of resources to support students throughout the application process. This includes financial aid information, a robust help center, a Common App mobile app, and guidance for completing specific application components. Additionally, Common App Ready, a toolkit for counselors and educators, helps them assist students with their applications. These tools not only make the process easier but also empower students by offering additional information and tips for successful applications.
6. Fee Waivers and Accessibility
Recognizing that application fees can be a barrier for some students, the Common App provides fee waiver options for eligible students. This initiative makes higher education more accessible by reducing the financial burden associated with applying to multiple colleges. The Common App also strives to create an inclusive experience, offering accessibility features for students with disabilities and ensuring equal opportunity to use the platform.
Common App Essay Prompts
The Common App essay prompts offer students the opportunity to share insights about their personalities, values, and life experiences. For the 2024 application cycle, students can choose from seven unique prompts, each designed to encourage self-reflection and authenticity. Here’s a detailed look at each of these prompts:
1. Engaging Topic: Describe a Topic or Concept that Captivates You
This prompt invites students to delve into a topic, idea, or concept that they find deeply interesting or exciting. The Common App encourages applicants to show intellectual curiosity by exploring what draws them to this subject and why it matters to them. Students might discuss an area of academic study, a hobby, or even a philosophical concept, illustrating how this interest has shaped their perspective and perhaps influenced their future aspirations. This prompt is ideal for students who are passionate about a specific subject and want to demonstrate how their curiosity drives them.
2. Personal Choice: Share an Essay on Any Topic of Your Choice
The open-ended nature of this prompt gives students complete freedom to choose what they want to write about. This is an opportunity for applicants to introduce an idea or story that doesn’t fit neatly into the other prompts. With no limitations, students can focus on any topic, from personal anecdotes to reflections on a particular experience or unique idea. This Common App prompt is perfect for students with a distinct narrative that captures their individuality and provides a fresh perspective on who they are beyond the standard application materials.
3. Lessons from Obstacles: Discuss a Challenge You Faced and What You Learned
This prompt encourages students to reflect on a challenging moment in their life. Rather than focusing solely on the obstacle, the Common App encourages applicants to delve into the lessons learned from the experience. This essay should go beyond describing a setback and emphasize how the student responded, adapted, and grew from the situation. This prompt is ideal for applicants who want to share a story of resilience and personal growth, showcasing their maturity, problem-solving skills, and ability to learn from difficult experiences.
4. Belief Challenge: Reflect on a Belief You Questioned or Challenged
Think about a time when you questioned a belief you previously held or one that was widely accepted. The Common App is interested in understanding how students approach complex ideas and situations. Applicants can discuss a moment when they felt conflicted about their values, beliefs, or assumptions, and explain how this experience affected their outlook or led to personal growth. This essay allows students to highlight critical thinking, open-mindedness, and the courage to confront difficult or controversial issues.
5. Significant Accomplishment: Describe an Accomplishment or Realization That Was Important to You
This prompt encourages students to reflect on a significant achievement, realization, or moment of personal growth. The Common App emphasizes that the accomplishment doesn’t need to be monumental; it should be meaningful to the applicant. Students can discuss an academic achievement, a personal goal, a meaningful extracurricular success, or a transformative life lesson. The focus should be on why this accomplishment is important and what it reveals about the student’s character, values, and aspirations.
6. Background or Identity: Share How Your Background or Identity Has Shaped You
This prompt invites students to share aspects of their background, culture, family, or identity and how these factors have influenced who they are. The Common App encourages applicants to consider the unique elements that shape their perspectives and values, whether it’s cultural heritage, family traditions, language, or even a specific interest that defines them. This essay allows students to highlight diversity in their experiences and how these experiences contribute to their worldview and goals.
7. Any Topic of Your Choice: Embrace Creative Freedom
Similar to the second prompt, this “catch-all” option provides applicants with the freedom to write about any topic they choose. It’s an opportunity for those who feel they have a distinct idea or story that doesn’t align with the other prompts. This Common App prompt allows for complete creativity and encourages students to think outside the box, providing a platform to express an authentic voice, reveal hidden passions, or convey unique ideas.
