How to use the Common App to apply for colleges

When applying for jobs, you have to complete different applications for different positions. Many expect college to be the same thing. However, thanks to the Common App, that's not entirely true. With over 1,000 colleges and universities accepting this central application form, you could apply to many or even all of your top choices in a fraction of the time. We've put together a Common App guide that covers everything from the basic inputs to how to submit your applications.

What is the Common App?

Every college requires an application in order to submit your candidacy to the school. Most have applications through their website, but many also accept the Common App. The Common App is a non-profit organization that streamlines the college application process for students and participating institutions.

Students can complete the form, write essays, and submit letters of recommendations through the platform to apply to up to 20 colleges at once. Individual colleges might request additional forms or essays, but if more than one school accepts the Common App, you can get the bulk of your applications done at the same time.

Who accepts the Common App?

The Common App started with only 15 users. Today, over 1,000 institutions accept it! Many of the top-ranking colleges and universities use the Common App, including all eight Ivy League schools.

Here are a few other institutions that accept the Common App:

• Amherst College
• Pomona College
• University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
• Arizona State University
• Rice University
• University of Chicago
• John Hopkins University
• California Institute of Technology
• Vanderbilt University
• Northwestern University

Some institutions only accept the Common App, while others utilize direct applications through a school portal and/or other universal applications.

Pros and cons of using the Common App

If you're on the fence about using the Common App, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

Advantages of the Common App

You should absolutely use the Common App if your preferred schools accept or require it. Here are just a few benefits of this centralized college application:

• It saves time. If multiple schools on your list accept the Common App, you can save countless hours on college application processes. It's valuable time you can put toward other high school responsibilities.
• It tracks important info. The Common App dashboard helps you track schools' deadlines and application requirements, making it easier to submit materials on time.
• Schools won't pay less attention. Some students worry that schools prefer in-house applications and the Common App could hurt their acceptance chances. However, colleges that use the Common App sign a document stating that they won't favor the traditional, school-specific applications over other options.
• It helps teachers and school counselors. The Common App simplifies the process for everyone involved with your college application. You can invite collaborators to your application, who can then easily upload transcripts and letters of recommendation to your profile.

Considerations of the Common App

These Common App considerations aren't necessarily downsides, but rather facts you should be aware of before you use it.

• Not all schools accept it. While over 1,000 institutions accept the Common App, it doesn't cover all of the colleges in the United States, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
• It's easier to overdo it. You should have a good mix of safety, match, and reach schools. While you can apply to up to 20 schools through the Common App, it doesn't mean you should use all of those 20 slots – especially if you're applying to other colleges that don't accept the Common App. Carefully research schools to make sure they align with your needs and goals.
• It can experience technical difficulties. Like any online college application, the Common App can experience technical difficulties, including at crucial moments. Don't wait until the night – of even the day before – the application is due. You don't want an unexpected technical issue to hurt your admission chances.

Step-by-step guide to using the Common App

If you want to apply to your colleges using the Common App, follow these steps.

1. Create an account

Create an account on the Common App website. You'll be asked for some basic information, including:

• Whether you're a first-time student, transfer student, or parent/guardian
• Email address
• Legal name (and preferred nickname, if you have one)
• Year you plan to start college
• Date of birth
• Address
• Phone number

2. Complete your Common App profile

Next, you'll fill out your profile and supply details on demographics, languages, geography, eligibility for a fee waiver, nationality, background, and more.

3. Add your colleges and universities

Start selecting colleges and universities you're interested in. If your school doesn't accept the Common App, you'll have to apply to it another way.

You're able to apply to up to 20 schools through the Common App, and you can always remove schools before you apply and add new ones later. If it's early in the application process and you're still building your college list, you might want to wait to move onto the next step. Not all schools require all of the following sections, so you could save time by waiting.

4. Invite collaborators

Students need to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation, and the Common App allows users to invite application collaborators such as teachers, advisors, and other supporters. Each contributor can then directly attach letters of recommendation or transcripts to the application. Advisors can even check on application progress and review the submission, with the student's permission.

Students also need to invite their parents if they are applying under early decision.

5. Fill out the personal information sections

There are six other sections to complete.