Tips for Writing the Common App Essay
Writing a compelling Common App essay requires careful thought, reflection, and strategic storytelling. Here are some essential tips for crafting an essay that stands out and makes an impression:
1. Be Authentic: Write About Topics That Genuinely Matter to You
One of the most important aspects of a successful Common App essay is authenticity. Admissions officers are looking to learn more about who you are as a person, beyond grades and test scores. Choose a topic that genuinely resonates with you, something meaningful that reflects your true interests, values, or beliefs. Avoid topics you think “sound impressive” or “what colleges want to hear.” Instead, write about something that is uniquely yours—a passion, a defining experience, or a perspective that only you can bring. When your writing is authentic, it will naturally convey sincerity, helping admissions committees connect with you on a personal level.
2. Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use Specific Examples and Anecdotes
Instead of simply telling the reader about your qualities, show them through vivid examples and personal anecdotes. If you want to convey that you’re resilient, describe a specific challenge you overcame rather than just stating, “I’m a resilient person.” Use sensory details and descriptive language to bring your experiences to life, so that readers can visualize and emotionally engage with your story. The Common App essay is an opportunity to take admissions officers on a journey—whether it’s a story of personal growth, a memorable accomplishment, or a life lesson learned. When you “show” rather than “tell,” your essay becomes more compelling and memorable.
3. Reflect Deeply: Share What You Learned from the Experience
Reflection is a key element of a powerful Common App essay. Beyond describing events or experiences, take time to discuss the impact these moments had on you. Explain how they shaped your perspective, influenced your values, or led to personal growth. Reflecting on what you learned, even from small or ordinary experiences, demonstrates maturity and self-awareness. Admissions officers appreciate essays that go beyond storytelling to show deeper thinking and introspection. Consider how the experiences you share connect with your goals, motivations, or vision for the future, and weave this reflection into your narrative.
4. Start Early and Revise: Give Yourself Time to Edit and Improve
The best Common App essays often go through multiple drafts. Start brainstorming and drafting well before application deadlines so you have ample time to refine your ideas. With each revision, focus on clarity, tone, and structure, ensuring that your essay is well-organized and engaging. Consider feedback from trusted teachers, mentors, or peers, and be open to making changes that improve your essay’s flow, readability, or impact. Remember that revising is a crucial part of the writing process, so don’t be afraid to cut, add, or restructure as needed to make your essay as effective as possible.
5. Seek Feedback: Have Teachers or Mentors Review Your Essay
Feedback can be invaluable when crafting your Common App essay. Once you have a solid draft, ask for feedback from teachers, mentors, or other trusted individuals who know you well. They can provide insight into whether your essay is clear, compelling, and authentic. It’s helpful to get perspectives from people who are familiar with college applications and writing. However, keep in mind that the final voice should always be yours. Use feedback to strengthen your essay, but ensure that it remains a genuine reflection of your thoughts and personality.
6. Keep Your Voice and Personality Intact: Write in Your Own Style
It’s essential to maintain your unique voice throughout the Common App essay. Admissions officers want to hear from you, not from someone you think you should sound like. Write in a way that feels natural, and avoid overly formal language or clichés. If humor or a casual tone reflects your personality, don’t be afraid to incorporate it, as long as it feels appropriate for the topic. Your essay should sound like it was written by you—a young person with enthusiasm, curiosity, and potential. Let your personality shine through to create an essay that’s engaging and relatable.
7. Proofread Carefully: Avoid Grammar and Spelling Errors
Grammar and spelling errors can detract from an otherwise strong essay. Proofread thoroughly, checking for any typos, grammar mistakes, or awkward phrasing. Consider reading your essay aloud to catch any small errors or inconsistencies. Many students also find it helpful to have a friend or mentor do a final review. A polished Common App essay reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, leaving a positive impression on admissions officers.
Activities List in the Common App
The Common App activities section is a vital part of your application, allowing you to showcase your extracurricular involvement and highlight the experiences that have shaped you outside the classroom. Colleges look to this section to gain insight into your interests, leadership, and contributions within your community. Here are some essential tips for creating a compelling activities list:
1. Be Mindful of the Character Limit: Be Concise and Specific
The Common App limits each activity description to 150 characters, so it’s essential to be concise while still conveying the essence of your role and contributions. Use action verbs and clear language to communicate your involvement efficiently. Instead of writing long sentences, aim for short phrases that describe your actions and achievements. For example, instead of “I led weekly meetings to organize community service projects,” you might say, “Organized weekly meetings; led 20+ students in community service projects.” This approach allows you to maximize the limited space while still highlighting your role and impact.
2. Highlight Impact: Emphasize Contributions and Achievements
Admissions officers want to understand not only what you did but also the significance of your involvement. When describing each activity, focus on the impact of your contributions. Explain how you made a difference, whether by organizing events, leading a team, or initiating a new project. For example, rather than listing “Tutored peers in math,” you could write, “Tutored 10+ peers weekly, improving grades by an average of 15%.” This approach illustrates the value of Think about a time when you questioned a belief you previously held or one that was widely accepted.
3. Showcase a Range of Experiences: Include Diverse Activities
The Common App allows you to list up to 10 activities, and it’s beneficial to include a variety of experiences that reflect different aspects of your interests and skills. While it’s great to highlight significant accomplishments in one area, such as athletics or student government, showcasing diverse activities can paint a well-rounded picture of who you are. Consider including community service, internships, part-time work, creative pursuits, or personal projects that demonstrate your unique qualities and interests. A balanced list shows admissions officers that you are versatile and engaged in various aspects of your life.
4. Prioritize and Organize: Rank Activities Strategically
The Common App requires you to prioritize your activities, listing the most impactful ones first. Start with activities that you’re most passionate about, have invested the most time in, or where you’ve taken on a leadership role. This prioritization helps admissions officers quickly understand which activities matter most to you and where you’ve dedicated the most effort. A thoughtfully organized list reflects your values and can strengthen the impact of your application.
5. Quantify When Possible: Use Numbers to Show Scope and Scale
Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to add specificity and context to your descriptions. For instance, if you volunteered regularly, include the number of hours, weeks, or people you impacted. If you held a leadership position, mention how many people you led or the scale of projects you managed. Quantifying your achievements in the Common App activities section provides admissions officers with a clear sense of your level of involvement and the tangible impact you’ve made.
6. Describe Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
If you held any leadership roles, be sure to clearly describe your responsibilities and the impact you made in that position. Leadership isn’t only about titles; it’s about demonstrating initiative, guiding others, and creating positive changes. When describing leadership roles in the Common App activities section, focus on the specific responsibilities you undertook and any improvements or achievements that resulted from your leadership. For example, “President of Debate Club; increased membership by 30% and organized regional competitions” gives a clear picture of the influence you had on the club.
7. Be Honest and Accurate: Represent Your Involvement Faithfully
Honesty is key when completing the Common App activities section. Admissions officers are experienced in reviewing applications and can often identify exaggerations. Be truthful about your level of involvement, responsibilities, and accomplishments. It’s better to authentically represent a smaller, genuine contribution than to exaggerate involvement in a high-profile activity. Colleges appreciate integrity and value the authenticity that reflects who you genuinely are.
8. Avoid Redundancy: Each Entry Should Highlight a Unique Aspect
Since the Common App limits you to 10 activities, make sure each entry adds a new dimension to your profile. Avoid redundant descriptions by highlighting different aspects of each role or experience. If you’ve been involved in similar activities (e.g., volunteering at different organizations), focus on the unique skills or contributions related to each one. This approach helps create a richer, more varied application, showcasing multiple aspects of your interests, talents, and commitment.
Recommended Strategies
Crafting an impactful Common App activities list requires more than just listing your roles and responsibilities. To stand out, use strategies that convey depth, showcase personal values, and highlight your contributions effectively. Here are some recommended strategies to make your activities list shine:
1. Use Strong Verbs: Start Descriptions with Action-Oriented Words
Starting your activity descriptions with strong action verbs immediately conveys initiative and impact. Words like “Organized,” “Led,” “Created,” and “Initiated” not only give a clear picture of what you did but also help to communicate leadership and drive. For example, instead of writing “Worked on organizing events,” you could write “Organized and coordinated 5+ fundraising events, raising $3,000 for local charities.” This approach makes your activities more dynamic and emphasizes the actions you took, rather than merely describing a position you held.