1. Family: Provide parents' names, parents' occupations, parents' education levels, sibling details including ages, and other details.
2. Education: Submit high school information, transcripts, graduation dates, details on any college courses that were completed, GPA, honors, awards, goals, community service and the organization's details, and more.
3. Testing: Supply SAT/ACT, AP, IB, and other test scores you wish to submit. International applicants need to provide their English proficiency test results.
4. Activities: You can submit details on up to 10 extracurriculars, clubs, and other activities. You'll be asked to detail the type of activity and organization name, as well as your position, when and how much you participated, and your accomplishments.
5. Writing: Most, but not all, colleges request essays. The Common App will inform you on whether you need to complete this section and for which schools.
   1. Some schools may ask additional questions, such as why the student wants to attend that particular college.
6. Courses & Grades: Only select schools request self-reporting on this section, so most students skip this portion entirely. It asks for further details on grades and any courses taken outside of the student's high school.

6. Submit!

Once you're confident you've completed all of the required application tasks, you can submit it! Keep in mind that once you've submitted your application, you can't change details. Review your application, essay, and materials before you send it in.

What are the Common App essay prompts?

Many institutions require students to complete a personal essay, which needs to be at least 250 words and a maximum of 650 words. As with other college application essays, dedicate time to brainstorming, writing, editing, and proofreading these pieces.

For the 2025-26 application cycle, applicants can choose from one of the personal essay topics listed here.

Schools may have additional supplemental writing questions that are unique to their college. Requested topics vary, but some common subjects include what a student brings to the community, why they want to attend a particular college, or how they fit into their community.

Tips for completing your application

As with all college applications, your Common App requires your full attention. These tips can help you streamline your application process and potentially increase your acceptance chances.

• Don't try to do it all at once. The Common App asks for a lot of information on top of a potential personal essay and optional additional information statements. To prevent burnout, complete the application in bite-sized pieces.
• Start as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the more attention you can give your Common App. Teachers also appreciate when you ask them for recommendation letters early! Don't submit your application last minute on January 1 and risk running into technical difficulties.
• Complete the "challenges and circumstances" section as necessary. If you or your family experienced a hardship, disruption, health issue, or other problem that has impacted your life or grades, you can (and should) provide details in this section.
• Use the "additional information" section. If you have an activity, event, or project that didn't fit into the activities list, you have up to 300 words to explain your experience here.
• Detail up to 10 activities, extracurriculars, and clubs. You have up to 150 words to detail your successes, work, and achievements. Now isn't the time for modesty!
• List your awards. You can submit up to 5 academic achievements and use up to 100 words to explain your successes.
• Don't exaggerate. You should be able to back up your claims. For example, you didn't really face hardship, don't make it up. Your college might ask for proof.
• Provide the right amount of detail. It's all too easy to overshare, which can bog down your application. As you review your submission, ask yourself if the details you provided are beneficial or highlight good information about you as a student. If not, you probably don't need to include them.
• Review before submitting. Always double-check your Common App applications before you hit that submit button. You can preview your application to see the whole form. It's a good idea to have a trusted parent or advisor review your submission.

Common App FAQs

When does the Common App open?

The Common App goes live on the official website every year on August 1st. It closes on January 1st.

However, even though the application is available between August 1st and January 1st, students need to pay attention to the schools' individual application deadlines. Early action and early decision deadlines are usually in November, for example.

How much does the Common App cost?

The Common App itself is free to use, but about half of schools will charge application fees to submit. If you qualify, you can request a fee waiver through your Common App Profile. Some colleges offer their own waivers.

How long does it take to complete the Common App?

Creating a Common App account takes just a few minutes, but completing applications can take months. You need time to write essays, gather letters of recommendations, take the ACT or SAT, and more. Give yourself at least two months to complete college applications – and the sooner you start, the better.

Should you use the Common App?

The short answer is – yes, you should consider using the Common App to apply to colleges if at least one of your schools accepts it. In fact, some schools only accept the Common App.

Not all colleges use the centralized application, but if you're applying to several that do, it can save you hours on the college application process.

Although the Common App allows you to apply to up to 20 schools through the program, it doesn't mean you have to utilize all of those slots. Instead, you want to be sure you're applying to colleges and universities that meet your unique needs, wants, goals, and budget. By using College Raptor's College Match you can identify those schools before you even sign up for a Common App account. And it's free! Sign up here.