Consider choosing verbs that highlight the specific skills or contributions involved in each role. If you led a team, use verbs like “Directed” or “Facilitated.” If you came up with an idea or project, use “Founded” or “Developed.” This practice not only strengthens the descriptions but also paints a clearer picture of your personal contributions in each activity, helping admissions officers understand the role you played.
2. Conduct a Values Scan: Align Activities with Your Core Values
A values scan is a method of evaluating whether your activities list reflects the personal values and qualities you want to convey. To do this, review each activity and ask yourself, “What does this reveal about me .To emphasize your dedication to community service, include specific examples of your volunteer work, such as tutoring underprivileged students or organizing local charity events. If creativity is a core value, highlight activities where you developed unique projects or ideas.
The Common App activities section is a chance to demonstrate who you are beyond academics. By conducting a values scan, you can identify which of your core values—such as leadership, compassion, resilience, or curiosity—are represented. This method not only helps you choose activities that show your strengths but also ensures that your application tells a cohesive story about what truly matters to you.
3. Use the BEABIES Exercise: Brainstorm for Detailed Content
The BEABIES exercise is a brainstorming technique that can help you generate detailed, meaningful content for each activity on the Common App. BEABIES stands for the following elements:
- B for “Brief Description”
- E for “Exact Role”
- A for “Action Taken”
- B for “Benefit to Others”
- I for “Impact on You”
- E for “Example of Success”
- S for “Skills Learned”
By using the BEABIES method, you can break down each activity into these components and identify what you truly gained or contributed. Here’s how it works for a hypothetical activity, such as volunteering at an animal shelter:
- Brief Description: Volunteered at local animal shelter.
- Exact Role: Assisted with care, feeding, and adoption events.
- Action Taken: Organized weekly events to raise adoption awareness.
- Benefit to Others: Found homes for over 50 animals in six months.
- Impact on You: Strengthened my commitment to animal welfare.
- Example of Success: Created “Adopt-a-Pet” campaign that increased adoptions by 20%.
- Skills Learned: Leadership, communication, event planning.
Using BEABIES can transform a basic activity description into one that is rich with detail and personal meaning. It provides a roadmap for identifying specific accomplishments, skills gained, and the broader impact of your work, making your activity description more engaging and insightful.
4. Be Consistent with Tone and Style
As you write descriptions for each activity, strive for a consistent tone and style that reflects your personality. Whether you prefer a straightforward, factual style or a slightly more descriptive approach, keep it uniform throughout the activities section. This consistency will help admissions officers read your list fluidly and maintain a cohesive impression of who you are.
For example, if you’re using concise phrases with action verbs, maintain that format across all entries. Alternatively, if you’re using short, impactful statements that include numerical achievements or specific results, apply this consistently. A cohesive tone adds professionalism to your Common App and reflects attention to detail.
5. Review and Refine: Make Every Word Count
After drafting your activities list, review each entry carefully. With only 150 characters per description, it’s essential to make every word count. Look for ways to refine your language, remove redundancies, and focus on what truly matters. For example, words like “helped” or “worked on” can often be replaced with stronger, more specific verbs. Avoid unnecessary filler words and focus on impactful, action-oriented language.
Once you’re satisfied with the content, read through your list one final time to check for clarity and coherence. Each description should stand alone, offering admissions officers a complete snapshot of your contributions and impact in that activity.
Conclusion
The Common Application is an invaluable tool for students navigating the college admissions process, allowing for a more organized and streamlined approach to submitting applications, essays, and activity lists. By mastering each of its components—like the essay prompts, activities list, and recommendations—students can present a well-rounded application that reflects their individuality, values, and achievements. Utilizing strategies such as strong action verbs in the activities section, conducting a values scan, and approaching the essay with authenticity helps students make a meaningful impression on admissions officers.
Ultimately, the Common App serves as more than just a form; it’s an opportunity for students to share their unique stories and showcase their potential to thrive in a collegiate environment. By carefully crafting each section, applicants can effectively highlight their experiences, passions, and goals, enhancing their chances of admission into their preferred colleges and universities. With preparation and attention to detail, the Common App becomes a powerful vehicle for students to communicate who they are and what they hope to achieve.
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